Dynamic close-up of a wheelchair basketball game highlighting player interaction.

Sports Guides for Every Athlete

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Saturday-morning youth games, Friday nights under the lights, a pickup run at the park, the big game on TV. Whatever you play, and at whatever level, staying healthy is what keeps you playing. These are our sports guides: one complete section per sport, for players, parents and coaches, with sports health at the center: how injuries happen and how to prevent them, what to do before, during and after games, and the gear that actually helps.

Happy young girls in sportswear celebrating a soccer match victory on an outdoor field.
Photo: Laura Rincón / Pexels

Choose your sport

ArcheryArcheryArchery for beginners and athletes at every level: how target, field and 3D archery work, NASP and JOAD to the Olympics, shoulder…BadmintonBadmintonBadminton for players at every level: how the game works and the 2027 scoring change, youth to Olympics, the most common badminton…BaseballBaseballBaseball for players at every level: how the game works, youth to MLB and the Olympics, the most common baseball injuries, pitch…BasketballBasketballBasketball for players at every level: how the game works, youth to pro and 3×3, the most common basketball injuries, ankle braces,…BilliardsBilliardsBilliards for every level: how pool works, first steps for beginners, leagues, juniors and the pro tour, honest sports health and the…BMXBMXBMX racing and freestyle for riders at every level: how races and contests work, balance bikes to the Olympics, the most common…BodybuildingBodybuildingBodybuilding and physique sports at every level: divisions and judging, natural vs untested federations, the Olympia, and the health facts on steroids,…BowlingBowlingTen-pin bowling for every level: how the game works, youth to college and the pros, the most common bowling injuries and how…BoxingBoxingBoxing for athletes at every level: Olympic-style, pro and fitness boxing, how bouts are scored, the most common boxing injuries, concussion, safety…CanoeingCanoeingCanoeing at every level: recreational and wilderness tripping, whitewater, sprint, slalom and marathon racing, canoe safety, life jackets, cold water, shoulders and…CheerleadingCheerleadingCheerleading for athletes at every level: school, all-star and STUNT, common cheer injuries, spotting and surfaces, concussion, training and recovery.ClimbingClimbingClimbing for climbers at every level: bouldering, top-rope, lead, outdoor and competition, the most common climbing injuries, belay safety, concussion, training and…CricketCricketCricket for players at every level: how the game works, youth to Major League Cricket and LA28, the most common cricket injuries,…Cross-Country SkiingCross-Country SkiingCross-country skiing at every level: classic and skate technique, race formats, youth to the Olympics, common injuries, skier's asthma, cold safety, training,…CrossFitCrossFitCrossFit at every level, from kids classes to the Games, plus HYROX: how it works, the most common CrossFit injuries, rhabdo warning…CurlingCurlingCurling for beginners and every level: how the game works, Learn to Curl to the Olympics and Paralympics, falls and head safety,…CyclingCyclingCycling for riders at every level: road, mountain, gravel, track and BMX, the most common cycling injuries, helmets, concussion, road safety, training…DanceDanceDance for dancers as athletes: ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip-hop and breaking at every level, the most common dance injuries, pointe readiness…DartsDartsDarts for beginners and every level after: 501 and cricket, steel-tip vs soft-tip, board height and throwing distance, leagues to the pro…Disc GolfDisc GolfDisc golf for players at every level: how the game works, junior divisions to the pro tour, the most common disc golf…DivingDivingSpringboard, platform and synchronized diving at every level: how scoring works, youth to Olympic and Masters, common diving injuries, pool depth safety,…EsportsEsportsEsports at every level, from high school leagues and college scholarships to the pros, and esports health: eyes, wrists, neck and back,…FencingFencingFencing for athletes at every level: foil, épée and sabre, youth to Olympic and Paralympic, the most common fencing injuries, safety gear,…Field HockeyField HockeyField hockey for players at every level: how the game works, youth to the LA28 Olympics, the most common field hockey injuries,…Figure SkatingFigure SkatingFigure skating at every level: the four disciplines and scoring, Learn to Skate to the Olympics, the most common figure skating injuries,…FishingFishingSport fishing at every level: bass, fly, saltwater and ice fishing, kids to pro tours, water and sun safety, training, recovery and…FootballFootballAmerican football for athletes at every level: how the game works, flag to the NFL, football injuries, concussion, heat, training, recovery and…GolfGolfGolf for players at every level: how the game works, juniors to the pros and Olympics, the most common golf injuries, warm-up,…GymnasticsGymnasticsGymnastics at every level: disciplines and scoring, youth to Olympic, the most common gymnastics injuries, training hours, athlete safety, training and recovery.HandballHandballTeam handball for players at every level: how the game works, youth to the Olympics, the most common handball injuries and how…HikingHikingHiking from day hikes to backpacking and peak-bagging: trail rules, the Ten Essentials, the most common hiking injuries, heat, altitude, training, recovery…Horseback RidingHorseback RidingHorseback riding at every level, English, Western and trail: how it works, from lessons and Pony Club to the Olympics, the most…HuntingHuntingHunting for hunters at every level: licenses, hunter education, tree stand and firearm safety, blaze orange, heart strain and cold, fitness, recovery…Ice HockeyIce HockeyIce hockey for players at every level: how the game works, youth to the NHL, PWHL and Olympics, the most common hockey…KayakingKayakingKayaking at every level: recreational, sea, fishing and whitewater kayaks, sprint, slalom and kayak cross racing, kayaking safety, life jackets, cold water,…KickboxingKickboxingKickboxing for athletes at every level: point fighting to K1 and how bouts are scored, youth to pro, the most common injuries,…KitesurfingKitesurfingKitesurfing and kitefoiling for every level: how it works, kids to the Olympics, kitesurfing safety and injuries, training, recovery and gear.LacrosseLacrosseLacrosse for players at every level: boys' and girls' field lacrosse, box and Olympic sixes, the most common lacrosse injuries, concussion, chest…Martial ArtsMartial ArtsKarate, taekwondo, judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu for every level: how each art works and is scored, kids to Olympics, the most common…MMAMMAMixed martial arts for fighters at every level: how MMA works, youth to pro, the most common MMA injuries, concussion, weight cutting,…MotorsportsMotorsportsMotorsports for drivers and riders at every level, from karting to F1, NASCAR, IndyCar and MotoGP: race car driver fitness, heat, neck…Mountain BikingMountain BikingMountain biking for riders at every level: cross-country, trail, enduro and downhill, the most common mountain bike injuries, helmets, concussion, training and…Muay ThaiMuay ThaiMuay Thai for athletes at every level: how bouts work and are scored, youth to pro, the most common injuries, concussion, safety…Obstacle Course RacingObstacle Course RacingObstacle course racing at every level: Spartan and Tough Mudder formats and penalties, kids races to the world championships and LA28, common…PaddleboardingPaddleboardingStand-up paddleboarding at every level: flatwater, SUP yoga, racing and SUP surfing, paddle board safety, the most common SUP injuries, training, recovery…PickleballPickleballPickleball for players of every age: how the game works, juniors to pro tours, the most common pickleball injuries, eye protection, training…Pilates for AthletesPilates for AthletesPilates for athletes at every level: mat vs reformer, what research says about core strength, flexibility and back pain, safe practice, training,…PowerliftingPowerliftingPowerlifting at every level: the squat, bench press and deadlift, how meets work, Classic vs Equipped, federations, youth to World Games, injuries,…Roller DerbyRoller DerbyRoller derby at every level: how jams and scoring work, who runs the sport, junior derby, the most common injuries, required gear,…Roller SkatingRoller SkatingRoller skating for skaters at every level: quad vs inline, rink and jam skating, artistic and speed competition, the most common injuries,…RowingRowingRowing for athletes at every level: sweep and sculling, indoor rowing, youth to Olympic and masters, the most common rowing injuries, water…RugbyRugbyRugby for players at every level: union, sevens and league, youth to the pros and LA28, the most common rugby injuries, tackle…RunningRunningRunning for every level, from kids' fun runs to cross country and the marathon majors: the most common running injuries, heat safety,…SailingSailingSailing at every level: dinghies to keelboats, kids to the Olympics and SailGP, sailing safety, cold water, life jackets, training, recovery and…SkateboardingSkateboardingSkateboarding for skaters at every level: street, park and vert, how contests are judged, the most common skateboarding injuries, helmets and pads,…SkiingSkiingSkiing for skiers at every level: alpine racing, freestyle and cross-country, the most common skiing injuries, helmets, concussion, training, recovery and gear.SnowboardingSnowboardingSnowboarding for riders at every level: how it works, youth to the Olympics, the most common snowboarding injuries, wrist guards, helmets, concussion,…SoccerSoccerSoccer for athletes at every level: how the game works, youth to pro, the most common soccer injuries, FIFA 11+, concussion, heat,…SoftballSoftballSoftball for players at every level: how fastpitch and slowpitch work, youth to pro and the Olympics, the most common softball injuries,…Speed SkatingSpeed SkatingSpeed skating for every level: how long track and short track work, inline speed skating, kids to Olympics, injuries and cut protection,…SquashSquashSquash for players at every level: how the game works, juniors to the PSA World Tour and LA28, the most common squash…SurfingSurfingSurfing at every level: how it works, kids to pros and the Olympics, the most common surfing injuries, ocean safety, training, recovery…SwimmingSwimmingSwimming for athletes at every level: how racing works, youth to Olympic and Masters, the most common swimming injuries, water safety, training…Table TennisTable TennisTable tennis (ping pong) for players at every level: how the game works, juniors, college, pro and Olympic play, the most common…TennisTennisTennis for players at every level: how the game works, youth to pro, the most common tennis injuries, tennis elbow, heat, training…Track and FieldTrack and FieldTrack and field for every level, from youth meets to the Olympics: how the events work, the most common track and field…TriathlonTriathlonTriathlon from kids' races and sprints to IRONMAN: how it works, every level, open water and heart safety, injuries, triathlon training, recovery…Ultimate FrisbeeUltimate FrisbeeUltimate frisbee for players at every level: how the game works, youth to pro, common ultimate frisbee injuries, concussion, heat, training and…VolleyballVolleyballVolleyball for players at every level, indoor and beach: how the game works, youth to pro, the most common volleyball injuries, ankle…WakeboardingWakeboardingWakeboarding behind the boat and at cable parks, at every level: how it works, competitions, common injuries, propeller and carbon monoxide safety,…WakesurfingWakesurfingWakesurfing at every level: how it works, surf and skim boards, competitions, carbon monoxide and propeller safety, life jackets, where to ride,…Water PoloWater PoloWater polo for players at every level: how the game works, youth to Olympic, the most common water polo injuries, concussion, shoulder…Water SkiingWater SkiingWater skiing at every level: slalom, tricks and jump, show and barefoot skiing, common injuries, propeller and life jacket safety, training, recovery…WeightliftingWeightliftingOlympic weightlifting at every level: the snatch and clean & jerk, meets from local to the Olympics, injuries, training, recovery and gear.WindsurfingWindsurfingWindsurfing for every level: how it works, kids to the Olympic iQFOiL, windsurfing safety and injuries, training, recovery and gear.Wing FoilingWing FoilingWing foiling for every level: how it works, kids to the world tour, wing foiling safety and injuries, training, recovery and gear.WrestlingWrestlingWrestling for athletes at every level: the three styles, youth to Olympics, girls' wrestling, the most common wrestling injuries, skin infections, safe…Yoga for AthletesYoga for AthletesYoga for athletes at every level: the styles, what research shows for flexibility, balance and back pain, the most common yoga injuries,…

What every sport section covers

  • Rules, leagues and youth: how the game works at every level, from kids to pros, and what parents need to know.
  • Injuries and sports health: the common injuries, prevention programs, concussion, and when to see a sports medicine doctor, physical therapist or athletic trainer.
  • Before, during and after: training and conditioning, game day (fueling, hydration, heat) and recovery.
  • Nutrition, wearables and gear: what players eat, third-party tested supplements, the right tracker for the sport, and the equipment list.

Baseball, softball, ice hockey, volleyball, lacrosse, tennis, pickleball, golf, running, swimming, cycling and more are on the way.

In every athlete’s bag

Whatever the sport, a few things show up in almost every gym bag. Each has its own buying guide: recovery shoes, electrolytes and a massage gun.

After every game

OOFOS OOahh Slide

  • OOfoam recovery slide
  • APMA Seal of Acceptance
  • Machine washable
Check price on Amazon
For hot days

Nuun Sport

  • Electrolyte tablets
  • Dissolve in water
  • Easy to carry
Check price on Amazon
Travel-size

Hyperice Hypervolt Go 3

  • Compact massage gun
  • Carry case
  • Fits a gym bag
Check price on Amazon

This site shares general information for athletes, parents and coaches. It is not medical advice: for an injury, a concussion or a health question, see a doctor or other qualified professional.

Sports questions

Which sports do you cover?

78 sports have full sections now, each with 11 pages: team, individual, racket, combat, water, winter and Olympic sports, from kids to pros.

Are these guides for kids or adults?

Both. Every section covers every level: kids and youth leagues, high school, college, the pros and adult recreational play, with a page just for youth players and their parents.

Why is sports health the focus?

Because staying healthy is what lets you keep playing. Each sport has its own common injuries and risks, and most of them can be reduced with good warm-ups, training, rest, hydration and the right gear.