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| Sunday, 3 April 2005 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Ways to be active and have fun
There is no doubt that you have faced many instances when you were unable to play due to the above mentioned reasons. Next time it happens, do not complain. Sometimes, being by yourself can give you an opportunity to improve on your sports skills and practices, so you get better at them. For instance, if you play tennis, try hitting a tennis ball against a brick wall. If basketball is your area, try shooting hoops and count how many you can sink. Or if you're into soccer, grab a ball, and see how long you can keep it in the air using your feet, knees, and head. When you play with your friends again, they'll be amazed at what you can do! Here are more things that you can do when you are all by yourself: Practise hopscotch, see how long you can hop on one foot, do jumping jacks, invent some dance moves, do sprints (short running races) and time yourself to know how fast you can run. Try jumping rope and count how many times you can jump before you miss. Jumping rope is a great way to get aerobic exercise. When there are two- Just you and a friend hanging around, looking for something to do? Practise playing some ping-pong or start a tennis tournament between the two of you. Ever tried your hand at badminton? It's great if you have a net, but you can also play without it by just counting how many times you can hit the shuttlecock back and forth to each other. How about a little one-on-one in basketball or a race to find out who's the fastest runner? More things to do when there are two: have a handstand contest, invent dances to your favourite songs, jump rope together, ride bikes if the weather permits and don't forget your helmets. Practise pitching or hitting a baseball. When there are many of you- If there is a gang of you looking for something cool to do, you're in luck! Lots of sports and games work well when there is a group of children. Baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, cricket and volleyball are good group games. You could, even play 'follow the leader' on bikes. You could also play hide-and-seek, dance to your favourite music, play board games or cards. If you are exercising or playing in the heat, it is very important to remember to drink lots of water, even if you don't feel thirsty. Hot temperatures make you sweat more, so you must replace the water you lose to prevent heat exhaustion. When you're stuck at home due to the weather you could still get plenty of exercise and have fun doing what we have mentioned here or by inventing your own games. Turn on your favourite music and dance. Invite your dog or cat to join in the fun. Or grab a hula-hoop and make up some hula-hoop dances. If there is enough room, you can jump rope and count how many times you jump without missing. There are basketball hoops with over-the-door hooks and basketballs made from soft foam that are meant to be played indoors. If you have them and there is enough room, set them up and shoot some hoops. Have a tournament with everyone in the house. More things to do when you're stuck at home: do some tumbling if you have enough room to do it, set up a scavenger hunt, bat a balloon back and forth and try not to let it hit the floor. Here's one thing you should not do: say "I'm bored. There's nothing to do." As you just found out, there's always something to do! **** The David Beckham Academy
The Academy is to target children of all ability levels, and will initially welcome 15,000 boys and girls aged 8-15 years old on an annual basis. During Beckham's childhood, he had dreams of becoming a professional footballer and he attended a similiar academy, The Bobby Charlton Soccer School. |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Maybe you're looking outside right now and it's raining heavily. Or
maybe it's bright and sunny, with the sweltering heat making it impossible
to go outside and play. You may be in the company of friends, or you could
be all by yourself. No matter what the weather is like, or how many
friends are around, there's always a way to be physically active and have
fun. 
Real Madrid and England football player David Beckham with pupils from
his old school during the launch of "The David Beckham Academy" in London
on March 14. The football academy is due to open later in the summer on
the Greenwich Peninsula in East London. 
