On Target: Comparative Challenges of Sports & Games

Sports and games are significant parts of cultures all around the world. Whether playing or watching, we feel the adrenaline rush, the excitement, and often the physical accomplishments.

Through close analysis, sport psychologist James Wallace provides an all-encompassing guide to almost every sport and game imaginable. He gives his take on which ones are the most difficult and rewarding. He also provides tips on improving your physical and mental game.

The book starts with the biggies—professional sports such as football, baseball, basketball, tennis, hockey, and golf. It then delves into what James calls “mid-major sports” and all sports played in the Olympics. Finally, he covers unusual games.

According to James, most sports have a target or a goal, so he refers to them as “target sports.” A target could be the bull’s-eye on a dart board or the hoop in basketball. It’s a fascinating viewpoint that is sure to intrigue sports fanatics, kids learning the basics, and seasoned athletes as they discover interesting facts and strategic ways to improve performance.

James Wallace is a sport psychologist and huge fan of athletics. He has a PhD in educational psychology and practices clinical psychology. He has helped sports teams and individual athletes at Cornell University and Colgate University.

Living in upstate New York, James cheers on the Syracuse teams and enjoys golfing, swimming, aikido, and basketball.