ESPN Kids Writer Mailbag 21

Q: How can I help my teammates improve their skills but also improve mine to help? Sevanah from North Carolina
A: Sevanah, that's an excellent question. It's always important for teammates to try and help each other improve. The best way to help everybody improve is to work together. Practice together, workout together, go for a run together. The more you work; you'll notice that your skills are improving. But if you're working together, you'll notice that your teammates' skills are improving, too.

Q: Who invented football? Landry from Texas
A: Landry, the Father of American Football is a man named Walter Camp. In the 1880s and 1890s, he coached football at Yale and Stanford. Prior to Camp's innovations, American football was basically a version of rugby, a popular sport played in Europe. Camp, though, implemented the line of scrimmage and down-and-distance rules. This played a major role in transforming American football into the sport we know and love today.

Q: What sport do you think is the most popular with kids ages 8-12? Nate from Georgia
A: Nate, that's a tough question! Actually, a few years ago, ESPN did a study and found that more kids ages 7-11 watched pro football than any other sport. NBA basketball was a close second, followed by Major League Baseball, college basketball and professional soccer.

Q: How many points do you have to score to win a ping pong game? Deb from Mississippi
A: Deb, the rules of ping pong can vary depending on where it is played. However, there are certain standard rules that are found pretty much everywhere. Typically, the first player to score 21 points wins the game. There is usually a win-by-two rule, meaning that a player can't win 21-20. The game goes on until a player wins by two points.

Q: What is the most important thing you can do while playing a sport? Emma from Utah
A: Emma, the most important thing you can do while playing a sport is have fun! Sports are a form of recreation and entertainment. They are a way to get great exercise and learn how to work together with teammates. Most important, though, sports help put a smile on your face.



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