Scientific Study Finds That Athletes Make Better Decisions Under Pressure
It is no secret that playing sports comes with a variety of important physical and mental benefits. Participating in athletics has been linked with everything from healthy weight maintenance to high self esteem. Although it may get less attention, playing sports has also been correlated with another important trait: making better decisions under pressure. Scientists have found that playing sports can focus the brain in a way that often makes athletes better decision makers than non-athletes. Rocky Top Sports World has put together a brief summary of a fascinating study on this topic.
6 Travel Tips for Attending Youth Sports Events at Rocky Top Sports World
Traveling for a youth sports tournament or event can be a ton of fun; especially when you’re playing at Rocky Top Sports World! Our state of the art athletic complex is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in beautiful Gatlinburg, TN. When you come to town for a competition, you will also have the chance to enjoy one of the nation’s top vacation destinations. To help make your road trip to Gatlinburg a breeze, Rocky Top Sports World has put together the following travel tips:
Rocky Top Sports World to Host Gatlinburg Volleyball Play Day This Winter
Is your youth volleyball team looking for some additional practice this season? The Spike-O-Rama Volleyball Play Day is the perfect opportunity for some fun competition outside of your league’s schedule. Held at Rocky Top Sports World in Gatlinburg, TN, this one day event will bring together some of the best middle school age and high school age volleyball teams in the Southeast. Read on to learn everything you need to know about this highly anticipated play day in the Smokies.
3 Great Hikes in the Smoky Mountains to Enjoy Between Games at Rocky Top Sports World
One of the many advantages of playing in a tournament at Rocky Top Sports World is having the chance to visit Gatlinburg, TN. This charming city is located at the doorstep of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. With over 800 miles of beautifully maintained trails, the Smokies are guaranteed to have a hike that is right for you.
5 Unorthodox Sports Tournament Ideas You Could Organize at Rocky Top Sports World
Here at Rocky Top Sports World, we can accommodate virtually any type of sports event. With seven outdoor fields, an 86,000 square ft indoor complex, team rooms, referee locker rooms, and plenty of bleacher seating, our campus in Gatlinburg, TN has everything you need for an incredible tournament. While soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball tournaments are most common at Rocky Top, we are definitely not limited to these sports! In fact, we love to host tournaments for sports that don’t always get the same attention as their mainstream counterparts. To help spark your imagination, we have put together a list of five unorthodox sports tournaments that you could organize at Rocky Top Sports World:
Why Do We Play Football on Thanksgiving?
For many families, watching or playing football on Thanksgiving is as important a part of the holiday as turkey and stuffing! Have you ever wondered why Thanksgiving football became an American tradition? Rocky Top Sports World did a little research to bring you the answer to this question.
5 Things You Didn’t Know About the History of Lacrosse
In recent years, youth lacrosse has really taken off in the United States. In fact, lacrosse is the fastest growing high school sport in America! While the popularity of the sport may be a recent trend, lacrosse has been played in North America for centuries. Rocky Top Sports World did a little research to bring you five interesting facts about the history of lacrosse:
Youth Sports Tourism Becomes Fastest-Growing Part of Travel Industry
Rocky Top Sports World is pleased to report that youth sports tourism is on the rise! As detailed in The Monitor, travel related to youth athletics has become a $10 billion a year industry. Having grown by 20 percent in the last two years, youth sports tourism is the fastest growing part of the travel industry. As more kids get involved in travel sports and attend tournaments across the nation, families are increasingly trying to coordinate their vacations with their children’s sporting events.
Rocky Top Sports World Exceeds Expectations with $27.5 Million Economic Impact in Second Year
At Rocky Top Sports World’s grand opening in September 2014, our ambassador Coach Phillip Fulmer told the crowd, “This was a great vision by a lot of people to come together and this will not only impact the lives of a lot of young people around the country, but the lives here economically.” Coach Fulmer could not have been more correct. Data from Rocky Top Sports World’s second year shows that our sports complex has had a profound economic impact on Sevier County.
Youth Soccer Has Made “The Beautiful Game” One of America’s Major Sports
When you think of iconic American sports, baseball, football, and basketball probably come to mind. However, recent youth sports participation data shows that soccer is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with. In 2016, there were roughly 3 million kids playing in youth soccer leagues. That’s over a million more kids than baseball and double the amount of kids who play tackle football!
Come for a Tournament, Stay for the Leaves: Fall at Rocky Top Sports World
Here at Rocky Top Sports World, fall is one of our favorite times of the year! With cool, comfortable weather, the autumn climate in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains is ideal for outdoor activities. Of course, Gatlinburg is also famous for its beautiful fall foliage. With over 100 species of trees in the Smokies, the area offers some of the most spectacular red, orange, and yellow leaves in North America.
Psychologist Shares 3 Tips for Character Building in Youth Sports
Dr. Jason Richardson is uniquely qualified to talk about character building in youth sports. In addition to having a Doctorate in Psychology, Richardson is also a former BMX Racer who maintained a Top-Ten World or National Ranking for the majority of his 15 year career. At the age of 19, Richardson was a Union Cycliste Internationale World Champion, and 13 years later he earned a Gold Medal at the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro.
A Turkey Day Tradition: The Gatlinburg Thanksgiving Bowl at Rocky Top Sports World
Ever since the Detroit Lions played the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day in 1934, football has been forever linked with the holiday. Here in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, we have our very own Turkey Day tradition: the Gatlinburg Thanksgiving Bowl. Established in 1972, this annual tournament is a hugely popular event with locals and visitors alike. Formerly held at Gatlinburg Pittman High School and later Mills Park, the Thanksgiving Bowl has been hosted by Rocky Top Sports World since 2014. Read on to learn everything you need to know about one of our favorite autumn tournaments.
Enjoy Labor Day Weekend in the Smokies with This Gatlinburg Soccer Tournament
This Labor Day Weekend, Rocky Top Sports World will host one of our largest soccer tournaments to date! The Gatlinburg Labor Day Invitational is a two day competition open to youth soccer teams from across the United States. Catering to all levels of play, this exciting Gatlinburg soccer tournament is the perfect way to kick off a three day weekend in Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains. Read on for everything you need to know about this eagerly anticipated event.
Get Ready to Battle in Rocky Top: Cheer Competition in Gatlinburg TN Arrives This Fall
Does your cheer squad have what it takes to be #1? This November, cheerleading teams from around the nation will come to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the popular Battle in Rocky Top Cheer Competition. This excellent event is sponsored by the Battle in Rocky Top National Championship Youth Football Tournament, which will be held over the same weekend. Read on for everything you need to know about the premiere cheer competition in Gatlinburg TN.