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Smoky Mountain Blog

The prospect of playing sports at the collegiate level is very exciting for young athletes. Earning a spot on a university’s roster can come with an enormous sense of pride, financial aid or scholarships, and even the opportunity to play professionally one day. When it comes to getting recruited, however, being a great player isn’t always enough. The athletes with the best chance of being chosen for a college sports team have a strategy for the recruitment process. To help you prepare for the school year, Rocky Top Sports World has put together four tips for getting recruited.

When you’re in the middle of a big game, the last thing you want to be thinking about is your rumbling stomach! To keep visions of pizza and pasta from dancing in your head, we recommend doing some snacking before your next sports tournament. In addition to keeping you focused, the right snacks can provide much-needed boosts of energy that can help you play at your full capacity. Rocky Top Sports World has put together a list of five of our favorite high-energy snacks for young athletes.

If your high school volleyball team is looking for some pre-season practice this summer, you will love Attack at the Rock! This special volleyball play day at Rocky Top Sports World is a great opportunity for your team to shake off the cobwebs before school starts up again. Attack at the Rock is expected to attract some of the most competitive high school teams from around the Southeast. Read on to find out all the details for this eagerly anticipated event.

Flexibility is one of the most important qualities for young athletes to develop. When we talk about flexibility, we’re referring to two things: the range of motion for a joint and the ability of muscles surrounding a joint to lengthen during movement. Whether you play football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, or another sport, being flexible is essential for success. To help you make the most of your workout, we have put together a guide to five of the best flexibility exercises for young athletes.

Summer is the most popular time to visit Gatlinburg, TN, and it’s easy to see why! From June through August, our Smoky Mountain city boasts beautiful weather and a variety of special events. When you participate in a tournament at Rocky Top Sports World, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the seasonal fun in the Smokies. To help you make the most of your trip, we have put together a convenient guide to everything going on this summer in Gatlinburg.

When you’re in search of inspiration before a big game or during halftime, nothing is better than reading a motivational quote from one of your favorite athletes or coaches. Hearing the words of someone who has been in your shoes and persevered can be the perfect way to boost your confidence and energize your spirit. To help you prepare for your next tournament, Rocky Top Sports World has put together four of the best motivational quotes for young athletes.

Travel sports are more popular than ever before! In the past two years, the travel sports industry has grown by 20 percent, and this upward trend doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. Playing travel sports can be a big time commitment for young athletes and their families, but the benefits of participation can last a lifetime. Rocky Top Sports World has put together a guide to the top five benefits of playing travel sports.

One of Rocky Top Sports World’s most popular football camps is returning this June! Legendary University of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer will lead a three-day camp for youth football teams and players from across the nation. Last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame camp was a huge success, and we expect this year to be even bigger and better. Read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming camp.

While every season has something special to offer in the Great Smoky Mountains, spring may just be our favorite! The spring climate in Gatlinburg, TN is ideal for playing sports, as the weather is warm without being too hot. In addition to the comfortable temperature, spring also brings spectacular scenery and fun events to the Smokies. To help you plan your next trip to Gatlinburg, we have put together a guide to everything going on in the area this spring.

Legendary quarterback Joe Namath once said, “When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things”. As Namath recognized, feeling confident is a prerequisite for enjoying a game and for having success on the field. When you feel anxious or uncertain in your abilities, this mindset can ruin the experience of playing a sport.

For a youth sports team to be successful, all of its players need to trust and support one another. A team with excellent group chemistry becomes a well oiled machine: flawlessly executing plays and anticipating each other’s moves. When young athletes feel like they are part of something larger than themselves, they play at their full potential and encourage their teammates to do the same.

Here at Rocky Top Sports World, we are pleased to report that Gatlinburg, TN is open for business in 2017! Although our Smoky Mountain city has faced many trials in the wake of the wildfires that broke out in late November, we are far along the road to recovery. Since Gatlinburg officially reopened on December 9, 2016, hundreds of thousands of visitors have returned to the Smokies to enjoy everything the area has to offer. To mark the new year, Rocky Top Sports World has put together a guide to everything we’re looking forward to in 2017.

Although it doesn’t always receive the same attention as arms and legs, the core is one of the most important parts of the body. Regardless of what sport they play, every young athlete needs a strong core to succeed. In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, the “core” is just another name for your lower torso, which encompasses the abdominals, obliques, and back muscles. To help you make the most of your workout, Rocky Top Sports World has put together a convenient guide to core training.

Attending a youth sports camp is a great way for young athletes to sharpen their skills outside of their school or travel team. The best camps offer invaluable instruction from accomplished athletes and coaches that you won’t find anywhere else. However, not all of the camps out there are worth your money. To help you select the right camp for your child, be sure to look for these four things as you do your research:

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