How Can I Learn More About Sports?

Fall is here! Which means homecoming games, the World Series, basketball and eventually the Super Bowl (not to mention next summer's World Cup). How can you get up to speed?

If you want to start playing (or watching) a sport, do it with friends (and a coach).

When one researcher decided to learn four new sports in a year (table tennis, swimming, badminton and cricket) he found it was critical to have a 'sports buddy'. It's also helpful to have a coach — even if you're a novice, they're easy to find. Uncertain which sport is for you? Sports researchers are fans of pickleball (though, neighbors of pickleball courts are less so). Swimming, cycling, and Nordic walking also get high marks (and are particularly good as we age.) If you're more interested in watching than playing, here's a guide to when seasons start and end and the best places to view a game.

What if I'm confused by what's going on? (And is it true I'm barred from polo if I'm left handed?)

It is, unfortunately, true. (It's also true that NCAA basketball players can't dunk during a game's warmups, and if a player catches a baseball with their hat, the batter automatically gets three bases.) If you want to understand what's happening on the field, immerse yourself in fandom and you'll pick up knowledge by osmosis. Best of all, watch the game in a sports bar — where you can ask almost anyone "what just happened?" and, it turns out, they'll be overjoyed to tell you. (If you're looking for sports podcasts, here's 15 of the best ones. And if you're looking for a great sports book, here's a few that even casual fans will love.)

But what if my kid is sports-crazy (and I'm not). Or I want to start betting on sports? (That's a good idea, right?) And what sports should I avoid?

It turns out your kids don't need you to understand the rules of their sport — they just need you to show consistent, emotionally steady encouragement. (And if you emphasize fun rather than winning, they'll stay on the team longer.) Sports betting websites are very good at finding the worst betters. (Here's a great podcast on that.) But if you really want to start betting, here's a guide. And if you're worried about injuries, avoid sports with lots of quick twists and remember the importance of stretching, particularly as you age.

Last question: The World Cup is coming to America! I don't really understand soccer! What should I do?

Soccer (sorry, fútbol) is one of the most random games, which means underdogs win more frequently — which is exciting! (Here's a cheat sheet to get ready for the World Cup. The real sport, however, is getting tickets to the various games.) If your last experience was AYSO (go Fighting Jungle Cats!), you can brush up with this podcast (extra points if you understand at least 80% of what they say). And if you can't catch a soccer game, here are 18 of the best live sports experiences on earth, some of the weirdest sports on earth, and a guide to Japanese sports, which are in a category of their own. (Think competitive team snowball fights and building incredibly dangerous human pyramids.)

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And tell us in the comments what sports you love - and what teams we ought to be cheering for. (Go Montgomery Biscuits!)

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