It's called the haka and when it's performed by New Zealanders it becomes more than just words, body gestures or facial expressions.

The haka is an expression of their culture and in the world of sports it's a sign of respect for both their own abilities as well as their opponents.

For the past seven days, Team New Zealand has performed the haka to the delight of both fans and players at the ISF Junior Men's World Fast Pitch Championship, which concludes Sunday in Whitehorse.

"It's important that people see it for what it is and not for what they think it is," said Mark Carter, the manager for Team New Zealand. "You go back a million years and it's a war chant. It's not that any more what it is, is a cultural display, but it's our way of saying 'Hey we're pretty good, but we think you are too, so let's do it, let's get it on.'"

The haka is a traditional dance form, which dates back to when New Zealand was first inhabited by the Maori population. Historically, it was a challenge between two tribes when they went to battle. If both tribes respected each other before the battle they would haka up before engaging in the fight.

Now-a-days, a person or group can haka at any time and for any situation. More common reasons to haka include honouring someone who has passed away, welcoming a distinguished guest, acknowledging some form of achievement, marking an important occasion, or simply for one's own personal amusement.

The display is normally done by a group, who use a variety of actions throughout the performance. Facial contortion is a big part of hakas and can include showing the whites of the eyes as well as displaying the tongue.

Hakas also involve a wide range of energetic body actions, such as the slapping of hands against a part of the body and the stomping of feet.

The vocal aspect used in hakas can include chanting, a wide range of cries and grunting.

The use of the different parts of the body, including the arms, hands, feet, legs, voice, eyes and tongue in a haka are there for expression. They help establish a particular tone that is relevant for the occasion.

Hakas are performed by men, women, youth and even children.

In sports, the haka has become a way for New Zealanders to identify themselves with other New Zealanders when facing an international opponent.

It's most commonly used in Rugby, but can also be used in sports such as basketball and soccer.

In sports, hakas are done with the direction of a team leader and performed in a broken line to showcase to the competition that the team has a united front. They are always performed before the beginning of the game.

There can be more than one haka leader on a team, but the first honour usually would usually go to the team captain. From there individuals might be picked according to seniority or just having the ability to present the haka in the right way.

Carter said his team's use of the haka at the championship hasn't really provided them with an advantage going into any particular game.

"I don't think it disadvantages anybody and I don't know if it's an advantage for us, it's just something we do," he said. "You do a lot of these things mainly for your parents and your supporters as well."

The players on New Zealand's junior men's fast pitch team decide for themselves whether or not they want to perform a haka for each game in the championship. This is done in the pre-game warm up after talking it over with the team leader.

Jamie Love is the captain of the junior men's New Zealand team at the championship. He said it's important for the team to perform the haka at this type of competition.

"It builds us up, just makes us pretty much prepared for our game," Love said. "It makes the boys get up for the game and it is just something from home as well. We do it with a lot of honour and respect. When you do it you sort of think about your family and your team mostly and you stay together."

Love, 19, is the team leader for the haka. He said there are some things that would prevent them from performing it in front of an opponent.

"Some teams don't respect it and some of the teams want to see it, but mostly it's about us," Love said. "What makes us actually do it is if the boys were a little bit down; it's something to keep us going."

Love learned the haka four years ago and has been leading it in fast pitch for the past three years. He said it is a real honour to lead it.

"It's a big honour, especially with the boy's right behind me. It's all from here," he said tapping his heart.

Terri Wright is a resident of Whitehorse and a fan of fast pitch. She has seen the haka on many occasions, but said she was pleasantly surprised that the New Zealand team did it during the championship.

"I was surprised that they did it for softball, but it's a nice tradition that's continued to carry out," Wright said. "I think it's important for all cultures just to represent themselves to other cultures."

Wright said New Zealand performing the haka is a real positive for the championship.

"I just think it is something neat and unique that they bring and show the rest of the world here," she said. "It's nice to see them continue on with that tradition. They are the only team that does anything unique quite like that."