How to Jump Higher to Dunk a Basketball

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

Sometimes, dunks can even determine the name of the outcome of a competitive and exciting game. That basketball 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 such 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 basic 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 Hoops Make a Great Gift!

With Christmas right around the corner, no doubt there are quite a few people on your list that are deserving of something more than the general box of candy or gift basket of fruit. With a little thought, you have the opportunity to stand out from the majority of gift givers by opting for the unique gift related basketball. Even those you may not initially consider for such a seemingly extravagant present may be floored and wowed by the thought you put into a special token just for them.

Most everyone loves the game of basketball, even if they aren't glued to their TV during the weeks of the annual playoffs. Shooting hoops in the driveway, the dorm room or even in the office is a great stress reliever for anyone and brings a smile to the face of the person or people playing.

For your favorite friends, family or neighbors, consider bestowing upon them a portable basketball hoop. A stand up portable hoop is easy to pick up at the local discount store, or possibly even at a garage sale, providing basketball is still in good shape. These units come with bases that can be filled with sand or water. You could even surprise said family with the hoop by setting it up outside of their home early Christmas morning and "wrapping" it with a large bow. Another option for a portable hoop is a wall mount unit. Purchasing this type of unit for a family may take a little research, as it will mount right to their house.

If you live in an area where families or co-workers may need something they can do inside during colder weather, there are lots of choices for indoor units as well. Most of us can remember the Nerf style hoops made of plastic that would stick to the wall with miniature suction cups. Oh, how basketball days did we put off doing homework in the quest of the perfect Nerf dunk! Today, these indoor hoops can come with metal mounting brackets that will anchor the hoop securely to the wall of the game room, garage or office. Rims are made to be flexible so as not to disrupt the security of the hoop on the wall. With price ranges from approximately $50 up to $150, something for every budget can be found in a cinch.

So when you've got gift giving to do, keep in mind to think outside the box. Think in the hoop and slam dunk a great gift for someone special!

Author Bill Parsons is the creative author of a variety of online specialty stores that offer both items and information for all your athletic equipment needs. Today, he offers advice on different goals and hoops and how a basketball hoop can make a great gift!

Warning - Keep Your Knees Safe! A Hurt Knee, a Basketball Playing Possibility

While all sports persons will not necessary suffer any knee injury, being active in any sport does put you at a higher risk of getting hurt. Basketball especially involves a lot of fast-paced, twisting, turning and jumping and is one of those sports where you are most likely to hurt your knees. All players know how excruciating it can be to play with a hurt knee. Basketball players should take the following tips on how to prevent such an injury while playing the game they love so much:

Limber Up to Keep your Knees Strong

In addition to wearing a well designed brace when playing, it is also important that you limber up in order to avoid a hurt knee. Basketball calls for a lot of strenuous game play and proper warming up is imperative. Warming up sessions are like oil for your joints and will help keep them flexible. Cool down exercises after you have finished playing a rough and tumble game of basketball are equally important to keep all your joints in good working order.

Keep your Knees Warm

Wearing knee warmers or knee braces when you are playing basketball will help keep your joints Basketball1010pwjj@netscape and will help prevent you from getting injured during the game. Keeping the joints warm is one way that you can stave off osteoarthritis of the knee or other conditions that may affect you as you get older.

Apply Ice & See a Doctor if you Suffer an Injury

If you get a hurt knee when playing basketball or any other game, it is important to treat it right away. Do not wait until it is swollen and you cannot move your leg. If your leg is swollen, apply ice on the affected area immediately.

If the pain and swelling persists, you need to go see a doctor. You will most likely be prescribed some pain medication and rest if the ligament is torn. Ignoring an injury is the worst thing you can do as it could result in the joint getting worse.

The Debate over Knee Surgery for Basketball Players

Should you go in for surgery if you have a hurt knee? Basketball players have a propensity for injuring their Basketball1010pwjj@netscape whilst playing. However, surgery may be something that you want to try to avoid at all costs. Not only is it extremely painful and expensive, but most importantly, it does not always work. In a worst case scenario, an unsuccessful surgery may mean you will have to give up your beloved sport altogether.

Wear Knee Braces

To help avoid a hurt knee, basketball players should wear a well designed brace when playing the game. A brace will keep your knee in proper alignment and help to keep your knee safe. This helps to keep you focused on the game when you are engaged in a fierce battle for the top spot. If you play basketball and want to avoid knee problems, one of the best things you can do to take care of your knees is to protect them by wearing a low profile, light weight brace.

Braces do not have to be big and bulky, nor do they have to stop you from playing your game... The support that they provide should never be overlooked.

If you would like free information just like this visit us online at http://www.drbraceco.com Dr. Brace Co. is an education based site that can provide helpful information and meaningful support for your knee.

Toys to Encourage Exercise

Unfortunately, it's just too easy for kids to stay indoors these days. Video games and television can be excellent learning tools, but they really shouldn't make up 100% of a child's playtime. Especially at such a young age, it's very important for a person to get an hour or more of exercise a day.

We all know that exercise is great for your body, but it's also an excellent way to sharpen your mind and to build character. When you play team sports and outdoor games for kids, you learn about the importance of putting work into meeting your goals, you learn about the importance of working in a team, and you learn how to think on your feet, developing plans and tactics on the fly to score that last goal or make a safe pass.

The little leagues aren't right for everyone. To be frank, we've all seen our share of overzealous parents who prioritize winning over how you play the game, coaches who shout at kids and so on. Basketball1010pwjj@netscape may be wise to look into the sports programs in your area, and know what you're getting your kid into before signing up.

By providing your kids with some sports toys to play with at home, you can allow them to have fun getting their daily exercise, with or without a full sports team. Some of these toys can even be played with indoors, without having to worry about bouncing a hard rubber ball off the bookshelf, such as indoor soccer or basketball kits, which can be played with anywhere you have twelve or so feet of empty floor space.

Ideally, you'll want supply your kid, or kids, with some toys that meet the following criteria:

Challenging, but not Impossible

If you're getting a child their first bicycle, for example, there's nothing wrong with starting the kid off with training wheels. The same goes for any other toys that will challenge your children. Something that's too easy is just as easy to lose interest in, while something that's nearly impossible to improve at is more likely to frustrate than to challenge. Know where your child's skill level is at. Luckily, there are basketball hoops with adjustable height, and you can start kids off with tee ball rather than skipping right to baseball.

Relevant to your Kid's Interests

Some kids just don't care about soccer... or basketball, or football, or baseball, or... well you get the picture. If your kid prefers skating, skateboards are awesome. If your kid is maybe an outdoorsy type, you can Basketball1010pwjj@netscape them with an easy carry outdoor tent or some adventure toys like bug collecting kits. To interest your kids in exercise, you need to know what interests them.

If you're having trouble finding something that seems just right for your kids, you can always try shopping for toys online. Online toy stores tend to offer a pretty wide variety in comparison to most toy shops you could visit in person. Whichever route you choose, though, it's very important to keep your kids interested in the pursuit of physical activity, for their health, their physical and mental development, and... well, to have the house to yourself for an hour a day!

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NBA Games - Will the Boston Celtics Repeat?

I did enjoy when basketball Utah duo of Stockton to Malone perfected the pick and role play under coach Jerry Sloane and when Larry Bird was "The Man" of the Boston Celtics. And who can forget the hardcourt duel between Boston and Los Angeles, of Bird and Magic Johnson, of Robert basketball and Kareem Abdul Jabbar?

Being someone who once played the sport, I was amazed by both of these teams, the skills of their players, the tactics employed by their coaches and the way they played the game with so much determination and basketball savvy. Such qualities have made both teams the most successful teams in the NBA when it came to the number of championships they have won. The Lakers have 14 with the last one during the last year of the Kobe Bryant-Shaquille O'Neal partnership in the 2001-2002 season while the Celtics won it last year after a drought of 22 years. And being a Celtics fan, that was just a sweet, sweet triumph to savor.

The triumvirate of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have showed that superstars can set aside their huge egos, get along rather well, and work for the common goal of the team, that of winning the championship. They have proven their critics wrong, and the big three want more, a lot more. And the man responsible for bringing them in? Coach Doc Rivers should be credited for having the vision to pull this feat off.

During the start of this season, expectations have been high. Now that they have tasted how it felt to win a championship the next item in their agenda is to successfully defend their title. They started impressively, having accumulated a record of 8-2 during their first 10 games of the season with their last loss coming at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Then they went on a franchise record 19 game winning streak which ended during Christmas Day when Bryant and the Lakers finally playing well to gain a great basketball result. Boston still owned the best win-loss record in the league with 27-3.

That suddenly changed as the next game, they were beaten by a struggling Golden State Warriors team. It was the first time that Boston suffered back-to-back defeats in the season. It didn't end there though. The team suddenly found themselves unable to get a win as they suffered defeats from low ranked teams like the New York Knicks and Charlotte Bobcats, aside from the losses against possible title contenders like the Portland Trailblazers, Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers. Now their record is at 31-9 through 40 NBA games.

I cannot believe the misfortune that the team is into lately. Gone is the stingy Boston defense that limits its opponents ability to score. Gone is the Celtic pride that Garnett used to have when the team had its winning streak of 19 games. They seem to be like an average team playing an average game. And I do hope that Rivers can solve the mystery and fast. The season is now on its middle part, when teams grind out wins and team standings are starting to shape up in order to determine which team shall go to the playoffs. And if the Celtics really want to defend their crown and win the title, they better show it on the basketball court day in, day out and not just by plain lip service.

Follow the latest NBA livescore at ScoresPro.com.