If only Thierry Henry had read this book

At a time when our sporting heroes are as likely to appear on the front pages of our newspapers as on the back and when cheating by players and coaches has become a part of the daily discourse, sportsmanship has never been a more timely topic.

Sport and Character: Reclaiming the Principles of Sportsmanship can help those involved in sport tackle the important lessons of sportsmanship by encouraging them to practice and teach respect for opponents, coaches, officials, teammates and the game.

Price: £12.99 I €14.30
Find out more >>

Pudsey gets 10% of book sales

Between now and November 30th 2009, 10% of the value of all sales of books and DVDs ordered direct from Human Kinetics Europe quoting the promotional code PUDSEY will be donated to the BBC’s Children in Need appeal.

Most people in the United Kingdom are only aware of Pudsey Bear around this time of the year when the BBC’s television appeal hits the airwaves, yet the people who live and work in Pudsey are aware of this famous little bear most of the year round.

Squeals on wheels

Scooters, children and fun are natural partners. Children love scooting and it’s terrific physical activity, but until now, few books have focused on scooter activities or provided guidance on incorporating them into the curriculum in meaningful ways.

Scooter Games is an easy-to-use book that will help you find creative ways to integrate co-operative, tag, relay, team, or interdisciplinary scooter activities into your curriculum.

Through the use of more than 100 productive and ready-to-use activities in Scooter Games, you can also include other subjects such as maths, health, science, teamwork, sportsmanship and problem solving.

Price: £14.50 I €16.00
Read more >>

Advice on organizing school trips

Activities outside the classroom can bring significant benefits for young people and help to bring learning to life. They help children to develop knowledge, understanding and skills beyond the classroom walls, through educational activities.

Teachers and others will now find it easier to take young people out and about as Schools Minister Diana Johnson launched a consultation on simple and straightforward guidance to cut red tape.

The new guidance will help teachers and other staff to keep children safe by outlining their duties and giving helpful advice such as how to
cut red tape by providing sample checklist forms to help save time.

It will give teachers and others more confidence to organise trips by highlighting helpful schemes like the Quality Badge and highlight how employers should support their staff in the event of a child being hurt, and reduce fears of legal action.

Source: Department for Children, Schools and Families
Read more >>

Let’s Play

Most children love break and playground time. But there are often some individuals left standing alone watching others play.

Those who have not developed the necessary skills they need to take part in physical activities on the playground are left inactive and isolated, which can lead to long-lasting negative effects on their self-esteem.

Let’s Play! Promoting Active Playgrounds will help you make sure that no children are left on the sidelines watching and waiting for the bell or for a parent to pick them up.

But through Let’s Play!, you can ensure that every child under your care has the repertoire of movement skills to enable them to be physically active in the playground.

Price: £22.00 I €24.20
Read more >>

Winning Women’s Lacrosse

In Winning Women’s Lacrosse, renowned coach Kelly Amonte Hiller shares the expertise that has enabled her to develop some of the game’s premier players and made her team a perennial powerhouse.

Winning Women’s Lacrosse covers it all. Through expert instruction, coaching tips and one-of-a-kind insights into the sport, you’ll learn to develop the individual attacking and defensive skills of the game and master the speciality skills of field players and goalkeepers.

Learn to train like champions with sport-specific conditioning drills.
Sharpen individual and team execution with situational drills and
maximize potential by making the most out of practice time.

Price: £14.99 I €16.50
Read more >>

Crown Jewels under threat

The Epsom Derby and the Rugby League Cup Final are rumoured to be among the victims in a shake up of the Listed Events ruling, which governs which sporting events must be broadcast on a free-to-air channel

According to media reports, the independent panel currently undertaking the review is set to recommend that the list be shortened but should include the Ashes, Wimbledon and international football qualifying matches.

Get taken to court and win

Learn the fundamentals of squash and enjoy competing in this fast-paced, tactical game.

Whether you already play squash or are just starting out, Squash: Steps to Success teaches the skills and strategies needed in order to play and win.

13 progressive instructional steps, teach all aspects of the game and detailed descriptions, illustrations and photo sequences demonstrate essential on-the-court movement, volleys, serves, returns and drop shots.

Rise in child obesity levelling off

The alarming rise in child obesity may be levelling off according to a new report ‘Obesity trends for children aged 2-11 years and 12-19 years’ published by The National Heart Forum.

Researchers compared previous forecasts of obesity prevalence to new updated forecasts based on data between 2000 and 2007. This showed a significantly healthier picture, suggesting that the rate of increase in obesity levels across the country may be in decline.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity amongst children in England has risen relentlessly since the mid 1970s. This data shows encouraging signs that this rising trend may be levelling out.

Source: The National Heart Forum
Read more >>

The best team doesn’t always win—but it usually does

The key to successful coaching is preparing your players to make intelligent decisions on the field.

For years, the best-selling Skills & Strategies for Coaching Soccer has helped coaches of every level do just that. Now, football’s premier coaching resource has been updated and expanded to provide you with more insights into developing individual talent, team tactics and winning play.

Skills & Strategies for Coaching Soccer provides you with over 125 drills for teaching skills and techniques. You’ll also learn how to develop these skills in realistic game situations with players of all abilities from beginners to future stars.

Essential footballing skills are covered, including receiving and controlling the ball, passing, dribbling, kicking, heading and goalkeeping. You’ll then apply those individual skills with attacking and defensive tactics, team formations and set pieces.

Price: £16.99 I €20.90
Read more >>

5th Edition of Directory of Sport Science

The Directory of Sport Science, Fifth Edition, is a comprehensive reference work covering the entire field of exercise science.

Written by the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) and a team of international scholars, this book gives readers an informed overview of the sport science field with discussion of key functions, methodology, history, organisations, and resources for each sub-discipline and thematic area.

This book will deepen the common understanding of each prominent area of sport science and strengthen the field as a whole. Readers will gain a clear view of the history and current status of each sub-discipline in exercise science, and they will receive essential information to expand their study of the field and explore their potential contributions to its development and success.

An invaluable reference for those currently working in the field of sports science and for those studying to do so.

Price: £38.00 I €41.80
Find out more >>

UK to host NBA game in 2010?

Following the third staging of an annual exhibition game at The O2 Arena, the NBA has revealed that it could stage a competitive regular-season match in London from as early as next season.

The O2 Arena in Docklands hosted a pre-season match earlier this month between Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz and NBA chiefs want to use the venue again but this time for a competitive fixture.

London 2012 Olympics education logo unveiled

The new London 2012 education logo was created by Reiss Evans, an 18-year-old graphic design student from Dover, who will now see the design for Get Set, the London 2012 official education programme, being used by schools and colleges around the country as part of the effort to get children excited and inspired by the Olympic Games.

“The pencils are symbolic of the creativity in the UK’s schools and the range of colours used represents the global nature of the 2012 Games,” he said. “The colours ensure the logo is eye-catching and they tie in with those used in London 2012’s own brand work.”

‘School Olympics’ promised

Proposals made by Olympic double gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes for a national contest with the finals held in the London 2012 stadium have been backed by Shadow sport secretary Jeremy Hunt.

Mr Hunt promised a “revolution in school sport” if David Cameron wins the next general election. He told the Conservative Party conference he would end Labour’s “political correctness and health and safety madness”.

Youth Strength Training

The benefits of strength training for young people are clearly documented, but many teachers, fitness instructors and youth coaches are unsure how to proceed.

As a result they often end up adapting unsuitable adult versions of strength-training programmes.

However this new book is set to change all this as it guides you in the development of safe, effective and enjoyable training programmes for 7 to 18 year olds.

It covers the latest thinking on nutrition, hydration and recovery to maximize the effects of strength training and minimize the risks of overtraining.