Sports in My Life
N1) Football
Football, also called soccer in some countries, is the world’s most popular sport. It’s a team game played with a round ball on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. The objective is simple: score more goals than the other team by kicking the ball into their net. Players can use any part of their body except their hands and arms. Only the goalkeeper, who protects the goal, can use their hands within a special area called the penalty box. A standard football game lasts 90 minutes, split into two 45-minute halves with a short break in between. If the score is tied in some competitions, the game might go into extra time or even a penalty shootout. Football is loved because it’s easy to play and needs little equipment—a ball and some space are enough. It requires skill, teamwork, and endurance. Players practice dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending to improve their game. Football is played professionally worldwide, with famous leagues like the English Premier League and tournaments like the FIFA World Cup. It’s also a way for people of all ages to have fun, stay active, and connect with others.
N2) CrossFit
CrossFit is a high-intensity fitness program that focuses on improving strength, endurance, and overall health. It combines exercises from different sports and activities like weightlifting, running, rowing, and gymnastics. The workouts are constantly varied, so you do something new every day. A typical CrossFit workout is called a “Workout of the Day” (WOD). WODs can include things like lifting heavy weights, doing pull-ups, burpees, squats, or sprinting. The goal is to do these exercises as quickly or efficiently as possible. Workouts are timed or scored, adding a competitive element. CrossFit is designed for everyone, from beginners to elite athletes. The exercises can be modified to match different fitness levels. This makes it a community-focused sport, where people support each other through challenging workouts. CrossFit helps build strength, improve cardio fitness, and develop flexibility and coordination. It also teaches proper movement techniques to avoid injuries. Many people like CrossFit because it’s never boring, and it creates a sense of community. There are CrossFit gyms, called "boxes," all over the world. Some people even compete in the CrossFit Games, a global competition to find the “Fittest on Earth.” Overall, it’s a fun and challenging way to get fit and stay healthy.
N3) Sambo
Sambo is a martial art and combat sport from the Soviet Union, created in the 1920s. The word "Sambo" means "self-defense without weapons." It mixes techniques from judo, wrestling, and other traditional fighting styles, focusing on practical self-defense and competitive sport. There are two main types of Sambo. **Sport Sambo** is similar to judo and wrestling, emphasizing throws, holds, and submissions. Fighters aim to control or pin their opponent or make them give up using joint locks. **Combat Sambo** is more intense, including strikes like punches and kicks alongside grappling techniques. It’s closer to modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Sambo athletes wear a special jacket called a *kurtka*, along with shorts and wrestling shoes. Matches take place on mats, and fighters score points for clean throws, takedowns, and control. Combat Sambo requires protective gear for safety. Sambo is fast-paced and effective, making it popular in Russia and beyond. It’s used for fitness, self-defense, and competition. Some MMA champions have Sambo backgrounds because it combines striking and grap
