Bloodsport: Preparing for the Tournament

The battle begins in one minute! You have waited months for this very moment. You have trained day and night, preparing for a chance to prove yourself. You look around at the bloodthirsty men that make up your team. You trust every one of them with your life. Either you all will stand gloriously together in the end, or parish.

The battle begins in thirty seconds! Are we ready for this? Am I ready for this? Anxiety begins to flood your body. You feel your heart race.

The battle begins in fifteen seconds! It is too late now! Straightening your body, raising your head up high you begin to feel it. The adrenaline surging through your body. You unsheathe your massive swords, gripping them tightly as you flex the muscles in your arms. You tilt your head to either side until it pops.

Let the battle begin! The doors suddenly swing open, and the arena floor set out before you. At first you see nothing. Nothing but a vacuous open space. But then, the enemy appears.


Blizzard has announced that they are holding a global 5v5 arena tournament:

• We're pleased to announce our plans for the inaugural World of Warcraft Arena Tournament, scheduled to begin on February 16 in Europe and North America and March 3 in Korea. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade players in these regions who consider themselves to be among the best in the game at player-vs.-player (PvP) combat will soon be able to prove it to the rest of the world. Will you and the rest of your team be up to the challenge? If so, gather your cohorts and begin preparing for the largest World of Warcraft competition ever held.

The tournament is drawing near, and your chance to face some of the most challenging players in the world is close enough for a killing-blow. Are you prepared? Are you ready to stand in triumph or will you fall to your demise?

Here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Get a good night sleep
2. Eat a nutritious meal. Lay off the bacon, you're an athlete now.
3. Take a hot shower
4. Make sure to stretch. The last thing you want to do is pull a muscle. (see below for a few stretches)
5. Make sure you have bandages, health stones, flash powder, etc.
6. Right before the battle begins, familiarize yourself with your keybinds. Make sure they are all set up
7. Go over a general strategy with your fellow teammates

Finger & Wrist Stretch
Benefits: Loosens stiff fingers, hands and wrists. Completed daily for a few months, hands will become more flexible.

Starting with the right hand gently extend the fingers back one by one. (see fig 1 & 2)

Then take them all back at the same time . This helps to stretch open your palm. Repeat several times.
see (fig 3 & 4)

Take your thumb back towards your wrist. Then bring it forwards, stretching gently and firmly. Never force it.

Finish by making a fist and slowly opening it, stretching your fingers and thumb out as far as you can.
(see fig 5 & 6)




Put your palms together, fingers pointing upwards, as if you were praying. Stretch your fingers and press palms together strongly. Keep the base of your palms pressing together, as you gradually lower your hands until your lower arms are horizontal. (see fig 7)

Then take your hands down still further, fingers and upper palms together. You should feel the stretch on the insides of your fingers and wrists. Hold for a few seconds, then repeat.