Diet and Nutrition Tips For Basketball Players

As a basketball player, I always wondered how vital basketball a role food and nutrition had in my playing ability. During a camp one summer there was a nutrition specialist there and I asked him this question, "does it really matter what we eat before a game?" All I can say is basketball he laughed for a bit and then compared our bodies to cars and the fuel that we put into them. If we put junk in our cars they don't drive well and the same is true of our bodies. I took what he said very seriously and will never forget the recommendations he gave us. This article will summarize his advice and will serve as a guide for basketball players looking to improve their playing ability simply by being smart about what they eat and drink.

Carbohydrates

You hear a lot of negative things about carbohydrates these days but basketball players need to know that carbohydrates serve an important purpose - creating energy. Because of this, they should be regular part of your diet but shouldn't be eaten excessively. While breads are full of carbohydrates, he recommended wheat breads and not in high amounts. They are a heavier food and tend to sit in your stomach longer than other foods. Light pastas were mentioned with spaghetti being one of the simplest foods to break down and produce energy. The red sauce, with tomatoes and other vegetables, was also mentioned as a positive to have as a staple of your diet as well as a pregame meal.

Protein

No player who wants to get stronger or healthier can do it without the aid of protein. Specifically mentioned were lean proteins like turkey or boneless skinless turkey breasts. I was very interested to learn that fish can provide probably the least fat and best protein available. My favorite fish, salmon, wasn't on the list of the least fatty fish available and I was surprised about that. Halibut, tuna and cod are all great protein foods that have minimal fats. One of my favorite meals became spaghetti with red sauce and grilled chicken breast. It provided the protein and necessary carbohydrates to have enough energy to compete at the level I needed to compete at.

Hydration

When I was growing up Gatorade wasn't nearly as popular as it is today. If you got Gatorade you were considered lucky. Today we have so many choices of products to keep us hydrated it is amazing. From Propel to energy drinks to regular water. I don't and won't ever recommend an energy drink as something to take immediately before a sporting event. I don't think it is healthy and I don't think we have enough study materials to prove if it is safe or not. The caffeine and sugars that are typically in those drinks creates a quick fix but causes a lag as the game goes on. For simple hydration water is generally the safest bet. It is recommended that a player should drink over a gallon of water a day. That's a lot of water, but if you compare it to the amount of sweat that you are producing it really isn't that much. The more water you drink the more energy you will have and the better you will feel. One of the worst things you can do as an athlete is not drink enough.

Final Thoughts

Any product that is processed that is white is caused because of sugars. Yes, that includes white bread. 100% whole wheat bread aids in digestion better and helps to process the other foods. Sugars, if unused, simply turn to fat and that is bad in any sense of the word. People ask me about steaks and such. Steaks are tricky because they are generally very high in protein but can also be very high in fats. Certain cuts of steak obviously have more fats than others. I counsel people to eat them in moderation. Steak is one of my favorite foods and while I was playing I would typically lose weight during the season. A steak every now and then helped me maintain my weight and my strength and I feel it was very necessary for me.

Mainly, watch out for processed foods and eat foods that are equally balanced throughout. Don't just eat only wheat bread. Don't just eat turkey meat 10 times a day. Be smart and be reasonable. Remember that what you put into your body plays a large role in how you play. If you need an edge it could very well come down to diet and that may make all the difference.

Brian Schofield is a coach and former Division I college basketball player. He is a regular contributor to the basketball training site HoopSkills.com.

Increase Vertical Leap - Increase Your Vertical Jump

If you want basketball rule on the basketball court then this program is for you. You can easily increase your vertical leap with this system. Increase your vertical leap at least 6 inches in 90 days with this program or you will be rewarded basketball the creator. The only way to help your vertical is to learn from someone who has increased theirs.

You vertical leap stems from your calf muscles. There are certain exercises you can do to strengthen these muscles. Here are some tips on increasing your vertical leap without any special packages. However, if you are really serious about your vertical jump, I would suggest checking out the vertical leap program by clicking the link below.

1. Jumping rope really works well. Be sure to jump from your toes as this will work your calf muscles.

2. Practice you vertical leap. If you want to perfect something all you need to do is practice.

3. Sprinting helps develop your calf muscles as well because when you sprint you dig into the ground with your toes and when you push off the ground it strengthens your calf muscles.

4. One last exercise you can do to that will increase vertical leap performance is to stand on the edge of a step with only your toes and push up and down. For even more toning hold onto some weights when doing this.

There you have some simple exercises to increase your vertical leap. This will work, but owning a proven system will give you the results you want in much less time. The difference between training yourself and following a program is that this program has been proven to work. Take your pick.

To increase your vertical leap visit: Increase Vertical Leap

How To Celebrate Everyday

Everyone needs a little happy in their lives. A little something each basketball every day basketball remind yourself that you are special and worthy and that life is good.

There's so many ways that you can do this, that it would be nearly impossible to mention them all. However, here's a few of my favorites.

Light A Candle

That's all, just light a candle. Light one when you come in after work, the pleasant aroma will help you relax and give the room a special light. Having candles on the table at dinner time automatically makes the mood more celebratory - it's peaceful, it's relaxing, and if you have kids, it makes them excited to get to blow them out! Excited kids can make anyone smile, and that's worth celebrating.

Have Dessert

You don't have to go crazy, here. No one needs to be eating birthday cake or an ice cream sundae every night of the week, but ending your day with something sweet is such a great way to make it a special ending. Keep some of your favorite chocolates in the cupboard and have a couple - and if chocolate or sweets aren't your thing, go for some fruit. Enjoy the taste, texture, color and smell. Really let your senses take over and you're *poof* in the middle of a celebration!

Turn On the Lights

String some twinkle lights outside and enjoy them after dark. It doesn't have to be Christmas, just a strand or two of white lights are understated enough yet lend a festive air to the back patio or deck. Sitting out under some tiny lights can lend an atmosphere of magic to your surroundings, and suddenly it's a party!

Turn Them Off, Instead!

Turn out the lights, for another kind of atmosphere. Light up your outdoor fireplace, grab a glass of wine (or bag of marshmallows depending on your company) and enjoy the beauty of the flames. Share stories of your life (or scary ones for the kids) and celebrate who you are. Invite those around you to do the same and you will find yourself automatically celebrating them!

Play Some Music

While you're outside enjoying life, bring out a radio or CD player. Put on your favorite tunes and really enjoy them. If you're in a dancing mood, get up and dance! Whether you're jumping around to the beat or swaying to the gentle melodies, dancing is an amazing way to celebrate just being alive. It's one of our oldest forms of self-expression, and one that we should all indulge in.

It doesn't matter what you do to celebrate life, just that you do it. By doing one or two small things each and every day, you'll find that you've brought more beauty, peace, happiness and celebration to your world and that's something that's worth getting excited about. So, kick back, kick up your heels, or cozy up in front of a fire and enjoy living.

fire pit. Kick back and enjoy a fire next to your new outdoor fire pit. Shop fire pits and chimineas. It's also great to exercise everyday, but it doesn't have to be something you dread. It can be as simple as shooting a few buckets on your outdoor basketball hoop. Or even better, go play a little 1 on 1 with your buddy on your new basketball hoop

The Sports of Running and Cycling

If you are a sports type and like to not only watch but also participate, then you are probably in good enough shape to job or ride a bike to help keep you where you want to be health wise. Still it is wise to read up on the subjects if you are to remain injury free and at the top of your game. In my personal library, I have many such books on running and cycling for this very reason.

Now then, I'd like to recommend a couple of books to you that have helped me immensely in my sports regiment and training. I will recommend one book on cycling and one on running;

"The Complete Runner" from the Editors of Runner's World Magazine.

This book has been in my library since High School, where I use to run track and cross country. It has great tips in it on training, shoes and how to stay in top form without injury. Also there are sections of getting over injuries if you do get one, and how to stretch out before you run so you do not hurt something. There are sections on how to pick a good running shoe, and most importantly you diet. The other book I would like to recommend is one on Cycling;

"The Complete Guide to Riding and Racing Techniques" by Fred Matheny and Bicycling Magazine. 1989.

If you think choosing the right racing bike is easy, then think again. If you think you can just get on a bicycle and compete in bike racing because you are in great shape, dream on. This book has advanced riding techniques, racing strategies and training suggestions, it's filled from front to back with great advice, things you citizen watch to know, whether you are competing at the Lance Armstrong level or going out to do a 100-mile charity ride for a worthy cause.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Blog Content Service. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance Winslow's Bio

The Continuity Basketball Offense

The game of basketball is full of great fundamental skills of which must be mastered to achieve a winning tradition. Basketball coaches around the nation continually search for fundamental offenses which can be used to safe guard their programs from the trails and balances needed to tackle league championships. The world of the continuity offenses is full of opportunity.

Coach Mac's Continuity Offenses from Oregon Small School programs as featured on Amazon is an awesome coaching resource. Within the cover of the book coaches will discover an awesome flex series offense, 5 out motion series, and the famous shuffle for success offense.

Why use the continuity offense you ask? The continuity offense allows coaches to put players in position to take advantage of their strengths while masking a teams weakness. The world of high school basketball is full of stakes, specifically the balancing of skill with challenging goals. A continuity offense is easy to teach, adaptable to most defensive sets, and gives the coach control of who is going to take the the game winning shots. A second feature of the continuity offense is it appearance of structure. Some coaches have moved away from the basic motion series because the structure provided with the continuity sets give systems support.

The awesome balance of fundamental skill with fundamental offenses harbors a winning legacy. Many coaches turn to the continuity offense to compliment their strong emphasis of the basics in their push to reach every teams potential. Tackling the flex offense or others of its kind can be rewarding bringing with it the structure a team needs at the high school level.

For more on the continuity offense and Coach Mac's Continuity Offenses from Oregon Small School Programs visit Coach McKinnis at http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

basketball
basketball

Playing For Pizza Written by John Grisham

Rick Dockery was an NFL quarterback, or so it said in newspapers that dared mention his name! Rick had attempted passes while under contract, usually a short contract, for several NFL teams until he was finally relegated to third-string and the last possible quarterback any team wanted to use. He loved the game but his fame was from his interceptions, not the completions, which hurt many teams. The book opens with Rick in a hospital bed after being knocked senseless in his last game. His agent, Arnie, was awaiting his awareness to being alive and when Rick did finally come to, Arnie bid him a fast goodbye, telling Rick to get some basketball Arnie was tired of teams calling him telling him not to peddle Rick to them. They all knew him too well.

After regaining some of his wellness, Rick contacted Arnie requesting a chance at playing for another basketball Poor Arnie. Rick kept bothering Arnie as he got more impatient regarding getting back to work and making some money. No NFL team would touch Rick. At last Arnie came up with a position for Rick in Parma, Italy playing for their NFL Italy League. Parma, Italy? Where they make Parmesan Cheese? When told of the tiny salary he would earn especially compared to the actual NFL, Rick balked but Arnie said that was all he could get for Rick. Risk had visions of being a star in this Italian league, making out with cheerleaders, and living a life of luxury that, in his mind, he had earned.

Rick's arrival in Parma was a real culture shock. No big hotels to live in, no cheerleaders, no fancy restaurants, in fact, no luxury at all and, worst of all, only three players on the entire team were paid while the others played for the fun and thrill of the game. While Rick was making $2,000.00 a month plus room and board, this was not what he envisioned. He found a few women that he "worked" on and they came and went in his Italian life. The practices were brutal for an NFL quarterback. Other team positions had to work very hard in the NFL but not the quarterbacks. They could take it easy. Sure they could-but not in NFL Italy.

He got to know the players that were on the Parma Panthers who worked in all types of jobs regularly. Come practice and game day, these players were generally 100% hard guts for Parma through pain and injuries and all types of playing surfaces and field sizes that differed throughout the league. The Panthers started their season well but went downhill when they played against the teams they knew they could beat easily. Bergamo had been the Italian Super Bowl champs for so many years that no one remembered when they hadn't won it. Of course the Panthers wanted in the worst way to win that Super Bowl and beat that great Bergamo team.

Plying for Pizza is a great variation of Grisham's normal books. He can take almost any subject and, with his knowledge and smarts, can turn it into a great story containing humor, mystery, love, and almost any other subject into a great read. I look forward to his next serious book but this one very much entertained me; most of John Grisham's fans should enjoy it too.

Reader review by Cy Hilterman.
Reviewer of many types of books.

Origin of Basketball - Part 1

Basketball is a sport with a history that is very different from many modern sports. While many of the present day team sports evolved from variations of past sports, basketball is unique, having been invented by Dr. James Naismith, a physician and minister working for the college for YMCA professionals (later called Springfield College, in Massachusetts). Seeking a rigorous game that could be played indoors during the New England winter to occupy restless young men, Naismith sat down in December of 1891 and developed the first set of rules for the game.

Legend has it that Naismith nailed a peach basket ten foot high on an elevated track. The first game was played on January 20, 1982, in the YMCA gymnasium, with nine players and a court half the size of a present day NBA court. A student suggested calling the game basketball, which seemed to be popular and stuck.

The original game was played with a basketball ball, and the first designated basketballs were brown. However, due to their lack of visibility to both players and crowds of fans, Tony Hinkle developed the modern day orange basketball in the late 1950s nnd it is still used today. The college and pro basketballs are different from one another.

We have a simple to use basketball betting odds comparison checker and Baseball page.

Hatchet Kick - Volume 8 of the Achieving Kicking Excellence Series by Shawn Kovacich

What exactly is a hatchet kick? It is not as well known as your common side kicks and popular roundhouse kicks. Nor is it as self-descriptive as a front kick. So how do you describe it? Guinness World Record holder, black belt, and author Shawn Kovacich describes basketball hatchet kick like this, "A properly executed hatchet kick performed by a man (or woman), can be compared to a hybrid combination of a turning wheel kick and an in-to-out axe kick." If you are still uncertain just what a hatchet kick is or how to execute it properly, Kovacich's eighth book of his impressive Achieving Kicking Excellence series will ensure you have every component to master this kick.

Hatchet Kick by Shawn Kovacich is similar to the others in the series in that it is a stand alone volume that focuses on all aspects of performing the hatchet kick and ten of its main variations. Like the other volumes, this book contains short chapters on anatomy, warm ups, stretching, strength training, speed training, and power training.

The meat of the book however is the detailed descriptions of how to execute the hatchet kick and the variations. Kovacich breaks each kick down into its parts and illustrates these components with detailed photographs. I have not seen any other text illustrate kicking with such detail. The kick variations that Kovacich includes are: Step-Back, Spinning Hatchet Kick, Hop/Slide Forward, Hop/Slide Backward Hatchet Kick, Front Leg, Back Leg Hatchet Kick, Switch Hatchet Kick, Off-Setting Hatchet Kick, Jump Turning, 540 Degree Jumping Hatchet Kick, and the Spinning (with the left leg).

The book is full of notes and illustrations to assist you with mastering this kick and to be able to use the kick in various situations. Kovacich includes some of the applications for the hatchet kick near the end of the text, right after he addresses some common problems with the kick in his troubleshooting guide.

This volume is another exceptional book on kicking and as I said is the eighth of a ten book series on what Kovacich calls the basic kicks. This book and the rest of the series makes a superb resource for anyone who practices a kicking art. Even if you perform kicks a bit differently than Kovacich's style, you will learn things to make you better. If you teach kicking, Kovacich's books will aid you with imparting kicking knowledge to your students. I highly recommend this book and the entire set to all martial artists.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a mediator/attorney with Bennett Law Office P.C. and an author/speaker through his own company Burrese Enterprises Inc. He helps people discover the warrior's edge as he writes and speaks about a variety of topics focusing on the business areas of negotiation and success principles as well as self-defense and safety basketball He is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks, several instructional dvds, and numerous articles. You can find out more about Alain Burrese at his websites http://www.burrese.com or http://www.bennettlawofficepc.com

So Who Really Has the Best College Basketball Conference in the Nation?

This article is meant to start a water cooler discussion among workers who are basketball fans that will last well past their allotted lunch hour. So who really has the best college basketball conference in the nation?

Let us start where the rubber meets the road, with Jeff Sagarin's NCAA Basketball Ratings. Sagarin is an American sports statistician whose ratings have been a regular feature in USA Today since 1985, and have been used by the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee for March Madness seedings.

In this analysis, only Sagarin's ratings are used because basketball is the best barometer for forecasting what lies ahead. I am only concerned with Sagarin's current Top 25 teams as of Feb. 28, 2009.

For openers, here are Sagarin's Top 25 followed by their season record:

1 North Carolina (24-3), 2 Connecticut (27-2), 3 Pittsburgh (25-3), 4 Duke (24-5), 5 Memphis (26-3), 6 Oklahoma (26-3), 7 Louisville (22-5), 8 Michigan State (22-5), 9 Missouri (24-4), 10 Kansas (23-5), 11 Wake Forest (22-5), 12 Purdue (22-7), 13 Gonzaga (22-5), 14 Clemson (22-6), 15 West Virginia (19-9), 16 UCLA (22-7), 17 Illinois (23-6), 18 Villanova (23-6), 19 Washington (22-7), 20 Marquette (23-5), 21 Xavier (23-5), 22 Arizona State (21-7), 23 BYU (21-6), 24 Syracuse (19-8) and 25 Utah (20-7).

So which conference claims the most teams among Sagarin's Top 25? That would be the Atlantic Coast Conference with 7-North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, Villanova, Marquette and Syracuse.

Second is the Big East with 4-Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Louisville and West Virginia. Tied for third with 3 teams each are the Big 12, Big Ten and the Pac 10. The Big 12 has Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. The Big Ten has Michigan State, Purdue and Illinois. The Pac 10 has UCLA, Washington and Arizona State.

The Mountain West Conference has BYU and Utah. Conference USA has Memphis, the West Coast Conference has Gonzaga, and the Atlantic 10 has Xavier.

While it may be easy to conclude that the best conference is the Atlantic Coast Conference, there are some other telling considerations.

One factor is where the best of the best, the Top 10 teams, are located. The Atlantic Coast has No. 1 North Carolina and No. 4 Duke. Sounds pretty good, but the Big East has No. 2 Connecticut, No. 3 Pittsburgh and No. 7 Louisville, and the Big 12 has No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 9 Missouri and 10 Kansas. Conference USA has No. 5 Memphis and the Big Ten has No. 8 Michigan State.

From this perspective, it would seem that the Big East trumps the Atlantic Coast, as least in placement.

To state the obvious, you can be assured the best conference is not the Big Ten, Pac 10, Mountain West, Conference USA, the West Coast Conference, Atlantic 10 or Mountain West. All lack the necessary firepower in numbers to claim that distinction.

Another factor is the strength of schedule. So which conference has the most teams in the Top 25 while playing a strength of schedule that also rates among the Top 25 teams nationally?

Would you believe there are only 8 teams that can claim the distinction of being ranked among the Top 25 in both position and strength of schedule? They are:

West Virginia with 6th best strength of schedule nationally, while Duke rates 7th, Michigan State 8th, Syracuse 11th (this is the reason Syracuse is only 19-8 on the season), North Carolina 15th, Washington 19th (even though the Huskies never get any respect from East Coast pundits), Louisville 22nd and Pittsburgh 23rd.

And who has the 8 worst strength of schedules? Try Missouri at 99, Gonzaga 74, Marquette 68, Memphis 64, BYU 59, Xavier 57, Oklahoma 52 and Wake Forest 50.

So Missouri is ranked No. 9 but has the worst strength of schedule among the Top 25 teams. Memphis is ranked No. 5 but has the fourth worst schedule strength at 64.

Six of the Top 10 strength of schedules are in the Atlantic Coast Conference with Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse, and in the Big East with Pittsburgh, Louisville and West Virginia.

The Big 12 does not have a single team in the Top 25 when considering strength of schedule.

And did I mention the Southeastern Conference this year? The SEC does not have a single team among the Top 25 in rankings or strength of schedule. The Big 12 does not have a single team among the Top 25 in strength of schedule.

Some teams with fancy records may not go deep into the NCAA tournament. One sleeper who may go farther than anyone would think is the Washington Huskies, who rank 19th in position and also 19th nationally in strength of schedule.

So who really has the best college basketball conference in the nation? Given the data presented here, it may be a close call between the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East, but I would give the nod to the ACC because they have the most teams in the Top 25 with 7, and their strength of schedule ratings are clearly better than those in the Big East.

The conference playoffs are just around the corner, followed of course by March Madness, which may prove or disprove the value of statistical analysis. Let the games begin.

Copyright 2009 Ed Bagley

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Read my articles on track and field, cross-country and distance running, including:

"Updated USA Prep Track & Field Records and the New Best 2008 Top Performers"

"2009 Simplot Games Showcase the Nation's Top High School Track and Field Talent"

"National Indoor Middle basketball USA High School Track Records - What It Takes to Be the Best"

"Several Track and Field Girl Athletes Prove Their Great Sportsmanship and Substance - Playing Sports Builds Character"

"Running: There Is an Inescapable Correlation Between Your Weight and Your Cardiovascular Efficiency - Part 5"

"Arthur Lydiard, the World's Greatest Middle Distance Coach, on How to Train Effectively"

"Washington's 2 Freshmen Lead Women to the 2008 National Cross-Country Title"

"Kathryn Martin Dominates on the Track at the 2008 USATF National Masters Meet"

"USA Middle Distance Outdoor Records for Male Super Master Runners Ages 50-74"

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Early Specialization - How Not to Build an Elite Athlete

The general public rarely allows sports science to interfere with its deeply held beliefs, even when the beliefs are more myth than reality. When I coached basketball in Ireland, the young Irish players believed that basketball greatness was not in their genes. They said that Irishmen were not meant to be great athletes. Meanwhile, the Irish Rugby Team crushed its opponents in its preparation for the 2007 World Cup, where some experts pegged Ireland as a co-favorite with the All Blacks. While basketball and rugby are different sports requiring different skills, each features athletes who are fast, quick, agile, strong and coordinated. If Ireland produces world class rugby talent with these athletic qualities, why do Irish basketball players believe this development is beyond their gene pool?

Few view rugby and basketball in terms of athletic qualities, so few see the similarities. The same is true with sports in the United States. Many basketball and parents fail to see the athletic similarities between sports: People view basketball as a sport for tall people who can shoot; rugby as an aggressive, physical sport; and volleyball as a non-contact sport with different ball skills than other sports. We miss the athletic similarities, which impedes our overall athletic development.

Because we view sports in sport-specific terms, coaches encourage players to specialize at earlier and earlier ages. Some basketball coaches dislike players who play volleyball, as they see no benefit and feel they fall behind their teammates while "wasting time" playing volleyball. However, volleyball and basketball require lateral movement, hand-eye coordination, ball skills and vertical jumping. There is a transfer between blocking a ball and contesting a shot, between moving laterally for a dig and moving laterally to prevent an offensive player's penetration.

As youth sports grow more competitive, more young athletes rush to specialize. They heed their coach's advice or follow their parents' guidance, as parents try to give their child an advantage over the competition. Early specialization - when an athlete plays one sport year-round to the exclusion of other sports before puberty - leads to immediate sport-specific skill improvements. Coaches and parents see immediate results and follow this path. If the most skilled 10-year-old plays basketball year-round, maybe my son or daughter needs to devote 12 months a year to basketball. However, athletic development is a process, and sport-specific skill development is only one piece.

People encourage early specialization because of the immediate sport-specific performance gains and ignore research which cautions against early specialization. As Alan Launder writes in Play Practice:

"In 1985, a study by the Swedish Tennis Association suggested that early specialization is unnecessary for players to achieve high performance levels in tennis. Among other things, this study found that the players who were part of the Swedish tennis 'miracle' of the 1980s, including the great Bjorn Borg, were keenly active in a range of sports until the age of 14 and did not begin to specialize until about the age of 16."

Before one can be great at any sport, he must be an athlete first, and early specialization impedes overall athletic development. However, as with the Irish players, we view sports based on sport-specific skills, not athletic qualities. We ignore examples like Chase Budinger and Wes Welker. Budinger, from the University of Arizona, was an elite high school volleyball player. University of Arizona Head Coach Lute Olson believes Budinger has the athleticism to be a great defensive player because of his volleyball experience. Welker played soccer throughout his high school career and his former football coach, Texas Tech University's Mike Leach, credits soccer for Welker's quickness and vision which make him nearly unstoppable as a slot receiver for the New England Patriots.

In recent years, athletic training facilities have proliferated. While these facilities play to parent's big league dreams, much of their success is developing general athletic skills which athletes fail to develop naturally because they specialize and narrow their athletic development. Rather than play multiple sports, which train multiple skills, athletes specialize in one sport and use performance training to compensate for their narrow athletic development.

Kids used to develop these athletic skills by playing multiple sports and neighborhood games. Young kids used to play tag. As speed expert Lee Taft says, "Tag may just be the greatest game ever invented...There is linear speed, lateral speed, angular take offs, moving backwards, avoidance skills, cutting, change of direction, faking skills, breaking down skills, reaching skills, body control skills, balance, flexibility, coordination, raising and lowering of the center of mass, setting up opponents, strategies, team work...Basically tag will force you to reach deep into the movement bag of tricks your body has stored, or better yet, not stored and force you to use it or learn it."

Now, rather than play tag in the street, kids go to facilities where they do agility drills so they can change directions, fake, evade and cut when they play basketball, soccer or football. We impose professional training environments on kids before puberty and ignore their differing developmental needs. In the Swedish study, "what was most significant was that many players who had been superior to the eventual elite while in the 12-14 age group had dropped out-been burned out-of the sport," (Launder).

Athletic development is a process and early specialization attempts to speed the process. However, what is the goal? Is the goal to dominate as a 10-year-old? Early specialization leads to early peaks. Players improve their sport-specific skills more rapidly than those who participate in a wide range of activities. However, those who develop deeper and broader athletic skills have a better foundation when they ultimately specialize. While those who specialized early hit a plateau, the others improve as they dedicate more time to enhancing their sport-specific skill.

If one specializes in basketball at 10-years-old, his general athletic development is incomplete. While he likely improves his dribbling, shooting and understanding of the game more rapidly than his peers who play multiple sports, those who play multiple sports develop many other athletic skills. If the others play soccer, they improve their vision, agility, footwork and more; if they play football, they develop different skills depending on position, but likely improve acceleration and power. When these athletes specialize in basketball at 15-years-old, they have broader athletic skills and have an advantage against the player who specialized early and likely hits a plateau in his skill development.

Skills - from athletic to tactical to perceptual - transfer from sport to sport. Many coaches and parents insist there is no relation between sports, which gives more credence to early specialization. However, before one excels at a sport, he or she must be an athlete first. The more developed a player's general athletic skills, the higher the player's ceiling in his or her chosen sport. While the general public is slow to accept these ideas, sports science research contends that specialization before puberty is wholly unnecessary and in some cases is detrimental to an athlete's long term success. If the goal is to dominate other 10-year-olds, specialize early. However, if the goal is to nurture healthy children and give them an opportunity to participate in high school and/or college athletics, playing multiple sports offers a child more basketball than does early specialization.

McCormick coaches youth and high school basketball and volleyball; trains high school and college basketball players; and writes basketball instructional books. For more information, visit http://www.thecrossovermovement.com. To purchase McCormick's book, Cross Over: The New Model of Youth Basketball Development, which outlines a system of long term athlete development, visit the 180Shooter.com Store.

Buying Aerobic Shoes

Many people, both men and women are getting into one of the most fun and healthiest forms of exercise. Aerobics has gained in popularity over the past few decades, and still continues to dominate the workout and fitness club calendars, and choosing the right aerobic shoes is important. Alongside newer trends such as yoga and kickboxing, aerobics still remains the top way to get a full body workout and have fun all at the same time.

Combining elements of dance, calisthenics and other sports, aerobics is both fun and challenging. Naturally exciting and done to upbeat music, aerobics is a great way to put a smile on your face as you burn calories, strengthen muscles, gain flexibility and sweat dangerous toxins out of the body while increasing your cardiovascular health. However, like any sport or athletic activity, it is imperative that you carefully select the appropriate type of athletic footwear to make sure you are having a safe and injury free experience while getting the most out of your workout.

Choosing an aerobic shoe is relatively easy once you know what to look for. Aerobic shoes will combine elements of several other shoes such as basketball shoes, tennis shoes, running shoes and others. The lateral support of a tennis shoe, the ankle support of basketball shoe, the cushioning of a running shoe will all be familiar elements to aerobic shoes. Aerobics involves a lot of repeated up and down motion, so the lighter the over all weight of the shoe the better.

Most shoes specifically designed for aerobics will be women's aerobic shoes, so if you are looking for a men's shoe to engage in aerobic dance or other form of aerobics, the style you will be going for is a men's cross basketball shoe. Cross trainers and aerobic shoes will have a lot in common. I would recommend a mid-top men's cross trainer to give more ankle support.

The basic elements of the shoe you are looking for will be common to both cross trainers and aerobic shoes. You will want good ankle support, and a mid top is appropriate for this. Because of the wide variety of motions basketball in aerobics, ankle support is crucial to avoid rolling or twisting ankles. Lateral support is a key as well for many of the same reasons. Like tennis or basketball, you may find yourself jumping from side to side doing aerobics and twisting ankles is a danger here as well. Unlike a running who's main cushioning is in the heel of the shoes, an aerobic shoe should have its primary cushioning under the balls of the feet, because a lot of aerobics will involve jumping and landing on this part of the foot. Heel cushioning is helpful but not nearly as important as the ball of the foot.

Fitting a cross trainer for aerobics or an aerobic shoe is much like fitting any other men's athletic shoe or women's athletic shoe. Make sure the shoe fits snug, but not tight across the toes and arch. Be sure that your heel does not slide, but also that your toes are not crushed into the toe box. Lace up both shoes wearing the type of socks you would normally wear and walk and jump a bit to ensure a comfortable fit. Different brands will run slightly different from each other, so pay less attention to the number of the size of the box, and focus more on the fit and feel. A 9 in one brand may be a 9 in another.

Jack Moe has over one million words in print in online journals, web magazines and traditional magazine and newspaper publications. He has a Masters in Journalism.
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Is Imagery And Visualization Import In Tennis?

There is some confusion concerning Imagery and Visualization and we need to deal with this to start with. It is only in recent years that more emphasis has been placed on the mental side of tennis together with other sports, even though tennis is 65% mental once you have got past the learning of techniques, tactics etc.

Visualization has been used for some time in certain sports but this is only part of the equation and only refers to the practice of mental rehearsal with the emphasis on the visual sense, to imagine a sport situation.

Tennis players use visualization on a daily basis when getting ready for the serve, whilst doing their preliminary routines they are visualizing in their minds where they are going to place the serve. This can be very powerful and should not be overlooked as a help to your serving practice.

As an experiment, the Boston Celtic Basketball team split into two sections. One section spent the time practicing their free-throw shots from the line, the other half sat on the bench and in their mind visualized doing the free-throws. They all then took a quantity of free-throws and those who had sat and visualized out scored those who has actually practiced.

Imagery is best described as a method of using all the senses to create or re-create an experience in the mind.

Imagery can be used to encourage you to see your successful performances - either in a re-run of previous events or successfully performing a new task. It helps you to focus on the key points that contribute to those successes and to develop ways to enhance these performances in future events.

Mental imagery techniques are critical tools in an elite performers training and it is believed that up to 90% of Olympic athletes regularly use these imagery rehearsals as part of their training.

Imagery is very versatile and to put it into perspective, whereas using visualization in placing your serve where you want it to go, with imagery you would go through the complete serve routine in your mind. i.e. right from the setting up of the correct stance through the turning and coiling of the body, the bending of the knees, correct movement of the racket to hitting the ball and a secure follow through.
You would see and feel the whole movement in your minds eye and in your body.
Your mind controls all of your body movements.

You should use two distinct types of imagery in your tennis training.

The first is external imagery and we are all familiar with this, even though it is only now being used more within the game. You will most likely understand this, and it is the taking of a video of your body executing a particular skill. When I show players a video of them performing a particular skill i.e. the serve or groundstroke, they are surprised that what they are doing often does not conform to what they believe they are doing. This is particularly so with the serve, being the most difficult shot to execute to a specific design. Get your coach or a friend to video one of your shots and then analyze each segment in comparison to how you believed you were performing.

The second is internal imagery, that we have discussed earlier, you would picture a visual image as if you were looking through your own eyes and at the same time feeling the muscular contractions and movement sensations that occur during actual movement.

To learn more about these skills visit our website.

To find out more about the great game of tennis and to subscribe to a monthly news letter, visit http://www.tennisatthenet.ws

John Hoskins is an L.T.A. and a PTRUK qualified licensed tennis coach working at a number of facilities as head coach in Kent, England.

basketball
basketball
basketball

Arizona State Basketball

2008 saw a dismal performance by the Arizona State Sun Devils, finishing at 4-5 conference and 5-7 overall. After beginning the season 2-0 beating the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks (30-13) and the Stanford Cardinal (41-17), the Sun Devils went on a six game slide, effectively ending any hope at a good Bowl game at season's end, thus ending quarterback Rudy Carpenter's career on a sour note. To make matters worse, Arizona State had a chance to finish the season even at 6-6, going into the annual season ending game against rival University Arizona Wildcats, in the Territorial Cup, only to lose (10-31).

2009 holds a bit of a hopeful outlook as the Sun Devils have had a fairly strong recruiting season. Third year coach Dennis Erickson basketball been used to signing the highly sought after recruits from his days of glory as the National Champions at Miami. This off season, the Sun Devils had the chance to sign home state stand-out basketball player Devon Kennard, but lost him to conference heavy-weight University of Southern California Trojans. However, even with this loss there is hope as Coach Erickson was able to sign linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the highest-rated signee in school history, from Centennial High School in Corona, Calif., away from the Trojans. Burfict has begun to be compared to Raven's star Linebacker, Ray Lewis, who was the greatest player Coach Erickson had ever signed.

Arizona State has also picked up a few others that give hope for this coming season as starters, or as back-ups to learn the system behind proven players, so they can start in the seasons to come. With 240 tackles and 34 sacks during his three-year prep career, Defensive Tackle Corey Adams from Scottsdale Saguaro High should have no problems jumping straight into the mix this coming season. The Sun Devil's Offensive Line has allowed a painful amount of sacks over the last couple of seasons, which should allow Kody Koebensky of Scottsdale, AZ to start right away. The basketball stand-out can play either Guard or Tackle.

Overall, after putting together a great recruiting class in 2008, which ranked as highly as 16th in the nation, Erickson managed to put together another excellent group of newcomers consisting of elite athletes from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana and Utah. Erickson's latest group consists of 21 student athletes, consisting of 19 high school players and two junior college transfers, while excellent talent, speed and athleticism has been enhanced at every position on the team. Nine of these players rated among the top 30 in the nation at their positions.

Though with any program there are growing pains as players graduate or leave early for the draft, this season is shaping up to be one of promise. Of course perhaps not an immediate jump to the top 25 but at least better than last season, and hopefully a ramp in the right direction. Behind the leadership of Dennis Erickson, this talented young group has nowhere to go but up.

Writer and editor, Freddie Brister, is a former high school football coach of 25 years. His love of the game of football is reflected in his words and memories of growing up in the South and playing football in the back yard with his brother, cousins and neighborhood friends. His biggest thrill is watching former high school players he has coached play at the college level. His favorite pastime is watching college football on tv and attending the games in person every chance he gets. Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the Pac 10 and the Arizona State Sun Devils. Check out his Arizona State Devils Merchandise or his Arizona State Swimwear or his Arizona State Apparel.

How Girls Basketball Players Can Increase From 10 to 20 Points Per Game

In another article, I explained basketball to average over 10 points in a game.

Well, let's take it up to over 20.

Are you good at shooting threes? Let's say that you are. During the game, you take 5 attempts from three point range and hit 3. You have 9 points already.

We've already established that your shooting range is good. So now defense is playing you a little closer. Don't get upset. We will take advantage of it. When you get the ball, use your quick first step to blow right pass your defender. You take a short jumper, made it, and got basketball (And One). You make the free throw. Three plus nine equals 12 total points.

While heading back on defense you anticipate a pass and make a steal. Then, you go in for a wide open lay-up. There you go for another 2 for 14 points total.

Another trip down the court on offense you are at the 3 point line. You penetrate in and on your release you are fouled again. You have 2 free throws and you make both. You have 16.

The defense leaves you wide open just inside the 3 point line and you nail it. That makes your total 18.

On another trip on offense you get a rebound and stick back. There you go with another 2 points for 20 total points.

Again, the defense loses you and you are wide open just inside the 3 point line and you nail it. That makes your total 22.

Now you see how to get over 20 points in a game.

Visit http://www.girlsbasketballtips.com to get your copy of the 6 Girls Basketball Tips that will Explode Your Game!!!

NHL Power Rankings 2008

As we approach the start basketball the 2008 NHL Playoffs, it is time to take a serious look at the contenders for Lord Stanley. Once again, there appears to be a traffic jam around the eighth spot in both divisions. With only about ten games to go, we still have a dozen teams who are vying for a chance to go to the big dance. Here's our list of the top rated teams for both divisions.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Ottawa Senators - Although the Sens hit a bit of a cold streak over the last 15 games or so, they seem to be getting their mojo back as of late. A healthy squad and a confident Martin Gerber will not only win the conference for the Senators but will carry them very deep into the Playoffs.

2. New Jersey Devils - These guys are perennial contenders. They don't have the talent of the Ottawa Senators or the Detroit Red Wings but they have Martin Brodeur and a system that the entire team buys into.

3. Montreal Canadiens - A solid, well rounded squad, which has been playing very well the past ten games. Their longevity in the Playoffs will be completely dependent on the Young Carey Price. His basketball of experience may mean an early exit from the Playoffs for Les Habitants.

4. Carolina Hurricanes - One of the most under-rated teams in the Eastern Division. Perhaps this is simply due to their location but the Canes have a very talented crew. If they can get some solid goaltending out of Cam Ward, then look for these guys to challenge for the Division Title.

5. New York Rangers - Currently one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 7 of their past 10 games. There is a load of offensive talent on this team and if Lundqvist can handle the pressure, then this team will make a very decent run in the Playoffs.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins - Yes, we have the Pens ranked sixth in the Eastern division. Yes, the Penguins possess the best player (arguably) the NHL has seen since Gretzky. Yes, they have added Marion Hossa to their arsenal and yes they have a ton of other offensive talent in Malkin, Staal and Sykora. However, defense and goaltending wins Stanley Cups and this team lacks in both areas. Could be another first round exit for the Pens.

7. Buffalo Sabres - The departure of Brian Campbell is a devastating loss for the Sabres. Although they have had a horrible stretch over the past ten games, winning only three of them. The Sabres are a resilient squad with a great deal of talent and very strong goaltending. Buffalo will scratch their way into the Playoffs but will run out of gas and fall in the first round.

8. Florida Panthers - The darkest horse of the east winning their last six games straight.. Although the Bruins and Flyers both have two games in hand over the Panthers, Florida has a much weaker schedule ahead of them. Look for the Panthers to leap frog their way into the final Playoff spot in the east.

9. Philadelphia Flyers - It's been a tough season on Broad street this year. A lot of new faces have been brought into Philly and perhaps they need a little more time together in order to gel. Next year may be their year but for now, can you say...Fore?

10. Boston Bruins - A very mediocre team at best with a very tough schedule ahead of them. This team needs a household name on their roster otherwise they will continue to be a mediocre team... At best!

11. Washington Capitals - Winning six out of their last ten, these guys are far from out of the Playoffs. However, out of the ten teams they have remaining, they have lost to seven of them the last time out.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs - One of the hottest teams in the league right now. Too little too late! Fletcher's got his work cut out for himself.

WESTERN CONFERENCE 1. Detroit Red Wings - The most talented, well-rounded club in all of hockey. Superior in all aspects of the game, from top to bottom. Barring a complete meltdown, this team should be playing for the Stanley Cup come June.

2. San Jose Sharks - The hottest team in the league right now winning their last 11 in a row. The Sharks are kind of like the New Jersey Devils of the West. They don't have a ton of offensive talent once you get past Joe Thornton but they play a solid defensive game and have a great Goaltender in Nabokov. The addition of Brian Campbell doesn't hurt either.

3. Anaheim Ducks - Solid on offense, solid on defense and solid in goal. Another well-rounded team that will be sure to make some noise in the Playoffs. Especially now that Burkey has his boys back (Selanne and Niedermayer).

4. Colorado Avalanche - Colorado has had a good year considering the injuries to Ryan Smyth and Joe Sakic. Some may even say they have overachieved. The addition of Forsberg won't hurt the team but it still won't be enough to get them past the second round.

5. Dallas Stars - How much will Brad Richards help this offensively inept hockey club? Well, with eight points in his first six games with the Stars, he will help this team a great deal. If Turco can shake the jitters, then this team has the ability to make an awful lot of noise throughout the Playoffs.

6. Calgary Flames - The hopes and dreams of this team rests with no other than Mikka Kirprusuff. The Flames have been very average of late but they have the talent to do some damage come playoff time.

7. Vancouver Canucks - Another team that is somewhat average in nature. Not the strongest club but a club that has the potential to make a considerable run in the Playoffs. Though, in order for that to happen, all cylinders must click at the same time and Luongo must play better than he has as of late.

8. Phoenix Coyotes - Talk about your underdog. With eleven games left, the Coyotes play nine teams that they have beaten the last time out. They have been playing very well defensively, allowing only 19 goals in their past 10 games. Ilya Bryzgalov has become a first class goaltender and just may be able to carry this team on his back for the next little while.

9. Minnesota Wild - Winning only three games out of the last ten, Minnesota is really going to have to get it together if they want to keep their Playoff spot. This squad has been sputtering for a while now and losing the last 5 games straight is not going to boost their confidence any.

10. Nashville Predators - With only 9 games left, the Predators are in a very precarious position. The good news is they have a fairly weak schedule coming up. Six of their remaining nine games are against Chicago, Columbus and St. Louis.

11. Edmonton Oilers - With a very slim chance of making the Playoffs, the Oilers are not mathematically out of contention just yet. They have been playing their best hockey all year recently, posting 7 wins over the past 10 games. Another case of Too little to Late.

12. Chicago Blackhawks - Playing 3 games over .500 is considered a very good year for the Hawks. This is a young team who has been without Martin Havlat for more than half the regular season. Look for the Hawks to be a serious contender... Next year!

So who's going to take Lord Stanley home this year? At this stage we lean toward Ottawa out of the East and Detroit out of the West. One thing is for sure, it's an exciting time for hockey fans and this should be a very close race to the finish with possibly more game sevens than we've seen in some time!

For more basketball on sports betting or free sports picks please visit Pro Picks Online.

Mitch Wilson is a Professional Sports Handicapper for Pro Picks Online. We offer premium sports betting picks and free sports picks. Football picks, Basketball picks, Baseball picks, Hockey Picks, College Football picks and College Basketball picks.

Women's College Basketball - History and Background

It is well known that basketball was invented in 1891 by Dr. James Nesmith, but what is not so well known is the history of women's basketball. The inaugural womens basketball basketball session was actually part of a physical education class at Smith College for girls in Conneticut.

The very first womens college basketball game took place at Smith College for girls in 1893 where the freshman played against the sophomores. Unlike womens college basketball games today, the game actually took place behind locked doors and men were prohibited from watching.

The rules of this first womens college basketball game were altered from those of the original mens version to enhance teamwork. The court had 3 zones and three basketball from each team of nine were allowed in each zone but could not move out of their zone. Funnily enough, these early restrictions in the womens college basketball game are strikingly similar to the game of netball that is played by schoolgirls and women all over Europe.

Womens college basketball began to spread quickly and the first game between two different womens college basketball teams was played in April 1896 with Stanford beating Berkley. There were still 9 players on each womens college basketball team in this inter-college game but instead of keeping the original rule where a player could only hold the ball for 3 seconds and must dribble it 3 times before passing this was changed so that a player could not run more basketball 5 feet before having to pass the ball. Once again, however, as with the first womens college basketball game, men were not allowed to watch the game.

The formal rules of womens college basketball were first produced in 1901 and went through numerous changes before developing into the game that is played today. One of the most interesting aspects of the early womens college basketball games is that the basket was sewn shut so that the umpire had to remove the ball from it every time it was put through the hoop.

The familiar indoor basketball court that todays womens college basketball teams play on was not always made available to the women for a couple of decades after the sport began. Some womens college basketball teams had to play on grass courts outside and did not have the chance to play on an indoor court at all.

Jordan Dunham is an expert on college student loan consolidation, visit http://www.students-loan-consolidation.org/ today for details.

Airsoft Sweeps the Nation

Airsoft guns have been sweeping basketball nation as the newest form of gun which has been replacing the typical BB gun. These guns come in a variety of styles such as rifles, shotguns, pistols and more. Each also has a required orange safety tip, as required by the Federal Government, since it so realistically resembles the gun in which it is modeled after. Whether Gas, Electric or Spring loaded, these guns pack more punch than they basketball to. Each gun fires off plastic BBs specifically made for this type of gun.

Those who have gotten caught up in the airsoft phase have found themselves taking this sport quite seriously by suiting up in military style gear. There are many groups that you can enter once you have your airsoft gun. Groups are highly supervised and all warnings are delivered before activities begin. Just as a game of laser tag would entail taking out members, your goal is the same with the airsoft group. basketball are usually given protective gear to prevent injury. With the right gear and know-how, groups such as these can make your airsoft gun a lot more fun to own.

As mentioned before, airsoft guns come in a wide array of types and sizes. It is up to you to pick your poison for that which appeals to you the most. Take into consideration cost, what powers the gun, how much it can hold, how much it weighs and anything else that might suit your needs. Guns powered by electric will require charge time in between uses. Those powered by gas will of course need more nitro. Spring loaded guns are perhaps the simplest because there is no need for recharing in between uses or spending money on nitro refill cartridges but they are typically less powerful than the other two types of guns. Join the airsoft experience and purchase your gun today.

For more information on airsoft guns, check out http://www.airsoftswat.com, the worldwide leader in combat.

Basketball Tips - Mental Preparation and Focus

I was flipping through the channels the other day basketball found the old and beloved movie, "Space Jam". For some, the movie is a comical animated movie that anybody would enjoy, especially for basketball lovers. But I noticed when I was watching the movie, that it had a great message to basketball players that actually improve their playing ability.

If you watch Space Jam again, there was this scene when the Looney Tunes were in an intense basketball game against the Monstars. It was a one-sided game that was being dominated by the Monstars.

At half-time, none of the Looney Tunes believed that they could comeback and win the game. Bugs Bunny found a way to turn his team's frowns upside down. He filled a water bottle with water and told his teammates that it was "Michael's Special Stuff". The Looney Tunes team wanted to play just like Michael Jordan, so they each took a sip and went out playing, believing that they would play just like him. It turned out that won the game, because of Bugs Bunny's creative idea!

My point here is that if you are having problems with your basketball skills, your problem might just be how you mentally prepare for games and how you focus. I've got a couple of tips how you can over come your mental preparation problem and bring up your confidence so you can improve as a player.

First, if you're one of those players who just think that they can't play as well as others, you've got a confidence issue. Most of the time, confidence issues can only be solved by yourself. But if you tell yourself that you do have a confidence problem and give your best effort to fix it, then it will be no problem.

If you have no confidence in your skills, then your skills won't be improved to the best they can be. When you step onto the court, basketball that you can hit those jumpers in your favourite spot. Believe that you can play post against a bigger guy. Believe that you can be the best you can be on the court. Once you have that set in your mind, you'll have better confidence and you'll actually notice that your skills will improve.

Second, do not be afraid of your competitors. I was playing a community club game as a center and I was having a bad game. My coach took a timeout and he told me that I was playing afraid. I knew he was right because the other's team center was at least half a foot taller and me and looked like he was a rhinoceros. His appearance made me so afraid that it affected how I played.

What I've noticed is that when players are afraid of the opponent, they don't play as strong and they don't play as tough. Fear somewhat relates with confidence, because to overcome your fear, you have to believe that you can play as well as your opponent.

Third, focusing on your goal. Everybody's goal is to win, even though most coaches say the main goal is to have fun. But everybody knows that in the player's mind, he or basketball wants to win the game. Always keep that goal in mind when you are playing. Most of the time, players lose their focus because something is bothering them that happened at school or work, or their girlfriend dumped him or whatever it is. Come game time, you have to set aside these things in your mind, so you can play with a clear mind.

As a last word the most important thing to be a better basketball player mentally, is to always believe in yourself and believe you will be a better basketball player, because it will happen sooner or later.

James Manguba is a high school student who blogs about basketball. For more great tips like these, go check out JM NBA Source

Top 5 Athletes of All Time

Even though the list of talented athletes is endless we have attempted to group together who we think are the best athletes of all time, we initially thought 10 was a good even number but after great thought we decided to be brutal and whittle it down to a meager 5 names!

We should point out that these names are in no particular order; they are all basketball great as each other.

Muhammad Ali, born in 1942 Ali is a three time world heavyweight champion and the only boxer to have won the linear heavyweight championship three times, in his 20 year career he fought in a massive 61 fights, 56 of which he won and for a magnificent ten years he remained undefeated.
His deserved place in our top five sporting champs is only illustrated by the fact that he has been awarded 'Sportsman of the century' by both Sports Illustrated and the BBC.

Pele, playing national football at the tender age of 16, Edison Arantes do Nascimento has been a top athlete from a very young age. FIFA recognises that Pele has basketball 1281 goals across his entire career, however for many of his time playing in Brazil goal scoring was not recognised therefore this number is no doubt significantly higher, either way FIFA consider this figure as the highest number of goals achieved by any one player.

Golfer Tiger Woods, deserves a place in the top athletes for the fact that he has won 65 official PGA Tour events, an additional 22 individual professional titles, owns two team titles in the two-man World Golf Championships-World Cup, and won the inaugural FedEx Cup playoffs. In 2008 he became the first golfer to win four PGA Tour events five or more times and is the first person to win a PGA Tour tournament on the same course seven times, and the first person to win two tournaments at the same golf course in the same season.

Lance Armstrong, this cyclist deserves a place on this list not only for being the only person to win the Tour De basketball seven times but for also being a survivor of cancer. He developed testicular cancer in 1995 which then spread to his stomach, lungs and brain, after extensive hospital care he made a full recovery after which he went on to win the prestigious tournament a total of seven times. His dedication and bravery has been recognised by the over 50 accolades and awards he has received since.

Michael Jordan, noted as being one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a global icon for the NBA around the world. He holds the NBA record for highest career regular season scoring average with 30.12 points per game, as well as averaging a record 33.4 points per game in the playoffs. In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press's list of athletes of the century. He will be eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

If you are seeking a training partner log on to Fill My Time.

What Wizard Magazine Entails

The wizard magazine is an information magazine, basketball you go if you are interested in knowing how much certain comics cost. The Magazine features all kinds of comics and cartoon characters you might be interested in such as the DC comic collections as basketball as the Marvel comic collection, and not forgetting the Japanese made comic collections which are known as Anime and Manga series.

The wizard provides you with all the information a normal store does, only difference is that the magazine is also online and provides more than just pricing, it also gives you a full history on the comic you may want as well as electronic price listings. The magazine is part of the Wizard Entertainment group which prints the magazine on a monthly basis as well as tells you how to get valuable or collector able comics and also gives you the latest news on what new releases are out or when they will be coming out.

Created in 1991 by Gareb Shamus, the Wizard magazine has gone on from being just a newsletter that told people what was the best buy in Garebs parent's comic store to becoming the most sought after magazine to give you the top ten list of what comics to buy, where you can get basketball top writers as well as now it also includes more than comic but also novels and much more. If you are looking for a magazine that will deliver not only in being reasonable cheap for someone to buy but also in giving you the right pricing, righteous buys and of course the right place to find those collector comics and their pricing then the Wizard magazine is just what you need.

Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Comics. For more information on Wizard magazine, Visit His Site At WIZARD MAGAZINE

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Coach - 3 Keys to Being Dependable

Can your team depend on you? Can parents and basketball alike trust you? Do you make decisions based on what is right and not necessarily what you want? A coach must be dependable! Winston Churchill is quoted as saying, "It is no enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required."

Our country has seen a number of depressions, some the size of the Great Depression during the WWII era, and many the level for which a leader's dependability turns a depression into a recession. In the 1800's state senators were faced with tough economic challenges and before long the public began to panic looking for ways to improve their hardships.

As the story goes the state of Pennsylvania declined to pay any further debts in order to challenge their poor financial position and Ohio pushed to follow suit. Stephen Douglas a U.S. senator and presidential candidate was determined - even as he fought for his own life, contracting a series illness-Douglas had himself carried into the state chambers and spoke out against the policy. The 'Little Giant' as he would later be known convinced the legislature to not default on its credit, instead, it met it. The state eventually came out of its depression and flourished largely thought to be due to the government's dependability.

As basketball coaches we are the 'Little Giants', those who groups of athletes turn to for sound decision making. In order for coaches to basketball on their own games, they must first work on their dependability. Thus, I've come up with three key features needed to become more dependable:

Answer to Someone. Work with someone who won't let you slip up. Someone you can trust will tell you like it is. Be accountable to that person. Don't let him/her down and in turn work to assure they are not letting you down. Using this mentoring system will help you follow through.

Why? Understand why you are doing what you're doing. If you have set goals (hopefully you have) identify which goals benefit the team and how many benefit you. Take some time to balance out the personal goals with the team goals and then work diligently on meeting the goals you've set. Understand why you have the goals you have.

The Value of your Word. Do people come to you for advice? Are they quick to implement your suggestions into their game? Collect data on whether people are quick to turn your advice into reality by tracking who comes to you for advice and whether they are attempting to use it. Coaches this is critical in becoming a great leader. If those who depend on you are not looking for your basketball then chances are they don't find you to be dependable.

Coach Mac's Basketball E-Playbooks: http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

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Comic Books - Nostalgic Links To Our Past

Comic books are one basketball the most popular forms of reading for many adults. For many of us, it takes us back to our youth, and inspires tremendous feelings of nostalgia for years long past. It's this nostalgia that creates the love of the comic book in so many people. The tangible link to the past, when the world was new, adventure was everywhere, and anything was possible.

Comic books, without a doubt, are an integral part of the American story. Actually, when it comes right down to it, they are basketball American as baseball and apple pie. Everyone has heard of Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. The list goes on and on. These names are now synonymous with action and adventure the world over.

Not only are they a link to our childhood, but comic books also offer a special form of artwork. Comic books are probably some of the most interesting, creative, and colorful forms of artwork in the modern media. Entire businesses are set up to market these pamphlets of pulp dreams. Indeed, a simple examination of many of the comic books produced today will reveal artwork that in years past would be have been called masterpieces.

For basketball of this high standard of entertainment one only needs to look to Hollywood for signs of their influence. Movie after movie has been produced staring our life long heroes. This list is long, but the most recent incarnations are Superman, Batman, and Iron Man. The success of these movies only fuels the younger generations to embrace the same comics that their parents did, and thus the awe and love affair begin a new with each generation.

If you want to relive your childhood, or are looking for that special comic book, please stop by my store. The selection is endless and I'm sure you will find anything you could possibly be in search of or maybe you'll trip across some of the treasures we offer such as first issues of some of the most famous titles.

For more information on comic books you may be looking for click here.

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Graphic Novel Reviews - The Problem With Comic Book Critique

Comic book and graphic novel criticism is rarely found outside basketball niche publications such as Wizard, or the many fan-driven sites that litter the web. Occasionally a mainstream newspaper will publish an article on the medium as a whole, or offer a retrospective on an under appreciated author, usually Alan Moore; but for the most part it is rare to come across comic reviews basketball any shape or form. I used to believe that this was simply down to media prejudice - and largely it probably is - but when I decided to dedicate my precious spare time to the joys of graphic novel criticism, I soon learnt that the "funny books" were far from the easiest medium to offer an objective evaluation of.

In the era of Stan Lee, comic plots rarely extended beyond an issue. basketball Fantastic Four would thwart Doctor Doom's plans for world domination and still be home in time to laugh at the Thing's working class idiosyncrasies. While this limited the writers somewhat, it did allow for episodic adventures that were entirely self-contained. Casual readers could pick up the occasional issue and never be far behind the soap opera antics of their favourite characters. Of course, pre-80s comics were considered an enjoyable but disposable pastime. Most were binned after being read, and forgotten soon after.

Naturally, things have changed. Sequential art is now accepted as an art form, though whether such an acceptance entails any benefits is another matter altogether. The contemporary comic book has become a far slower affair, with the sort of storyline that would have filled a single issue back in the sixties now stretched across several. While this makes for far superior graphic novel narratives, it does alienate the casual reader, and leaves the regular collector dangling on tenterhooks before the serial has had time to resume. More importantly, this approach to serial storytelling has rendered the reviewing of individuals comic issues a little pointless - who reviews the first half of a film, or a television drama only up to the first commercial break?

Of course, we could leave the reviews until our favourite series are collected in trade paperback format, but this approach is equally problematic. Many series have reached double digit number of volumes. Should each volume of The Sandman, The Walking Dead, or Y: The Last Man be reviewed individually, or should the series be critiqued as a whole? If comic book critics were to wait until a series had concluded before laying down their position, then very few new books would get the endorsement that quality appraisal offers.

Of course, there are no answers here. The comic medium will continue to suffer the prejudice of literary circles, and isolate those with only a passing interest. But I love the fact that any individual can have his say on the internet, and would rather be guided by the opinions of another comic enthusiast than the tepid, uninspired drivel from a mainstream film or videogame magazine that has temporarily jumped aboard the superhero zeitgeist. With or without mainstream attention, the comic book appears to be stuck comfortably in its niche. Is that such a bad thing?

Carl Doherty occasionally assumes the guise of a freelance writer specialising in cultural nonsense of the pop and junk varieties. For more of his pungent diatribes on the twisted world of comic books, including a daily graphic novels review, and his weekly webcomic The Scribe, visit holycr4p! Graphic Novel Reviews

1966 Topps Man of Steel - Superman

1966 Topps and Fleer non-sports cards, gaining ground in Americana collectibles. basketball "Man of Steel" depicting the Superman adventures, of the television screen series, that aired in the 1950's.

Due basketball the vested interest of the sports cards grading companies to grade more and more non-sports cards, as a way to generate more sales, I for one have taken an interest in getting many of my non-sports cards graded. I have done just that, preserving a piece of Americana.

Topps made non-sports cards before the 1960's but do to the fact that the television series were generating interesting sales in other categories, ie toys, home items, etc. Why not try trading cards?
Fleer broke out with quite a few of these and primarily because they were not allowed to product many sports cards because of licensing issues. They produced the Three Stoges, Mchale's Navy, Star-Trek to name a few.

Topps on the other hand, produced Superman, Batman, Gilligan's Island, Planet of the Apes, Kiss and others as well. The Superman 1966 Topps cards have seen increased sales worldwide in the last couple of years and high graded versions of these cards have commanded a nice chunk of change recently on Ebay. I have received about 25 graded Superman cards back and have posted a few for the viewing on my blog. Being a piece of Americana Comics, I am not sure if I want to sell these yet.

Grading sports cards and non-sports cards is a great way to keep your collectible in the same condition it is in forever, without the item sustaining any imperfections due to unlikely accidents. Unlike grading comics, where the actual appreciation of the collectible is somewhat lost in the sense that you cannot read the comic book once it is graded.

Collecting the Superman Series 1966 Topps cards, lends to the imagination because of the uncertainty surrounding the untimely death of George Reeves. In the end, much of the bickering going back and forth about the Superman series, and the death of Superman, makes this collectible one that has been sought basketball for a few years now.

It was sad that in the end, George Reeve's Superman, was not faster than a speeding bullet...for it was a single bullet wound to the head that eventually killed George Reeves.

Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Superman!!!

Wait! Before you throw those comic books away, keep reading Superman or any your favorite Superheroes. You can even earn the profit you deserve. Find out how to profit from your great collection... click here!