Howcast

How to Hit a Softball

Howcast — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:16:09 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cut stick from broom Cut the stick from an old broom and practice hitting ping-pong balls. Have a friend lob them to you in the back yard to develop your eye. When you’re ready for the real thing, switch to using your bat and a softball.
Step 2: Use good posture Square your shoulders when batting and hold the bat with your hands stacked one on top of the other, relaxed and not squeezing. To go for home runs, grip the bat with the index finger and thumb of your top hand wrapped around the bat handle, keeping your grip loose to increase bat speed.
TIP: Whether hitting fast- or slow-pitch softball, concentrate on swinging through the top of the ball to drill a line drive with top spin so it doesn’t rise and can’t be easily caught. Strong hitters aim for the lower part of the ball to gain distance.
Step 3: Cock elbow, wait Cock your back elbow slightly and wait for the ball toward your waist over your back foot. Control is as important as power — don’t rush.
Step 4: Bend back knee, push off Bend your back knee as the ball drops to between your chest and waist. Stay back on your back foot an instant before pushing off and swinging into the ball.
Step 5: Step Step as the ball comes into range so you don’t reach higher than your chest with an upper cut. Keep your eyes on the ball.
Step 6: Time pitch Time the pitch and swing smoothly, meeting the ball out in front of you, following through rather than stopping or punching it. Snap the bat around, extending both arms and turning the top hand over as you do.
Step 7: Make someone run Make someone chase down all of your fantastic home runs.
FACT: The inaugural Men’s Slow Pitch Championship, called the “Border Battle” between the Canadian and American National teams, was played July 18, 2009.

You Will Need

Broomstick
Ping-pong balls
Friend
Bat
Softball
Firm grip
Timing
Focus
Strength

How to Play Cricket

Howcast — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:18:19 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Gather people Gather twenty-two players and two umpires on a 350-foot long, oval-shaped field with a 66-foot-long playing area, or pitch, in the middle, and divide the players into two teams.
Step 2: Gather equipment Get the cricket ball, a cricket bat, wickets, stumps, and bails. Set the wickets up on either end of the pitch. Wickets comprise three vertical stumps and two horizontal bails.
Step 3: Set up the field Set up play by sending the fielding team onto the pitch, to try to catch the ball and prevent runs from being scored. Choose one player on the fielding team to be the bowler. the bowler will take the ball and stand behind the wicket opposite the batter. Elect a wicket keeper to squat behind the wicket behind the batter.
TIP: The bowler and wicket keeper should wear protective gear to avoid injury.
Step 4: Set up the batters Send two players of the batting team to bat — a striker and a non-striker. The bowler runs and pitches the ball to the striker, who attempts to hit the ball. The non-striker will stand behind and wait to run. If the ball is hit, the two men run to the opposite end of the pitch.
Step 5: Know the outs Know the ways of getting “out.” The batter is out if a fielder catches the ball before it bounces, if the bowler hits a stump and knocks off a bail, if a fielder knocks a bail from a stump when the batters are going for a run, if the wicket keeper knocks a bail from a stump before the batter returns after hitting the ball, or if the ball hits the batter but the umpire thinks the ball would’ve hit the wicket had the batter not been in the way.
Step 6: Score runs Score runs by hitting the ball if you’re a batter. After a batter hits the ball, both batters run to the opposite end of the pitch. Batters can repeatedly score runs by running back and forth to the wickets until the opposing team gets them out.
TIP: If a batter hits the ball past the far boundary of the field, their team is automatically awarded six runs. If the ball hits the ground before it passes the boundary, the team receives four runs.
Step 7: Win Win by scoring the most runs. An “inning” is complete when everyone on the batting team has batted. After each team plays one inning, the team with the most runs is the winner. If that happens to be your team, don’t gloat. Cricket is a difficult but exciting sport — cut the losing team a break.
FACT: Although the origin of cricket is unknown, it is believed to have originated as early at the 13th century and was played by country boys who bowled at a tree stump.

You Will Need

24 people
Field
cricket ball
cricket bat
2 wickets
6 stumps
4 bails
Gloves
Protective gear (optional)

How to Play Butts Up

Howcast — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:15:43 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Break the ice Throw the ball against the wall. This is called breaking the ice. Throw it cleanly, and don’t let it connect with the ground before hitting the wall.
Step 2: Start playing Catch the ball after the bounce back. If you mishandle or drop the ball, run immediately to tag the wall before another player gets the ball and hits the wall with it.
TIP: Game rules often call for savsies. A player can throw the ball to another player if they’re too far away from the wall. The receiver can wait until the thrower has touched the wall, but savsies can backfire if the catcher betrays the thrower by throwing the ball before they touch the wall.
Step 3: Take your medicine Be unsuccessful in beating the thrown ball and you have to stand facing the wall with your butt sticking out. The thrower then gets to throw the ball at your backside, as the name implies.
Step 4: Get an out Catch a fellow player’s ball before it hits the pavement and the thrower is penalized with one out. If a player drops the ball after catching it they also receive one out. 3 outs, and you’re out of the game.
TIP: If the ball hits the wall and then bounces off another player, the player hit by the ball gets an out. More ways to get an out include dropping the ball and then touching it again before tagging the wall and being hit by the ball you’ve thrown.
Step 5: Winning the game Win the game by being the last player standing after all other players have been eliminated. Game rules and terminologies may vary by region, but all share the common Butts Up bond of brutal ball throws.
FACT: Tennis star Andy Roddick was filmed playing a variation of Butts Up during the 2010 Australian Open.

You Will Need

3 or more players
Tennis ball or racquetball
Paved surface
Wall

How to Play Cops & Robbers

Howcast — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:16:10 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Divide groups Divide the players into two teams. One team will be cops; the other team will be robbers.
Step 2: Designate an area Designate an area for the jail. This is where the cops will start.
Step 3: Count to five Count to five if you’re a cop. Run after the robbers and try to capture them and put them in jail.
TIP: Once a robber is tagged by a cop, they must go to jail.
Step 4: Switch places Switch places with the other team when all the robbers are caught.
FACT: In 2008, the U.S. prison population grew at its slowest rate since 2000. By the end of 2008, there were 1.6 million sentenced prisoners.

You Will Need

4 or more players
Area to play
“Jail

How to Dye a Lacrosse Head

Howcast — Wed, 12 May 2010 14:02:13 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Remove string Remove the string and mesh from the head.
TIP: If your head is used, clean it with bleach and then rinse and dry it off.
Step 2: Measure water Measure the amount of water recommended for the dye and put it in the pot.
Step 3: Bring to boil Bring the water to a boil; then stir in the dye and vinegar.
Step 4: Pour the dye Pick a plastic container that is deep and wide enough to hold the head. Pour the dye into the plastic container and add your lacrosse head.
Step 5: Flip the head Flip the head over with the tongs after 10 minutes.
Step 6: Remove the head Allow the head to steep in the dye for another 10 minutes, then remove it and rinse it under cold water.
TIP: Dye your head two times to make sure it does not chip.
Step 7: Restring Place your head on newspaper and let it dry overnight, and then restring it.
FACT: Lacrosse players didn’t start using protective gear until 1930.

You Will Need

Lacrosse head
Measuring cup
Water
Pot
Dye packet
2 tbsp. of vinegar
Spoon
Deep plastic bowl or bucket
Tongs
Old newspapers

How to Play Softball

Howcast — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:31:34 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set out bases Set four bases, including home plate, at the corners of a softball field, first base at the right and moving counterclockwise.
Step 2: Choose teams Choose teams of nine players each. One team bats while the other plays the field, with station fielders at each base and a shortstop between second and third, a pitcher and catcher, and outfielders in the wide grassy areas beyond.
Step 3: Face the pitcher Hold the bat and wait for the opposing pitcher to pitch the ball from a mound in the center of the diamond.
TIP: When learning to catch, use two hands to clasp. Cover the ball with your bare hand when it hits the glove.
Step 4: Prepare yourself Bend your knees as the pitcher lofts the ball. The ball must cross over home plate while staying parallel to and between the straight lines of your shoulders and knees to be a strike.
Step 5: Hit the ball Hit the ball with the bat into fair territory, and run to first base. You are ‘out’ if a fielder catches the hit ball before it hits the ground, or if a fielder with the ball touches the base or your person before you reach base.
Step 6: Swing, strike out, walk Swing and miss for a strike; three strikes and you’re out, losing your turn. If the pitcher misses the “strike zone” four times, you get to “walk” to first base.
TIP: Wait for the ball to reach eye level as it falls before stepping into it and swinging.
Step 7: Advance as a runner; score! Advance around the bases if someone after you gets a “hit, ” and score by advancing to home plate. Teams alternate hitting and fielding seven times, each round called an “inning. “
FACT: Did you know? Eddie Feigner, known as the “King of Softball,” recorded 141,517 strikeouts and pitched 930 no hitters over 54 years of pitching.

You Will Need

A ball field
Bases
Two teams
Softball gloves
A bat
A softball

How to Set Up an Obstacle Course in Your Backyard

Howcast — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:01:55 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the backyard Pick start and end points for the course and mark them with traffic cones. Map out a trail that includes 10 or 15 feet of space between events and avoids hazards like sinkholes, stumps, and dangerous plants.
Step 2: Make a ladder run At the start of the course, place a wooden ladder flat on the ground. Participants run the length of the ladder as fast as they can by stepping between each of the rungs.
Step 3: Set up hula hoop alley Lay eight Hula-hoops in a row. In this segment, kids step into the first hula hoop, raise it up over their body, and drop it behind them before going to the the next hoop, moving down the line until they’re done.
Step 4: Put together a balloon table Inflate about 100 balloons and tie short lengths of yarn or string to them. Tape the ends of the yarn to the top, legs, and underside of the table making a narrow, balloon-covered passageway under the table for the little ones to crawl through.
Step 5: Make a balance beam Make a balance beam by laying the 2-by-4 flat on the ground for the obstacle coursers to walk across.
TIP: Sand the 2-by-4 to remove any splinters.
Step 6: Do the beanbag slalom Stand foam swimming pool noodles vertically in six 1-gallon buckets filled with sand or dirt, and place them in a zigzag pattern about 6 feet apart. Have contestants balance beanbags on their heads as they run around the outside of each bucket.
TIP: Set up a basket 10 feet from the end of the slalom to toss the beanbag into before moving on.
Step 7: Hop to the finish line Place a large plastic garbage bag 20 feet from the end of the course. Have the kids put both legs in the bag, pull it up to their waist, and hop to the finish line.
Step 8: Get grown-ups to help Get a few adults to man the course by returning the hula hoops and the garbage sack to their original positions, repairing the challenges as needed, releasing the kids to run the course one by one, and timing them. Now all that’s left to do is let the kids have at it, and award prizes for the fastest times!
FACT: Did you know? At the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, cadets must complete a 11-step obstacle course before they can graduate.

You Will Need

A backyard or field
Two traffic cones
A wooden ladder
Eight hula hoops
Yarn or string
Tape
100 balloons
A table
An 8-foot 2-by-4
Six foam swimming pool noodles
Six 1-gallon buckets
50 pounds of sand
A small tossing beanbag
A large trash bag
Help
Prizes
Sandpaper (optional)
A small basket (optional)

How to Do a Cartwheel

Howcast — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:45:53 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Find a safe area Choose a large area with a soft surface, such as an area with a mat, a padded carpet, or soft grass to practice your cartwheel.
TIP: Don’t attempt a cartwheel if you do not have the upper-body strength to support yourself as you go over.
Step 2: Extend your arms Extend your arms straight above your head.
Step 3: Position your feet Point your leading foot in the direction you will move and point your back foot slightly outward for balance. Bend your leading knee in a slight lunge.
TIP: Lead with the hand and leg that are the strongest. For instance, if you are right-handed, lead with your right hand and right leg.
Step 4: Focus on your first landing Focus your sight on the ground where you will place your hands.
Step 5: Start your turn Reach outward and down with your leading arm, kicking your back leg up. Put a powerful thrust behind the turn.
Step 6: Lock your elbows Lock your elbows when as land on your hands or else you will likely fall.
Step 7: Follow through Bring your second hand quickly to the ground while simultaneously swinging your back leg up and over your body.
Step 8: Practice good posture Keep your back straight, your toes pointed, and your legs straight and spread apart as you move through the cartwheel.
TIP: Visualize that you are in a narrow hallway as you move through the cartwheel, striving to keep you hands and feet on a single plane.
Step 9: Do a handstand Do a brief handstand and then continue the rotation until both feet are back on the ground. Keep practicing until you get it right.
FACT: The term “gymnastics” comes from a Greek word meaning “to exercise naked.”

You Will Need

Soft surface
Upper-body strength

How to Play Street Hockey

Howcast — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:01:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Find a playing field Find a good place to play, such as a tennis court, a street cul-de-sac, a parking lot, or a flat rooftop.
TIP: Move indoors to a gymnasium or a large basement when the weather’s too cold or when it rains.
Step 2: Get equipment Find some hockey sticks, a ball or street puck, and a simple net.
TIP: Be creative if you lack specific items –use a tennis ball or even a soda can if you don’t have a puck; and use a soccer or badminton net.
Step 3: Wear protective gear Wear face masks, mouth guards, and eye protection – especially if you have braces or wear glasses.
Step 4: Practice in street shoes Practice in comfortable sneakers with good treads before moving on to rollerblades.
Step 5: Invite neighbors Invite friends and neighbors to play. Keep things casual as more people join in.
Step 6: Keep score Keep score using stones or sidewalk chalk. Count one point for each goal – but don’t let the competition ruin your fun.
FACT: Impromptu games of street hockey sprung up in front of the White House after a section of Pennsylvania Avenue was closed in 1995 for security reasons.

You Will Need

Playing area
Street hockey sticks
Ball or street puck
Net
Protective gear and pads
Sneakers
Rollerblades
Friends and neighbors
Stones or sidewalk chalk
Indoor playing area (optional)

How to Do a Somersault

Howcast — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:31:04 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Bend knees Bend your knees and get into a squatting position.
Step 2: Place palms on floor Place your palms on the floor with your elbows slightly bent.
Step 3: Tuck your head in Tuck your head in as you straighten your legs, pushing your bottom into the air, and roll the back of your head onto a soft, flat surface. Do not put the top of your head on the floor.
TIP: Keep your chin tucked into your chest and your back rounded.
Step 4: Push with your legs Straighten your legs as you softly push your bottom over your head.
Step 5: Stand up Lean forward and reach your hands out as you push your legs straight and finish the somersault and land in a standing position.
FACT: In 1984, Mary Lou Retton became the first American to win an Olympic all-around gold medal in gymnastics.

You Will Need

Soft surface
Practice

How to Play Kick the Can

Howcast — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:01:36 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose It Choose a player to be “it.” ‘It’ kicks the can and the other players run and hide. Then “it” retrieves the can, closes their eyes, and counts to 100. At 100, they call out, “ready or not, here I come,” and then looks for other players.
Step 2: Begin searching Search for the other players if you are “it.” When ‘it’ finds a player, their name is called out and ‘it’ and the found player race to kick the can. If the hider kicks the can first, the game starts again. If ‘it’ kicks the can first, the hider goes to “jail,” and stands near the can.
TIP: ‘It’ may call out someone’s name and the place they are hiding rather than physically tagging them.
Step 3: Free the jailed Set jailed players free by kicking the can without being spotted by ‘it.’ If a player is spotted, they go to jail too.
TIP: Jailed players can ask other players to free them.
Step 4: Continue Continue play until all the players are found and in jail. The first person caught becomes ‘it’ in the next round of play.
Step 5: Shorten a long game Shorten a game that has gone on too long declaring that the first person caught three times is the new ‘it’ and begin a new game.
FACT: Did you know? Pop artist Andy Warhol made soup cans into art with his famous images of Campbell’s soup cans.

You Will Need

Empty paint can or bucket
3 or more players
Large outdoor space with hiding places

How to Play Home Run Derby

Howcast — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:16:18 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Gather equipment Gather your baseball equipment. Make sure you have a bucket of baseballs, a bat, and a glove.
Step 2: Find a location Find a baseball diamond or a large open field to play in. Designate a distance for home runs and mark it on the field.
TIP: You can use extra equipment, sticks, rocks, or trash cans to mark the home run boundary.
Step 3: Set up home plate and a pitching net Place a marker to represent home plate and set up your pitching net a comfortable distance behind it.
Step 4: Set up the rules Determine the number of outs each batter is allowed before their turn ends. Typically, batters are allowed 10 outs.
TIP: Usually the batter is allowed to take as many pitches without swinging as they want, but you may want to set up a limit to move the game along.
Step 5: Use a round system Allow two “at bats” for each batter, and the two batters with the most home runs battle in one final round.
FACT: Ross Barnes of Spalding’s Chicago Team, which later became the Cubs, is credited with hitting the first home run in an organized major league game in 1876.

You Will Need

Bucket of balls
Bat
Open field
Distance marker
Pitching net
Glove
At least 2 players
Extra equipment
sticks
rocks
or trash cans (optional)

How to Do a Front Handspring

Howcast — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:45:56 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Stand up straight Stand up straight with your arms raised and held tight to your ears, looking forward.
TIP: Add a few running steps and small hop before the handspring to make learning the skill much easier.
Step 2: Raise one leg Raise your strongest leg, keeping it straight and tight.
Step 3: Lunge forward Lunge forward, placing your foot a couple feet in front of you.
Step 4: Plant hands on the ground Plant your hands ahead of your body on the ground about a body’s length away from your front foot.
Step 5: Kick your back foot to a handstand Kick your back foot upward while pushing off of your front foot. Lock your ankles together into a handstand.
Step 6: Push off and fly Push off the floor with your arms, keeping your ankles together and your arms locked to your ears.
Step 7: Stick the landing Land on your feet with your arms up, legs slightly bent, and hips vertical with your feet.
FACT: The Olympic scoring system for gymnastics was changed in 2008 – after 80 years – to include separate scores for degree of difficulty and for execution in each event.

You Will Need

Upper body strength

How to Play Cornhole

Howcast — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:02:59 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set up Place two cornhole boards 27 feet apart from front to front.
Step 2: Take positions Stand at the side of your board, facing the opposite board and your teammate. Flip a coin to see which team goes first.
Step 3: Begin playing Win the coin toss and throw the first beanbag toward the opposite board, tossing underhand.
TIP: A bag tossed into the cornhole is worth three points. A bag that lands on the board is worth one point.
Step 4: Alternate turns Alternate throws between the opponents standing at each board. The team with the most points earned in a round throws first in the next round.
TIP: Subtract the losing team’s points from that of the winning team’s tally after each round for a total overall score.
Step 5: Winning the game Win the game by being the first team to score 21 points.
FACT: First documented on Cincinnati’s west side, cornhole grew into a popular tailgating pastime at Bengals’ games. Visitors to the football stadium helped the game spread nationwide.

You Will Need

2 cornhole boards
Coin
8 cornhole bags
2 teams of 2 players

How to Build Cornhole Boards

Howcast — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:46:15 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Measure the plywood Measure 9 inches from the top of the plywood and 12 inches from one side. Mark this spot with a pencil as the center of the cornhole.
Step 2: Measure and cut a hole Measure with a compass and cut a nine-inch diameter hole with a jigsaw. Smooth the edges with sandpaper.
Step 3: Cut three 2 x 4s Cut one two-by-four into 21 inch lengths. Cut two two-by-fours into 48 inch lengths.
Step 4: Build rectangles Build two 48-inch-by-24-inch rectangles with the cut two-by-fours and assemble with two penny nails at each corner.
Step 5: Attach the plywood Attach the plywood to the rectangles with drywall screws. Screw four screws on top, four on bottom, and two along each side.
TIP: Countersink the screws to avoid snagging the beanbags.
Step 6: Assemble the legs Cut four 12-inch lengths from the last two-by-four. Cut an angle on one end of the four pieces to prop the top of the cornhole board up 13.5 inches and secure it to the sides of the rectangle with drywall screws.
TIP: For easier storage use carriage bolts, washers, and wing nuts instead of drywall screws to fabricate removable legs.
Step 7: Paint the board Prime and paint the boards. Now find some bean bags and you are ready to play.
FACT: In 2004, Michigan State University banned all tailgating games in an effort to reduce binge drinking.

You Will Need

2 24" x 48" sheets of plywood
Tape measure
Pencil
Compass
Jigsaw
Sandpaper
4 8 ft. 2 x 4s
Circular saw
16 10d nails
Hammer
18 drywall screws
Drill
Paintbrush
Primer
Paint
8 carriage bolts (optional)
8 washers (optional)
8 wing nuts (optional)

How to Play Capture the Flag

Howcast — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:31:00 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose teams Divide the players into two teams of equal size.
Step 2: Find playing field Find a large outdoor playing field that includes both open and wooded areas.
Step 3: Mark territories Divide the playing field in half. Mark the boundaries with large sticks or rocks, or choose part of the landscape – like a street, fence, or stream – as the border.
TIP: Each team’s territory should have similar terrain. One side should not be open while the other is wooded.
Step 4: Set up your flags Tie the flags to sticks – one for each team. Each team plants its flag near the back of its territory, out of the other team’s sight. The flags should be at eye level and plainly visible at 20 yards from at least one angle.
Step 5: Build your jails Using rocks or sticks and string as markers, each team marks a space for its jail.
TIP: Don’t place the jails within sight of the flags. You don’t want your prisoners to know where your flag is!
Step 6: Organize your team Divide your team into offense and defense. Switch roles occasionally to keep the game interesting.
Step 7: Attempt to capture flag The team on offense attempts to steal the other team’s flag and transport it back across the border into their own territory without getting captured.
Step 8: Take prisoners The defense team captures players from the other team by tagging them while they’re in defensive territory and putting them in jail. To free captured teammates, the offense team tags them inside the enemy jail and runs back across the border with them.
TIP: Hide players near the border and around your flag to catch your opponents as they sneak into your territory.
Step 9: Play again Once one team captures the other’s flag, switch teams and play again.
FACT: In 1818 Congress declared the U.S. flag would have 13 stripes, for the 13 original colonies, and 1 star for each state.

You Will Need

At least 6 people
A large outdoor space
2 flags of different colors
Large sticks
String

How to Play Shuffleboard

Howcast — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:26 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose the players Decide if you’ll be playing singles or doubles and choose the players. Shuffleboard can be played with two players or two teams of two.
Step 2: Learn the game Familiarize yourself with the court. An outdoor shuffleboard court is a rectangle with a triangle at either end. The triangles are divided into different scoring zones.
Step 3: Choose your pucks Choose a puck color for each player or team; each side gets four pucks. Line them up in the “10-off area” at the base of the triangle and flip a coin to see who will go first.
Step 4: Play the first round Take turns pushing pucks toward the opposite triangle with the cues. Triangles are divided into ten-, eight-, and seven-point areas, plus a ‘ten-off’ zone. Aim for the areas with the most points. Leave all played pucks in place until the end of the round — after each side has played four pucks.
TIP: Try to knock your opponent’s pucks off high-scoring zones and into the ten-off zone.
Step 5: Tally scores Tally the scores based on where the pucks lay at the end of the round. Points count only if pucks are entirely within a scoring zone, not touching the edges. If a puck lands entirely within the ten-off zone, subtract ten points from the score.
Step 6: Continue playing Continue playing. After each round, switch sides. The first player or team to reach 50 points for a short game — or 100 points for a longer — wins the game.
FACT: Did you know? The National Shuffleboard Hall of Fame is located in Clearwater, Florida.

You Will Need

Shuffleboard court

How to Play Ultimate

Howcast — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:17:52 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Make teams and rules Divide into two teams of seven and decide what score to play to, typically 15 or 21.
Step 2: Mark end zones and side lines Mark off end zones and side lines with cones, or, in a pinch, T-shirts.
TIP: A regulation field is 70 yards by 40 yards, with end zones 25 yards deep.
Step 3: Line up on your endzone Line your team up on your endzone line and have the other team do the same.
Step 4: Begin play Begin play by having one team throw the disc down the field to the other team, similar to a kickoff in American football.
Step 5: Pass The team controlling the disc must try to pass it from member to member down the field toward the opponent’s end zone.
Step 6: Score when complete in endzone Add a point to your team’s score when you complete a pass in your opponent’s endzone.
Step 7: Kick off after scoring The scoring team kicks off after each point.
TIP: A player has ten seconds to throw the disc, and may not run with the disc.
Step 8: Control changes to other team When a pass is incomplete, out of bounds, held for too long or intercepted, control changes to the other team.
Step 9: Substitutes enter game Substitutes may enter the game only after a score or in the event of an injury.
Step 10: Contact is not allowed between players Contact is not allowed between players.
FACT: Students at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey, are credited with creating the first version of Ultimate back in 1968.

You Will Need

14 players
A flying disc
A playing field

How to Hula-Hoop

Howcast — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:03:32 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Wear athletic clothes Wear form-fitting athletic clothing. Baggy or loose clothing may slow the hula hoop’s rotation.
Step 2: Get it going With one foot in front of you, place the hoop against your back at waist height, wind it back, and then push it firmly counter-clockwise.
TIP: Choose a hoop whose diameter reaches from the ground to between your waist and mid-chest. Larger hoops rotate more slowly and are easier for beginners.
Step 3: Push and shift Push your stomach forward with a pumping motion as the hoop rolls across your stomach and back as it moves across your back. Shift your weight between your front and back legs.
Step 4: Find your direction Spin the hoop in the opposite direction to find which direction feels natural. Right-handed people usually prefer rotating the hoop counter-clockwise, while lefties prefer clockwise.
Step 5: Speed up and slow down Shift your weight between your feet more quickly or pump your torso faster back and forth to increase rotation speed.
TIP: Use a heavier, weighted hoop for a more intense workout and a smaller, lighter hoop for doing tricks.
Step 6: Turn your body Slowly turn your body in the direction that the hoop is spinning, taking small steps as the hoop hits your back.
TIP: Join a hoop-dancing class to increase your hooping skills and to interact with fellow hoopers.
Step 7: Booty bump Experiment with tricks like the booty bump: slow the rotation of the hoop until it rolls down just below your hips, then speed up to keep the hoop rotating there.
FACT: The Hula-Hoop was introduced in 1958 and took the nation by storm with an estimated 100 million hoops sold in four months.

You Will Need

Athletic clothing
A hula-hoop
Ample room
Upbeat music (optional) (optional)

How to Play Leapfrog

Howcast — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:32:28 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Find open space Grab at least one of your friends and head to an open space.
TIP: At least two people are needed to play, but the more the merrier!
Step 2: Line up Get into a straight line facing forward. All players kneel down and cover their heads with their hands, except for last person.
Step 3: Put hands on another player’s back The last person places their hands on the back of the next person in line. Their back becomes a platform to jump over.
Step 4: Leap Leap over the person, spreading your legs like a frog. Continue leaping over everyone until you reach the front of the line, kneel down, and place your hands over your head.
Step 5: Wait for the next player Wait while each player repeats the steps in order. The game can go on forever as each person leaps up the line and into the front position.
FACT: Did you know? The longest game of leapfrog involved 927 players.

You Will Need

Two or more people
Open space

How to Run a Three-legged Race

Howcast — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:17:31 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Look for someone who is close to your height with a similar leg length.
TIP: If you’re right-handed, choose a left-handed partner and vice versa, so you can both utilize your stronger side.
Step 2: Stand with your partner and face the same direction with your legs touching.
Step 3: Tie the rope or cloth securely around the touching ankles.
TIP: If your partner has an opposite dominant side than you, tie your non-dominant legs together.
Step 4: Put your arm around your partner’s waist, and have your partner do the same.
Step 5: Put your untied leg behind to start the race.
Step 6: Run, keeping your legs in sync.
Step 7: Cross the finish line and collect your prize!
FACT: The largest three-legged race had 80 participating pairs.

You Will Need

A partner
Rope or pieces of cloth

How to Play a Real-Life Game of Quidditch

Howcast — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:02:39 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Hang three Hula-hoops as the goals on each end of the playing field from a tree branch, soccer net crossbar, or something similar. Place the hoops about six feet off the ground.
Step 2: Assign positions: Each team has three chasers, two beaters, one seeker, and one keeper. Designate the player who runs the fastest to be the snitch; they carry the Golden Snitch, a small ball in a sock that hangs from their back pocket.
TIP: The snitch usually dresses in a gold or yellow outfit to differentiate themselves from the rest of the players.
Step 3: Give every player a broom, except for the player who will serve as the Golden Snitch. Players must hold their brooms with one hand only and keep them between their legs at all times.
Step 4: Make sure everyone knows their role: Chasers try to throw the quaffle through the hoops; beaters use the bludgers to tag out chasers and the seeker; keepers guard the goals; and seekers try to grab the Golden Snitch from the snitch, who runs in and out of the playing field at will.
TIP: Just like in the books, the snitch can travel far beyond the boundaries of the playing field, and the seekers can follow them.
Step 5: Begin the game. A chaser from each team stands in the center of the field, with the rest of the teammates on opposing sides. The referee tosses the quaffle into the air and the center chasers try to tip the ball to another chaser on their team.
TIP: Only chasers can touch the quaffle.
Step 6: Try to score by getting the quaffle through a Hula-hoop, which is worth 10 points. The players then return to the center for a new tip-off.
Step 7: While the chasers are trying to score, the beaters try to stop them by throwing bludgers at them. If a chaser is tagged with a bludger, they must stop moving and try to pass the quaffle to another chaser on their team. If the chaser drops the quaffle, or if the other team intercepts it, they take possession.
Step 8: Have the snitch run around the field, trying to evade the seekers who are attempting to grab the Golden Snitch. The first seeker to successfully do so scores 50 points for their team, ending the game. Whichever team has the most points then wins.
FACT: Did you know? More than 400 million Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide in 67 languages.

You Will Need

6 Hula-hoops
15 players
1 small ball that can fit in a sock
A sock
14 brooms
1 foam soccer ball or slightly deflated volleyball as the quaffle
4 solid-color foam balls
each about 8 inches in diameter
as the bludgers
A referee
A gold or yellow outfit for the snitch (optional)

How to Play Croquet

Howcast — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:47:34 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set up the course Plant seven wickets in the ground at the points of two imaginary end-to-end diamonds in a figure-eight pattern, and an eighth and ninth wicket near the top and bottom wickets. Plant stakes just beyond the top and bottom wickets.
TIP: If you wish, mark the outer boundaries of the playing field with string and stakes.
Step 2: Choose a color Choose the color of the ball you wish to play. Order of play is determined by the colors on the stakes. The top color goes first.
Step 3: Begin play Place your ball between the first stake and the first wicket. Strike the ball with the face of the mallet aiming it to go through the wicket.
Step 4: Advance through the course Receive a bonus stroke each time your ball goes through a wicket, and move counter-clockwise to the next wicket. If a player’s ball does not go through a wicket, it is the next player’s turn.
Step 5: Earn bonus points Earn two bonus strokes by hitting another player’s ball with your ball. This is called roqueting. With your bonus strokes you can hit your ball, hit both balls, or – with your ball touching the other ball, and holding your ball down with your foot – knock the other one away.
TIP: If a ball is sent over the boundary, place it one mallet-length (about three feet) inside the boundary and resume play from there.
Step 6: Win the game The first player to pass through all wickets in proper order and hit the turning stake and finishing stake is the winner. Other players may continue playing to determine who finishes second, third, and so on.
FACT: The word “mall” comes from the original French name for croquet, “paille-maille,” which means ball-mallet.

You Will Need

A croquet set including nine wickets and two stakes
An open field
Two to six players
String
Stakes

How to Play Badminton

Howcast — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 04:05:33 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Set up a court by establishing boundaries of 44 feet long by 17 feet wide for a singles game and 44 feet by 20 feet for a doubles game. Place a net in the middle, with the top 5 feet off the ground.
Step 2: Know the object of the game, which is similar to tennis: Opposing players with rackets hit the shuttlecock back and forth over a net trying not to let it hit the ground.
TIP: Shuttlecocks, which are also called shuttles or birdies, come in two types: Cork-based with feathers, and plastic with a rubber base.
Step 3: Know what constitutes a fault, or an error. A fault is made when the shuttlecock lands outside the boundary lines, does not clear the net, hits the ground before being returned, or makes contact with a player’s body or clothing.
Step 4: Start with a coin toss; the winner chooses a side of the court and decides if they want to serve first or not.
Step 5: The game begins with the player serving underhanded from the back of the court on their right side diagonally across the court to the other team. If the shuttlecock doesn’t clear the net or lands outside the service area, the other team scores a point and gains serve. Serve from the right when your score is even, left when it’s odd.
TIP: Players only get one chance to serve, unless they miss the birdie completely, or the birdie touches the net on its way across – which is called a let.
Step 6: Whoever wins each rally wins the point, and whoever gets to 21 points wins a game. If players are tied at 20, the team with the first two-point lead wins. If the scores go to 29 without anyone attaining the two-point lead, the first team to reach 30 wins. The match is won by the best two out of three games played.
FACT: Badminton is the world’s fastest-paced racket sport, with the shuttlecock flying across the net at speeds of almost 200 miles per hour.

You Will Need

Two or four players
A badminton court
A net
A shuttlecock
Badminton rackets