Recently I received an email informing me about a new sports book for ladies, PERFECT! I thought, because honestly, all I know about sports is that there is usually a ball of sorts involved. Though I do enjoy attending sports events. If like me, you could use a little help understanding the world of sports, read on! (And if you really need help, get the book: She’s Got Game by Melissa Malamut.)

This is not a guide for impressing your boyfriend (though you will), it was written to help women fall in love with sports.

This hilarious and practical guide to the world of sports for women provides outlines of the rules as well as superstitions and customs of the four major professional sports. SHE’S GOT GAME, ($14.99) is a must for any woman who doesn’t want to be clueless in the bleachers or on the couch.

Sporting events raise so many questions. What is March Madness all about? What on earth is a pop fly? If they just had the fourth down, then why is it the first down now and not the fifth? What’s a down anyway? What do I wear? Will I wipe out if I wear heels? Should I wear makeup? And how do you say that player’s name?

Melissa Malamut brings a lifelong love of sports, a girly-girl’s sensibility, and insight from fashion editors, friends and her own experiences to this guide. SHE’S GOT GAME is packed with all the rules and history of the games, personal anecdotes, and do’s and don’ts. In this incredibly well-researched and engaging book, Melissa gives you everything you need to feel at ease and fall in love with sports.

NBA Finals Talking Points
The Girlie Girls Guide to Basketball

The NBA has a Dress Code. Why Wouldn’t You?
*       Pro basketball is the most stylish and dressiest sport. It’s really the only sport (maybe with the exception of hockey) where you can get away with high heels. Even stilettos.

*       You can wear anything from team gear to your work suit. Fashion-conscious females in the basketball business suggest jeans, a cardigan and heeled boots, stylish flats or city sneakers. The season goes from winter to summer but the climate controlled 72-degree arenas never change.

Tips for Female Fans
*       Best time to leave the seats (or the couch) to not miss the action: Obviously halftime. Time in between quarters is short (only about two minutes.)

*       Best time to leave the seats (or the couch) for the shortest lines for the bathroom/food: Beginning of the second quarter and beginning of the fourth quarter. You may miss some game play, but the lines will be short and you’ll avoid the halftime rush.

*       When to cheer/not to cheer: You cheer on your team throughout the game whether they are on offense or defense. But when a member of your team is shooting free throws it is customary not to cheer so he can concentrate.

Lingo – Shout it loud – Love this!! 
*       And one! – Shout when a member of your team is fouled while shooting and he makes the basket. He now has the chance for a three-point play by earning a foul shot.

*       Denied! – Yell it after a member of your team blocks a shot.

*       Airball! – When the other team shoots and the ball misses the hoop, backboard and rim completely. Touches “nothing but air”. Slowly shout, “Aiiiiiiiir-baaaaal!”

*       Brick! – Shout it after the other team shoots an ugly looking shot that clanks off the rim or backboard Terms to know

*       Travel – “Too many steps” A violation if a player takes more than two steps without dribbling (bouncing the ball to the court) or moves his pivot foot (one foot must be planted to the ground when not dribbling). The team that commits a travel loses possession of the ball.

*       Double dribble – When a player stops and then restarts a dribble or uses both hands. The team that commits this violation loses possession.

*       Swish – “Nothing but net” When a shot goes right through the basket and touches nothing but the net. Makes a noise that sounds like “swish”.

*       Bench points – Points scored by non-starters.

*       Shot clock – “The 24 second clock” is the time a team has to make a basket. The ball must at least hit the rim before the clock expires or they lose possession. If the shooting team gets their own rebound (takes control of the ball after a missed shot), they get a new 24 second clock.

AMAZING! I coulda used this aaaages ago!! Hope you enjoyed the read!

Xo StyleStruck