Weekly Topic Inspiration: A Beginner's Guide to Your Favorite Sport

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   Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

   There has been a lot of talk about sports at HubPages Headquarters lately, so I’ve decided to make this week’s theme beginner’s guides to individual and team sports. Evergreen (that’s non-newsy) sports Hubs actually have great long-term potential!
   
   As I’ve shared on our blog, you don’t have to be a huge sports fan to be a potentially great sports writer. Nearly everyone is an expert in some sort of sport, be it something more common, such as basketball, or something a bit more obscure, such as jousting.
   
   Here are some ideas for titles you might use:
   A Beginner’s Guide to _______
   The Basic Rules of ___________
   Important ________ Safety Tips
   _____________________ for Kids
   __________: Rules of the Game
   How to Play _________________
   
   And if you’d like some further prompts, here are some keyword researched titles on various different sports:
   Basketball Rules for Beginners
   The Anatomy of a Fencing Sword
   Soccer Rules for Beginners
   Table Tennis Rules for Beginners
   A Guide to Medieval Jousting Rules
   Tennis Rules for Beginners
   How to Play Tennis: A Beginners’ Guide
   The Most Commonly Overlooked Rules of Golf
   10 Funny and Strange Baseball Rules
   How to Play Soccer in the Rain
   Coaching Soccer: A Beginner’s Guide
   Basic Baseball Rules for Beginners
   Essential Fencing Equipment for Beginners
   
   I don’t know about you, but I would LOVE to read articles on these things!
   
   If you'd like to join in on this week's topic by writing a Hub, follow these steps:
   
   1)    Click here to visit this week's topic.
   2)    Click the green button "answer this question".
   3)    Click the gray button below the box (leave that empty) that says "make a Hub about it."
   4)    Give your Hub a very specific title, like Easy Summer Gardening Projects for Kids or Challenging Summer Activities for Teens
   5)    Create good quality original content that hasn't been covered before.
   6)    After you publish your Weekly Topic Inspiration Hub, come back to this forum thread and post a link to your Hub with a brief description of what you wrote about and why.
   
   For more information on the Weekly Topic Inspiration program, check out the Learning Center guide.
   
   I can’t wait to read your Hubs!!! I do hope you’ll be joining us this week.

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      VeronicaFarkasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      OoOoh I'm excited! Great idea! This is going to be a fun one!

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         Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Hehee, I think so! I hope people get creative with this one. HubPages' sports category is totally underutilized.

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            Cardisaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Hey Simone. I 'm back this week! lol

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      lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Simone I'm finally on my holidays I'll get a hub or two on sports out there

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         Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Sweet! Can't wait to read 'em, lobobrandon!

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            lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            

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            lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I'm doing them a bit different and not on the related topics directly but they are about sports . Hope its ok

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      FordeAhernposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I have only joined hub page a week ago and I am really interested in sport and cant wait to start a hub. My plan is to start tonight when the house is quiet. I have decided what to write about and of course it will be my son of nine years old whom I will be thinking of when I am writing. Please check me out.It will be just coming from the heart. tune in tomorrow.

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      lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My Second hub - http://lobobrandon.hubpages.com/hub/Whe … onal-court
      It's about finding a place to play tennis if you can't afford a real court

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      JanHeathposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the great inspiration.  I really enjoyed doing this, so here's my hub on the spot of rogaining....
      
      http://janheath.hubpages.com/hub/A-Begi … -Rogaining

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   Grant's Worldposted 12 years ago

   This is awesome. I enjoyed lasts weeks hub ideas quite a bit and this weeks topics even more. Now I have to pick one of your ideas and start writing.
   Be back soon.
   G.

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yay!! I'm glad you're digging the topics!

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   Cliff Mendrezposted 12 years ago

   I have two worries. First, the hub I created may be off-topic. I'm not really sure. I won't teach any one how to play a sport. But I will explain some rules. Second, my hub might be considered adult content. I certainly hope it won't fall under that category. In any case, I'm taking the risk. If I violate any rule, I'd be more than willing to delete my hub.
   
   I wrote about the art of butt slapping. Yeah, you read that right. After learning about this week's topic, I watched sports on TV, hoping to get an idea on which sport to write about. But instead, I noticed some strange antics in sports. And so I thought of writing about the strangest of them all: butt slapping.
   
   If you want to learn more about one of the greatest mysteries in all of sports, please read my hub. http://cliffmendrez.hubpages.com/hub/Th … ports?done
   
   I'm also looking forward to reading other sports hubs here.

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      Eric Newlandposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Well, I think it's awesome and funny (and voted as such).
      
      I've got a sports hub in the works too, potentially even more controversial. Prepare to learn some things you never wanted to know about obscure sports.

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         Cliff Mendrezposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks for voting, Eric! Your hub seems interesting. Can't wait to read it!

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cliff Mendez, this Hub ROCKS.
      
      In addition to being funny, it's TOTALLY about a real thing in sports, and it's on a niche topic to boot!

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         Cliff Mendrezposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Simone, thanks again! I'm glad I wasn't off-topic.

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   Lindy's Worldposted 12 years ago

   Alright guys and gals here is my contribution to this week's topic.  It is about being a hockey mom and what to expect if your child starts playing on a travel hockey team.  Hope you enjoy. http://lindysworld.hubpages.com/hub/The … Hockey-Mom

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I did quite enjoy this! You've given a very honest view of the responsibilities of a hockey mom- and they're no small responsibilities to take on!

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         Lindy's Worldposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Simone,
         I am glad you enjoyed my contribution.  I always try to remember as we are driving from rink to rink my son is learning lessons that will take him far in life.

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   ElizaDooleposted 12 years ago

   Ok have got an idea for this. Back later this week.

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   CeeGunnposted 12 years ago

   http://ceegunn.hubpages.com/hub/Medieval-Jousting-Rules
   
   Took me longer than I thought to do the research for this, but it was fun! I used to love going to the local Renn-faire.

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      YAY!!!! I was hoping someone would write a jousting Hub!! THIS WAS SO INTERESTING!!!!!

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   Wallabies RWC15posted 12 years ago

   Well, rugby is certainly a niche in the US sports market, but some exciting things going on with development for you guys'n girls.
   
   I decided to jump in and create one with some basic rugby stuff, although from an Aussie viewpoint!
   
   http://wallabiesrwc15.hubpages.com/t/2d04de
   
   Hope it's ok!!

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very cool! I'm not familiar with Rugby at all, so this was a fun introduction!
      
      Also, welcome to HubPages, Wallabies RWC15! It's awesome to have you with us.

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   alissarobertsposted 12 years ago

   Thought I would join in on this week's topic with a list of essential equipment for first time T-Ball and Coach Pitch players. Here is the link:
   
   http://alissaroberts.hubpages.com/hub/E … -Beginners

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      VeronicaFarkasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Mine is MUCH longer than I thought it'd be, and I even took quite a bit out. lol  - Soccer Rules for Beginners. http://veronicafarkas.hubpages.com/hub/ … -Beginners

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Alissaroberts- your advice about that equipment is lovely, and props on the great original photos!
      
      VeronicaFarkas, I can TOTALLY see how you ended up creating a longer Hub than you expected- there's much more to soccer than meets the eye!

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   Elani-Leeposted 12 years ago

   This is a great topic, one that I didn't think I would be able to write about at first. Then I remembered that I used to play Underwater Hockey in college!  I though, what an obscure sport, I bet nobody has ever even heard of that!  So I decided to write a hub on it, I hope everyone enjoys it!
   
   http://elani-lee.hubpages.com/hub/An-Ob … ter-Hockey

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      Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      THAT. IS. SO. COOL!!!!! I *must* figure out how to rustle up a game. I'd suck at underwater hockey, but it would be so much fun to try!

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      VeronicaFarkasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I'm glad that you wrote that hub! It was really interesting! =]

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    DzyMsLizzyposted 12 years ago

    Ok--here it is--my personal favorite sport, which I miss very much since injuring my knee back in 2001...oh, but it's so tempting to get back into it...
    
    http://dzymslizzy.hubpages.com/hub/In-L … ToGetGoing

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       This is so great! I love the photos you've included, too!

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    Shanna11posted 12 years ago

    I joined my high school's brand new lacrosse team my Freshman year as a totally out-of-shape, awkward, quiet girl who was bullied and abused verbally and online for several months previous.
    
    Girl's lacrosse honestly changed my life. I was never very good at it, I only played for three years (one on Varsity) and it definitely had some major up's and down's, but I treasure the experience and want others to know and love the sport like I do.
    
    http://shanna11.hubpages.com/hub/Girls- … -Beginners

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, how cool! I wish lacrosse was offered at my school.

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       diplessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I tried lacrosse when I was at University, and whilst i was never very good it was great fun. Thank you for sharing this, It always fascinates me how the guys and gals game can be so different.

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    stephhicks68posted 12 years ago

    Love this topic and have been buried in other work projects this week.  Finally finished my hub on Pickleball - my absolute favorite sport/recreational game I played growing up:
    
    http://stephhicks68.hubpages.com/hub/pi … ners-guide
    
    Who knew that the game is experiencing a huge growth in popularity?  Hope you enjoy!

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       diplessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow this really was a great hub, I love that I have been shown a new sport, now to find somewhere in the UK who play it Looks like a lot of fun . Thanks for sharing this.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I totally enjoyed this! Hadn't heard of Pickleball before

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       VeronicaFarkasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Loved it! I shared it w/ my fiance, too, Steph. I think we may try playing this spring! lol =]

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    diplessposted 12 years ago

    Hi, I went for the table tennis one, haven't played since I was at school, so it was good to have a recap.
    
    http://dipless.hubpages.com/hub/Table-T … -Beginners

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       lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Here's my hub Hope its good
       http://lobobrandon.hubpages.com/hub/How … -a-trainer

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          Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          I definitely think it's good- you've touched on some important aspects of good coaches for ANY sport.

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             lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks Simone

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          diplessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Interesting hub, enjoyed and some good tips about coaching athletes and people in general. Thanks

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             lobobrandonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Thanks dipless

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       HEEE! Dipless! You rock for including that clip from Friends!

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          diplessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Gotta love a bit of friends I love how Monica just can't get out her words.

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14. 95

    Melovyposted 12 years ago

    I set out to write an article on building water confidence for beginning swimmers, but my research led me in a different direction. I think (hope) this still qualifies for the WTI. It is now called: Is it safe to take your baby swimming?
    http://melovy.hubpages.com/hub/A-Beginn … o-Swimming

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, so interesting! You mention a bunch of complications and conditions here I'd never even heard of. I say that the different direction is great!

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          Melovyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Simone, I’ve added in an definition of the diving reflex. Let me know if anything is still unclear. I think the problem is that even experts don’t fully understand it, so it’s not easy to give a definitive definition!

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    mary615posted 12 years ago

    Hi Simone, I'm always a "day late, and a dollar short"!  Am I too late to do a Home Improvement Hub???

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    Just Ask Susanposted 12 years ago

    It's been too long since I've done a Weekly Topic Inspiration. Here is mine for this weeks topic. It's about children's tee ball http://just-ask-susan.hubpages.com/hub/ … r-Children

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       Melovyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Very interesting hub Susan. Being from the UK I didn’t even know tee ball existed.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       And being from a non-sporty family, I've never had the chance to play it. What a shame! Sounds like fun.

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    diplessposted 12 years ago

    Here is my second of the week
    
    http://dipless.hubpages.com/hub/The-Mos … es-of-Golf
    
    How could I not chose this with the great material supplied by CaddyShack and Happy Gilmore

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Seriously though!!!
       
       I got a total kick out of this Hub. I love obscure sports rules!

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    RedElfposted 12 years ago

    Here's an interesting and not too-well-known sport - Canoe (Kayak) Polo
    
    A Beginner's Guide to Canoe Polo

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       Melovyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting hub, and one I shall pass on to the kayakers in my family.

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       diplessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Had never hear of it, thanks for sharing, looks like an interesting sport

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       OH MY GOSH WE LIVE IN AN ENCHANTED, WONDERFUL WORLD!!! Canoe Polo!! EPIC WIN!

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    Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

    Sigh, this week's topic just isn't coming together for me. The more crazy sports I find, the more I keep finding the same sports...over and over and over again, in list after list of "world's craziest sports." That's no fun. I'm going to start working on something else. Maybe inspiration will strike over the weekend.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Ah, an unpleasant quandary, that! Here's hoping inspiration strikes soon

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    Ruchiraposted 12 years ago

    Hi,
    This is my hub for the weekly topic inspiration:
    
    http://ruchira.hubpages.com/hub/Learnin … -and-above
    This hub talks about the basic ground rules of playing cricket and why a 5 year old should be learning it.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I enjoyed it! I've only seen cricket played once- I hope I'll get more cricket exposure in the future!

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    Cardisaposted 12 years ago

    Hello everyone, here is my hub.  I hope you all like it. I did a couple of hubs on the subject a few weeks ago so was kinda of two minds to do another but I figured how to do this one differently.
    
    http://cardisa.hubpages.com/hub/Self-De … nners?done

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    wordscribe43posted 12 years ago

    Alright, I finally got mine done.  I didn't end up covering nearly as much as I wanted to.  I was going to go over the ins and outs of finding the proper tennis racket size, including grip size, head size, weight, and length.  But, I got started and realized finding the right grip size was a hub in and of itself.  Sheesh!
    
    A Primer on Tennis Racket Sizes: Finding the Proper Grip Size

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Dude. Wordscribe43, this is really useful! I had no idea you were such a tennis expert!! AWESOME Hub.

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          wordscribe43posted 12 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks, Simone!  Sadly those years of tennis is precisely why I'm having yet another knee surgery (I think it's number 6, I've lost count) one week from today.  But, heck... it was worth it.  I love (and miss) the sport.  Good thing I'm getting to teach my kids! 

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             Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Ah, such is the unfortunate side effect of loving so many sports!! Even I, as a devoted swimmer (a HARMLESS sport, I thought!), am paying the price for spending all of my exercise time as a kid essentially weightless- my bone density is alarmingly low!
             Since we're damned if we do and damned if we don't, I say we just go for it. I'm so glad you get to pass this on to your kids!

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23. 83

    ElizaDooleposted 12 years ago

    Got mine done but didn't follow the instructions lol! Art is like life for me.
    
    http://elizadoole.hubpages.com/_o934ac9 … Darts?done
    
    I decided to do darts as a sport because we were laughing at the pot belly champions of the World Matchplay Tournament 2012 recently.

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       CloudExplorerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Awesome Idea Simone, mine will be on Basketball for sure, I love playing basketball and teaching it, Thanks for the cool tips.

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    ecosimonposted 12 years ago

    Will certainly have to look into creating a sports hub soon. I will probably opt for Football (Soccer if you are American) as this is my favorite. Maybe i'll do a hub explaining the offside rule, to help the female hubbers out! LOL

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    barryrutherfordposted 12 years ago

    A beginners guide to playing Snooker
    
    
    http://barryrutherford.hubpages.com/hub … ooker?done

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Very cool! I hadn't heard of Snooker before this. Awesome name for a game!

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    Arlene V. Pomaposted 12 years ago

    In order to get a couch potato to play sports, you need to get the couch potato to move off the couch.  This is the part where you move the couch potato, and I hope the rest falls into place.
    
    
    
    http://arlenevpoma.hubpages.com/hub/The … -to-Sports

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hahaa, turning couch potatoing into a sport, huh? Interesting angle!

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27. 0

    timmathisenposted 12 years ago

    I gave this challenge a try ...
    
    Essential Fencing Equipment for Beginners
    
    Admit it: You play with your child's Nerf sword. But that's OK. You're a beginner swashbuckler and need essential foil fencing equipment, which this article will detail.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       YES! Who doesn't want, at least a BIT, to take up fencing? Fab Hub!

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    emievilposted 12 years ago

    *sigh* well I tried to post a hub of mine that I published on my other account. unfortunately, something went wrong. The good news is that it went through as one of the answers to this topic's question. The hub is about Arnis.

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       You did it successfully through that account, so no worries!
       I really enjoyed the Hub on Arnis. Good one!

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    cameciobposted 12 years ago

    I wrote this hub about my first experience on an ice skating rink. Unfortunatelly I forgot how to post to weekly topic and I didn't fallow the procedure. Instead i just post it like any other hub.
    But I do want to share it here if I'm allowed.
    http://cameciob.hubpages.com/hub/How-to … s-an-adult

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       No worries about that part, cameciob- and this Hub is fabulous!! Your advice is most practical, and the videos you took for the Hub are cool!! I feel as though I've just gone skating with you.

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    GmaGoldieposted 12 years ago

    Thank you very much for this opportunity. I must preface this with the fact that I am the inventor and as such very biased.
    
    I have always wanted a swimming companion. I love the water but the life jackets are simply no fun. The much loved aquatic noodles are a big hit for children and water aerobics but I wanted more so I invented a fun swim board which I have named EZ Swimmer.
    
    It is also great for fitness and I am about to relaunch my website complete with fitness instructions to showcase the right and wrong positions for targeting toning with sit-ups, push downs, tricep dips and the like.
    
    The seated balance works like a balance ball in the water and has also been called the sea horse because it really is like riding a sea horse.
    
    It appears that we are allowed to include links in this particular forum thread: http://gmagoldie.hubpages.com/hub/Begin … mming-Pool

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       Simone Smithposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, GmaGoldie, I hadn't realized that the EZ Swimmer was of your invention. That's pretty neat!
       
       And yes- in Weekly Topic Inspiration threads, people are allowed to share links to Hubs they published that fit the week's theme

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    Simone Smithposted 12 years ago

    Hey everyone! I have to say, I was totally floored by this week. I'm going to have to bring this topic back at some point again... I just learned so much form the Hubs y'all have published, and I bet some of them will do quite well in the long run!
    
    Our new topic was recommended to me by AEvans, who was inspired in turn by Black History Month. We'll be Hubbing about important people, organizations, and developments in the history of business this month. I hope you'll join us!

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32. 95

    DeborahNeyensposted 12 years ago

    I'm a little late with this, but I've been doing yoga for years.  I know the practice of yoga can be a bit baffling for beginners, so here's my attempt to demystify it: http://deborahneyens.hubpages.com/hub/Y … -Beginners

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    Eric Newlandposted 12 years ago

    My thirteenth-hour submission:
    
    http://ericnewland.hubpages.com/hub/buzkashi
    
    It's an Afghan sport played on horseback where the objective is to swipe a dead goat or calf without getting the crap beaten out of you. Fun for the whole family!

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    Danette Wattposted 12 years ago

    My probably too-late submission....I went rock climbing at an indoor gym in St. Louis with my son and had a ball. Here is a list of basic equipment, tips and techniques for beginners.
    
    
    http://danettewatt.hubpages.com/hub/Bas … k-climbers

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    kannanwritesposted 12 years ago

    I'm still giving final touches to my Hub; will definitely submit tomorrow.
    
    Hey Simone, will that count?

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       FordeAhernposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I started my another hub on a rainy Saturday morning when my son goes soccer training but for some reason i haven't it finish. I t will be finished tomorrow.

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    kannanwritesposted 12 years ago

    My submission, How to Play Cricket: Ultimate Guide For Beginners http://kannanwrites.hubpages.com/hub/Ho … ners-Guide

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    TFScientistposted 12 years ago

    Here is my submission: how to play dodgeball.
    
    It my be a school sport but it is growing in popularity and is actually one heck of a workout
    
    http://tfscientist.hubpages.com/hub/how … ners-guide

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