RecTech

Rec Tech

RecTech

The Interaction betweens Sports and the Modern Era

The Interaction between Sports and the Modern Era

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ATTENTION Basketball Players Wanted

The LBJ/Lasa basketball team is looking for more players. All interested in signing up for the team must be hardworking and willing to push themselves to their limits.Sign up today and play one of America’s top sports. It’s time for you to join the family.

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Letter from the Editor

Sports are a fundamental part of many peoples’ lives. They provide a fun way to exercise as well as some healthy competition. My group has grown up playing sports and still continue to do so. This has led us to see some changes in the sports we were raised playing. Because of this, we decided to make our magazine about the evolution of specific sports. The magazine displays a large variety of changes that have been made in sports.

For instance, in Indigenous Tradition to Ingenious Sport, the change in the safety aspect of lacrosse is talked about whereas in Fast Break through Social Media, the article focuses on the impact of social media alone.

For the most part, my group and I came into this project with very little experience in graphic design. Through the production of the magazine, we have become relatively familiar with design programs such as Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. It definitely took some time to understand the basics of the programs, but once we figured it out, we were able to apply our skills and construct different parts of our magazine.

The creation of our feature articles taught us essential lessons on how to perform interviews and properly credit sources. Creating questions, conducting the interview, and transcribing the interview were all tasks which taught us how to acquire the information needed to create a well-written feature article. Images included in our articles were essential in teaching us how to credit the correct source and how to credit them properly.

By the end of our magazine-making journey, we have gained knowledge on the fundamentals of graphic design and feature writing. This project has taught us how to conduct interviews, properly credit sources, use graphic design programs, and ultimately how to work as a group to construct a final product.

Sincerely,

Ben Woytek

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Table of Contents Meet the Authors - 6 Indigenous Tradition to Ingenious Sport - 8 How Well do You Know a Lacrosse Stick? - 12 Pick a Position - 13 Fast Break Through Social Media - 14

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Nothing but Internet -18 Laying Out for Victory- 20 Hucks of Ultimate Frisbee - 24 Scoring with Technology - 26 Legends in Soccer - 30

RecTech

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Meet the Authors Credits Copy Editor: Wally Auby Content/Photo Editor: Noah Schunck

Noah Schunck is 14 years old and has recently retired from baseball to become an all-star lacrosse player.

Noah is an experienced angler and photographer. He wishes to pursue a career in the medical field.

“I enjoy playing lacrosse because the collision aspect of the sport lets me whack people with a 6ft. metal stick, which is wicked fun.” -Noah

Graphics/Layout Editor: Ben Woytek ASF Editor: Ever Osorio Special thanks to our interviewees for making this magazine possible: Stephen Ayala David Edwards Daniel Haas Steve Henson John Higgs Colleen Kepner Tom O’Grady Sean Riordan Brandon Perez Meredith Phipps Afonso Pinhiero Luis Urbina 6

Ben Woytek is 14 years young and has played sports his whole life. His favorite sports are basketball and soccer. Playing those sports allow him to meet new people and work on essential teamwork skills. His favorite subject is English, and he enjoys reading. He hopes to pursue a career in law.

Wally Auby is a 14-year-old who loves playing lacrosse and ultimate frisbee.

He enjoys staying active and playing sports with friends. He likes computer programming and playing videogames. He enjoys reading fictional books as well as classic novels. He enjoys attending LASA High and wants to go to a college on either the east coast or a school in California. Wally wants to pursue a career of investment banking and wants to move to New York City.

Ever Osorio, a 14-year-old, is obsessed with soccer and living a fit life. In his free time he enjoys playing a variety of sports, working out, and spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys mathematics and solving equations as well as real-world problems. He plans to apply his knowledge to pursue a career in architecture at the University of Texas.

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Indigenous Tradition to Ingenious Sport How Technology Changed the Game

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What was once a sport played by the Native American nations of the northeastern United States is now exploding into a new pastime for anyone seeking a sport like no other: lacrosse.

Lacrosse combines football and hockey, two collision sports. The aspect of collision is vital to the character of the game. Collisions make the sport fast paced and enjoyable for players and spectators. Lacrosse’s popularity is increasing because of its uniqueness and the spread of information helping to advocate for the sport. Technology is really helping the sport along as the increase in safety is causing many more people to join.

Kealing lacrosse player Noah Williams (jersey #1) checks an offensive player carrying the ball. Photo by Christopher Schunck

“Technology has changed the game tremendously, from the way we recruit, to access for players and new coaches,” said Tom O’Grady, offensive coordinator for the University of

Texas. “A lot of educational topics are out there on the internet.”

The internet gives both players and coaches alike a wide variety of instructional topics, most of which enlighten athletes on proper form and new techniques.

“There are more and more tools for coaches, especially beginning coaches,” added O’Grady.

Technology impacts lacrosse more than just providing educational resources: technology stops injuries.

“More recently safety has become a top priority, with an emphasis on preventing head injuries, and I can say the game has become much safer since I started playing in high school,” explained MacCallum’s Assistant Coach Sean Riordan.

Lacrosse continues to grow safer every year with scientific and technological breakthroughs.

“The heaviest influence on the safety…has come from stricter penalties for flagrant stick and body checks,” Riordan said. “These days slashes and crosschecks…buy players two plus minute penalties and teams can’t afford to be man-down for that long.”

Athletes aren’t just protected by game rules though.

“There are now laws in place to protect young athletes brains from concussions,” said Meredith Phipps, nurse practitioner at SportsSafe.

By Noah Schunck

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However, rules can’t stop actions that are bound to happen. Equipment is just as important for preventing injuries as the rules of the game.

“The materials used today to make sticks and heads are metal alloys, plastics, nylons, and even carbon fiber.

These make sticks lightweight and less able to cause injury as well as faster and more fun to use,” said Riordan.

“Likewise, helmets and pads are always being improved, and even the rubber used to manufacture lacrosse balls has been scrutinized and changed to prevent injuries.”

“There are few things athletes can do to reduce their risk of concussion, including practicing proper technique, wearing proper equipment, staying rested, well hydrated and eating well prior to athletic activities (the more aware you are of your surroundings the less likely you will have an unexpected hit), [and] doing neck strengthening exercises,” said Phipps.

A helmet like this is necessary for preventing head injuries. Photo by Noah Schunck

Padded gloves are used to protect athlete’s hands while giving them grip on their stick. Photo by Noah Schunck

“Helmets do a great job preventing more serious injuries (like skull fracture) but do not prevent concussions,” Phipps said.

Concussions can cause long term side effects, and although there is no true way to prevent them with equipment, they can be avoided.

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By Noah Schunck

Nascent treatment plans have come about as a result of new technologies.

Phipps also mentioned that athletes can achieve a more complete concussion recovery if they complete “pre-season baseline testing so that when an athlete sustains a concussion we can compare post-injury results to baseline results and assure the athlete has returned to normal.”

Even with the concussion risk, lacrosse is gaining quite a bit of popularity.

Additionally, “lacrosse may not have tackling, but offers some pretty big hits, and everyone loves that stuff.”

-Coach Riordan “The whole concussion awareness with football and the NFL is becoming more and more prominent,” said O’Grady. “And more and more studies say kids shouldn’t be tackling until 11 or 12 years old, so for kids that are looking for other things, lacrosse is a great option.”

Additionally, “lacrosse may not have tackling, but offers some pretty big hits, and everyone loves that stuff,” said Riordan.

With the contact aspect of lacrosse aside, there is one last reason why lacrosse is gaining popularity: a lacrosse team is a family.

“Lacrosse tends to be a brotherhood,” said O’Grady. “It still is quite a small community if you look at things globally. Some of my lifelong friends are ones I have made through lacrosse.

It is just a great sport for kids that are looking to do something and haven’t found their niche yet.”

Lacrosse is the kind of sport where everyone plays a key part on the team and everyone gets to handle the ball. Because of the aspect of inclusion, lacrosse is increasingly gaining popularity as technology improves safety and the spread of lacrosse through the media.

“For the most part though, I think people join for the wicked fun,” said Riordan.

A picture of the MacCallum lacrosse team. Photo courtesy of Sean Riordan

By Noah Schunck

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How Well Do You Know a Lacrosse Stick?

The Basic Parts of a Lacrosse Player’s Most Important Tool 1.

8.

7.

A) Net B) Pocket C) Ball hold D) Basket

A) Rim B) Lip C) Scoop D) Ball catch

2.

A) Ball stop B) Foam C) Pad D) Cradle

A) Lace B) Strip C) Tie-in D) Shooting string

3. A) Rim 6.

B) “The Pinch” C) Frame D) Sidewall

A) Adapter B) Screw C) Connector D) Throat

4. A) “The Metal” B) Handle C) Shaft D) Pole

A lacrosse stick is what makes the sport one-of-a-kind.

Without it, the sport would be more similar to handball.

Lacrosse sticks catch, throw, poke, slap, and do everything that make the sport so unique.

5. A) End

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Design by Noah Schunck (1.) C, (2.) D, (3.) D, (4.) C, (5.) B, (6.) D, (7.) A, (8.) B

B) Butt C) Rubber D) Heel

Pick a Position

Finding Your Dream Spot on the Lacrosse Field No!

Are you interested in playing lacrosse?

Either reconsider your previous response or find a different sport.

Yes!

No!

Good, you are in the right place. Are you able to run for long periods of time?

Do you have freaky fast reflexes?

No!

Yes! Are you able to wield a 6ft. lacrosse stick for a long period of time?

Yes!

Would you rather score goals or prevent goals from being scored?

Yes!

No! Are you afraid of fast moving objects?

Yes!

Score goals!

Both, but must also be fast and able to use a 6ft. lacrosse stick.

No!

Face-Off GoOff (Fogo): You are the person who fights an opposing player for possession of the ball at the start of the game.

Stop goals!

Attack: You are the attack, the person in charge of scoring goals and disrupting the opposing teams’ defense.

Goal Keeper: The goal keeper is the most important position on the lacrosse field. The goalie is fearless and can stop quick shots.

Defense: You are like the LSM and use a large lacrosse stick. This extra large lacrosse stick is used to poke and slap the ball out of opposing players’ lacrosse sticks and protect the goal.

Long-Stick Midfield (LSM): LSM is the most difficult position on the lacrosse field. The LSM plays both offense and defense while using a 6ft. lacrosse stick.

Midfield: Midfielders are constantly running back and forth on the lacrosse field scoring and stopping goals.

Middies are the Jack-of-all-trades of lacrosse.

Design by Noah Schunck

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Fast Break through Social Media The Impact of Social Media on Basketball

and users. For instance, social media can lead to players focussing more on showing off their own game rather than working with their teammates to win.

Social media has the ability to spread information across the world. This tool has had large effects on the popularity of basketball as it has been shared internationally.

“Basketball has benefited from social media due to the exposure of highlights and the medium in which social media gives to writers to The Austin Spurs tip off against the Santa Cruz Warriors starting the highflying, fast paced action. Photo Courtesy of the Santa Cruz Warriors broadcast their pieces,” said Stephen Ayala, St. Edward’s As the impact of social media on basketball grows, basketball must find University Assistant Coach.

The spread of videos and articles ways to retain its fundamental culture and history while incorporating and about basketball has introduced more capitalizing on the benefits social young people to basketball. This has led to an increase in popularity of media can provide.

Basketball and social media have basketball due to more people having evolved similarly over the years. Due the opportunity to explore it through to short attention spans and the desire social media.

“The crossover between youth…and for immediate results, basketball and social media have tailored their content basketball is very appealing to social to meet the needs of their audience. media users,” Ayala said.

The culture of the youth integrates Although this can have benefits at times, it also takes a toll on the players well into the format of basketball.

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By Ben Woytek

The pace and style of basketball helps together, and fans or users of one increase the audience interested in group have begun to explore the other. basketball.Since social media is gaining This leads to a rise in the popularity of basketball, as it popularity, so is introduced to a is basketball “I oftentimes see players new demographic because ideas try to make the amazing play of people fitting and information instead of the simple one.” the audience of about the sport basketball. are spread - Coach David Edwards Social media through social influences the media by the style of basketball greatly. Because younger generations.

“Basketball has become an players see so many highlights, they increasingly fast paced, high-flying, begin to transform their game to fit the and high scoring game as the game style of basketball that social media has aged,” said Ayala. “This style of displays. This style is much more play translates perfectly into the fast- focused on the individual player rather than the team aspect of basketball. paced world of social media.”

“Concerns with social media [are] so much of social media is driven by the ‘I’ mentality, I did this, I scored this many points,” said Steve Henson, University of Texas at San Antonio Head Coach.

Social media heavily revolves around the actions of oneself. This means that social media is a common way to highlight the actions of a single individual and not the entire team.

This can cause players to shift their mindset to focus more on what they can do individually.

“Giving the game that kind of Damian Jones attempts to dunk on an opposing opponent. exposure is a real positive since Highlights similar to this are commonly valued more by fans and other social media users. Photo Courtesy of the Santa people from other countries may have Cruz Warriors different ideas about how the game Social media and basketball fit well

By Ben Woytek

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should be played, which adds variety pressure felt by teens, especially those and creativity to the sport,” said David brave enough to put themselves on the Edwards, Austin High Assistant Coach. line by competing for their schools,” The exposure of basketball around said Edwards the world encourages the incorporation Social media can pile unnecessary of new styles of stress onto play. As many players involved “Basketball has become people who are in their school an increasingly fast paced, unaccustomed team. Players are high-flying, and high scoring to the traditional trying to maintain game as the game has aged. a certain image ways basketball are exposed to the This style of play translates on social media, sport, they give perfectly into the fast-paced so they may be new perspectives worried about world of social media.” on how to play the about making a - Coach Stephen Ayala game. This causes mistake because many changes of the fear that it in the fashion in will be shown to which basketball is performed. their friends and classmates through “I oftentimes see players try to make social media. the amazing play instead of the simple “Social media allows players to speak one,” said Edwards. their mind and be active participants The manner in which basketball in their communities,” said Ayala. is played is set by the players. When Players are able to interact with fans players see others being praised for their and their community through social incredible, commonly unreasonable media. Social media provides the highlight, they attempt to do the same. players with a platform to say what This shifts the focus of the game from they want and speak to who they want. making the fundamental play to the Through comments and messages, one that will get the most attention. fans can convey opinions to players Social media plays the role of any on social media. other outside force having an effect Edwards said, “What’s lost in all on the game. It can be a very useful the highlights and rankings and tool, but if it is overused, it can result commentary and social media in damaging a player’s game. discussion is the process of what it “Social media adds to the social really takes to become a player – time, 16

By Ben Woytek

dedication, perseverance, repetition, and very hard work.”

When all players and fans see are the end results, it makes it easy to overlook the process which was taken to get those results. This causes an unrealistic view on basketball, therefore leading to people not understanding the work that was put in to achieve that result.

Whether it is believed that social media has a positive or negative impact

tough time as social media becomes more important to their players,” said Edwards.

The Reno Bighorns work together to decide on what to do.

Although the style of basketball is changing, teamwork is still an essential part of the game. Photo Courtesy of the Reno Bighorns

on basketball, it is undoubtedly clear that social media has an impact. As social media progresses, the game, the coaches, and the player must progress along with it.

“The only constant is change and coaches who don’t will surely have a

Damian Jones takes a jumpshot, sticking to basics. As revolutionary basketball techniques develop, the classic style of play is beginning to fade. Photo Courtesy of the Santa Cruz Warriors

By Ben Woytek

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Nothing but Internet

Social Media Platforms Impact Basketball Instagram, one of the world’s largest social media platforms, has over 700 million users. This app shares highlights accross the world. From a viral middle school player to an NBA player failing, Instagram allows clips to be spread globally.

Image Courtesy of Instagram

Facebook, with over 2 billion users, dominates the social media world. This platform allows players to show fans their training as well as their everday lives. They can give fans an inside look on what happens within their personal lives.

Image Courtesy of Facebook

Twitter is the medium for the start of many dramas. This ranges from personnel issues between basketball players to different opinions on politics. Twitter lets basketball players get their opinion heard in a concise message.

Image Courtesy of Twitter

Youtube impacts basketball through its ability to spread tutorials worldwide. This platform can be used by coaches and trainers to teach players about basketball. Youtube makes it easier for the coaches to teach and the students to learn.

Image Courtesy of YouTube

Design by Ben Woytek

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Sources: Tech Crunch, Dream Grow, and The Gaurdian

Banking a Brand Deal

Social Media Results in Large Paychecks for Players

Kevin Durant: $66,553 per sponsered tweet

Photo by Keith Allison Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Keith Allison Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Kobe Bryant: $42,389 per sponsered tweet

Photo by Keith Allison Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Players earn thousands of dollars by accepting sponserships on social media.

A brand will pay players to post pictures or videos of the players promoting their product. Brands will do this because of the influence basketball players have on others.

Lebron James: $139,474 per sponsered tweet

The graph shows the highest paid players for social media sponserships. Lebron James sits at the top of the list with Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant behind him.

Although the payments these players recive from social media are large, as social media grows so will the payments.

Design by Ben Woytek Source: All About Basketball U.S.

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Laying Out For Victory The Popularity of Ultimate

A 175-gram plastic disc has instantly fell in love with it,” Haas said. gone from just a toy to the center of a Many people had similar experiences growing sport. to Haas, and when they came across

In 1957, a disc ultimate, found it called the Frisbee was fun and easy to play. released, and ever Now, Haas wants to since, it has become share the sport, so more and more he showed it to his popular. Players run, students. jump, throw, and Haas said, “At the layout (dive) for the school where I teach, plastic disc. This I brought ultimate toy has inspired the The 175 gram modern-day frisbee. This plastic disc up during P.E., and creation of many has become the center of an upcoming sport. Photo by it spread quickly, Noah Schunck sports, most notably beginning as a club ultimate frisbee, more commonly during lunch, and ending up taking known as ultimate. Ultimate involves place a couple days per week.” teams of seven players, who catch Ultimate has spread a lot through and throw the frisbee, while trying to schools, and the ultimate community score by having a team member catch is largely represented by youth. John the disc in the opponent’s endzone. Higgs, Youth Director of the Ultimate The simple game has grown into a Players League of Austin, agrees. professional sport, with teams across “It is the youth level where we are the world. seeing most of the growth. They are Daniel Haas, a teacher at the forefront of the new ultimate Burlingame Intermediate School movement, “ Higgs pointed out. “The in Burlingame, California, loves physicality in some sports are detering ultimate and travels worldwide to parents from wanting to get their watch competitions, has been playing children involved in those sports.” ultimate for years.

Many sports, such as football

“My favorite professor enjoyed and soccer are very physical, and are ultimate, and showed it to me, and I more prone to cause injuries. However 20

By Wally Auby

ultimate is the opposite, as it is noncontact, and overall a safer sport to play. The safety aspect has attracted parents, who want their kids to play a sport that will have less injuries, and a guaranteed safe environment.

Ultimate is non-contact,therefore minimal equipment is necessary. “It is one of the cheapest sports you could play. All you need is 8 cones, a disc, and 7 pennies to differentiate teams, and an open field,” Higgs said. “You don’t need to have a lot of equipment, it is easy to play, the rules are fairly simple, and there is constant action.”

Ultimate is affordable, so anyone can play. This attracts many people, and also the sport is easy to play.

Compared to a sport like basketball or

a game, and simple to find the basic equipment needed. Additionally, the rules are simple, making the sport easy to learn and play. Ultimate is unique in that athleticism is not the most important quality needed. “Ultimate is about using every person and their unique skills they bring to the field together as one team,” Higgs said.

Ultimate incorporates strategy and is not about one or two star players. The team must use all seven players in a cohesive way in order to be successful. The teamwork between players must be present, as teammates must help each other if someone forgets their role.

The ultimate community is distinctive, due to the support between

“I do think that ultimate teaches important lessons about character, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and honesty in ways that not all sports do. I also feel that ultimate has a uniquely connected, supportive, and welcoming community. And lastly, ultimate is a highly-athletic field sport that supports cardiovascular health, whole-body strength, and limits contact.”

-Coach Colleen Kepner baseball, it is straightforward to set up

members of the community. Colleen

By Wally Auby

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Kepner, a teacher at Kealing Middle this are spirit circles, which take place School and an ultimate coach, loves after a game.This is where the players the community of ultimate. “My from both teams group in a circle and absolute favorite thing [about ultimate] compliment each other. Teams often friendly have is the community. scrimmages The ultimate “With so many youth each against c o m m u n i t y players in Ultimate now, other, and they is generally I think it’s only a matter more focus welcoming and of time before everyone on having fun open,” Kepner including and said.

“Ultimate understands what Ultimate than everyone brings so many is, and how to find winning. different kinds of opportunities to play.”

“I think that

people together -Coach Colleen Kepner the most special in supportive and aspect of ultimate collaborative ways, is spirit of the and unites people all over the world.” game -- the rule that requires players

Members of the community are to self-officiate, resolve conflicts supportive of each other, and have respectfully, and maintain a high much respect for each other. People level of sportsmanship,” said Kepner. are not afraid of trying ultimate, as the “I simply like myself better on the ultimate community welcomes players ultimate field. This sport holds me of any experience and of any level of to a higher standard of character and athleticism. At ultimate games, the sportsmanship, and I’ve grown into a sidelines yell words of encouragement, better person playing ultimate.” and players are given positive support The Spirit of the Game is the most even when they make mistakes. distinctive aspect of ultimate. Players

“I love the respect shown towards must respectfully discuss their issues, the opponents, as well as the spirit as the sport is self-refereed. This leads circle at the end of ultimate games,” to growth in character, and requires a said Haas. “The respect between teams lot of sportsmanship while playing. and the compliments given show the “I do think that ultimate teaches amazing community of ultimate.” important lessons about character, Even opponents respect each conflict resolution, self-advocacy, and other on and off the field. An example of honesty in ways that not all sports 22

By Wally Auby

do. I also feel that ultimate has a uniquely connected, supportive, and welcoming community. And lastly, ultimate is a highly-athletic field sport that supports cardiovascular health, whole-body strength, and limits contact,” Kepner said.

Playing ultimate has so many benefits, and because of that, it is becoming more popular. The popularity has drastically ultimate player jumping up for the disc. Players must be able to catch a disc changed over the past few An while it soars throught the air. Photo Courtesy Greg Kreth decades, with many more play, including youth teams and people playing and knowing tournaments in multiple divisions and about ultimate.

“Ultimate is one of the fastest- age groups. More players are stepping growing sports in the world, especially up to organize and spread the sport in at the youth level,” Kepner said. “In positive ways, and social media outlets 2005 we didn’t have an Ultimate Players also give the sport a boost,” Kepner League of Austin at all (our governing added.

Ultimate provides opportunities body in Austin), much less a high school league. Now we have dozens of for youth to play a sport, regardless middle school and high school teams of their age or experience. The help of participating every spring, we’ve college players as well as social media run the largest Texas high school provide opportunities for youth to state championship tournaments to play and practice ultimate.

Kepner said, “With so many youth date, and more kids are signing up to players in Ultimate now, I think it’s participate every year.”

The growth increases every year, only a matter of time before everyone and because that is primarily from the understands what Ultimate is, and youth, ultimate will continue to grow how to find opportunities to play.”

With the immense expansion of in the future generations. The growth will continue to spread through the ultimate throughout the nation and the world, it will not be long until youth in the future as well.

“There are more levels ultimate is one of the largest sports in and opportunities for people to the world.

By Wally Auby

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The Hucks of Ultimate Frisbee How many ways can you toss the disc?

The Backhand

The backhand is the most basic huck (or throw) in ultimate. If someone has seen a disc before, then they now how to throw one. The thrower uses a grip that is comftorable, typically with their thumb on top. To throw a backhand, a player steps back and brings their arm back, and then steps forward and releases the disc.

The Forehand

The forehand is the second throw an ultimate player learns. The throw is powered by the wrist, and can go long distances if thrown correctly. The thumb goes on top of the disc, and the second and third fingers go on the underside of the rim of the disc. The disc must be relesed flat in order to fly straight.

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Design by Wally Auby

Ultimate frisbee has many throws, but the four I focused on are some of the more common throws.

The Hammer

The hammer is a short-distance throw that is thrown with mainly the arm. When throwing a hammer, the disc does not go very far, and takes a lot of energy to throw. The disc is thrown over the head like an axe, and uses the same grip as a forehand.

The Chicken Wing

The chicken wing is thrown mainly with the wirst, and can go medium distance if thrown well. The pointer finger goes on the outside rim of the disc, the thumb on the bottom, and the other three fingers on top. The disc must be released flat with a wrist flick.

Design by Wally Auby

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Photo by Bill Ziskin

Scoring with Technology How soccer has evolved over time

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Standing in front of a crowd of over 100,000 people, soccer players know their fans and teammates are counting on their every move. The game of football, or soccer as it’s called in America, is very emotional and complicated, but it is one of the greatest feelings in the world when the team you support wins an important game.

team is close to scoring against their team.

Some games can get very emotional because of the importance of the game or a intense rivalry. For example, if a country participates in the world cup and makes it to the final but loses, they would feel bitter, because the team worked so hard to get into that place, using everything they had, just

Afonso Pinheiro, a student at the University of Albany, shoots the soccer ball at the goal against a rival team. Photo by Bill Ziskin.

Soccer is considered the “World’s Game,” as it is the most popular sport in the world. In an important game, millions of fans are on the edge of their seat ready to yell “GOAAALLLL!” when their team is close to scoring.

On the contrary they could be curled up, covering their eyes, biting their nails and shivering when the opposing 28

By Ever Osorio

to lose and disappoint.

On the other hand, if a team wins the final they might jump up in the air and scream and cry out of joy because of all the hard work they had put in to win.

Soccer is a very fast-paced sport and sometimes it is difficult to address a play and find a fair way to judge

Pinheiro runs across the pitch to attack. Photo by Bill Ziskin.

something, and a referee might make a call that was not correct or a call that was unfair. Recently in soccer,

“Technology is creating a new era in soccer” - Brandon Perez technology has improved the playreviewing system and decision-making system so referees can get more angles and better views of the play.

“Technology is creating a new era in soccer,” said Brandon Perez, an Austin-area soccer player.

He explained that the game is different now and it will continue to change with time by becoming more accurate and fair. Soccer has come a long way since it was first played professionally, advances in technology like better cleat design for more traction or comfort. Today on the market there is a cleat for just about

anyones needs.

Soccer has also improved in training efficiency with technology.

College soccer player Afonso Pinheiro at the University of Albany in New York said, “Tracking devices like watches track how much you run.”

With things like timers and trackers helping to monitor your exercise you know what goal you need to achieve and it makes improvement easier.

“Technology can be used to promote soccer,” Pinheiro said. From regular television broadcast to livestreams the sport is being spread and its popularity is rising. Social media can play a big role in this as well, with people posting things about the game, everyone is being informed and gaining knowledge about soccer.

Soccer player Luis Urbina said, “I always post my game scores because I take pride in my sport; all my friends know I play soccer.”

He explains how the use of social media has let other people know about his passion. With more people becoming aware of soccer, its popularity increases and more people watch it, play it and enjoy it.

By Ever Osorio

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Legends of Soccer

Players who Changed the Game Forever

- Edson Arantes Do Nascimiento or Pelé was considered one of the greatest soccer players ever to live.

- Pelé was know for incredible speed and ball control, his dribbling skills made skilled defenders trip and fall, making them look like children.

- Pelé has played for teams in Brazil and The United States as well as the Brazilian National Team.

Picture by Gelderen, Hugo van / Anefo, courtesy of Wiki Media Commons

- Was an underdog for the beginning of his career, he was rejected by many.

- Ronaldinho onsidered the best player of his generation.

- Known for being very skillful, always executing bicycle kicks beautifully and incredible dribbling skills.

- Scored the game-winning goal against England with Brazil in 2002 World Cup Quarter-final.

- Ronaldinho has played for teams in Brazil, Italy, Mexico and Spain.

- Has 2 back-to-back POTY Awards(Player of The Year).

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Sources: The Famous People and Notable Graphies

Design by Ever Osorio

Photo by Darz Mol courtesy of Wiki Media Commons

- Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima was born September 22, 1976, Itaguai, Brazil.

- Has recieved three player of the year awards in 1996, 1997 and, 2002.

- Has played for teams in Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Brazil.

- Led Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002, scoring 8 goals in the tournament.

- Excellent goal-to-game ratio with 55 goals in 56 games in the Netherlands and 34 goals in 37 games in Spain.

Photo by AntĂ´nio Cruz/ABr (cropped by User:Abu_badali), courtesy of Wiki Media Commons

- Maradona led club teams to championships in Argentina, Italy and Spain including FC Barcelona, Napoli and, Boca Juniors.

- He led the Argentinean team that won the 1986 World Cup. - Altogether, Maradona played in four World Cups, and scored 34 goals in 91 international appearances for Argentina.

- He is known for starting as a young boy and coming from nothing and turning into a legend.

Design by Ever Osorio

Courtesy of Wiki Media Commons Sources: Britannica and Football History

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