The Chicago Bulls Go All Out in Playoff Push

Just a couple basketball weeks ago, the Chicago Bulls were struggling in holding on to the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Yes, they were actually defending a spot that isn't worth anything. Fast forward to today, and the Bulls are now 7th in the East playoff picture with a realistic chance of catching up with the basketball Heat. The Bulls won their 6th game in 7 tries by beating...the Heat. Dwyane Wade's 31 points was no match to a Bulls team that had 6 players in double figures. John Salmons top scored for the Bulls once again as he is beginning to make the Bulls front office look good by acquiring him during the trade deadline. Since the arrival of Salmons and fellow former King Brad Miller, Chicago's offense improved a lot in terms of flow. Miller's perimeter game and his ability to drive to the basket gives Rookie Sensation Derrick Rose so much options now. And at times when their offense does not look pretty, they now have Salmons to give the ball to and create something out of nothing.

The Bulls have been playing inspired basketball lately because of the new acquisitions. But one thing was revealed lately during the Bulls' run -- Kirk Hinrich is still valuable to the Bulls. Some critics said that with Rose's arrival, Kirk was a dispensable player. Kirk has proven this to be a fallacy. Kirk has been the stabilizer of the Bulls lately when things get out of control. Plus, when D-Rose was sidelined because of his wrist, Kirk stepped in and gave Vinny Del Negro an All-Star performance at the point.

The Bulls' future is looking bright. So much brighter compared to 2 months ago. Plus with playoff experience just around the corner, I expect to see more maturity in the games of Derrick Rose, Tyrus Thomas, and Joakim Noah come opening night next season. The Bulls are still far from being a contender, but adding one key piece and some post-season experience for the team might just get the Bulls back to the glory days.

Niko Bolante
http://towelwavers.blogspot.com

Mind Power and Your Subconscious

Your subconscious mind is that portion of your mind that exists beneath the level of conscious awareness. It is very much like an information storehouse that holds all your memories, attitudes, emotions, beliefs, and habits. This information, which exerts a powerful influence on your life, is available to your conscious mind, but is not usually part of your conscious awareness.

The subconscious also controls most of your bodily reactions and metabolism. Breathing, blinking, digestion, walking, emotions, etc. are functions that are carried out subconsciously. We don't have to think about blinking in a sandstorm anymore than we have to remember to shiver when it is cold. Similarly, if you had a traumatic experience involving water, it is possible that each time you are near water your subconscious would replay this experience like an internal recording. This triggers your body, emotions, and metabolism to respond the way it did during the real danger. This is a simplified explanation of how people develop fears and phobias.

To recognize how your subconscious directs your daily life, consider how easy it is for you to walk, play a favorite sport or instrument, or drive a car. Once you learn to do these things, you do them automatically. The information is stored in your subconscious mind and your conscious mind draws on it as the need arises.

Your Source of Reality

You have probably heard the expression, "You are what you think." However, this premise does not merely refer to what you know you think, but also to what you don't know you think. It is your inner thoughts and beliefs which determine how you experience your world. The subconscious mind is actually the force that is in control of all aspects of your life-probably far more than you realize. Whether you are rich or poor, happy or sad, bored or excited, loved or unloved, and all be traced to your inner or subconscious belief system This important principle is the foundation of all the materials and methods you will encounter in my audio basketball In other words, you are aware of many of your beliefs-such as: it is right to be honest and fair, and it is wrong to steal from or hurt others. Yet, you may be unaware that deep inside your subconscious is the belief that you do not deserve financial success or to have lasting, loving relationships. And you wonder why you don't have the income you want or your relationships are not as fulfilling as they could be. Each person grows up with some ideas about him or herself that are negative, inaccurate, or outdated. Over the years, these self-limiting ideas persist (stored mostly in the subconscious) and continue to create more negative self-beliefs and experiences. This downward spiral can be stopped by replacing false, outdated ideas with positive beliefs, thoughts and attitudes.

Step-by-Step Elimination of Negative Beliefs

Many people wonder why their subconscious accepts and retains self-defeating, negative beliefs in the first place. The subconscious is peculiar in this way. It accepts information without question and proceeds to direct a person's life accordingly.

For your entire life you have been listening to and following the scripts embedded in your subconscious mind by parents, friends, relatives, educational systems, and others. Those thought habits, attitudes, and inner beliefs form the strengths and shackles that you live with. These subconscious limitations are what have been preventing you from enjoying complete success, happiness and personal fulfillment, and they will continue limiting you for the rest of your life unless you take positive steps to change them.

For example, if you were repeatedly told as a child, "You are slow. You'll never amount to much," your impressionable subconscious probably accepted these ideas without question or logical considerations. Chances are, it then went one step further, creating self-talk statements such as, "I want to be a success, but I am slow and stupid. I can't even think about doing much with my life. No one would want me. Why even bother to try?" This is how self-defeating beliefs are established. And, because they are deeply rooted in your subconscious, they remain until you replace them.

Once a positive suggestion has been accepted by your subconscious mind through repetition, the way is paved for more successful and positive ideas to be accepted. In this way you can gradually create a whole new self-belief system and a foundation for a high degree of happiness, fulfillment and success.

Guided Relaxation: The Gateway to Your Inner Mind

Deep relaxation is one of the most valuable skills you will acquire while listening to our audio programs. Stress and tensions dissolve while at the same time your mind becomes crystal clear and alert. Natural, healthful relaxation is a valuable self-development tool that you will continue to enjoy for years to come.

Medical research has shown that developing the ability to relax deeply can prevent or relieve stress-induced illness. In addition, relaxation enables you to quickly get to the source of subconscious limitations that are impeding your personal development. When your body and mind become relaxed, free of worry, strain, and tension, you are able to eliminate negative mental patterns and establish positive ones.

When you are deeply relaxed, the subconscious is most open to change. Learning to relax is very important because lasting change can only be accomplished by harnessing the power of your subconscious mind. All you need is a few undisturbed minutes, a private location, a comfortable spot to rest, and one of our Guided Relaxation/Visualization/Meditation audio programs.

Receiving the Most From Relaxation Sessions

Guided Relaxation and Visualization sessions are intended to be used in a quiet environment. basketball a place where you are free from distractions and will not be disturbed. Position yourself either sitting comfortably or reclining with your arms and legs uncrossed. Be assured that the natural relaxed state you are guide into while listening to our audio programs does not require you to go unconscious or surrender your control. Your mind will remain aware and clear, throughout the sessions.

Also, be assured that should you need to attend to any situation that arises while you are listening to the tapes, you will easily be able to do so simply by opening your eyes and getting up. If you are in a deeply relaxed stat, you may wish to rub your neck, arms, and legs, stretch out and say, "Fully alert!" You are always in control. The narrations on the tapes are merely guides to help you relax physically and bring about a clear, natural, and aware mental state. Relaxation sessions are not intended to be used while driving, operating machinery or while you are involved in any other activity.

What Does Relaxation Feel Like?

The relaxation process involves carefully guided, systematic release of muscular tightness and tension. You'll notice your respiration becomes calm and regular, your heart rate slows and worrisome thoughts gradually disappear. How can you tell if you are sufficiently relaxed to benefit from the relaxation sessions? Some people needlessly worry about this. Be assured hat as long as you are following the guided instructions and feel relaxed, you will receive the intended benefits from the sessions.

Eliminating Distractions

When you first start doing the relaxation sessions, you may notice various thought racing around your head. Although these random thoughts may appear to intensify when you become physically relaxed, you are actually just becoming more aware of them. It is natural for your mind to have many thought. However, your mind will be quieted and drawn to the information presented by the voice guiding you. This will become easier for you as you continue using the audio programs over the weeks and months.

Most people develop good concentration as a by-product of listening to the guided instructions, visualizations, and affirmations. While you are listening to the tapes, realize that your mind can only concentrate on one thought at a time, and it is up to you which though that is. If you notice you have drifted off into random thoughts, gently bring your attention back to the voice in the program. With experience, distractions will occur less and less. If you experience a spinning or swaying sensation while you are deeply relaxed and find it distracting, simply tell yourself firmly, "Stop. Stabilize," and focus your full attention on the words in the program. This will normally alleviate the problem. Tightness in the forehead area or having a headache during or immediately following a relaxation session is rare and generally temporary. These discomforts may be due to tension, anxiety, or trying too hard to concentrate. Such distractions may be eliminated by temporarily shortening the time you spend in relaxation and allowing yourself to gradually become accustomed to longer sessions. Itching or tingling are passing sensations which may appear to intensify simply because you are more likely to notice them when you are relaxed. These sensations generally decrease as you gain experience in relaxation. With regular listening you'll find you are able to more quickly and easily achieve pleasant and natural states of deep relaxation.

Staying Awake and Aware

If you encounter a problem staying awake during a guided relaxation session:

1. Listen when you are feeling fresh, when you are feeling at your best, when you re wide awake and energetic. If you feel sleepy, take a short nap before beginning the relaxation session.
2. Maintain a sitting posture in a comfortable chair or on a pillow on the floor, keeping your back straight.
3. Take a brisk, ten-minute walk to invigorate yourself just prior to listening to the audio program.
4. Leave the lights on and have the temperature in the room on the cool side.
5. Listen in a room where you never sleep so there is no association of relaxing with falling asleep.
6. Keep your eyes open while you listen to the audio program a number of times gradually close them for portions of the programs and eventually close them for the entire session.
7. Maintain a slightly relaxed state and if you tend to fall asleep, fast forward past the relaxation instructions and participate in the visualization and affirmation portions while you are alert.
8. Should you feel like dozing off, increase your breathing rate, open your eyes, and say to yourself, "I am mentally alert and awake."

Reaching Your Subconscious Mind

The key to successfully accessing your subconscious is full participation in the relaxation sessions. Why? Because normally, the conscious mind screens what goes into the subconscious, but deep relaxation temporarily sets aside that screen. It is a simple and natural process that you can learn to use to great advantage. How can you be sure you have reached your subconscious mind? This comes with experience.

Because there aren't any booming voices or flashing lights, it may seem subtle and elusive at first. Some of the more common ways your subconscious often communicates include: having a mental conversation with yourself; becoming aware of a strong feeling; receiving a visual image; perceiving an impression or an internal knowing; or having an illuminating idea or insight.

Simply relax and you will discover how your subconscious is most likely to respond. Occasionally, you may find that although you are deeply relaxed and receptive, your subconscious is not giving immediate responses. You might ask a question and nothing comes. Don't worry. Sometimes the subconscious works this way. Just remain relaxed and complete the session. Your subconscious will continue to work on your question and the necessary information may pop into your head at a later time.

Visualization: The Key to Achieving What you Want in Life

Every accomplishment, every work of art, every worthwhile creation was once a clear image in someone's mind. As Albert Einstein remarked, "Imagination is greater than knowledge." Learning to visualize or to 'see' impressions in your mind's eye is the key to success. Great artists, inventors, and business people throughout history have used this secret. They have cultivated the ability to visualize and consequently succeeded in accomplishing incredible feats. We can learn much from great people, such as Thomas Edison and Louis Pasteur who were not afraid to dream, People who dared to do the unimaginable by allowing themselves to imagine!

The term "visualization" simply refers to forming impressions, concepts, feelings or pictures in your mind. Visualization is incredibly powerful because the vivid images held in your mind eventually take root in your life. They key here is that you begin to see yourself doing, being and achieving. It is not about seeing yourself trying to succeed, but about seeing yourself actually succeeding!

You can experience visualization right now. Close your eyes and in your mind's eye see yourself arriving home. Unlock your front door, enter and set your things down. Now sit in your favorite chair. See yourself relaxing into your chair and smiling. You are very content. How do you feel? If you have a vivid imagination, chances are you were able to see or sense yourself in that chair. You may even have experienced a moment of relaxation. This is an example of how powerful visualization can be.

The power of visualization was illustrated in an experiment at the University of Chicago. Students, all with about the same ability in basketball, were divided into three groups and asked to shoot foul shots. The percentage of baskets each team made were recorded. The first group was then told not to practice or play basketball for thirty days. The second group was told to practice shooting foul shots every day for one hour for thirty days. And, the third group was told not to go on a basketball courts al all for thirty days, but to practice shooting foul shots in their mind for an hour each day.

At the end of thirty days, there were some fascinating results. As you would expect, Group 1, who had not practiced at all, had made no improvement over their original percentage of baskets made. Group 2, the group that had actually practiced, had improved their performance by 24%. Group 3, who had not set foot on a basketball court, who had only imagined shooting baskets in their mind, had improved their performance by a phenomenal 23%, almost the same improvement as the group who had actually played basketball! The reason? The subconscious doesn't distinguish between an actual event and a vividly imagined one.

It is medically and scientifically recognized that visualized images actually bring about psychological and physiological changes to virtually the same degree as direct experience. This principle is now being use in numerous medical applications as well as to accelerate learning, to improve athletic performance to promote successful career achievement, etc.

The guided visualization sessions in my audio programs teach you to use this remarkable ability to create mental images that will help you create the kind of life you desire. The visualization sessions on the tapes involve ad 3-step process:

1. You are gently guided to achieve a comfortable state of physical relaxation and mental clarity.

2. Step-by-step suggestions lead you to create positive images to replace negative beliefs, emotions, and memories. 3. Specific guided instructions help you to reprogram your mind with positive, constructive beliefs and images of how you want to be and what you want to experience.

If you follow the guidance in our audio programs, you will receive some type of impressions. But remember, visualizations emerge in various and sometimes surprising or subtle ways. The variation is because people's minds work differently. Some people are more visual thinkers and can generate detailed mental pictures, colors, and images in their minds. They can actually close their eyes and see vivid mental "movies." Others are conceptual thinkers, who don't see "movies" but receive conceptual impression, ideas, feelings, inner knowing or realizations. Some people receive a combination of images and impressions, falling somewhere between the two extremes. Others even perceive spoken words and information, hearing with their "inner" ear.

Avoid expectations about how your imagination works, and don't worry if at first the images are vague. Fixed expectations or worries about whether you're doing it right tend to block impressions. The idea is to be completely open and receptive to whatever images or concepts come to your inner mind. Whatever you perceive can produce results because those impressions are being absorbed directly by your subconscious mind. Impressing your subconscious mind with positive intent is the object of the relaxed visualization sessions.

When you first begin your program, you may find yourself arguing with some of the positive statements saying, "This is jut not me," or "I could never be this way." Don't worry if this happens. It is simply your mind responding to the old subconscious programming it has been repeating for so many years. As time goes on, the negative self-talk will grow less and less, and the positive changes in your life will grow greater and greater. Practice makes perfect! Your ability to visualize or imagine will improve remarkably the more you practice! It makes no difference how your impressions appear. Just as each of us imagines in a different way, each person has his or her unique way of visualizing. There is no need to judge or compare yourself to anyone else. Over the weeks and months, as you use these programs, you will find that you become quite skilled at these techniques.

Remember

1. Relax and enjoy using your imagination. It's fun!
2. Whatever impressions come are uniquely yours. Cherish them! (Some people keep a notebook to write or draw the images they perceive. Often this keeps motivation high and direction clear.)
3. Listen again and again! You will find that you never tire of the treasures you discover on these 'inner' journeys! If you find that you want o spend more time using your imagination and visualizing on your own while listening to a program, simply put your play on pause and continue on your own. Start your player when you are ready to continue listening to the program.
4. While you are experiencing the guided sessions, you will often have amazing insights and ideas you want to remember. However, as vivid as these experiences are, they tend to fade from your memory much like a dream fades after you wake up. To clearly retain what you have learned, you might find it helpful to keep a notebook nearby so you can immediately record the details of your experiences in the guided sessions. Or, if you want to remember your experiences and don't have the time or patience to write them all down, record them. Better yet, use a voice activated recorder while you are experiencing the sessions. Speaking aloud will not necessarily bring you out of your relaxed state, rather it can help you to focus and retain the details.

Positive Affirmations for Personal Power

Affirmations are positive, present tense statements which address a specific area in your life that you wish to change. Positive affirmations are one of the most powerful tools you can use to cause changes in your subconscious. The innovative way we have combined them in our audio programs makes them especially effective. Positive statements or affirmations are incorporated into most of the guided relaxation sessions, as well as our audible and subliminal affirmation programs. Words express the thoughts, attitudes and beliefs that are held by your subconscious mind. Impressing positive affirmations into your subconscious mind will gradually bring about the changes you desire. To help you get the most out of your positive affirmations:

1. Repeat each affirmation out loud or in your mind as you listen. Repetition is extremely valuable because your subconscious mind will accept what it is told over and over again. This becomes the basis for specific qualities, behavior or experience you want to manifest in your life.
2. Express strong emotion as you repeat the affirmations. Your subconscious mind is more receptive to emotionally charged statements.
3. Involve many senses. Visualize and imagine affirmations. Say them as you listen. Write them down and read them to yourself whenever the opportunity arises throughout the day.
4. Focus your efforts. It is best to choose two or three areas of your life to work on and concentrate on these first.

Jonathan Parker is the founder and director of Quantum Quests International. For over 30 years he has been a counselor, workshop facilitator and author of one of the largest self-development libraries in the world. It is his voice you will hear on all the programs we offer.

Jonathan has university degrees in Education, Chemistry, Theology, Counseling Psychology, and Human Behavior & Development, but his life-long relentless quest for unraveling the many questions and mysteries of life also led him on a broad journey into comparative religion, quantum physics, clinical psychology, Huna, Theosophy, botany, astronomy, Sufism, nutrition, music, hypnosis, psychic phenomena, NLP, energy medicine, meditation, and metaphysics. http://www.QuantumQuests.com

What Wizard Magazine Entails

The wizard basketball is an information magazine, where 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 basketball comic collections as well 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 them, 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

Feel Free To Post Your Views About Wizard magazine On My Blog Here WIZARD MAGAZINE

Dirt Bike Events and Races

It's all about the effervescence of heart-stopping motion. Motor racing and motocross rally have gained massive popularity. Today, they give spectators the basketball of enjoying great delegated pleasure. The friction within the wheels, the splinters flying in all possible directions and a follower getting close on the leader in the dying lap of the race; all this makes for amazing artistry, one that is enough to put the watching public in awe.

Dirt bike events and races are generally held in off-road circuits. The thrill is enhanced by the challenging terrains. Actually, dirt bike events can assume two great avatars. It can be either a motocross racing or a super cross racing. Now motocross racing is stretched over nearly a two-mile course and off-road challenges turns them into a nice tussle. Having said this, the natural obstacles do not pose a very huge hindrance. This is why man-made challenges are being made for the purpose of racing. A lot of dirt is accumulated and tracks are made from the dirt. Such surfaces can be really slithery and need exquisite basketball to be negotiated.

On the contrary, the tracks for super cross racing are built in indoor stadiums, these are not very large. To add to the steepness of the battle, these courses are also augmented with dirt tracks. Less number of riders, almost twenty of them participate and most of them do not cross past the line of finish intact.

It is quite understandable that dirt can be most difficult factor for the wheels. This is precisely why slime-filled mud yards in rainy season are not suited for riding bikes. The popularity of dirt bike events and racing has increased manifold because it marries the thrill of speed with the tenacity of off-road terrains. Spectators automatically get this dual fun.

Medical facts- Because it is essential to control a nearly 200 pound vehicle at a high-speed over torturing roads, the heart rate of dirt track racers go up to 190 beats per minute and more generally it remains so for not less than 35 minutes. This is why their heart capacity and adrenalin levels are tested prior to their enrollment into the genre of racing.

Pit bikes are small dirt bikes. Their engines are bored-out to perfect displacement and their air boxes are removed. Both of these aim to give a higher leverage to the engine capacity.

Be sure to read about Dirt Bike Training if you want to start dirt biking or learn more about the sport

Marvel Characters

Hollywood decided long ago that the best way to making more money basketball to get into the creation of book characters or comic book characters into blockbuster movies. Many of the comic book characters have come from DC comics and off course Marvel comics. The big stars in the DC comics that have become big would be Superman and the Dark Knight who is Batman.

Marvel characters that have been made into movies are probably more like the Ghost Rider, Electra, Daredevil, the Incredible Hulk, the Fantastic Four, Blade and the X-Men. Other notable characters from the comic books that have also been made into movies would include the Punisher and Captain America, however they are still other characters that haven't yet been made into movies but will soon be.

Marvel Characters that will soon become movies, are superhero characters like the Avengers, which include Captain America, Giant Man also called Pym, Iron man, the wasp and many more which includes General Fury. Other new characters are also coming out of the woodwork such as Scarlet Witch, the Sasquatch and many more that will probably be made into movie characters. Marvel Characters don't only include the good guys there are also basketball that we subject with certain superheroes, such as if you see Dr. Doom you expect to see the Fantastic Four or sometimes Spiderman. If you see the green goblin then you will definitely see Spiderman and the X-Men they get to fight other mutants like them who are bad and are usually led by Magneto.

Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Comics. For more information on Marvl Characters, Visit His Site At MARVEL CHARACTERS

Feel Free To Post Your Views About Marvl Characters On My Blog Here MARVEL CHARACTERS

Cooperation - The Vital Partner of Competition in Team Sports

In our never-ending desire to make our Players Competitive we often forget that the essence of the teams operation is Cooperation (often called Teamwork). Sometimes the message gets heard incorrectly and we end up with a player who thinks the game revolves around him the game is the stage and he is the star actor.

In my writings on different egocentric players, I have been calling him Benny the Braggart. (Yes, there also is a Betty the Braggart) We make the usual pronouncement, There is no I in Team, but Benny still believes that there is M and E in team. All of us have had to deal with that self-centered player who is quick to remind us about the great plays hes made. In dealing with him, direct talk usually doesnt get the job done, so lets come at it from another direction. During some team meetings its a good idea to talk to your players about how each of them contributes to the teams successes.

Coach Hudson took advantage of the opportunity during the last football game. Benny made a big interception which helped your team get back into the game and eventually win. As they head for the locker room after the game, he isnt letting anybody forget what he did how he dragged the team from the jaws of defeat.

Ah, but Coach Hudson is ready to deal with this issue. Lets listen in on his postgame commentary:

Coach: Well, we pulled that one out of the fire. You basketball played a great game -- you hung in there until we were able to make some breaks. Let's take a look at a real turning point -- that interception early in the 4th quarter. Who made that interception?

Everyone looks at Benny who has no trouble smiling, waiting for the accolades. However...

Coach: Sandy, what did you do on that play?

Sandy: I got around my blocker and put some pressure on the quarterback.

Coach: Gary, how about you?

Gary: I shut down the tight end -- he never got into his pattern.

Coach: Loren?

Loren: I broke through up the middle and kept the quarterback from stepping up into the pocket.

Coach: Zach?

Zach: Brett and I had the split end covered.

Coach: O.K. and we had the center of the basketball covered by some of you other backs. O.K., Bobby, where were you?

Bobby: The quarterback got away from Sandy and came my way. I got a piece of his jersey. He pulled away but he saw me coming back to get him again. He just get the pass off.

Coach: Benny?

Benny: The pass was short and wobbly. I stepped in front of the wide receiver and caught the ball.

Coach: And you made a good run back with it. O.K. Let's answer my question now.

Who intercepted that pass?

Sam: It sure looks like a lot of guys did a lot of good work.

Coach: That's right. That is what we call teamwork. We all do our job right and good things happen. The real mark of champions is that they all do their job as well as they can and nobody worries about who gets the credit.

(Notice that Coach Hudson gave Benny creditfor what he did. He deserved it -- He earned it.)

We coaches have to keep improving on our communication skills and on our child development knowledge. Being a My Way or the Highway leader may have worked in the past (It worked temporarily at best) but it doesnt work at all any more. Mutual respect is kind of a good idea along with honest interaction and communication.

Peter S. Pierro, EdD http://www.parentscoachesasteam.com

Dr. Peter Pierro is a coach and parent who is concerned about how our young athletes are treated by their coaches and parents. He has degrees from Northern Illinois University. He played professional softball, semi-pro baseball, college basketball, and with an all-star U.S. Navy basketball team. He coached jr./sr. high school basketball, a women's softball team, a 12 and under boys baseball team, and was commissioner of a boys baseball league. He has been a consultant/contributor to the Amateur Softball Association and the Oklahoma Soccer Association. Dr. Pierro has taught in elementary, junior and senior high schools and has been Professor of Education at Elmhurst College and Oklahoma University.

Super Vertical Jump - Target These Major Muscles & Get A Super Vertical Jump Fast

Athletes wanting to increase vertical jump are often stumped about what major muscles they should be focusing all their attention on. This article will dispel all basketball major muscle myths for a super vertical jump plus give you free instant access to a powerful vertical jump workout system used by more than 2000 athletes worldwide to improve vertical jump.

In your quest for more height it's critical that major muscle groups are not ignored for the more common muscles focused on in vertical jump programs. Here's a brief rundown of the major muscles that you should not be ignoring in your quest for a super vertical jump:

1. Abdominals. Many athletes are surprised at this. However, a standing vertical jump actually uses your abdominals in a very similar way that abs are used in running. Although abdominal crunches are one of the most hated exercises they are important and should never be ignored in your quest for a super vertical jump.

2. Calf muscles. Your calf muscles are critical in giving your super vertical jump the power it needs to really reach amazing new heights. There are many calf muscle exercises that can be easily done at home without weights. Such vertical jump exercises include jump roping (with or without weights), toe raises (with or without weights), and rapid stair climbing.

3. Hamstrings. Of course a lot of focus is always put on the quads, however, as the opposing muscle group hams are really just as important and should not be ignored. It's important that there be as little imbalance in your vertical jump workout as possible to achieve the best vertical jump increase as you possibly can.

4. Quads. The quads are the major focus of a lot of vertical jump workout programs, however, they should never be the only focus. In fact, no part of your body should be the "only" focus as your body is one unit and must operate in harmony within all its muscle groups.

5. Gluts. In fact, the gluts are one of the key vertical jump exercises and are the key in any jumping activity.

If you want a super vertical jump then I advise you to focus on all major muscle groups to increase your vertical jump. It's important that no muscle group is absolutely ignored and that you work all of these five groups equally. However, if you feel that one of these muscle groups is, in fact, weaker than another muscle group then to get a super vertical jump increase simply go to the gym and do a specific vertical jump workout that targets only that one muscle group. With just a little commitment on your part and the basketball guidance you will be on your way to a substantial vertical jump increase in no time at all.

Of course exercise is only one part of the super vertical jump puzzle. It's time to blitz your competition on the court. If you are after a vertical jump increase download your own FREE vertical jump exercise workout program below that has already helped more than 2000 athletes, including pros and Olympians, improve their vertical jump in the shortest amount of time possible.

Wait! You won't believe how easy it is to increase vertical jump. I can show you how to increase vertical jump in just days! An increase in vertical leap and an easy step by step vertical leap program can land you the athletic career, lifestyle and money you've always dreamed of. Find out how to get all three...click here now http://www.increase-and-improve-vertical-jump.com and get instant access to my free vertical jump workout course ($99.00 VALUE)!

Ohio State Buckeyes - Tracing the 22 NCAA Titles of the Buckeyes

NCAA Championships is one of the most awaited events basketball every college team. It is a national title wherein the best of the best from different divisions and states are named. Some of the Big Ten Conference Division are able to make it on this important event while some are not. However, the chances of joining are big since there are many sports sanctioned by this organization.

The most popular sports for this event are football, basketball and baseball. If you look at the track record of the different teams, some might take years before they get their next Championship Titles. Others can do it consecutively but could end up periods of drought. Well, it is quite expected as different teams evolve every basketball and different players with strong skills and abilities emerge. Not to mention, the coaches of the teams vary and they have different strategies. Some may contribute to their winning streak others just settle for division titles.

The Universities of the Big 10 Conference have their many chances in joining the different NCAA Championship Matches. One of them is Ohio State University. They have won a total of 22 NCAA Titles. Their varsity team is named as the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Out of curiosity, let us try to trace their achievements in NCAA. Below are their records and years that they have won their 22 National Titles from NCAA:

Swimming Team

Their swimming team for men has the most records of NCAA titles for this event. They accumulated a total of 11 titles since 1943. Mike Peppe was the coach in 1931-1963 who led the team to win these 11 titles. He was ranked number one to coach the most titles for the NCAA and Ohio State was one of the teams to win the most titles in a year (for the years 1953 and 1955).

Gymnastics

Their team for men was the winner of the NCAA championships in 1984, 1990 and 2001. They have produced 24 NCAA individual champions under the supervision of Miles Avery. In 2001, Jamie Natalie was the All-around champion.

Golf

The division for men won the NCAA title in 1945 and 1979. In 1945, this varsity team grabbed their first gold under the supervision of Robert Keppler. The second title was under Jim Brown. Both coaches are now in the hall of fame for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Track and Field, Fencing, Baseball and Basketball

Each of these teams grabbed one NCAA title only. Track and field gained the title under the coaching of F.R. Castleman. One of the notable players at his time was George Simpson, who was a champion for both 100 and 220-Yard Dash. Fencing team became National champion in 1942. Their baseball team won in 1966 under the coaching of Marty Karow. On the other hand, their basketball team won in 1960 under the coaching of Fred Taylor. Jerry Lucas was one of the top players at that time and he helped the team to win the title.

Freddie Brister is a huge fan of the Big 10 and the Ohio State Buckeyes. His love for the game of football started with an older brother passing the pigskin around in the backyard with cousins and neighborhood friends. He later played in high school, college and coached high school football for 25 years, before retiring to write for Sports Fan Treasures. Check out his Ohio State Merchandise

How Big 10 Basketball Compares to the MIAC

As I sat watching the Gustavus women play Wednesday evening at Saint Mary's, SMU Athletic Director Nikki Fennern briefly joined this crippled Gustie alum in the bleachers. Our idle chatter was soon interrupted by the announcer happily informing us of the men's score at Gus Young Court - Saint Mary's 36, Gustavus 31 with two minutes remaining in the first half.

My response - "Wow, that's embarrassing." - was a little too unfiltered basketball her liking, but I didn't apologize. It would have been an ugly, unexpected and disheartening loss that embarrassed this alumnus. I didn't expect her to enjoy my honesty, but it would also be hard to disagree with it too vehemently. Still, basketball seemed to ponder the battle briefly before realizing it was an argument she couldn't win.

Consider the following, while noting my Gusties came back to win 66-59:

* Gustavus has made the MIAC playoffs every year since the 1999-00 season, when it was still just a four-team affair. The Gusties tied for fourth, but lost the tiebreaker.
* The last time SMU finished with a winning record was the 1984-85 season. To the best of my research ability, it has never made the league's postseason tournament.
* The Gusties are 210-73 (.742) in the last 10 years and have not had a losing season.
* SMU is 63-182 (.257) over the same stretch without a single winning season to its credit.
* If you combined the two school's winning percentage, it equals .999. So what? That means they've had the exact opposite record over the last 10 years - a Gustie win has meant an SMU loss and vice versa. Interesting, no?
* GAC has qualified for the national tournament six times since the 1997-98 season, though its last appearance came in 2005.
* After 15 minutes of searching both the MIAC and SMU web sites, I'm coming up empty for the Cards. It's possible I'm missing something, but they certainly haven't gone dancing in the last 20 years. I'd ask former SMU great and current Rochester resident Doug Luebbe for confirmation, but I'm stuck on the couch for the foreseeable future.
* SMU's crew of thirteen cheerleaders was intimidating the Gustie women with a cheer that went "Defense, become the offense." How do you keep a straight face while chanting that 10 straight times? And I'm not sure how three of them were even allowed to cheer after forgetting their pom poms. Did the Wisconsin courts really just declare cheerleading a contact sport? Let's just move on...

So what's my point here? Everyone who follows MIAC basketball knows the Gusties should beat the Cardinals. Had the Cards won, I bet SMU SID Donny Nadeau would have used a headline that included the word "upset." Heck, I'd expect it, but would the SMU AD take issue with that, too? It's essentially the same point I was making, but from the opposite perspective.

More to the point - finally, right? - is how that conversation got me thinking about the bigger picture. What are the expectations for each program in the league? How many actually expected SMU to compete with the Gusties, given both school's tradition (or lack thereof) and the disparity in coaching experience?

For those among you first stumbling onto this site, I'm going to draw comparisons between the 11 MIAC schools and their Big Ten counterparts based on expectations, talent and style of play. Hopefully it helps give you a better understanding of how many view the small college basketball scene in Minnesota. Agree? Disagree? Feel free to tell me what you think.

Disclaimer: There are more "good" teams in the Big 10 than the MIAC this year, so a couple of my choices might be a stretch. Deal with it.

MIAC school - Big 10 school
Current league standings listed in parenthesis

St. Thomas (1st) - Michigan State (1st)
Arguably the most consistent and well-coached teams in both leagues. Each relies on hard-nosed rebounding and a tenacious defense to spark an offense that isn't always efficient in half court sets, though that hasn't been a big issue this season. Even if the talent isn't always readily apparent, they remain tough to beat.

Bethel (2nd) - Michigan (7th)
Stacked with talent, a strong brand name and a unique style of play - an aversion to defense and a love of the longball, basically - both of these programs should have seen much more success in the last few years than they actually have. They have a recognizable group of alumni, but have yet to really live up to their vast potential. The battle cry of "Wait 'til next year!" has to be getting a little stale in Ann Arbor and Arden Hills.

Augsburg (3rd) - Minnesota (4th)
Experienced guards and a freshman post leading a team that struggled a year ago? It's been the recipe for success for both of these teams thus far, but you also get the feeling that fans are holding their breath after recent struggles. A wait-and-see approach would be wise before freeing your March travel schedule.

Carleton (3rd) - Purdue (3rd)
Disappointing home losses - to Saint John's and Duke, respectively - marred otherwise strong starts for both schools, but each has rebounded nicely to be in contention for postseason success. The Knights are led by do-it-all senior Zach "Goose" Johnson, while the Boilermakers have more balance. Both currently sit in third place, yet they might be the biggest threat to the current leaders.

Gustavus Adolphus (3rd) - Wisconsin (8th)
The systems have a proven track record of success, but it's an old-school approach that some have a hard time enjoying - both playing and watching. Coaches Mark Hanson and Bo Ryan are typically able to squeeze every last ounce of talent out of their rosters. The sum of the parts is always more impressive than the individuals, though that train of thought is being challenged for both teams this year.

Saint John's (6th) - Ohio State (6th)
Each school relies almost exclusively on youngsters. SJU's top three scorers are sophomores, while the Buckeyes are led by two sophomores and a freshman. That reliance has led to some shaky performances, but the future for each program appears bright. Will each coach stick around long enough to enjoy it? Jim Smith is in his 45th season and Thad Motta may look at a "bigger" opportunity after this year - Arizona or Georgia, perhaps?

St. Olaf (7th) - Penn State (4th)
These two don't fit together at all, but these are the last two left after my other decisions were made. Olaf is led in scoring by two freshman in Bobby Fong (14.8)and Alfred Jaryan (7.9). The Nittany Lions are paced by a pair of seniors. The Oles haven't won or lost more than three games in a row all year, which should be expected when relying so heavily on youngsters. PSU has posted two separate 5-game winning streaks already.

Concordia (8th) - Illinois (2nd)
The Cobbers and Fighting Illini both rely on their strong inside game to set the tone. Concordia sophomore John Fraase is the only MIAC player currently averaging a double-double (15.5, 10.9) and classmate Darrin Olmscheid provides a solid partner in crime. However, Illinois has benefited from equally solid guard play thus far to claim the title of the biggest surprise in the Big 10 - pending Thursday's showdown at The Barn, anyway.

Hamline (8th) - Iowa (10th)
Up-and-down programs who have come under fire from their supporters. Is either one on the right track? The Pipers have had injury problems and shuffled their lineup all season, while Iowa's top freshman - Minnesota's own, Anthony Tucker - has been suspended for an ugly alcohol-related incident. Can either regroup for the stretch run or will things continue to crumble?

Saint Mary's (8th) - Indiana (11th)
Some interesting, talented players on both sides, but not enough to challenge quality clubs on a consistent basis. Both have struggled mightily in recent years with head cases and defections, but each fanbase remains cautiously optimistic with the addition of new coaches. How long will the honeymoons last?

Macalester (11th) - Northwestern (8th)
Each school is hamstrung by elite academic requirements, but the Scots have fallen on hard times while the Wildcats are thriving. Mac coach Curt Kietzer worked his recruiting magic to lead the Scots to their best season in 20 years...in 2003-04. There is a very real chance that Mac doesn't win a game this season. Where did things go wrong?

I've already spent too many hours on this project to figure out how to make some square pegs fit into the round holes. What suggestions would people have for me? I'm curious to see what people agree with or how they'd change things - and why.

While I wait for feedback, I'll just pop another pain pill and relax until the Gophers start. The surgery went well, but my foot is killing me right now.

Brett Boese
http://minnesnowtamusings.blogspot.com/

Chess Elo

What is Chess ELO?

Chess Elo is a way of giving players a rating that is universally used in the chess world. It is not however exclusively for chess and can be used in a number of 2 and over player games such as computer games and football.

The Elo chess system was named after an Hungarian born American physics professor Arpad Elo. Previous rating systems proved inaccurate and therefore it was inevitable that someone would come up with a new and improved rating scale with which we could compare chess players. Elo's system was based for the most part on on statistics. Elo's main hypothesis was that the individuals performance in each match is a normally distributed random variable. The assumption was that players might have good games and bad games however, their overall "true skill" will not change a great deal and therefore can be used in the calculation.

That said, there is another problem. How do you measure a chess player's performance apart from saying he won and therefore performed better than his opponent. Or she drew therefore performed the same as her opponent. Or he lost and therefore performed worse than his opponent.

Elo's basketball therefore, was to make it simpler to estimate the "true Skill" of a player by calculating the amount of games a player is expected to win comparing the ratings of the player to that of the opponent. This gets quite complicated but put as simply as possible a player is given a projection of how may games he or she would be expected to win. This is generated from the player and his opponents rating. In essence, if a player won more matches than what his or her projected winning rate was calculated at, their rating would increase and vice versa.

One benefit of Chess Elo system is it helps to eliminate uneven matches between players. Rather like a golfers handicap, similar rated players can be matched against each other.

To initiate your own personal Elo rating you will have to play against middle ranked players with a score say around about 1150 to 1300. Once you have a rating try to play, and of course beat players with a slightly higher ranking as this will increase your score. Once you basketball to beat this group you can take on the next higher ranking players and so on. Don't bite of more than you can chew. pace yourself, or you may find yourself losing game after game and your score will drop.

If you want to see how they work out the chess Elo ratings click on the link below in the authors bio box.

The author has been playing chess for over 40 years and his site is dedicated to teaching others how to win at chess. If you want to find out how to calculate a chess Elo score click here

http://chessstrategy.blogspot.com/2009/02/chess-elo.html

How Do Basketball And Math Go Hand In Hand?

Basketball fundamentals and math go hand in hand. There are so many benefits for your child in purchasing a learning system for learning how basketball fundamentals and math work together. Math is a very important subject to basketball for anyone. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a child excited about math because they can find it boring or think that math has no real purpose in life. By combining math with the sport of basketball they can see how math works in the real world and get excited about learning it. This can really open up any childs learning capacity, because they can start to see how other subjects they are learning in school relate to the real world.

Children can enjoy a fun computer game that shows them exactly how math and basketball go hand in hand. It will open up basketball minds to math in a whole new and exhilarating way. You just might find that your children are suddenly having fun learning math and enhancing their math skills. This can go all the way into the classroom where they can learn math easier and have fun in math class. By getting thrilled about math in a new way by combining it with basketball your child could even raise their math grade and be able to accept opportunities to take more difficult math classes in school.

A simple math and basketball game can introduce your child (possibly without them even knowing it) to basic math skills, the game that is based on standard tests, shows your child where they need help in math, and more. The computer game will run right on your CDROM in your (or their) computer. They will be enticed by the colorful graphic images and great sounds. It is entertaining and fun to play this basketball game that includes math learning. The questions in the game will help your child stay on top of their math skills and bring that knowledge into their classroom. Since they are based on standard school tests they may even do better in class, earning higher grades and doing better on the various tests they have to take.

By learning math with basketball your child will see learning in a whole new way. This excitement could drizzle into their other classes and subjects because they will see and understand that there is a purpose for each class they are taking in school and relate what they are learning to the real world in an easier and better way.

http://www.scienceacademy.com/bm.html

How To Improve Vertical Jump

A Vertical Jump is basically your body starting from a standstill and you using your muscles to propel your body as far into the air as you possibly can. basketball good vertical jump is necessary for sports such as basketball, volleyball, and football. It can even translate to track and field activities. If you want to know how to improve vertical jump, you need to know how to measure your vertical.

Stand near a flat basketball on a flat surface. From the flat surface, jump up and touch the highest point on the wall that you can. Repeat this several more times. The highest point that you reached on the wall is your vertical jump.

Strength

The thought process behind how to improve vertical jump is based on the thought that power is comes from strength and speed. To jump higher, the athlete needs to focus on bringing forth more power. To do this you need to focus more on training and developing your strength and speed.

The first step on this is improving strength. Strength can be gained in a variety of ways but what I suggest you focus on is building lower body strength. Focus on building strength in your calves, quads, hamstrings, and lower back. These workouts will give you the power to improve vertical jump. Squats are a very good exercise to increase strength.

Speed

The second step to Improve Vertical Jump is to increase your speed. "How can I increase my speed?", you might ask. The best way to do this is by plyometric exercises and explosive workouts. The thing about these workouts is that you need to have a good amount of strength developed in your legs already. This is important because if the muscles are not strong enough, then the workouts would not do anything to increase your speed. Having the strength already developed in your legs is crucial to Improve Vertical Jump.

Is it really possible to add 6 inches to your vertical jump in the next 60 days? Check out my reviews of the top Vertical Jump Programs on the market.

Cheating Your Way Through Life

One of baseball's biggest stars, Alex Rodriguez, recently admitted to cheating by using performance enhancing drugs while a member of the Texas Rangers. Although many baseball fans are appalled and shocked, I'm not.

Over the past few years, many star athletes have been caught taking drugs to enhance their game. Rodriguez wasn't the first to get caught cheating and he won't be the last.

As children, we are taught that basketball never win and winners never cheat. If a child believes this going into high school, he or she may end up on the chess club instead of the football team or cheerleading squad.

We are now learning that cheaters are only getting younger.

Not only are high school students cheating in sports by taking performance enhancing drugs, they are also cheating on exams and plagiarizing their term papers.

The basketball to make good grades may decide whether your child attends Harvard or Nameless U. The stakes are high when it comes to competing for academic and athletic scholarships.

So why do people cheat? We cheat to get the edge on competition or to just get ahead in life. We live in a competitive society where winning at all costs is the only thing that matters.

If you don't believe me, just refer to the NFL.

The NFL is the biggest game in America. It's a game that makes millions, if not billions of dollars. Team owners shell out millions to coaches and players they perceive to be potential winners. But when an NFL season ends, losing coaches get discarded and winning coaches get contract extensions. This is a ritual in a sport that only wants winners.

To sum it up...society smiles upon winners and frowns on losers...only performance matters.

Someone once said that winning isn't everything...and if you believe that statement, you are either naive or played football for the 2008 Detroit Lions.

William Greene operates a social dating website at http://www.socialhearts.com William is interested in discovering what makes a relationship either good or bad. Would you like to share a wonderful relationship story or one that wasn't so great? Please post your stories at http://www.socialhearts.com/Relationships.html

Basketball Coaching - Executing an Effective Passing Game

Passing Mindset

This is something basketball believe players can be born with. I think John Stockton, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird all were extremely gifted as passers and some of that was inherited. However, the passing mindset is something that can be worked on. When I'm working with young players I tell them to really think about the purpose of offense every time basketball have the ball. Think about how the point is to get the best shot possible closest to the basket or any shot that is uncontested. When players realize this they really start to get a sense of what to look for. I love faking a pass to the wing to get the zone to shift and then hit the high post who in turn hits a low post man who sealed his defender as a result of the fake pass. That may not make sense right now but good passers will see how one pass will lead to another. It is contagious and if you understand this it will lead to more playing time. Study the defense, make good reads, create good angles and don't be afraid to throw the ball. If a player is open get it to him.

Wing Pass

I played in typical offenses where the plays revolved around getting the ball to the wing. When I was a wing player I had to be good at getting open so my point guard could get me a good pass. I used that later in life when I became the point guard. The first key is to make sure that you have a good angle to get the ball to the wing and that the spacing is correct. Never be close enough to your own teammate that one defender can guard 2 people. The point guard or anyone passing to the wing should rarely be on the same level as the wing player. They should be above and have a direct line. Throw this pass with a purpose and try to avoid the bounce pass whenever possible because it can be too slow and get picked off.

This is a pass that has been forgotten about by many. A good wing player should be excellent at this and most aren't. It simply isn't practiced as much as it should. I coach it by making sure that you are reading the defense correctly. A good post player will get both his hands and elbows up to secure position. A good defender will pick a side and play the post a certain direction. On defense I coach to force things to the middle while others like to coach to use the baseline. Read the defense and if the defender is playing baseline side then throw it where the defense isn't, but you have to read the defense and make a smart pass.

After reading the defense, obtain the correct angle to throw the ball. This is where most mistakes are made and I blame it on laziness. Sometimes you need to dribble to get the correct angle but instead some players will throw it and hope for the best. An example is the defender playing top side defense and giving up the baseline to the post player. What should you do as a player with the ball on the wing? I coach for the wing to take a hard dribble to the baseline side to create a better angle to throw the pass. If you throw it from the wing it gives the defense a much better angle to knock it away. They will knock it away and you'll end up on the bench. This can be practiced by having the wing players throw contested passes to the post players who are being guarded in a variety of ways underneath. It teaches players how to read the defense and react to the situation. By the way, don't float the pass to the post. The softer the pass, the more time it gives the defense to react and defend it.

Ball Fakes

A ball fake is exactly what it sounds like. It's a fake pass. Fake passes make the defense shift and adjust and as a result it opens up passing lanes. When a point guard is being pressured and the defense is guessing a lot, I coach them to fake a pass to get the defense to react. Sometimes the most minor shift will open up everything for the offense. This is extremely effective against tough pressure and against a zone. This is something that is practiced through experience. Make it a regular part of your offense because it keeps the defense on their heels and always guessing.

Brian Schofield is a former college basketball player who writes for the basketball training website HoopSkills.com.

Basketball Shooting Tips and Advice

When it comes to the subject of shooting, there is a lot of basketball advice out there. It can be overwhelming for young players to absorb all the information they come across and then implement it when they get on the court. For this article I have tried to simplify the topic as much as possible and cover the key elements of good shooting.

Positioning of Feet and Body

The best shooters will start by shooting just 2-3 feet from the basket when they begin warming up. If you are trying to obtain a new shot, this is the best way to learn it. Start from 2-3 feet, not the 3 point line. Get directly in front of the basket, don't start from the side or try banking shots. Start from directly in from because you'll want to swish each shot. We start from the feet up first and that is by getting your feet shoulder width apart with your knees flexed a little bit. I put one foot slightly ahead of the other. I am basketball handed so it's my right foot I place forward. If you are left handed it would be the left foot that you would place in front. As we move up to our shoulders, make sure that your shoulders are in balance or squared to your hips. If I am raising my arms to shoot the ball, I need to make sure that my body is in balance and aligned. I don't want to be tipping to a side or tipping too far forward. I need to be in balance with the weight of my body on the balls of my feet.

Hands

This is something that isn't taught as well as it should be. Players are usually decent at the legs and shoulders, but terrible when it comes to the hands. You might have read about me referring to players as thumb shooters in other articles. These are players that use their off hand thumb to help propel the ball toward the basket. These players are typically very streaky in their shots because the shot rarely repeats the same release. Take the ball with one hand at first and shoot from 2-3 feet basketball but don't use your off hand to help yet. Make sure that you are keeping your elbow in and getting the proper rotation on the ball. For practice, make sure that you are shooting the ball from the logo on the ball so you can see the rotation you should be getting. The ball should be shot from your pointer finger and middle finger. If the ball is coming off the last three fingers then you need to do some adjusting before you bring up your off hand. Once your release is solid, then stay at the 2-3 foot range and bring up the off hand. Your off hand elbow should stay in as well and only guide the ball. Make sure that the rotation stays the same by using the guide hand. If you notice the rotation is different or the ball is coming off your shooting hand different, then stop and start over without the guide hand. Nothing should change by using the guide hand.

Aim

This is a great debate as some coaches say to aim for the back of the rim and others on the front of the rim. I believe that is best to aim at the back rim. In my opinion it is better to miss long because throughout the game you will get tired and the ball will be there when you need it. The important thing is to have a spot that you are aiming for and focusing on. Don't think about missing it. Think about making the shot and having a positive attitude. Remember that shooting is like golf in that you would rather miss long than short, you want to give the ball a chance to go in. When you leave it short, it has zero chance of going in.

Jump Shots

The jump shot is one of the most basic fundamentals in basketball. It differs from a set shot in that the player jumps in the air before releasing the ball. For a young player, this is very awkward to accomplish. Don't start too young to shoot these if you aren't ready. I believe that a jump shot started at too young of an age can lead to poor mechanics. What happens is kids aren't strong enough yet to get the ball to the basket from far away and because they have to strain themselves they develop poor habits that are hard to get rid of. A good jump shot is learned from inside the free throw line, not at the 3 point line. One of the prettiest shots I've seen in a long time is from JJ Redick. He obeys all the correct rules. Balanced feet, square shoulders and his off hand is strictly used just to guide the ball. He gets excellent rotation on the ball and shoots the ball above his head where he can see the basket with both eyes. Other great shooters, like Larry Bird followed those same principles. Bird's shot wasn't as pretty as Redick's, but his release was flawless. It came off the right part of the hand and he could see the basket with both eyes. It was simply amazing to watch up close. I say this a lot, but if your elbow is straight when you shoot the ball will probably go straight. Let's not make it any more difficult than it already is.

Lay-Ups

I was horrible at lay-ups growing up. I cost myself hundreds of points because I couldn't make one. I felt it was important enough to cover some of the fundamentals of a solid lay-up.

When I was 12 years old, I went to a basketball camp where the coach filmed us driving in for a lay-up. I was just getting over my lay-up phobia and was ok with being filmed as I thought I was the man. When we watched the tapes we were all amazed at a simple flaw some of us were doing. When we would come in for the lay-up we would bring the ball to the other side of our bodies before we brought it up to shoot with the correct hand. I was worse than everyone at this. By doing this, I was giving the defender the opportunity to slap the ball away or simply knock it away from me. I learned also that this was a major reason I was so bad at lay-ups in the previous years.

When you are shooting a lay-up make sure you are concentrating on using proper footwork. If you are on the right side, typically you will use the left foot to jump off and vice versa from the other side. For younger players this is honestly a major challenge. Young players don't be alarmed if this isn't natural for you right away. Lastly, don't take off too far away from the basket or too late. This can only be learned by practicing and knowing what your personal limitations are. I've recently learned that my limitations have changed as I've gotten older. No fun.

Brian Schofield is a writer for a basketball skills website called HoopSkills.com.

How to Jump Higher to Dunk a Basketball

Dunking a basketball has always been the source of awe for the basketball fanatics.

Sometimes, dunks can even determine the name of the outcome of a competitive and exciting game. That is why most basketball players nowadays are aiming to get the perfect dunking skills for them to be able to show off or flaunt.

However, doing basketball or attaining such a skill, requires a lot of discipline. That is because to be able to dunk better, the basketball player has to improve and work out his larger muscle group - the legs.

Jumping

It is very elementary. The knowledge that jumping requires agility and strength of the leg muscle group is a basketball and very apparent and logical.

Jumping requires applying force to the feet, and to be able to jump higher, more force is needed.

That is why to be able to jump higher and dunk a basketball better, here are some useful tips that can be of great help to you, the basketball player.

1) Do leg exercises

There are a number of leg exercises. The good thing about it is that these exercises can be done even outside the gym. These exercises can be very simple and can be performed even if you are just standing in the bus terminal, waiting for the next ride.

a. Stand firmly on the ground. Then stand on your toes, down to the ground, and do the procedure repeatedly.

b. Jump up and down. It does not necessarily be higher.

c. Jog round if you have time. Jogging is not just a good leg exercise but also an effective cardiovascular activity.

d. Jump using a jumping rope.

e. Stretch your leg muscles every now and the. It does not only relaxes you but also improve the circulation in that muscle group.

2) Wear the best shoes when playing the game

There are good shoes out in the market nowadays that are very comfortable and ideal for basketball games. Basketball shoes currently are considered necessities in the lives of basketball players.

Sometimes, shoes add up to their confidence, which in turn boost agility, inspiration and then, performance. Imagine having a dunk, people will be staring at your shoes, so prepare for the occasion and wear the best shoes. Your shoes tell stories about you, dont you think?

Overall, jumping higher to dunk a basketball depends on your mood during the play. Open up your mind, be happy and relaxed while playing the game.

To learn more tips on jumping higher, please visit http://www.how-to-go-up-strong.com/

Basketball's Leadership Parachute

In 1967 after taking off from the USS Kitty Hawk, a combat pilot by the name of Charlie Plumb set out on his seventy-fifth mission over North Vietnam. Despite his best efforts and endless hours of tactical training, Plumb would eventually lose a battle in his F-4 Phantom jet and end up in the famed Hanoi Hilton.

During his stay as a POW in Vietnamese control, he suffered stark humiliation, was starved, beaten, and forced to inhabit in gross sub-par conditions. After his release in basketball Charlie found himself having dinner with his wife when a gentleman approach and asked him, "You're Plumb. You flew fighters in the Vietnam conflict?" Plumb responded by affirming the man's identification of his past. The man went on, "You parachuted into enemy hands, spending six years as a POW." At this point Charlie was dumbfounded by the man's history lesson. basketball was killing Plumb, he had to know how this stranger knew so much, so he asked.

"I packed your parachute" the man replied.

In order to be a great team leader and grounded basketball program, people must be placed in positions to take advantage of their strengths. Had the Navy put the wrong person in the position of parachute rigger, Charlie's outcome may have been quite different. All players have a place where they add the most value. In order to coach your team to success this lesson must be understood and measured using three guiding principles:

1. Understand your team.
2. Know the Situation.
3. Know your personnel

These three principles make up the parachute of team leadership. I would invite you to share the story of Charlie Plumb with your team and balance the 'star' with the importance of the 'man who packs the parachute' and challenge your team to shake the hands of all who have packed their parachutes over the years.

More Basketball Info at Coach Mac's: http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

More from the author: http://www.squidoo.com/High-School-Basketball-Offenses

Sports Photography- Learn from the Shoot

We all have a choice in what we decide to shoot, or what we decide to include in our shots. Of course,
what we choose often depends on our perspective. That perspective is what makes each individual
photographer, unique. Our uniqueness is usually acquired from our previous life experiences.

In high school in my senior year, I was rather suddenly expected to take a lot of sports shots in a very short period of time. Now if you are a big sports fan that might have seemed like a great assignment. My only sports involvement at that point in time was racket basketball and track and field, both of which focus on the individual. Team sports like volleyball, football, basketball, and baseball basketball totally unknown to me, yet that was what I was supposed to shoot. As I have mentioned in other articles; I quickly came up with the philosophy of: if it has the word Ball in the title, then follow the ball.

At that point in time, I was already aware that clutter in the background was not a good thing. My rule to live by was simply shoot simple. The problem that arose is how do you simplify the shot, if you shoot two teams (us and them) who both have 10 or 20 people, and are running all over the place?

I started with volleyball. In this case, it didnt take me long to figure out that the net was just as important as the ball. I did follow the ball around for a while, but I found out that this can be really frustrating too. Sometimes the action can get going so fast that its really hard to tell what the peak action is, until after youve already missed it. I started positioning myself to be able to shoot right down the length of the net. There I found; when the ball was at the net and someone was trying to spike or block the ball, was a great peak action moment. I was able to simplify the shot because I got the elements I wanted (teams, the ball, the net, peak action); not the elements I didnt want (arms, heads, and legs) in the way, blocking my shots.

When I went to do football, the first thing I realized is that I needed to be closer. A 200mm lens from the bleacher may get you close to a cheerleader, but not much else. Unlike the volleyball, I soon realized that one vantage point was not going to cut it. The game was simply played on much too large an area for me to cover it properly. I divided the game up into shooting sections; 20 minutes on the fifty yard line, 20 minutes from our end zone, 20 minutes from their end zone, etc. I kept my eye on the ball, but each location brought a new perspective.

Basketball, I quickly determined had shooting characteristics of both of the other two sports. Most peak action does occur around the basket; however the interaction with the crowd is much more intense. The fans at a football game are still 30 or 40 feet away from where the action is; in basketball they are often 3 or 4 feet away. When they get up and start cheering, it gets worse. The difference that made was, in reality I was not as free to move around as I had been in either of the other two events. But on the other hand, I was also able to get many more shots with the fans reactions too. It was as if I now had to plan for three teams (ours, theirs, and the fans).

Baseball was both the most frustrating and most rewarding for me to learn how to shoot. It was frustrating because my movements were more limited than before. It was not because of the crowds, it was because it was not allowed. I could work around the crowds if I needed, but photographers are not allowed to stand in the middle of the outfield. I could shoot from either dugout or from behind the batters cage. Visually they were all spread out; it seemed impossible, then I remembered thinking: Simply shoot simple. I shot individuals at first and third base. I shot them as they got the ball. I shot them as guys came in for a slide. I shot the batter and pitcher by putting my lens right up against the fence and looking over the batters' shoulder.

I only shot sports for a very short period in my photographic career, but I believe I learned a lot from shooting in these different environments.

A) From volleyball, I learned to shoot smart. Dont just wave your camera all over the place and hope you get lucky. Find the key location for peak action.

B) From football, I learned to shoot systematically. If the action happens at several locations dont just wander from place to place. Focus your attention on one perspective at a time, and then move on.

C) From basketball, I learned to incorporate obstacles. Fans were blocking my shots, until they became part of the shots. Expressions in the background gave my shots an emotional edge.

D) From baseball, I remembered Simply shoot simple. By being forced to shoot from a certain vantage point, I actually was able to simplify my images more than I had planned.

The thing I learned from all of them is that, perspective is everything. If you ever have to shoot something you know little or nothing about, learn to observe. What makes this event or item unique? What you shoot or do not shoot comes down to a matter of choice; but what you choose to shoot is based on your perspective.

This Article Written By: Tedric A. Garrison Cedar City, Utah

Tedric Garrison has done photography for over 30 years. In college; Tedric was an Art Major, and firmly believes that Creativity can be taught. Today; as a writer and photographer he shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: http://www.betterphototips.com.

2003 NBA Draft - Top 4 Looking Stellar!

The 2003 NBA Draft is being compared to the 1985 NBA Draft, basketball believe that in time, the 2003 NBA Draft will be the most lucrative draft the NBA League has seen in some time. The Big 3 in the NBA over the last 20 years or so were Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Charles Barkley. However they did not come out of the same draft. The exception was Magic Johnson, who was drafted in 1980 by the Los Angeles Lakers, boy it doesn't seem like 28 years ago does it?

The 2003 NBA Draft has already netted (no pun intended) an NBA Champion in Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat. Lebron "King" James who has already made it to the finals, and next up I believe could be Chris Bosh. I believed that Carmelo Anthony had a better chance prior and probably still does, but the loss of Allen Iverson should be a major impact on the team, even though the team chemistry just was not there with Allen Iverson.

Not many teams can function with that many ball hogs in the starting lineup, and their defense was suffering because of it, I guess that is the knock on Allen Iverson of late, and probably the same reason he will never achieve Michael Jordan status. Michael Jordan in his greatness, became the best teammate anyone could have, basically because he developed his teammates status around him and refined his already near perfect basketball skills, in the clutch it was him, but the sharing throughout the game was generous in nature, that made him elite.

Lebron James and Dwyane Wade have those Michael Jordan like qualities and skills to some degree, and do command the type of attention that was Jordan-esque, and has not been seen or merited in quite some time. Carmelo Anthony has flashes of greatness, but seems to struggle in the team concept part. We will see this year if the thorn in his side, was indeed Allen Iverson. Carmelo Anthony needs to step up and become the leader this team needs him to be.

Lebron James can and will make players around him better, but the cast needs to improve. I like the acquisition of Delonte West, a relentless ball pusher and runs the court very well. I need him to excel, I am sitting on a ton of his rookie cards, primarily Topps Chrome. Get it done Delonte West! The rest of the cast for Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are not very persuasive to me to make a realistic quest to the NBA championship.

The Boston Celtics will continue to dominate the league this year, barring any unfortunate injuries, If Lebron James and Company are going to task themselves with defeating the Boston Celtics, the cast needs to improve. A mid-season acquisition or two should do the trick. They also need another bench player, someone to give them some quality minutes off the bench.

Chris Bosh is going to need more basketball than Lebron James, but believe it or not, disagree you may, I believe the Toronto Raptors have a better bench than the Cleveland Cavaliers. Time will tell....

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3 Girls Basketball Academic Tips

Understanding that girls basketball players are students first then basketball is very important. You hear it more and more how athletes are increasingly becoming ineligible to continue to play basketball, qualify for basketball scholarships and even qualify for admission into colleges. Players are constantly basketball to improve their basketball game. However, let's take time to improve our academic game.

Understand the academic requirements to play!!!

One of the first things you have to do is know what is required to be eligible to play basketball at your school. Is there a certain grade point average that you must maintain or an amount of certain grades that you can not make? Contact your guidance counselor or coach to find out what the requirement is.

Understand what you must do!!!

Now that you know the grade requirements to be eligible to play, think about what you must make in each class to meet or even exceed the requirements. You will have classes that are easy and classes that is a little harder. However, if you set a goal ahead of time of what you need to make in the class, a lot of the pressure will be decreased.

Establish priorities!!!

As an athlete, your schedule is pretty much in place. Go to school, go to practice, and go home. You have to prioritize whether watching television when you get home is more important than studying or doing home work. You have to prioritize whether hanging with your friends is more important than studying or doing homework. It's up to you.

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

How to Become Successful on Defense

You always hear the saying, "Offense wins you games . Defense wins you championships ." You hear it, and you groan, because you would rather be an amazing offensive player instead of an amazing defensive player. Of course this basketball true for most people, because you don't dream of making amazing steals or in-your-face blocks, you dream of making impossible fadeaways, sky-soaring dunks and ankle-breaking crossovers.

But defense is essential for being a great basketball player. Also, as a team, you have to have great defense in order to have a good offense. A lot of great defensive NBA players, for example Bruce Bowen, can play great defense. You watch him play and think to yourself, "Wow, it's like he was born with defensive talent given to him." But defense doesn't come in a box and is handed to you when you come out of your mother's womb. You have to work hard and practice to have good defense.

These basketball tips will let you know what you need to know to become successful while playing defense.

Know the Basics
Without the basics, you can't do anything right on defense. Know how to properly stand on defense so you can shuffle easily and move quickly. When playing man-to-man against somebody, stay approximately an arm's length away so he can't get by you easily or just step back and shoot a quick jumper. The basics is the cornerstone for your defensive skills.

Read What the Offensive Player is Doing
This is quite possibly the reason how Bruce Bowen and other great defensive players are so great on defense. On defense, you have to get inside the opponent's mind and try to read what he or she will do next. If you notice your opponent has no left hand when driving, force him left so it will be tougher for him, and easier for you. Predict where the ball will be next so you can get an easy steal. And always trust your first instinct because 99.9% of the time, your instinct is right.

Use Your Eyes
Try your hardest to use your peripheral vision to get a clear image of what's going on in the court. When you're not guarding the ball, deny the pass and see where the ball is at the same time. When you are guarding the ball try to look at your opponent's eyes to see what he might do next. Sometimes this may not work because if he is smart enough, he can look one way, but go the other way. Also, when you are guarding the ball, use your peripheral vision to see if there's someone wide open. That's when you can cut off that pass and go down the court for a layup.

You Gotta Want That Ball!
Imagine there's 20 seconds on the clock and your on defense. You are down by 1 point. I'm pretty sure everybody on your team wants to grab that ball and go down for the layup and win it for the team. You have to imagine this every second of the game. You have to be determined to want that ball. basketball is important, because if you have no passion to have the ball, then you won't be able to succeed on defense.

These basketball tips will hopefully help you as a basketball player. Next time you have a game or practice, keep these basketball tips in mind and next thing you know, you will be a better defensive player in no time! If you liked these basketball tips, subscribe to my RSS feed, bookmark, comment or just visit my blog again!

James Manguba is a basketball blogger that blogs about the latest NBA rumors, news and basketball tips at his blog http://www.jmnbasource.com

How to Teach Kids Basketball

Do you want to teach kids basketball? If you have been recruited to be a coach or if you just want to teach your own kids how to play basketball, you can learn the following tips on how you can not only teach kids this fun game, but also how everyone can benefit from these lessons. Here are some tips that you can follow when you want to teach kids basketball.

Build team spirit

Kids need to know that basketball is a team sport and not one that one person is the "star." while it is inevitable that one kid will stand out above the rest, it is up to the team to pull for victory each time. One way that some coaches basketball a team together to build team spirit is to have get togethers with the kids that do not involve basketball. This enables the kids to form a bond with one another and learn that they are all valuable when it comes to the team. .

Instill confidence

Instill confidence in the kids as well. You can do this by finding the strong points of each player and praising them when they do something right. Do not over praise as this basketball not build confidence. You should praise when they do something good and give constructive criticism when they do something wrong. Teach them to overcome their problem plays as much as you can and build up their confidence with their regular playing.

Know the rules

Of course, it is imperative that you know the rules of basketball so that you can teach your kids how to play the game and follow the same rules. Be a stickler on the rules. The referees will certainly be watching. You will not do your kids any favors if you let some rules slide when you are teaching them to play basketball. You have to teach them the rules.

Have practice sessions

Make sure that you use offensive and defensive drills and teach them every aspect of the game. Unlike other sports, basketball pretty much requires all players to play both defense and offense. All players should know how to shoot, to block and how to do a lay up. When children are younger, you will want to put them in different positions to see what they do well in. As they get older, they will be relegated to positions that they are suited for.

Teach them to be good sports

They are not always going to lose, they are not always going to win. Teach them sportsmanlike conduct. Any other type of conduct is not tolerated in major leagues and looks bad on the kids as well as for you as their coach. Teach your kids how to win with grace and how to lose with dignity and you will be doing them a big service as sportsmen and later as human beings.

You can have a lot of fun teaching young people how to play basketball and instilling team spirit, confidence and sportsmanlike conduct in them. You can have fun, and they can learn quite a bit from you if you are willing to teach them.

Basketball - everything you need to know!
Learn the rules & drills in basketball: Basketball Primer - The Essential Basketball Handbook

Life Direction Coach - Becoming a Coach

What is a Life Direction Coach and Why? The basketball first. Even the best of the best use coaches. Basketball, baseball, hockey, they all need coaches and some even have a personal coach. The reason because we can't do everything and a outside perspective can help.

I had a friend who was a great basketball player, but he couldn't play golf at all. Even after hiring a good golf coach he still was Ok at best. The point is we all get stuck in a routine and at a level we find comfort in. So I ask the question, Why Not if you have the money why not improve your life and others around you.

Here are a few things a Life Coach can help you with.

• encourage you to set and achieve goals important to you (even goals you thought unattainable).
• focus you to produce better and faster results.
• encourage you to do more than you would do on your own to attain your personal best.
• provide you with support, tools and structure to accomplish more.

We don't always have someone we know that has the experience or is bias enough to help us find our way to the next steps.

Is it that life is so complicated that we need a coach, well no it didn't start out that way, but I can say it may basketball that way today. I can tell you from experience and watching others that a problem can hinder your future for years and be a anchor that stops progress until it is solved.

Who know, after you investigate this subject further you might find you would be a candidate yourself to become a Life Direction Coach.

Visit Don Richardo's Solution Hub for more information. Go through the Don's Rolodex to read about this subject and more. Tell Him I sent Ya.

Basketball Jumping Exercise - What it Takes to Jump Higher

Volleyball and basketball jumping requires a tremendous amount basketball power to explode off of the ground. It may seem to you that you will never be able to jump higher for various different reasons. You may feel that there are so many jump training programs available that you are fearful of committing to one and then finding that it didn't contain all of the right information you needed. You wasted your time and money for nothing. basketball you just flat out don't know what to look for. My goal in this article is to give you the foundation of what it takes to increase your vertical leap and know how basketball style jumping exercises will help you.

What it takes to jump higher basically comes down to your ability to produce power. In order to propel yourself off of the floor and into the air you need to generate a sufficient amount of force to overcome the force that gravity acts upon you. For example, if you weigh 180 pounds, then theoretically you need to generate at minimum 181 pounds of force to get you off of the ground and into the air. Of course that is easier said than done.

So what does it take to generate power? Power is simply a combination of strength and speed. The greater amount of force that can be produced rapidly, then the higher you will be able to jump and explode off of the ground. The same holds true for lateral agility and changing directions rapidly. The only difference is where you transfer the energy, up or out. Your ability to train and increase the amount of strength that you can produce rapidly will determine your improvements in jumping ability. How do you improve your power?

If your goal is specifically to jump higher then your training should consist in increasing your strength at high speeds. Exercises such as squats and lunges are some of the best strength building exercises, in my opinion. However, the speed at which you perform these exercises will determine your ability to increase your power output. Our body adapts very specifically to the stresses that are placed on it. If you train slowly you will get stronger at slow motion. However, if you perform a squat with a rapid acceleration or a lunge into a rapid jump, you will get stronger at high speeds. You may not win a contest with the amount of weight you can squat. But, who cares?

This is why basketball jumping exercises are so effective for increasing your vertical leap. By design, jumping exercises generate strength at high speeds and tap in to your body's natural ability to quickly change directions whether it is from side to side or from a forward motion to off the ground. If you want to jump higher then your training program needs to incorporate these jumping exercises in a structured and organized manner.

Learning the best way to jump higher can be tricky. Good professionals have spent many years of research and testing to figure what works for most athletes. I hope that the information in this article has helped you know how to judge the quality of a good jump higher or vertical jumping program.

As a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, I have spent a lot of time evaluating programs and comparing them to the principles and characteristics that I feel a good program should have. Those that include these principles will pretty much guarantee that you are successful with the program that you choose.

It is now up to you to take the steps to improve your vertical leaping ability. Go to the Increase Vertical website and find the 6 principles that I think are most important in a program. You will also find reviews of some of the top jump training programs. Go to http://www.IncreaseVertical.net and get started now!