Other team sports

Other team sports in the Sportano shopTeam sports have always been extremely popular, not only because of the excitement of the sport, but also because of the social skills they shape in the participants. In addition to popular sports such as football, basketball and volleyball, there are many other interesting team games that have their own roots and unique stories. In the Other Team Sports category of the Sportano sports shop, you will find products from well-known and renowned brands such as Shock Doctor, McDavid, UNIHOC, Venum or Joma.RugbyRugby is not only a game, but also a culture and a tradition. Although it may resemble American football from a layman's point of view, it is characterised by unique rules and styles of play. The sport was born in England, in a town called Rugby. Legends say that it was there, in 1823, that a young boy named William Webb Ellis, while playing a traditional football, caught it in his hands and started running towards the goal. Although it is difficult to say whether this story is true, it is regarded as the symbolic beginning of the sport. Since then, rugby has grown in popularity in the UK and soon after in other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. One of the key features of rugby is the value of the 'spirit of the game' (spirit of the game), which promotes respect, camaraderie and fairness on and off the pitch. Rugby is divided into two main varieties: rugby union and rugby league. Both varieties differ in the number of players and certain rules. However, both types of games emphasise the importance of teamwork, strength and strategy. A rugby match is not only a physical struggle, but also an intellectual one, where tactics and strategy play a key role.American footballAmerican football, also known as 'football' in the United States, is one of the country's most popular sports. Its history can be traced back to the mid-19th century, when colleges on the east coast of the US began to adapt the rules of games similar to rugby, creating their own version of football. In 1869, the first official American football game was held between Rutgers and Princeton universities, which is considered the birth of the sport. Over the years, American football has evolved from its simple origins into a complex game that requires both physical bravado and tactical thinking. In 1920, the National Football League (NFL) was formed and became the most important football league in the US. The NFL attracted the best players in the country and its games became the main sporting event for many Americans. The growth of the media, especially television, further contributed to the popularity of American football. The Super Bowl, the final game of the NFL season, is now one of the biggest sporting events in the world, attracting millions of viewers. While American football has deep roots in US culture, it is also gaining popularity in other parts of the world, demonstrating the sport's universal appeal.Differences between American football and rugbyAlthough American football and rugby may appear similar at first glance, there are key differences in structure, rules and style of play that clearly distinguish them. Both games come from similar roots, but have evolved in different directions, adapting to their local cultures and traditions. In American football, one of the main elements is forward passing. Players use an oval ball in an attempt to cross the opponent's line and score points by scoring a 'touchdown'. In rugby, forward passing is illegal; instead, the ball is passed backwards or kicked. Furthermore, in rugby there are no breaks in play like in American football, making it more fluid. Another difference is the equipment of the players. In American football, players wear a lot more protection, including helmets, shoulder pads and leg pads, while rugby uses minimal protection, often just mouth and head pads. Another key difference relates to scoring. In rugby, points are scored by touching the ball to the ground behind the opponent's line, kicking at goal or by kicking at goal after scoring a 'try'. In American football, points are scored by scoring a touchdown, kicking at goal or scoring a safety. There is also the issue of tactics and strategy, which are key in both games but take different forms. In rugby, there is an emphasis on collective work, while in American football there is a division between defence and attack, which allows for more complex patterns of play.Unihockey: Europe's answer to indoor hockeyUnihockey, also known as floorball, is a sport that has gained huge popularity in Europe, especially in Scandinavian countries. Although many people confuse it with indoor hockey, floorball has its own set of rules and specific equipment. The game is played in sports halls, with a ball and sticks resembling those of ice hockey. A distinctive feature of floorball is that it is played without skates and on a flat surface. This makes it easier for beginners and more accessible to the general public. The basic aim of the game is to score as many goals as possible into the opponent's goal using a stick. The rules are simple, which makes the game dynamic and exciting. One of the main elements that distinguish floorball from other sports is that the game is very fast and requires players to have good coordination and reflexes. Unihockey has become particularly popular in countries such as Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic. Numerous leagues and tournaments are held in these countries, attracting thousands of spectators. Thanks to its simplicity and dynamism, floorball has also become a popular school and recreational sport. Its growing popularity in Europe shows that the sport has the potential to become a global phenomenon.