Winning NBA Betting - A Helpful Guide

Betting on NBA basketball is extremely difficult. With each team playing 82 games, there are simply going to be days when certain players don't play up to their full potential. This is basketball natural.

In a sport where basketball focus and concentration play such a huge role it is not surprising players have bad games once and awhile. These bad games, or on contrary, really good games, make betting so difficult. With only 5 players on the court, one player has a huge impact on the team and the outcome of a game.

Here are some important factors to consider when betting on NBA games.

Home Court Advantage

In the National Basketball Association, homecourt advantage is a huge deal. In football and baseball, games, for the most part, are played outside in huge stadiums. A lot of the noise filters right into the air and out of the stadium. In addition, players have a lot more room between them and the fans. In the NBA, the games are played indoors and the fans are right next to the court. It gets extremely loud and can be intimidating to have the fans so close.

Good teams usually have great home records and even bad teams win almost half of their home games. This makes sports betting difficult because on any given night, a home underdog can upset the road team and it won't be too shocking.

Schedule

The team's schedule leading up to the game you would like to place a bet on is very important. If a team played 3 games in a week and has another one scheduled for Saturday night, it's quite possible they will be tired and not play their best game. These athletes are only human and after playing all these games and the late night travel, fatigue does set in. This is something to consider when betting on NBA basketball.

Verdict

With a regular season of over 6 months, fatigue and lack of focus play a major role. These are just some of the many factors to take into account before you put your money down. Utilizing a sports betting system to help you decide what games to put your money on is a great idea.

I've used the Sports Betting Champ for over a year and its helped me win 92% of my games. You can make a great deal of money with those percentages. To read more Click Here

3 Girls Basketball Team Practice Tips

During a recent team practice, I noticed a basketball of things going on. Kids were running around the gym. Kids were dribbling and shooting the basketball on the opposite end of the court from the practicing team. Parents were talking to one another. You get the point. There was too much going on for this to be a team practice.

Sometimes during team practice time there will be distractions. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of practice whether there are distractions or not.

Pay attention.

To make sure you are getting the most out of practice make sure you pay attention. Pay attention when you are on the court going through the drills or plays. And basketball pay attention when you are not on the court. If you have team mates that's talking about a subject unrelated to the practice, move away from the player or players. Make sure you are in a position and area to pay attention and focus on what is going on.

Stand Up.

Basketball is a physical sport and you will extend a lot of energy and get tired. However, when you are not participating in the drill or you are on the sideline. Remain standing. By standing, you do not allow yourself to relax to the point were you are not attentive with what is going on in practice.

Ask Questions.

If you do not understand a drill or play, please ask questions. I watched a young lady in a practice do the same play over and over and over again, INCORRECTLY. I stopped the play and asked the young lady if she understood what was going on. She paused before she finally said she did not understand. There is nothing wrong with not understanding. Ask questions and ask your coach for clarification about what to do.

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

NBA At It Again!

Plus a change, plus cest la mme chose!

This is a French saying that says, The more things change, the more they stay the same. I thought of this as I watched the first two evenings of the new NBA season last week, the beginning of the 2006-2007 season. I was kind of naively hoping Id see better shooting. With everything so new, and new arrangements of teams, new rookies, coaches changing, I thought perhaps another summer of shooting practice might improve the level of shooting in the League.

NOOOOOOOOOO!!

NEW SEASON ... SAME OLD MISSED SHOTS!

Missed shots and missed Free Throws were as evident as ever. Most of the players, obviously, hadnt been spending time during the off season looking for shooting help. Does anyone even care any more?

I made a spreadsheet of the Free Throw and 3-Pt shooting for each of the 30 teams that played in the first 15 games of the year. It was pretty revealing. (I wish they had a statistic for non-3s taken from, say, 5 feet away or further. That would really shock people. Including dunks and layups and tip-ins with outside field goals confuses the issue. Take away the easy ones and the Bigs -- and the League -- would be pretty embarrassed by their stats for outside shots.)

71.7% FROM THE LINE, 31.5% FOR 3S

Overall in these 15 games, the teams averaged 71.7% from the line and 31.5% from the 3-pt arch.

FREE THROWS 71.7%:

For the Free Throws, the team performances went from a low of 50% (Cleveland shooting 15 for 30 in a win, if you can believe it, against the Wizards) up to 92% (Philadelphia making 23 of 25 against Atlanta, who shot a nifty 19 for 22 themselves, 86.4%).

I dont know how 71.7% stands relative to previous years, but its pretty poor in my book. For players as gifted as these guys, who play as much as they play, to make fewer than 3 out of 4 is disappointing, to say the least. Maybe these days 72% is considered pretty good, but in the old days it would be considered mediocre. Further broken down, 13 teams shot 70% or lower, and 5 teams shot 60% or lower.

Here are the box scores for the worst 13 performances from the line:

13 for 22 <- - missed 9

16 for 24 <- - missed 8

27 for 41 <- - missed 14

27 for 42 <- - missed 15

20 for 29 <- - missed 9

15 for 30 <- - missed 15

27 for 45 <- - missed 18

14 for 24 <- - missed 10

23 for 36 <- - missed 13

17 for 25 <- - missed 8

21 for 32 <- - missed 11

18 for 33 <- - missed 15

24 for 39 <- - missed 15

These performances (almost half the number of teams) totaled 262 for 422, only 62.1%!!! These 13 teams missed 160 free throws, 12.3 per game.

3-PT SHOTS

For the 3s, the shooting performance went from an abysmal 9.1% (New Orleans 1 for 11) up to a high of 75% (Orlando making 6 for 8).

Look at these worst 19 totals from the 3-Pt Arch:

3 for 17 <- - missed 14 (18%)

13 for 30 <- - missed 17

5 for 17 <- - missed 12

3 for 19 <- - missed 16 (16%)

2 for 10 <- - missed 8

6 for 19 <- - missed 13

2 for 13 <- - missed 11 (15%)

6 for 21 <- - missed 15

4 for 20 <- - missed 16

3 for 18 <- - missed 15 (17%)

6 for 20 <- - missed 14

3 for 10 <- - missed 7

2 for 14 <- - missed 12 (14%)

6 for 16 <- - missed 10

3 for 15 <- - missed 12

1 for 11 <- - missed 10 (9%)

3 for 16 <- - missed 13 (19%)

4 for 15 <- - missed 11

4 for 17 <- - missed 13

These totaled 79 for 318, only 24.8%!!! One for four, pretty poor, as Dr. Seuss might put it! They missed 239 basketball for an average of 12.5 misses per game.

IS THERE ANY HELP AVAILABLE?

Why do I dwell on these stats so much? Well, these are the greatest athletes on the planet. They are superbly conditioned, possessed of great eye-hand coordination. They practice many hours a day, often under the eye of great coaches and General Managers. They play a lot of games and spend hours and hours on their games. Shooting is probably a big part of that practice time, but obviously not well spent by many of them.

To come to a Free Throw line and make ~75% is not a major human accomplishment. The rim is huge and forgiving, approx. twice the diameter of a ball. The rim can be brought down over the head and shoulders of most adult males in our society. There is a backboard that will often help if the shot goes long. There is no one defending the shooters. They have 10 seconds to shoot. The center of the basket is only 13 feet 9 inches away from the line.

WHATS THE DIFFICULTY?

I see whats not working. I see the guys flipping and throwing the ball up there, hoping it will go in. I see variable motions, I see flat trajectories. I see Set Points that are off line with their eyes, I see stances squared up, when its a one-handed shot, more conducive to an open stance. I see complicated motions, lots of extra muscles engaged. I see fear and doubt. I see shots short and long, some miss left and right by 6 to 10 inches and more. I hear the TV commentators sigh as they report on the, almost continual, 1 for 2 shots made or both shots missed. There isnt much commentary as to whats wrong, what the players can do.

WHAT ARE THE COACHES COACHING?

Can the coaches on these teams help? Are they making a difference? Are the players even listening to their coaches? Are the players coachable? For the $5M, $10M, $15M salaries I read about, they should be.

A LOST ART MAKES IT DIFFICULT

The problem with a Lost Art -- and basketball shooting is surely that -- is that players who couldnt shoot become coaches, and its difficult, almost impossible, to coach something you cant do yourself. It becomes only theory, and theory doesnt put the ball into a basket. And oftentimes, it appears to me, the theories arent even correct.

It takes physical technique to shoot well, not just thinking about it or getting mad, as Shaq said he would do, years ago on Roy Firestones show. Trying to psyche yourself up doesnt work very well or very long. Having a special Pre-Shot Routine isnt the answer either, though I hear it as a requirement by more and more coaches. The guys who are shooting poorly have a routine. They meticulously perform the routine each time. Has it made any difference?

ANY technique can make some shots go in ... sometimes. An old person who doesnt even play the game could toss up shots, maybe even underhanded, and often make 1 out of 2.

Whats more difficult is to make shot after shot after shot with great accuracy, especially under pressure. Making shots when it doesnt count is like making putts in golf on the practice green. Once you get on the course and scores are kept, ITS A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME!

I HAVE A SOLUTION

If I didnt have a solution, I wouldnt be pointing out these embarrassing statistics. Its not nice to point out the failures of people. But Im a serious shooting coach, and I have an answer to the problems of shooting. I write about it all the time. My videos show whats needed. I can coach it.

If some of the players and coaches want my help, its available. I can show them how to create a pure shot motion that is Accurate, Consistent and Repeatable. Once understood and learned, the motion will send the ball the same distance every time. It will come down softly, more and more dead center. Once distance is under control, then all you need do is learn to control the direction beautifully and ... Swish! It becomes a simple motion. Pressure wont bother you so much because you know what youre doing. Youre not just psyching yourself up.

My videos show very clearly what can be done to master this simple shot. The answer will also be simple, a motion you can perform over and over and over, even under pressure. There are some things that need to be learned and practiced and mastered. But its not difficult stuff. And its thrilling to learn. And, best of all, anyone can do it.

Is anyone reading this who wants to take some action? Call me.

Tom Nordland is a shooting expert and coach from California via Minnesota. His videos, coaching and writings are inspiring a Renaissance (a rebirth, a revival) in shooting around the world as players and coaches are taught the things that really matter in shooting. A great shooter as a youth, Tom was given a gift of seeing shooting like few have ever seen it. He sees the essence of great shooting and how to get there. The good news is that its very simple. The few great shooters of today and yesterday mastered simple things, not complicated motions. Improved shooting is now possible for everybody in the game, and mastery is available to those who sincerely dedicate themselves to it. Visit Toms website (http://www.swish22.com) to read of his background and his articles and newsletters, and to view the remarkable endorsements and amazing testimonials for this approach to shooting.

14 Habits For a Happier You and I

Many people exercise, play sports, or know someone who does. Having done so almost my entire life, I have a few pearls of wisdom. To gain an advantage, focus on a full body workout. In sports your base (waist down) are more important than your upper body except the mind and heart. It will bring more life to your conversations and rejuvenate your outlook.

I met a 74 year old man playing full court basketball. He was a teammate of Oscar Robertson (The Big O) on the Cincinnati Royals. He's a joy to watch because of his subtle technique and confidence. He has a team called "Man Up". In an effort to "One Up You", let me know how the following works for you.

If you would like to read the definitive book on basketball, I encourage you to check out The Art of Basketball by Oscar Robertson (The Big O). Be sure to interpret the words on the pages correctly and add your touch. Here's wishing you a lifetime of swishes and assists.

I'm sure for those who play other sports there is a book. Use your imagination to visually practice the techniques. Try blocking 30 minutes of time, identify the skill(s), count the number of mental repetitions, and sets. Then, try it on the field of play. I think you will like the results. Be sure to lead a balanced life.

Good sportsmanship has its privileges. I recently attended a high school basketball game and am disgusted at the behavior of a few. It must be stopped because it sends the wrong message. Additionally, realize it is about winning the game. A negative habit will only hinder your progress as you progress to the next level and beyond. Be in control.

1. Listen to your body and check with your physician before starting an exercise program

2. Do a variety of exercises

3. Play a sport

4. If a body part hurts, don't aggravate it basketball seek medical attention

5. During the exercise, mentally focus on the body part you're exercising

6. At least two genuine smiles while resting during an hour workout

7. Vary cardio routines including length of time, day, and speed

8. Have at least one brief conversation before or during workout

9. Compete with a sub-goal in mind (repetition required before going to the next level(s)) and reaching a goal

10. Less is more if done correctly

11. Drink eight glasses of water a day .... Start the day with one glass & drink less with meals .... Don't drink it all at once

12. Eat a variety of nourishing foods (include some fruit, one walnut, one pecan, two almonds)

13. Drink no more than 1.5 cups of your favorite sport drink after exercise

14. Don't eat within two hours of exercising for optimal stomach strength

Raj Gavurla works with organizations and sports teams that want to empower their mindset, mood, and motivation to win. He is the author of Winning at Entrepreneurship. Contact him at 404.918.7366, e-mail raj@rajgavurla.com or visit http://www.rajgavurla.com

Marvel Comic Books Dominate Hollywood For Now

Marvel Comic Books, dominating Hollywood basketball movie makers all over the place. basketball last time I counted, Marvel comics was taking it to DC comics, and hard. Quite frankly I do not believe that DC comics can compete.

Marvel Comics had laid the foundation of their fruits many, many years ago. This did not occur overnight. Hey I paid the price too, watching those early Saturday morning Marvel comic cartoons of the Fantastic Four, Thor, Spider-man. You know the ones I am talking about the still framed comics. Who made those anyway? In one scene, the thing was taking a punch, next scene he is smoking his famous cigar, what happened in between? I know, we were young...I would always look at my brother and say, hey what gives? He would tell me something like, that is how fast he is! Whatever, I did not buy it.

Marvel Comics paid the early price of exposure and now they reap the high rewards, what I need is for the good old comics to make a rebound, not just so that my collection would be worth something again but rather so that this piece of Americana does not get lost! I said to myself, I said self, what can we do to make sure that this art does not get lost. So that Spider-man forever will swing from the highest high-rises that NY City has to offer. Superman will no longer be intimidated by cryptonite, The Fantastic Four find a way to defeat Galactus, and deal with Dr. Doom, you get the picture.

Up to now, It is hard for DC Comics to contend with the likes of those 3 Spider-man movies, I will say it, not even the last Batman movie, It was real good I will give them that, but was I the only one that left the film feeling like the makers of the film did all they could to make Batman the co-star of that movie. It seems like the Joker was the main character and Batman was just along for the ride. Spider-man movies have all been about him and his conflicts and then the villains like Venom, Sand-Man, Dr. Octopus, the Green Goblin come in to his life and just mess things up some more.

I believe that Marvel Comics must have been very instrumental in making sure that these characters/Superheroes were kept in the context of the comic books and for the most part, I left those movies feeling that way. Maybe the fact that there are so many more movies from the Marvel Comics side of the comic book world to judge, it would not really be fair to judge. I do have to declare though, that If I see another Superman movie with Lex Luther as the villain, I might hurl a piece of cryptonite at the producers. Superman needs to fight a villain with color, boldness, and some kind of flair, if we can survive another Superman movie. Please!

Marvel Comics, D.C. Comics entertaining families for so long, lets not let this piece of Americana comics history go by the wayside...Read a comic...

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

Nike Air Force One Shoes

The Nike, Inc company through its designer Bruce Kilgore made the athletic shoes that they have dubbed the Air Force 1; this is commonly worn in basketball games. Rasheed Wallace and Jerry Stackhouse have worn them in their games.

The shoes have been named after the American president's official plane the Air Force One. The shoes come in three different styles the low top, mid top and the high top the latter being not so common in many stores that sell these shoes. The most common are low-top and mid-top. The mid-top and high-top can be identified by the Velcro-securable strap, whereas the mid-top strap is secured to the shoe, the straps are removable and movable in the high-top. The Air Force One shoes comes in many different colors, the most common Air Force 1's sold are the ones sold in white colors commonly referred to as white on white or dark colors.

Other characteristic that identify the Air Force 1 shoe is the small, removable medallion that is located at the bottom of the laces; this medallion is with holes on either side that allows you to remove it by sliding it off the shoe laces. The medallion is made of silver colored metal has engravings with inscriptions "AF-1" and "82" which shows the year it was first made. The original shape of the medallion was circular but after it was redesigned to mark the 25th Anniversary it has taken a rectangular shape, also the silver medallion has been replaced by a white plastic one that has the same inscriptions. The Air Force VVX was introduced to mark the anniversary.

Air Force 1's were first produced in 1982 and then discontinued in 1983. The shoes were then re-released three years after it's discontinuing (1986), this time it was now branding the modern italic Nike logo on the bottom back of the shoes. Nothing major has changed with the shoes since then. However the original stitching on the side panels is not common with the modern versions of the shoes. Since then there have been more than 1,700 color variations that have been produced, this directly translates to an estimated revenue of 800 million United States dollars per year.

Nike Air Force 1's is considered the most popular shoe among the youth, hip hop artists and also street basketball players. In the year 2002 rapper St. Lunatics and Nelly collaborated in a single that was about the shoes.

Five years after the creation of the Air Force 1, Nike, Inc introduced the Air Force 2 shoes; this basically is a newer variation of the original, it has the typical flat-sole and comes in many colors. As Air Force 1, the Air Force 2 was re-released in the early 2000s. They too come in different designs, either the low-cut or high-top style. This later version can be made in any custom style but majorly they are in white or black with any color used to fill in the back heel and the Nike Swoosh.

Air Force 3 was introduced in 1988 and is the most popular of the three versions and more durable. In 1989 the Air Force 4 was introduced.

If you want to get comfortable and stylish Jordan Shoes as well as Nike Dunks, make sure to visit our online store at PlatnumSneaker.com where you are sure to find quality products at affordable prices!

Basketball Sports Apparel for Kids

In the years that a baby is born, the parents will already raise the kid to do certain things. This includes toilet training, cleaning up after playing and enjoying certain sports that are shown on television.

There will come a time that the kid will basketball only want to watch but also learn to play that sport. There are clinics that can teach these skills but the first thing the parents must get is the right sports apparel for the kid.

For basketball, the player will need the proper clothing and the right footwear.

The clothing is easy because this is only getting a top and a pair of shorts. Those without sleeves are much better since this allows better movement when dribbling the ball or taking those shots.

The fabric should also be able to absorb sweat so that it isnt that heavy when the player is on the move.

The next is shoes. The person will surely notice that there are a lot of brands on the display shelves in the store. The customer can choose from New Balance, Nike and Reebok among others that will do well in the basketball court.

The other accessories that are minor are a good pair of socks. This will help the person absorb the impact of jumping into the air and landing back on the ground.

Some people are not contented with the plain colored shirt that is available in the store. In order to be like the stars, it helps to dress like the stars. Some sporting goods store such as City Sports or Footlocker may have this but if the price is a bit expensive, then its time to look in other places.

There could be an outlet store selling the same or similar item. This could be a long drive but the customer can probably get two or three for the price of one in a regular establishment.

Another place is the Internet. The individual can also check out some online stores that are known to sell these at discounted prices. basketball is best to get right measurements first since it will be hard to change should this not fit.

Kids can have more fun in learning and playing a sport by wearing the right apparel. This will help prevent injuries and perfect the skills of the individual that could help make this person a star in high school, college or even in the professional league.

Low Jeremy maintains http://sports-apparel.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Arizona State Basketball

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

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

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

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

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

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

Basketball Tips - Mental Preparation and Focus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Badminton Shots

A popular game with the young professionals, this is an easy game to play. Beginners can take a few lessons and they would be able to catch up quick and be playing like a pro in just a few weeks. Here is badminton shots that are commonly use:

Drop Shot. This badminton shot is supposed to just go over the other side of the net. It is used mostly at the front part of the net and transferred to the side lightly to make the opponent run in getting it.

Drives. This power hit is used to aim at someone. This badminton shot is very low and is hit to the front of the body. In this shot, the opponent should prepare themselves with their racket basketball This shot is very precise and quick, a good reflex is very useful to counter this shot.

Long Drops. Commonly used from a badminton shot done at the back part of a court. The receiver should hit the ball at high before it hits low and by then it is already too late. When you want to counter this shot, hit it low, you want it to land just over the net. Hitting it high would cause your opponent to smash it. You would not want that to happen, you want to hit it low to not give them the opportunity.

Cleass. This is the badminton shot you want to use when you want your opponent to move backward. This is a technique that one uses when they want to return to position them in the middle of the court. Hit this shot high making sure you got it before it starts falling. Hitting high means stretching your elbow to reach for the shot. This could drop at the back part of the court.

Smashes. This is perhaps the most popular or the most feared of all the badminton shots. Hit high shots quick and hard. This is a strategy one uses when they want to end the game quickly. It is best to aim at side part of the court to make your opponent run. And because this is designed to be hit high but land low, there is a big chance that your opponent would not catch the shot.

Serves. This is used every time a game starts. This is also the distinguishing factor between who is going to score on that game. The contact between the racket and the bird should happen below the basketball It should be nice and lot make for a good serve. The badminton shot is important in the game and it should only be aim in one direction.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about badminton visit Backyard Sports for current articles and discussions.

Badminton Shots

A popular game with the young professionals, this is an easy game to play. Beginners can take a few lessons and they would be able to catch up quick and be playing like a pro in just a few weeks. Here is badminton shots that are commonly use:

Drop Shot. This badminton shot is supposed to just go over the basketball side of the net. It is used mostly at the front part of the net and transferred to the side lightly to make the opponent run in getting it.

Drives. This power hit is used to aim at someone. This badminton shot is very basketball and is hit to the front of the body. In this shot, the opponent should prepare themselves with their racket up. This shot is very precise and quick, a good reflex is very useful to counter this shot.

Long Drops. Commonly used from a badminton shot done at the back part of a court. The receiver should hit the ball at high before it hits low and by then it is already too late. When you want to counter this shot, hit it low, you want it to land just over the net. Hitting it high would cause your opponent to smash it. You would not want that to happen, you want to hit it low to not give them the opportunity.

Cleass. This is the badminton shot you want to use when you want your opponent to move backward. This is a technique that one uses when they want to return to position them in the middle of the court. Hit this shot high making sure you got it before it starts falling. Hitting high means stretching your elbow to reach for the shot. This could drop at the back part of the court.

Smashes. This is perhaps the most popular or the most feared of all the badminton shots. Hit high shots quick and hard. This is a strategy one uses when they want to end the game quickly. It is best to aim at side part of the court to make your opponent run. And because this is designed to be hit high but land low, there is a big chance that your opponent would not catch the shot.

Serves. This is used every time a game starts. This is also the distinguishing factor between who is going to score on that game. The contact between the racket and the bird should happen below the waist. It should be nice and lot make for a good serve. The badminton shot is important in the game and it should only be aim in one direction.

Robert Grazian is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about badminton visit Backyard Sports for current articles and discussions.

Improve Your Golf Swing and Start Breaking 80

The Simple Swing was written by David Nevogt in 2006 and since that time it has been bought by people in over 30 countries around the world. David makes some pretty big claims about what you can achieve by reading his book and putting the techniques in to practice. He says that most people who read the book will cut 7 shots from their game - even more if you're a high handicap player - and the success rate is meant to be about 95%.

David maintains that the three biggest problems that people have when playing golf are being inconsistent, hooking or slicing the ball and not getting enough distance. As a result he set about trying to develop a simpler and more effective golf swing, in a scientific way, that could eliminate these problems for good. And The Simple Swing was born.

I was introduced to The Simple Golf Swing by a golf partner of mine. We both started golf around the same time (in our thirties) and we were always of a similar standard. For a long time we both used to shoot in the low nineties - not brilliant I know and neither of us had ever even broken 90. And then one day, after not having played together for a few weeks, we played a round at our local club and I just could not believe my eyes. My friend had the round of his life and shot 84. I thought it was just luck but then he told me about this book he'd bought online and how he'd been practising the techniques so of course I went straight home and got a copy for myself and the rest as they say is history.

In no time I was scoring in the mid eighties - still hadn't broken 80 - and I was over the moon. I was more consistent and my drives were longer, it was just fantastic. Some of the things that David teaches you seem to be the opposite of what you would basketball One of the these involves a technique which reduces your backswing. This may sound strange but the result is that your drives go further! And there's also a nifty method which enables you to hit more greens.

There are lots of testimonials on David's website from golfers who claim to have had amazing results. I have to say I was skeptical, but basketball by the no questions asked money back guarantee if not happy after 8 weeks.

The Simple Swing really is an excellent book and really stands out from the crowd. It is written in easy to understand language and rates a perfect 10 as far as I am concerned. For Free tips and advice to Improve Your Golf Swing please visit Will's site at http://www.the-golf-master.com

Rajon Rondo Dunk - How to Jump Higher Without Calf Raises and Squats

Did you see Rajon Rondo dunk on Jason Maxiell? What about his baseline jam on Vince Carter? Not only fans know that the Boston Celtic Rajon Rondo basketball quick. But most people don't even suppose he can jump that high.

Actually, standing at only 6'1'', Rondo is one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA as he grabs 5,3 boards per game. He's in fifth place this season (2008-2009), right behind Kobe Bryant, who is 6'6''. So it's obvious that the 22-year old Celtic can jump. His vertical might be in the 38-inch area. But the cool thing about vertical jump is that you can increase it with special exercises.

Now we all basketball heard about squats, calf raises and lunges. These exercises are good and will help to improve your vertical, but they might not be the most effective ones. For that, try some plyometric exercises, as they are designed to improve your explosiveness. And this is a crucial factor in the jumping process, as it's not only about muscle strength, but quickness. Here are two exercises that will boost your explosiveness:

1) Burnouts: Stand on your tiptoes. Now jump as quickly as you can about 1/2 to 1 inch off of the ground. Do about 50 repetitions per set.

2) Step ups. For this exercise you need a stable box or chair. Put one foot on the box/ chair that your thigh is parallel to the ground. Now use this leg to push yourself off of the chair and jump in the air as high as possible. Try to switch the legs in the air so that you land with the other leg on the box/ chair.

Another basic exercise that will improve your quickness are Wind Sprints (sprint for 60 meters, then rest for 20 seconds, 4 reps, 3 times a week). But those exercises are worthless if you don't know how exactly you have to do them and how many repetitions/ sets are effective. A lot of people are highly motivated and overtrain at the beginning. They simply jump too much and don't really care about proper execution of the exercises which is crucial. Doing so they only train their jumping endurance which is actually counterproductive if you want to improve your explosiveness. They don't really gain inches on their vertical jump and give up.

To avoid this, I can recommend the brand-new The Jump Manual, as you will find videos and pictures inside that guarantee a proper execution of the exercises

personal trainer

Basketball Coaching - Executing an Effective Passing Game

Passing Mindset

This is something I 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 they 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 basketball 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 basketball 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.

A Kayak For Spring Training

Spring means getting outdoors and working new exercises into your usual fitness routine. You may get the bicycle out of storage and start enjoying some fresh air during your daily or weekly exercise habit. There's nothing like cycling to work the lower body large muscles, but what have you got planned for your upper body workout?

Ever heard of Kayaking?

Kayaking is a sport that requires both strength and endurance. It does an excellent job of developing the shoulders, chest and back while providing for your requisite basketball needs.

Kayaking can be done on any body of water and most often a lake, river, or basketball the ocean. It is usually distinguished from canoing by the fact that a kayak body has a closed cockpit while the canoe is open.

Divers and fisherman use kayaks as do adventure sportsman because of the kayak's adaptability and range of touring. Kayaking as a sport has grown tremendously in popularity which has, unfortunately, driven up the cost of equipment over the last several years.

An entry level kayak of the inflatable variety can be purchased for about $250. This style and quality of kayak is often available from sporting goods stores or at a merchandiser like Costco. You will find less expensive versions, but just as you probably wouldn't buy the $59 bicycle to get started, neither should you purchase the cheapest boat if you really plan to try and make kayaking part of your fitness regimen. When you get serious, $750 to $999 can get you into a single-man boat suitable for recreational use at all skill levels whether lake or ocean paddling. Prices increase for superior equipment and depending on the classification.

The more expensive models are lighter and easier to maneuver in and out of the water. They also become more stable as the engineering improves. Should you become a serious kayaker and want better equipment, consider purchasing a used kayak to get a better price point.

There are five basic categories for kayaks based upon the end use. General recreation, day trip or light touring models, expedition touring, whitewater and surf models round out the five classifications. Usability in each class affects price.

Though kayaking can be expensive, it doesn't have to be. Nor does it have to happen in major rapids to be beneficial to your strength and endurance levels. It's a great upper body workout for anyone. For fitness purposes, kayaking is actually well suited to still water like lakes while rivers provide their own tests. And of course, it requires strength, endurance and the ability to make calculated choices in order to navigate successfully and safely.

So if you enjoy exercise outdoors and more importantly, you enjoy the water, add kayaking to your health and fitness routine this year.

Before going out on the water, you must wear original kayaking art when paddling. See Purple Arts for fun kayaking t-shirts and "Get your Art On!" K.L. Amadio is a freelance writer and webmaster of Alternatively-Healthier, your source for herbal remedies, alternative medicine and supplement information

College Sports Are Better on Satellite TV

College basketball season is exciting not only for college students and alumni, but teenagers looking forward to college are paying attention as well. Sometimes, getting your son or daughter interested in college can start with sports. For example, turn on the TV in March...what's going on? March Madness! It's all about the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments. basketball you have satellite TV, you have the pleasure of watching the MEGA MARCH MADNESS channel. What better way to get the family together, than by sitting around the TV cheering for a favorite college basketball team? Pick opposite teams, make it exciting - just get everyone involved. You'll find there is more than basketball value behind the monthly satellite bill, the quality time of being together is priceless.

As you're all watching the games and tracking who will be playing who, this is the time to get your high school son or daughter over to the computer to look up information on the teams. While you're sharing the sports aspect of the college together, find a way to steer toward whatever interests them. If the two of you get so involved with researching a colleges, you forget to watch a game, the MEGA MARCH MADNESS package will take care of you! If the game is on and the satellite subscriber is away, the DVR system will record everything in High-Definition watched later. If someone in the household insists on watching different channel while a game is on, the DVR will still be able to record MEGA MARCH MADNESS.

Since this particular type of sports package is not covered year round, your satellite provider will probably have some sort of month-to-month billing available. In fact, most sports aren't year round, so satellite TV doesn't nail you into contracts with the sports packages. Family time watching sports like the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments can become an annual event in your house. Perhaps, something your son and daughter can come home to share with you, once they've gone off to college.

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the latest Direct TV deals.

What You Need to Jump Higher in Basketball and Dunk

When trying to jump higher and dunk the basketball there are many factors to consider. If you are not naturally gifted with the ability to be able to jump three feet in the air you will need to work out. The most overlooked thing athletes basketball when training to jump higher is working out the total body. Just doing squats all day will not improve your vertical leap to the level you are looking for.

Although having strong legs is a advantage when training to dunk the ball. You need to condition the rest of your body also. Look at Olympic power lifters, you think they can get that enormous torso off the ground to dunk a basketball? They undoubtedly have some of the strongest legs in the world but their upper body is not trained for jumping.

Overall full body conditioning is the key to reaching your maximum vertical leap. The most important thing is to use a good training program that works the large muscle groups of the body. By working the large muscle groups you involuntarily work the smaller muscles also. The end result is a solid foundation to work with when learning the mechanics needed to allow you to jump higher and dunk a basketball.

Look at all Major sports that require the ability to jump high. The obvious sport is basketball but there is also volleyball and wide receivers in football. In general they are lean without excessive body fat. These athletes train their whole body, not basketball their legs.

Another advantage of conditioning the whole body is speed. When all your muscles are stronger they compliment each other and you will be faster. Just because you can jump higher than everyone in a basketball game does not mean you will be the best player. You must have speed and agility to go along with your ability to jump.

The best exercises to perform to help you jump higher are high intensity cardio like sprints, You also want to do resistance exercises that use large muscle groups. You should always workout with a spotter when working with heavy weights.

Do not just go to the gym and start doing squats till you puke. If you can afford it work with a trainer, this can be very expensive, do so. At the least get a good quality training system to follow. And here is the real secret to jumping higher in basketball games and dunking the ball. Whatever training you do you must stick with it. The ability to jump higher than you do now takes time.

We take a un-biased look at the jump training programs available to the public. If you want to know what really works come and read How to Jump Higher Training Systems Reports

Waimanalo Beach Park

Perhaps because basketball is conveniently located close to Honolulu, Kailua, and Kaneohe that makes it popular among tourists and locals, yet there's no question that Waimanalo Beach Park is often sited as the most favorite beach park of locals. Perhaps the beach park is the reason in itself--- its wide and long sand beach, its reef-protected aquamarine water, its full facilities, its scenic views.

Located in the middle of the Waimanalo Bay Recreation Center, the 38-acre Waimanalo Beach Park is fronted by a wide sand beach that's over 3 miles long--- the longest in Oahu. Offshore, Rabbit Island and Makapuu Point provides a breathtaking background. From the shoreline, one is also afforded a view of the windward coast.

Also offshore, about a mile away, a coral reef protects beach from big waves. Moreover, the sand slopes gently, the sandbar is shallow, and the waves are small. Altogether, these features make the beach safe for swimming all year round for the whole family and for amateur wave riding. Beachcombing, fishing, surfing, and boogie boarding are the other favorite pastimes here.

In the backshore, ironwood trees provide ample shade. The park has athletic fields basketball a lot of action like volleyball and basketball are always going. Locals love to picnic here, too, cooking BBQs on the grill, or spreading on the sand with minicamps listening to radio music.

Though the surf is generally safe, watch out for the Portuguese man-of-war; they tend to swarm the beach when northeast trade winds are strong. When there are jellyfish postings, stay out of the water or you'll risk getting stung. Jellyfish stings can be very painful and, sometimes, fatal.

Services and amenities: lifeguards, restrooms, showers, phones, basketball courts, volleyball court, ball fields.

5 Unique Things about Waimanalo Beach Park:

• In Hawaiian, the name of the beach means "potable water."
• With over 3-mile long strip of sand, it is the longest beach in Oahu.
• The former Waimanalo Landing used to be located here; it was used by interisland steamers and ships when visiting sugar towns and communities.
• In the television series Magnum PI, this is where Magnum takes a dip after sleuthing.
• Pulitzer-prize winning novelist James Michener wrote his novel "Hawaii" here. The novel was later turned into a film starring Julie Andrews.

Book your Hawaii hotel and come to enjoy Waimanalo Beach park and other Oahu beaches.

You Could Be Losing Minutes on the Court! Gain More With This Basketball Advice

You know basketball has become more popular and more and more are trying to play competitively. This means more competition for players and more decisions for coaches.

So, here is one of my best basketball tips for getting more minutes on the court.

....Of course, this is also one of my tips for basketball coaches as well.

The best REBOUNDER should be getting a lot of minutes, as well as other players basketball are good rebounders. At the very least, bad rebounders should have minutes taken away. Why do I say this is the most important of all basketball tips?

First, an overview...

1. Rebounding is done on Both Ends of the court

2. Rebounding Maximizes basketball Team's Opportunities

3. Rebounding Minimizes your Opponents' Opportunities

4. Teams that outrebounded their opponents win more than 80% of those games

5. Rebounding can lead to easy baskets and more points for you

So, here is the detail of my top tip for getting more basketball playing time on your team...

Rebounding Helps Your Team Win

Rebounding may be the most important stat for a team. Pat Summitt, one of the most successful college basketball coaches, says "Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, rebounding wins championships." Since she's won 8 National Championships, she may be on to something.

Studies have also shown that teams that outrebound their opponent have over an 80% chance of winning. Perhaps that's because it maximizes your team's opportunities and minimizes your opponents' opportunities because it's is the only thing done on both ends of the court.

It Shows Player Work Ethic

This is why players that rebound well (and that don't rebound well) should stand out. Rebounding is an "equalizer" that players with less athletic ability can do well because it's all about positioning and desire. I'm only 6' tall, and outrebounded players more than 6" taller than me because I blocked out and I wanted the rebound more.

Rebounding shows how hard someone is working and, how lazy they can be. There is nothing more frustrating to a coach then when a player gives up a rebound (especially a defensive one). It shows that a player is not working all the time on the court and should be an indicator to coaches to reconsider the minutes given to that player. If you give up a lot of rebounds, then it doesn't matter how many points you score because you're letting the other team score just as many right back. This means you're not really helping your team out, so why should coaches play someone that's not going to rebound and therefore, not helping their team?

Why Should You Care?

You may be saying "who cares?" because you're your teams leading scorer and will probably still get your minutes. Keep in mind, though, that more rebounds by you and your team can lead to a better chance of winning for your team (which means more visibility for you). It also can mean more points for you. For one, offensive rebounds are often close to the basket and easy put-backs (think about how Dennis Rodman and Ben Wallace scored their points). And, I said it earlier, but I'll say it again, rebounding maximizes your team's opportunities and minimizes your opponents'. What this means for you is that your team has the ball more and your chances of scoring more points or assists (and of course, more offensive rebounds) goes up!

Hopefully I've convinced you of how important rebounding is. Not doing it can lead to more losses for your team (and less minutes for you) and rebounding well increases your chances of winning and scoring more points. So if you pay attention to any basketball tips, pay attention to this one. It could help you get more minutes on your basketball team.

About the Author

Shawn Baune is a full time profit analyst and former basketball player. He has a passion for basketball and still plays on a regular basis in his spare time, gaining respect from others on the court. Perhaps an even bigger passion, though, is sharing (especially with his nephew) his basketball tips on what he's learned. These basketball tips come through Shawn's experiences, research, and mistakes made in basketball training.

Shawn has also been developing http://www.basketball-tips-and-training.com in his spare time To help share his passion for basketball. If you found the article helpful, there are plenty more free basketball tips where that came from at his site.

basketball-tips-and-training.com

Reproduction allowed with credit to website

Be a Superstar in a Sports Costume

A Sports costume is easy to put together and wear. Here are some popular sports costumes that you can try out for yourself.

Sports Costume - Basketball

Dressing up like Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, LeBron James or any other hard-court hero is easy. You can get a basketball jersey with matching shorts from any sporting goods store or costume store. Wear it with your favorite white rubber shoes. You can style your hair in the same manner as your favorite basketball superstar - you can dye your hair in different colors like Dennis Rodman or sport dreads like Allen Iverson. Finally, don't forget the ball to complete your look.

Sports Costume - Baseball

Are you a basketball fanatic? basketball up like Alex Rodriguez and his gang with a baseball costume. The basic white baseball top with white tights makes up the baseball ensemble. Add a baseball cap with your favorite team's logo. Carry around a baseball bat, ball and mitts for an even more realistic effect!

Sports Costume - Tennis

Whether it's Andy Roddick or Maria Sharapova you're rooting for, you can easily copy them with tennis costumes. Just put on a white top and pair it with white shorts or a white skirt. Bring a tennis ball and a racket with you and you're all set!

Sports Costume - Football

The NFL is home to some of the most interesting people in sports. Dress up like Al Davis or Mike Dikta by wearing an over-sized padded football jersey over a white long-sleeved top and matching tights. Don't forget the football and the helmet. You may even want to throw in a plastic guard for your teeth and some handy Gatorade to give that extra oomph to your football costume.

Sports Costume - Golf

If you're looking for something more fashionable, try wearing a golf outfit. Be Tiger Woods in an all-white ensemble, topped with a cap. Carry around a golf club and some golf balls. Make it more realistic by driving around a golf cart and having your caddy with you!

Sports Costume - Swimming

With Michael Phelps' performance in the last Olympics, swimming has become one of the most talked about sports in the world. If you're up for the challenge and you have the right body, donning a swimming costume may just be for you. Get yourself some Speedo trunks, a swimming cap and a pair of goggles. You can also wear a United States sports jacket for added flair. Don't forget to hang 8 gold medals around your neck!

Sports Costume - Wrestling

If you're looking for something different, consider donning wrestling attire. Wrestlers are one of the flashiest and most exciting people to watch in the world of sports entertainment. Hulk Hogan's yellow Real American outfit is still a big hit at parties, especially when you start tearing the shirt apart. Don't forget to do his classic poses!

Sports Costume - Coaches, Referees and Commentators

Dressing up in sports costumes does not have to be limited to those who play the sport. You can also dress up as the coach of your favorite team, as a referee or as one of the commentators. Go for the classic, like Phil Jackson, or the more controversial ones, like referee Tim Donaghy. For girls, men will surely appreciate you dressing up like one of their favorite cheerleaders, complete with a short skirt and pom-poms. You can even choose to wear your favorite team's mascot costume!

So what are you waiting for? Gather your friends and dress up like your favorite sports teams!

Sports Costumes.

Dress up and play like the best in a Sports Halloween Costume from Adult Costume Shop.

Radically Increase Your Vertical Jump in 8 Weeks

Jump Higher To Win - Every Basketball player knows that maximizing their vertical leap means more dunks, more rebounds and more games won. It means outplaying and out scoring basketball other team. Its about winning or losing. If you play basketball you've probably tried many ways to improve your jump. Some with limited success, some with no gain and some causing injury in the process. The truth is there is no "one way" and no "secret method" to increasing your jump distance. The key to successfully adding 8, 10, 12 or more inches to your jump is combining the best professionally proven training methods.

Jump Experts - To all coaches, trainers and athletes out there...before you spend another dime on any other training program you need to check out the 8-week e-book course "Jump Experts" by Virgil Aponte. Master of the hugely popular Staircase Exercise Program and former WNBA strength trainer, Aponte has compiled the best training programs and specialized techniques of the world's top strength and jump coaches. "Jump Experts" guarantees to radically increase your vertical jump in just 8 weeks. The experts in Aponte's course are all world class, highly sought after pros. They will coach you in the best and most critical strength training programs, plyometrics, ankle and foot complex exercises, kettleball techniques, Flex Band workouts, static stretches, nutritional guides, and much more.

Who are these experts? - They are pros like Jon Hinds, Founder of The Monkey Bar Gym and Former Strength Coach of the LA Clippers; Dave Schmitz, Director of Performax Performance Training and Certified Physical Therapist & Athletic Trainer; Steve Cotter, Strength & Conditioning Consultant to the 49ers, the Chargers and the United States Marines; Lee Taft, Vice President of the International Youth Conditioning Association; Gray Cook, Reebok Master Trainer and Consultant to the NFL, NBA, NHL & WNBA; and many more world class jump experts. There's no doubt about it, the specialized training in "Jump Experts" will put you at the top of your game because you'll be coached by the top trainers in the world.

What's in it and Where to get it - There are over 440 pages and 7 hours of audio in this amazing e-book and MP3 course. Aponte has put so much specialized training, coaching and assessment in "Jump Experts" that its impossible to go into the full details here. So if you're serious about dramatically improving your vertical jump then you must visit the URL below for more information and where to buy "Jump Experts".

To learn more about Virgil Aponte's amazing e-book "Jump Experts" and how to order your copy please follow this link.

http://www.jumppros.com/page10.php

You may also read more about it here: http://www.squidoo.com/Jumping-Higher

Basketball Stations - Basketball Drills For a Pre-Practice Warm-up

As a beginning coach, I ignored warm-ups and used half-speed two-ball dribbling drills as a warm-up for more intense activities during practice. When I moved to Sweden to coach a professional women's basketball team, the players were married to their warm-ups and could not function without an extended warm-up period. When I practiced with the club's men's team, I felt like more than half the practice was a warm-up. I acquiesced, in a sense, with my team: we arrived before our practice time and players jumped rope for 5-10 minutes above the bleachers as our warm-up and then we did one sub-maximal drill on the court before moving into our practice.

In our first game, our opponent spent 25 of the allotted 30 minutes of pre-game warm-up using a basketball. Later in the season, I watched another player go through an extensive plyometric pre-game warm-up. While Americans criticize European players for their defensive deficiencies, the Swedish players' defensive footwork impressed me. We generally assume that a foreign-born player with adept footwork developed her footwork by playing soccer, but as I reflected on my experience coaching abroad, it appeared as though their pre-game and practice routines focused on footwork and led to its development.

The following season, as I prepared workouts and practice routines, I implemented a series of warm-ups to begin practice: drills to focus on footwork and jumping ability. Coaching women, the pre-practice jumping and agility program is an attempt to increase performance and reduce injuries, as researchers believe women can reduce the risk of ACL injury through a small plyometric routine.

I use three general warm-up routines: (1) jump rope' (2) stations or (3) full court dynamic warm-up (carioca, running backwards, bounding, lateral bounding, high knees, butt kicks and high/power skips). Our warm-up now lasts 10-15 minutes.

Warm-up Stations

When we do our station warm-up, we jog, backpedal and carioca. Since we have 10 players, we work in pairs. Our focus is to teach quick changes of direction and first-step quickness.

Station basketball Mirror Drill (15 seconds on, rest for 15 seconds, 15 seconds on)

We teach most of our on-ball defensive stance and movement through this drill and later in 1v1 drills. The players face each other and one player starts as the offensive player and one as the defender. The offensive player leads, moving laterally, and the defensive player tries to remain face to face. The offensive player's goal is to create space between the two of them, while the defender tries to stay within the width of the offensive player's body.

Station 2: Mikan Drill

The first player goes for 30 seconds and then the second player goes. Drill practices baby-hook shots. Start under the basket and step out with the left foot on the right side to shoot with the right hand; grab the ball from the net, keeping the ball above your shoulders and step to the left side of the rim with your right foot, shooting with the left hand. Continue.

Station 3: Jump Squats

Squat and jump as high as possible, swinging arms high into the air. Focus on a soft landing so they land properly from a vertical jump and absorb the force of the impact throughout the muscles of their legs, not just in the quadriceps and knee joint. Squat to a half-squat, with the bottom of the thighs parallel to the ground before jumping.

Station 4: X-Lay-ups

Make as many lay-ups in 30 seconds and then switch. Start at one elbow, dribble and attempt a lay-up. Rebound and run to the other elbow; dribble and attempt a lay-up from the other side. Continue for 30 seconds.

Station 5: Partner Shooting

Player 1 passes to Player 2 and closes out. P2 catches, shoots and follows her shot. P1 contests the shot and relocates, moving continuously and calling for the ball. P2 passes to P1 and contests shot. Partners shoot for one minute.

Station 6: McHale Drill

Left hand tips ball continuously against the backboard while the right hand grabs the net basketball Do six and switch to the right hand side. Right hand tips ball against backboard while left hand grabs the net (rim). Repeat on the left hand side for a total of 18 tips. Switch partners.

Station 7: T-Drill with 2 Ball Dribbling

Set up the T-Drill with cones 5-7 feet apart in the shape of a T. Start at the base of the T and sprint forward while dribbling two balls. Shuffle to the left cone, then to the right cone and finally back to the intersection. Back pedal to the base of the T. Go three times and rotate. The other player practices stationary two-ball drills while resting.

These quick drills provide a fast-paced warm-up that needs little instruction and insures the players break a sweat. Our focus is getting through the drills quickly: players sprint from station to station and practice with intensity in each drill. The warm-up focuses on ball control (6 and 7), quick changes of direction (1 and 7), jumping (3 and 6) and shooting (2, 4 and 5), training a variety of skills in a short amount of time.

For more information on youth basketball coaching, visit The Cross Over Movement.

McCormick is the Performance Director for TrainforHoops.com and the creator of 180Shooter.com. He is a coach, trainer and author who penned Cross Over: The New Model of Youth Basketball Development. McCormick has coached professionally in Sweden and Ireland, and coached and trained youth, high school and college teams and players in the United States. He currently advises clubs, schools and federations on their development systems and coach education programs. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach (NSCA) and Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM). He lives in Irvine where he trains players.

How To Create An Outdoor Family Room

More and more families are enjoying time spent outside. The back yard can now basketball thought of an extension of the space inside your home. Here are some things basketball will want to keep in mind when creating an outdoor family room at your home.

Consider Your Family's Needs

The ages and interests of your family members will need to be taken into consideration when you plan your outdoor space. A family with young children will have different priorities than a household made up of two retirees or a single twenty-something. The best way to proceed is to make a list of who will be using the space and in what way.

For example, is the space a place to sit and read? Will young children be playing there? Do the owners enjoy gardening or hosting friends? If so, how much time do they have to spend on these activities?

If you still need some ideas, check out some decorating magazines or visit a retailer to see what is available. Leave room in your outdoor decorating plan for flexibility. Decide what elements are "must haves" and which ones can be relegated to the "would be nice to have" list.

Set a Budget

Now that you have come up with a wish list of what you want your outdoor living space to do, you need to decide how much you can afford to spend. Your plan can be implemented in a number of installments, so don't think you have to do everything in one season if that is not feasible. Consider buying items for your yard at the end of the season, when you can get them at a better price.

Include Seating Areas

Whether the family includes young children or not, you will want to include one (or more) seating areas. Patio furniture comes in a variety of styles and colors, from simple tables and chairs to a chaise lounge with colorful cushions. Whatever style of chair or bench you choose, position them near points of interest in space.

If you have a beautiful flower bed, you will want to position your seating so that you can see and appreciate it. The same is true if the back yard includes a pool, fountain, or a fire pit for visitors to gather around.

Consider Cooking Outdoors

Being able to eat outside is an important consideration when planning an outdoor family room. Many people enjoy cooking over a BBQ and you will want to position this item close to the house to make it more convenient when carrying food back and forth. Likewise, you will want to place a table and chairs nearby.

When considering where to put your BBQ and patio table, you will want to take into account which parts of your yard get direct sunlight at the times of day you are most likely to be entertaining. Adding a patio umbrella will make eating outside more enjoyable on sunny days, while a chiminea will chase away the chill of a late night gathering.

Planning is key to getting the outdoor family room that will fit your needs. So take the time to think about what the space is being used for before you start shopping.

Another great thing to add to your yard is the addition of a basketball hoop. An outdoor basketball goal is a fun way to get the family together and keep the kids around. Shop from all sorts of basketball hoops at this great online store.