Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Among The Most Competitive Sports Comes Hockey! Why Should It Be A Sport Of Your Choice?



When considering competitive contact sports, many people automatically think of football, rugby, basketball and soccer. Hockey is often overlooked except by those avid fans. In actuality, hockey can be a great alternative sport to those mentioned above because it does not have to have the height requirement demanded by basketball or the advanced dribbling skills required by football. As long as you are fast, fit and flexible, hockey may be right for you. Here are a few reasons why you should consider hockey as your premium sport of choice.

  • Physical requirements
Jog
As stated above, only speed, agility and general fitness are needed to become a great hockey player. These skills can be developed over time and do not have to be inborn. Certain tests may be performed to ascertain your current fitness levels and then regimens created to increase the areas where your performance is wanting. Hockey is also a great way to keep fit and increase your heart rate. You must exercise regularly to decrease instances of injuries and also be able to remain competitive. If you are involved in strenuous sports like hockey, you must remember to hydrate your body constantly so that you do not lose too many nutrients through sweating. 

  • Opportunities for college scholarships
Dorothy Upton is presented a $500 scholarship award by Rouvaishyana and Worth Hall
If you are a really good hockey player in high school, you may win a scholarship to play for any of the top colleges in the United States. The National Collegiate Athletic Association is the main governing body for the hockey at the collegiate level and has competitions based on divisions. The NCAA in conjunction with some Division I and II colleges offers scholarships to qualified students.
The Ice hockey divisions are I, II and III for men and the National Collegiate and Division III for women. Just as is the case with other sports, college is a ripe recruiting ground for professional team scouts and could be a launching pad for your professional hockey career. Oh, and you get free education as well.
One caveat of note is that field majority of the field hockey scholarships are available only for female students. This makes the pool for scholarships for males even smaller and more competitive. Remember that even with the best hockey statistics, a good GPA is required to be considered and you must hit the books just as hard as you hit the puck to qualify for a much coveted scholarship. 

  • Affiliation with national leagues and championships
Champions 2011: USA
The National Hockey League is the major professional body governing the sport of hockey. There are several minor leagues that are still of a professional nature such as Federal Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, American Hockey League and Southern Professional Hockey League.  There are also leagues tailored towards women and the youth. These are great for competing at a local level and they are also a great way for coaches and scouts to source talent and sign fresh athletes. 

  • Recognition as an Olympic sport
Switzerland vs. Canada
Field hockey has been a feature of the Summer Olympic Games since 1908 while Ice hockey was first introduced as an Olympic sport in 1920. It subsequently featured in the Winter Olympics since 1924. Both men and women may compete in this sport at the Olympic level. This is a platform that can catapult your career into superstar status especially if you are fortunate enough to win a medal for your country. 

  • Earnings
Dollars
This point comes last for a reason; a great sports player should be motivated by passion and love for the game rather than earnings. This is not to say that earnings are not important. If they were not, then professional athletes would not earn the millions of dollars they receive each year. As a professional hockey player, you may earn hundreds of millions of dollars through your entire career. There are also several product endorsement deals available that may also mint cash for you. Should you be fortunate enough to land an endorsement deal, make sure that the company whose product or service you are promoting has ideals similar to your own or are socially and environmentally responsible. Athletes in minor leagues may still earn a decent living from playing hockey full time.

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