Raise Your Game
How to Speak Fluent Sport
£20.00 £7.50
A wonderful celebration of sport's intricate language for the casual sports fan who wants to gain a better understanding of "sporting lingo" to the "diehard sports bore" who wants a fun and illuminating read. Each section is introduced with an explanation of where and how it started and why people love to play and watch it. All the mainstream sports, such as cricket, rugby (union and league), soccer, tennis, golf, athletics and cycling are covered. There's also an additional section on Olympic sports, such as boxing, diving, swimming, bobsledding, water polo and beach volleyball — just to name a few.
Meet the author Ian Valentine
Ian Valentine is a brand consultant and magazine journalist (GQ, Country Life, The Daily Telegraph), who has previously written books on the Olympics, cricket, football and country sports. Originally from Scotland, Ian now lives with his wife and their two children in Wiltshire.
Reviews for Raise Your Game
Raise Your Game has the answers. Turn to the Winter Olympics chapter, and you’ll quickly be an authority on triple Salchows (skating), mule kicks (freestyle skiing) and telemark positions (ski jumping). Technicalities aside, this is a lovely title to have on the bookshelf for reference when needed or to flick through for sheer fun. Its engagingly written – the author deserves a medal for the amount for research he’s done – and peppered with Oliver Preston’s splendidly detailed cartoons.
BASC, Shooting & Conservation
The author takes the reader on a journey through the wacky world of sport, offering his witty observations on each one while explaining them in a nutshell. It’s a fun book to dip into and a great way to broaden your knowledge, whatever your level of interest. Keep it next to the TV or take it with you to the pool, pitch or court. The book is attractively presented and the cartoon-style illustrations by Oliver Preston really bring each subject to life.
Shropshire Star
A light-hearted look at the rules of all major and minor sports. Many expressions will be new to you which is no bad thing. Do you know the cricket terms hutch, rabbit, ferret, bunny, duck or cow corner? The cartoons are colourful and highly amusing, the whole blend making an excellent volume to please all sportsmen and women.
This England
A hugely entertaining and illuminating read for the curious spectator who wants to gain a better understanding of what is going on, to the die-hard addict who wants a good read. The book gets to the essence of why sport is such a joy to either play or watch. All topped off by the cartoonists unique, witty and priceless observations.
Gaitpost
