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