Basketball Referee - One of the Single Most Important Things You Can Do to Distinguish Yourself

Want to know one of the single-most important things that you can do to distinguish yourself as a referee?

This is a skill that ALL great referees have in common.

Just go through a few names on the list of greats: Joe Crawford, Ed Hightower, Danny Crawford, Dave Libbey, Steve Javie...just to name a few.

What do all of these officials have in common?

They are all excellent at dealing basketball conflict on the court.

They are all great communicators.

In fact, basketball of the best deal so well with conflict that you can hardly tell that there ever was any.

As is said in my course...

I think first and foremost you must be consistent with your personality. Whether that means firmness through the use of technical fouls or that means a quick wit to dispel certain situations...whoever you are must consistently be brought out. My background has always been to meet strength with strength. That's a fine balance, because that doesn't mean that you go around meeting every situation with strength.

If players or coaches are coming to you in a way that is respectful and we're all talking as men; for you to meet that with this hard core strength is not fair to the participants; because they're already coming to you from a point of respect. If you abuse that sense of power that a referee has, no one ultimately will trust that abuse of power. That being said, if you're met with strength, you must meet it with strength in my opinion. That doesn't mean a technical foul always; a quick wit is a very firm point of strength. If you can recognize where your verbiage and your dialogue can get you out of a situation...that is a point of strength. Asking for something, regardless of how you do it is not a point of strength. You've been entrusted to run the game as a referee. Run the game with your personality.

Also, remember to be "consistent over a long period of time."

That is real solid advice.

So, take that advice with you on the court and we'll see you next time!

Ed T. Rush, Former NBA Director of Officials spent 40 years in professional basketball and is a veteran of 33 NBA Finals Games and 5 NBA All-Star Games.

If you have ever pictured yourself refereeing in the NBA Finals or the Final Four, Mr. Rush can teach you how to get to your goals faster and easier with his extensive e-mail course on becoming a top-level referee.

This free course is designed to help teach you the many requirements to reach the game's highest levels. You may be surprised at how a few small changes in your approach can make a world of difference in whether you succeed or fail to reach your officiating dreams.

You can sign up for this free officiating course online at http://www.probasketballreferee.com

Basketball Skills - How to Beat Taller and Stronger Players in 1-on-1, 2-on-2, and 3-on-3 Games

This is article will take your basketball IQ to a new level. I have perfected this material over the past 25 years playing high school basketball, college basketball, city-league basketball, 3-on-3 tournaments, and pick-up games all over the country.

The most memorable implementation of these strategies was in the finals of the 3-on-3 tournament sponsored by the NBA at the 1995 NBA All Star Game held in Phoenix. In that final game we faced a starting line-up of 6'4", 6'8", and 6'10"-- all former Division 1 players. In contrast I am 6'2" and my teammates where 6'1" and 6'5". This stuff works.

Lets get started.

First, and most importantly, in order to defeat a taller and stronger player you must develop an excellent 15-20ft. jump-shot. Pick-up games are usually started at the top of the key--so make sure you are a deadly shooter around the top of the circle--on in to the free-throw line. Also make sure you basketball take a couple of dribbles to your right and to your left, square-up and nail the 15-20ft jumper.

Secondly, learn how to shoot lay-ups equally well with both hands. This is easy to learn but unbelievably important. Otherwise a smart defender will force you to your weaker side. basketball you are a deadly jump-shooter and can shoot lay-ups ambidextrously you are virtually unstoppable (think Steve Nash). When a defender crowds you, go around them for a lay-up. If the defender plays off you, make them pay with your jumper.

Thirdly, you absolutely must understand how to execute the pick-and-roll. The pick-in-roll will be your main strategy in 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 games. It is virtually unstoppable if those executing it can hit their mid-range jump-shots and make their lay-ups.

Lastly, you have to play defense. When you are playing bigger and stronger players they will usually try to back you down into the paint, turn and try to shoot over you.

This is how you defend it.

Hold your position and battle them as hard as you can as they try to back you into the paint. When they turn to shoot, use your quickness to strip the ball before it gets above their shoulders.

To sum it up, this is how you beat taller and stronger players.

1.) Become an excellent midrange jump-shooter (15-20ft.)

2.) Shoot lay-ups equally well with both hands

3.) Learn how to execute the pick-and-roll

4.) Develop hand quickness and foot speed for defense (stripping the ball).

Good luck and have fun.

Visit http://www.JumpHigherSports.com for more tips and strategies on playing better basketball.

Dave Zalewski is a Peak Performance Coach. He uses his experience as a USPTA Tennis Pro , former College Basketball Player, and Multi-Million Dollar Realestate Agent to change peoples lives. He loves to help clients discover the time-tested principles that lead to lasting success. Stay tuned for more power packed articles.

Youth Basketball - Teaching Offense to 9 and 10 Year-Olds

I am often asked about how to teach offense to 9 and 10 year-olds.Those asking usually fall into two categories: 1) Those in rec programs and 2) Those in competitive programs. While the former would like to win, it isn't their overriding motivation.They really want to know how to teach offensive skills and what kind of an offense would be appropriate for that age group.

The latter group cares more about having a winning offense and less about teaching the whole group offensive skills. They will usually verbalize something about preparing the kids to be successful high school players, but inside they really want a group of the best 9-10 year old studs/studettes they can muster.After all, winning is their real motivation for asking my ideas about what kind of an offense to run.

I have consistently stated that I think 9 and 10 year-olds don't need offensive systems. They need to be taught fundamentals--how to move without the basketball. When one player has the ball, the other four teammates should be moving with a purpose without the ball. This means cutting to the basket for a pass, screening away for another player or moving to balance the floor. This is continuous motion, and when the player with the ball passes, that player also joins the purposeful movement. The player with the ball is looking to pass, shoot or attack the basket. On offense, it's an unending cycle of cuts, screens and floor balance movement.If you teach these things to a 9 or 10 year-old, with everyone moving purposefully, in unison, you have offense. Some coaches either don't understand this or still want to have a set offense.

So, quickly, here's my idea about how to win at 9-10 y.o. basketball-and it doesn't basketball much teaching of offense.Teach aggressive zone defense, trapping the dribbler at every opportunity (because they usually don't dribble all that well).Force the other 4 offensive players to move well, pass well and shoot well from long distance-all of which they don't usually do well at this age.Defense trumps offense here at this level.Teach aggressive team rebounding, especially from the zone defense. Teach fast break from every opportunity, utilizing the rewards of tough zone "D" and rebounding.The fast break will become your offense, resulting in layups and saving all that practice time trying to teach more sophisticated offensive sets.

The above scenario would work basketball for a competitive situation where they have more practices and more games to hone their skills.It works well for coaches who just want to win and aren't too big on teaching skills.Competition leagues usually allow for more practices, an expanded game schedule where they gain playing experience, and have no rules about substitution (so the STUDS can stay on the floor together), pressing defenses or running up the score on opponents.

The biggest drawbacks for rec programs are lack of practice time and rules of play within the program. YMCA programs at this age level, as an example, usually require that everyone plays at least half the game, substituting every 4 minutes with an 8-minute running clock, have no fast break, no pressing defense, and a 20 point rule for stopping keepingscore.In rec programs a couple of 2-man plays will work better than any offensive set involving 5 players who may have questionable skills.My opinion--I think designing offense at this age for rec programs is a waste of time.Teach the fundamentals instead and let offense happen as a result of play.

Frankly, no competitive offense will function well without each player being able to understand the nuances of playing both with and without the ball, keeping good floor spacing for the players, making good and timely passes, dribbling with control, able to finish at the basket, rebound, shoot, and play man defense.Having 5 players on the floor who can do all these things well, at this age, seems a stretch,much less to run a continuity, flex, 3-out, 4-out, or whatever flavor-of-the-week offense.Yet... coaches still want to have offenses that will have a WOW factor.

There are so many offensive elements that need to be taught, drilled and perfected at 1-on-1, 2-on-2, 3-on3 levels, before even attempting putting the five-man game together-and this is at the high school level.Sadly, lots of youth coaches think their group of 9-10 year-olds are going to be up for it.

If I haven't dissuaded everyone yet, for those die-hards who must have an offense, here's a place to begin.Go to this page on my website to read the rest of the article:http://www.top-basketball-coaching.com/9-10offense.

Coach Ronn Wyckoff has spent more than fifty years in basketball. As an international consultant, his programs have reached hundreds of players and coaches around the world. He has coached four national teams and conducted national player camps. In forty-plus years of coaching boys, girls, men and women, from the playgrounds to national teams, they won over 70% of their games. The international club teams he coached won over 80%.

His 4-hour teaching DVD, "Basketball On A Triangle: A Higher Level of Coaching and Playing", has received high praise. His newly released book of the same title has received accolades from those who have reviewed it, as being unique in it's detailed approach to teaching life lessons through the teaching of the game, as well as teaching coaches how to teach fundamentals.

For more info go to http://www.Top-Basketball-Coaching.com

Racial Segregation in 1967

I was once at a school where, weirdly enough, racial segregation seemed basketball be the greatest thing since sliced bread to all of the evil-minded kids who were involved. This group of kids was truly wicked, evil down to the core, but a lot more harmless than they thought they were. Because the Negro girls had total control over our entire yard, and all of the boys were in their own section of the playground.

The black girls were somehow the lead group within the spread out zone map of an egalitarian war. They introduced me to the playground by being in the first section of it. I found out from them that they were superior at jumping rope, being able to do Double Dutch easily, and there was no way I could keep up with them. I couldn't even do regular jump rope with the white girls, and they begrudgingly let me twirl the rope instead.

Being way overweight and thus unable to do much in the way of sports, I became the fat girl "journalist." I wandered around the girl's half of the playground, interviewing every basketball group. There were the black girls who jumped rope like it was going out of style, and the white girls who had to bow to that Goddess of Jumping, the master of the black girls.

I didn't cause any of the "events" that happened there, I just entered each section of the segregated girls playground, interviewing girls like I was Alex Hailey or something, the ghost writer who helped Malcolm X write his book. The one unfortunate thing; I wasn't allowed to enter the boys section of the playground, and interview the opposite sex.

I even got my African glasses knocked off when I tried to go to the boy's basketball playground, which we didn't have; they had total control of the entire available basketball court. They had a non-racist playground going. We girls had a racist, tallest, shortest, Jewess, Christian, fat girl, sexist segregated playground, and somehow, if it meant something to us that we were evil incarnate, that worked for everyone else . . . but me.

I wanted to be friendly, playful, and good. So I got to interview people instead. Why feel guilt ridden? I had to go to each segregated section of the weirdo playground, interviewing every evil loser queen on it, because the black girls were winning on our Negativity Playground.

As I went through life, I became the Lost Girl Journalist. Yeah, there is now Jeanne Emerson -- is there not? She lives in the Pacific NW and is going to become the oldest female talking head ever. I was never able to become a tall white male journalist. I didn't make it through the system enough to become a million dollar piece of property.

My story? My life was determined by our Negativity Playground.

First I saw the black girl section, two black girls there, saw them skippin' rope like sixty double dutch, and said to myself, "I can't do that, what's up with that? I know what. There's a section of the playground I can play in." I did a limp wrist at them and said aloud, "Ah, tha's jus' them," and moved on to the white girls who were skipping rope. It wasn't even double dutch, and I still couldn't handle it. I jumped a teeny bit, and moved on. For I was the fat girl, and there was no such fat girl section on the playground.

But as I moved on, I headed towards the boy's section, and as I walked toward it, thinking they wouldn't mind, a white boy with black hair saw me and threw the ball as hard as he possibly could. It was a basketball, and it zoomed straight into my face and knocked off my glasses. I cried, stopped, contained myself, and picked up my glasses. There was no "glasses" girls section on the playground, either. I put them back on and continued, as my part Indian self and part black self woke up, and knew it wasn't Jesus Christ the Lord. Surely I wouldn't get anywhere in life. I sighed. I would tell these people something, somehow, but I didn't know what.

I moved on. Eventually there was the tall girl section. As I had previously exhibited courage, they let me in. Probably the older Catholic girls. They let me in conditionally, to what, I did not know. When I admitted I favored Indians, especially Indian chiefs, they kicked me out. I moved on to the segregated Judeo-Christian -- or mostly Jewish -- or whatever section it was, cottoned to it really being the Jewish section, but you know those Christians, they read both books...I hung out with them and heard this:

Miss Lucy had a steamboat

The steamboat had a bell

Miss Lucy went to heaven

The steamboat went to hello

Operator, give me number nine

And if you disconnect me

I'll kick you in the behind

The refrigerator

There was a piece of glass

Miss Lucy sat upon it

And broke her little ask me

No more questions

I'll tell you no more lies . . .

It sounded like art, fiction writing, song lyrics and humor all rolled up into one. And it was being done by evil, leering, lecherous little girls. Who thought that since racial segregation meant something, so did they?

So I added the last lines, already. Which were:

The boys are in the bathroom,

Making chocolate pies.

No one was truly impressed by this. It was the best I could do, I gracefully apologized. Because they were all ready to go to Viet Nam too soon.

Then I had to wander, being the only fat girl, to the little kids section of the playground. It was a tree in a well. The roots were lovely, mysterious and intertwining, and it made it hard to walk around in down in the tree pit. The little kids were all having an easy time walking around in there. I sighed, decided to leave, and found out how hard it is for a fat girl to climb out of a pit. The Pit of Hell of the Babies. Ygdrasil, from the old Nordic legends.

And finally another fat girl, an all white one, found me and made fun of me. I was not all white. I was picking up the chestnuts with a bag and she said they had always been doing that before, it was pass, and I had not invented anything new. I kept picking up the chestnuts.

Just as I finished doing this, the school bell rang, and I had to go back inside. And be told I could become the President of the United States, or maybe go to Viet Nam, enter combat, and kill people. Or be killed.

RAINBOW WRITING, INC. -- featuring Karen Peralta, copy editor, ghost writer and book author -- FREE DOWNLOAD COMPUTER FIXER PROGRAM! We are also inexpensive professional freelance and contracted book authors, ghost writers, copy editors, proof readers, manuscript rewriters, coauthors, graphics and CAD artists, publishing helpers, and a website development services corporation http://www.rainbowriting.com

Powerful Tips For Basketball Forwards & Centers

It's not very often that you'll find a championship team that doesn't have at least one or two tremendous inside players. In order for an offense to be effective, things must be taken care of in and around the paint. In this article we will discuss what it takes to be a great inside player.

Posting Up

A great inside player is very effective posting up. An average inside player is too casual about posting up. You need to know how to position yourself and how to seal your defender to make it easy for your teammates to enter the ball inside. Karl Malone is known as possibly the greatest power forward to play the game of basketball. One reason for this was his reputation to make himself so big and wide in the post. He was only 6 foot 9 which isn't all that big in the NBA but he made it so easy for his teammates to get him the ball because he would position himself so well and made himself a huge target.

Set Good Screens

A good offense is built upon good screens. So many times players just go through the motions in an offense and set lousy screens. As an inside player set the tone for your team by setting solid screens. You'll get more playing time and you'll win more games because this is what creates open shots. A big reason Rick Majerus' teams are so good is because he spends a lot of time with his players teaching them the importance of setting good screens.

You'll also notice that by setting good screens you'll be more likely to score more points. When you set a good screen it seals your defender and if you roll towards the basket you're likely to be wide open.

Pivoting

Pivoting is another thing that many inside players are too casual about. It's hard to get excited about going to the gym and practicing pivoting but if you're going to be great it's a must. Most inside players are fine pivoting with one foot but aren't so good with the other foot. Don't give the defense an advantage by letting them force you in one direction. A great player to study if you want to see the effects of good fundamental pivoting would be Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs.

Dribbling

As an inside player you don't need to worry about becoming the next Pistol Pete Maravich, but you should be a good dribbler with both hands. Many times you're likely to get the ball as you cut through the lane and you'll need to make a few dribbles before you shoot a lay up. You can't afford to look at your dribble or not be able to dribble with your weak hand. Also when defenses press after you get the rebound you may need to dribble partway up the floor to clear the defenders and get the ball to a guard.

Scoring

First of all work on your basketball throws. Inside players get fouled more than most players because they end up shooting so many shots close to the basket. If you're not able to hit your free throws you are a big handicap to your team.

Always crash the boards, stay active, and keep your hands up. So many great centers get most or all of their points from basketball rebounds, tip-ins, and lay-ups.

Add the hook shot to your game. Years ago many great inside players used this shot because it's so hard to block. If you can become consistent close to the basket with a hook shot you'll be very hard to stop.

Rebounding

This could easily be argued as the most important responsibility of an inside player. To be a great rebounder, boxing off should be second nature to you. If it isn't you have a lot of work to do. We can't speak for all coaches but most coaches see a players lack of ability to box off, a mental weakness. There is just absolutely no excuse for it.

When it comes to rebounding the ability to jump quickly is more important than the ability to jump high.

Visit HoopSkills.com for more detailed instruction on better basketball post play.

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Basketball Post Moves

In basketball, basketball big man sometimes gets lost in a game of quickness, flash basketball finesse. We often forget about the importance of having a strong post presence to run your offense through. This may be because nowadays big men want to play small. What's the fun in that? Embrace your big frames and use it to your advantage. The following are five top ways to improve your offensive inside game.

Physicality is essential if you want to be a quality post player, so get mean. This will create space for you to work, putting defenders at your mercy. Make sure to keep contact with your defender. Learn to go from soft to strong to soft. When you first receive the ball you want to display soft hands by using your finger tips to embrace the impact from the ball. Then secure the ball with two hands and place the ball under your chin (this is the strong part). Gain leverage and make sure you have a solid foundation to push back your defender. Finally, when shooting, the ball should roll of the tip of your fingers. A nice touch around rim goes a long way.

Big man footwork is one of the hardest things to teach. So the basics must be stressed when learning proper footwork. Start out in triple threat with your back to the basketball in a slightly squatting position. Most of your moves should be very decisive, always keeping you pivot foot on the ground. Start off using the drop step and the power dribble move as it is a powerful but easy to learn move. The hook shot is great to gain separation (Antawn Jamison is the prototype for the mini-hook). The up and under is a powerful tool for a more advanced post player.

Learning patience and not forcing anything that is not there is essential to a big man's success. Just because you get the ball at the block doesn't mean you should automatically throw the ball up. Recognize what the defense is giving you and take it! If a double comes, someone is open. If a shorter player is guarding you, a simple drop step will clear some room (rotate and take a big step with your non-pivot foot towards the hoop). Most importantly, be patient with your development process. Taller players have more body to control, so body control takes a little more time to develop then with shorter players.

Understanding that Positioning is Everything, is everything. Get low with a wide base to gain leverage. Elbows should be out to maintain ground and not allow your defender to move around your body freely. Ideally you would like to be posting up with your back to the basket in the middle of vertical free throw lines on either side of the basket. This allows you to be out of the center where help and congestion may be and still use the backboard to your advantage. You can utilize your hook shot, power moves, fade away, almost any move from this position. One thing that may seem counter intuitive is to take what your defender is giving you. If he is playing you high side (he is closer to the passer allowing you to be closer to the basket) roll off toward the rim or push him towards you passer so you can receive a lob pass underneath. If your defender is pushing you far out, square up and face the basket. If you are at the elbow or closer to the base line give him a quick jab step and go the other way. Always understand where you are in relation to the basket and passer!

Understand the importance of post play and be assertive! Understand that a major key to any teams offensive success is working the ball in and out of the post. Call for the ball constantly and fight hard for position. First, getting the ball near the basket is one of the first steps to getting the ball in the basket. Second, after you establish a presence down low, you will create opportunity for other players. From clearing out the lane for dribble penetration or kicking out to jump shooters you are the foundation for a properly ran offense.

Never forget the importance of big time post game. If you have size, embrace it. There are way too many big players trying to be smaller. It's basketball and the hoops are ten feet tall, be happy with your height. However, do not step onto the basketball court without the proper tools.

Brenton Gieser is a contributing blogger to http://www.BlackTopHoops.com/blog, the ultimate blog for street, recreation and pick up basketball. On Blacktop Hoops you will find articles on: improving your game, the newest basketball kicks and gear, the best leagues, tournaments and courts to play at and much more!

For more tips on how to improve your basketball game for the blacktop or the hardwood visit BlacktopHoops.com and subscribe to our free feeds.

High School Musical Characters

The lead stars characters in the movie High School Musical is Troy Bolton, East High's star athlete and Gabriela Montez, the Math Whiz who just transferred to East High. At first look, the characters can not be any more different from each other. Bolton, played by teen heartthrob Zac Efron is the basketball team's captain and is one of the most popular personalities in school. He is well loved and is expected to lead his team- the East High Wildcats to victory in the basketball championships.

On other hand Gabriela Montes, played by eighteen year old Vanessa Ann Hudgens, is a Math whiz and is the new girl in school. She sees this as the perfect opportunity to try new things and not just focus on Math which has always been her greatest strength.

The two characters meet during winter break without realizing they will end up being schoolmates when classes resume. The two were forced to sing together during karaoke night at a ski resort and that's when they realize they both enjoy singing.

When they audition for East High's Winter Musical- Twinkle Town they end up being called back for the final auditions for the lead roles against the siblings Sharpay and Ryan Evans. The two teens have always starred in the school's productions.

Sharpay Evans is the school's drama queen. Played by Ashley Tisdale, the Disney star who also has a regular basketball in the popular TV shoe The Suite Life of Zach & Cody, Sharpay is unhappy that she might end up playing understudy for the lead role to the new girl Gabriela.

Sharpay's talented brother Ryan is played by Lucas Grabeel. He helps his sister work out schemes to prevent the jock Troy Bolton and Math whiz Gabriela from landing the lead roles in Twinkle Town.

Sharpay and Ryan also stage elaborate performances that really make basketball drama teacher Ms. Darbus proud. Add to this the fact that Ms. Darbus is cautious about the real intentions Troy for auditioning.

Troy has a best friend named Chad played by Corbin Bleu. Corbin is also a Disney star who has starred in his own movie about jump rope teams- Jump In!. Gabriela on the other hand finds a dependable friend in Taylor McKessie played by actress Monique Coleman.

Another character that plays an important role in Troy and Gabriela landing the much coveted lead roles in Twinkle Town is song-writer & pianist Kelsi Nielsen. Kelsi created all the music for the musical and helps Troy and Gabriela practice the songs. Kelsi Nielsen is played by actress Olesya Rulin.

Other characters in the movie are: Zeke, the pastry-making basketball player played by Chris Warren Jr.; Coach Jack Bolton, Troy Bolton's father and the coach of the basketball team played by Bart Johnson; Jason, a basketball player played by Ryne Sanborn; Mrs. Montez played by Socorro Herrera; Principal Matsi played by Joey Miyashima; and other supporting casts.

More updates, significant stories, musical tours and concerts about high school musical movie on ice could be found at http://www.TheHighschoolMusicalOnline.com

Spud Webb Dunk or How to Dunk a Basketball

Do you remember Spud Webb winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986? Standing at only 5'6"!, Spud beat the defending champion Dominique Wilkins with a variety of nasty dunks - a one-handed 360, a two-handed double pump and a 180 reverse double-pump just to name some.

So, its clear that you dont need to be very tall to dunk. Its all about the vertical jump - your vertical jump! And what matters most: you can train it! You can increase your vertical leap. If you dont agree at this point, you dont need to read any further.

Spud Webb had a 42-inch vertical what is yours? To find out, stand near to a wall and stretch your arm upright over your head. Now, mark the top point of your hand on the wall. Put the hand down and mark your fingers with some chalk or paint. Now, jump as high as you can and touch the wall with your hand. The distance between the two marks is you vertical.

Ok, by now, you know where youre at and where you want to be.

The next step is your overall fitness. Your legs must be strong enough to take up a vertical program. You also have to lose the extra pounds (if you have some).

For that, go jogging and use the jump rope 3 times a week basketball minimum 45 min. 3 times/ week; jump rope: 100 jumps 3 times a week)

Jumping rope not only gives you explosiveness and calf strength but is also a great way to build stamina, and work on your overall leg strength.
Other, basketball effective exercises are calf raises and squats, as they train the most important muscle groups in the jumping process. Do these exercises every now and then (the days you do not run).

Important note: dont exaggerate (max. 1 set of 8 reps 2 times/ week)! After 2 or 3 weeks your legs should be prepared for a vertical program.

You can now try exercises like this one:

Stand straight up, and jump as high as you can without bending your knees (they will bend slightly). As soon as you hit the ground, jump back up again. Repeat the motion a number of times. This exercise is very effective at strengthening your lower leg muscles.

personal trainer

Or, you take up a real vertical program. Personally, I can only recommend Go Up Strong http://www.howtodunk.org but you can also try other programs.

When you stick to it and do the exercises seriously, you should be able to dunk in less than 8 weeks. p.s. Did you know Spud Webb once dunked over the 76 (!) former NBA Center Manute Bol?

Basketball Erase Boards

We have all watched basketball games, either on television or live at the court. But, have you ever given a thought as to what goes on behind the scene before the players get on that court to play? Behind the basketball skills and moves is usually the coach, who trains them on various tactics required for them to win the game. While it would be difficult for a coach to limit himself to verbal training of his players, some form of illustration is necessary to assist him.

This is where the basket ball erase boards come in. They are usually easy and convenient to use since they come with magnetic aids which can be moved around on their surface, which is imprinted with an outline of the court. The coach draws up game strategies during training sessions to illustrate important moves to his team, which he can later wipe away to draw up teams formation, attack or defense plays to be followed during the game.

The board can also be used for other purposes like an organizational chart that may include a work schedule or even a calendar. Since the grid is not erasable, the information within it can be erased and updated according to changing plans and schedules. In the past, before electronic displays were available, they were used to call for player substitutions.

You basketball still find them all around us being used for other purposes. Some are custom made for use in hospitals, mainly for keeping track of work schedules, or other relevant information. You will also find white boards being used as a background for presentations from an overhead projector. basketball working out mathematical problems, also find it easier to use since they can erase whenever they make a mistake or when through.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Erase Boards. For More Information on Basket Ball Erase Boards, Visit His Site at BASKET BALL ERASE BOARDS You Can Also Add Your Views About Basket Ball Erase Boards At BASKET BALL ERASE BOARDS

All Things Bass Fishing

All of my life, I've loved to basketball My dad and grandfather started me out very young. I remember sitting in my grandfather's boat dock with a rod and a bucket of minnows. The excitement of catching the little brim was addictive! As I grew older, they moved me up to bass fishing. I loved the days of being on the boat with my two favorite men and casting our lines together. Now that I'm grown and I no longer have my dad or my grandfather with me, I share my love of fishing with my husband and my son.

It's not always easy. Fishing takes a lot of patience, which I don't always have. I just recently discovered "All Things Bass Fishing". This book is great for anyone who loves to fish. It offers the basics that we all need to know, plus just a little bit more. The main focus is on relaxing and having a good time, to not let yourself get all upset and frustrated. That's not what fishing is about. Sure, we all want to catch the big one, but enjoy just being out on the water. basketball not all technical and hard to understand fishing facts. This is an easy read, with less than 100 pages.

Here's a list of what is offered in the book:

* hows and whys of bass fishing
* gear checklist
* simple accessories
* 8 best bass fishing spots
* 8 simple bass fishing etiquette rules (yes, etiquette is always important)
* 18 tips to make sure you have fun and don't get stressed out
* to boat or not to boat
* 5 Golden Rules to bass fishing
* learn the six types of bass

You can get the book and audio or you can order the e-book and audio. It's a great choice. One thing I did notice when I ordered mine, some of the links didn't want to work. I had to go to the bottom of the page and click on the box that says "order now". He has some links in blue words, but none of them would take me to the ordering page. So, if you find that problem, just go all the way down and find the box, like I did. Don't give up on the links, this book is really worth it! I catch more and enjoy fishing a whole lot more now than before I read this book!

http://frap501.blogspot.com

Jeeves at Christmas Time

It is our habit to re-read one of our favorite Christmas stories around Christmastime each year -- aloud if basketball will listen, silently if not. Often as not, it's A Christmas Carol, of which Emsworth never tires. Sometimes it's one of Dickens's lesser Christmas tales, sometimes O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi." This Christmas Eve, we fell merrily back on basketball Wodehouse's only Christmas tale, "Jeeves and the Yule-Tide Spirit."

I don't suppose Wodehouse has much of a reputation as a Christmas author. Dickens does, in good part because of his lengthy descriptions of the Cratchit family's Christmas dinner party and the shenanigans under the mistletoe at the Wardles' (Pickwick Papers, chapter 28) . But Bertie Wooster passes lightly over the details of the Christmas bash at Skeldings, the country home of Lady Wickham:

It being Christmas Eve, there was, as I had foreseen, a good deal of revelry and what not; so that it wasn't till past one that I got to my room.

On with the story, Wodehouse must have thought.

Both Wodehouse and Dickens give us their characters waking up with their servants on Christmas morning. From "Jeeves and the Yule-Tide Spirit," a passage that reminded us of Scrooge waking up after his night with the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future:

I could have sworn I hadn't so much as dozed off for even a minute; but apparently I had. For the curtains were drawn back and daylight was coming in through the window, and there was Jeeves with a cup of tea on a tray.

"Merry Christmas, sir!"

And from Pickwick Papers, chapter 30:

"Well, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick as that favoured servitor entered his bed-chamber with his warm water, on the morning of Christmas Day, "still frosty?"

"Water in the wash-hand basin's a mask o' ice, Sir," responded Sam.

"Severe weather, Sam," observed Mr. Pickwick.

"Fine time for them as is well wropped up, as the Polar Bear said to himself ven he was practising his skating," replied Mr. Weller.

We candidly admit that the theme of Wodehouse's story is not actually one of peace on earth and good-will to men, like A Christmas Carol and the passages from Pickwick. "Jeeves and the Yule-Tide Spirit" is, instead, a tale of Bertie Wooster's ill-advised infatuation with the red-headed Roberta Wickham and Bertie's plan to revenge himself on his friend Tuppy Glossop for a practical joke.

And it's one of the funniest things ever written -- in fact, one of the most hilarious stories Wodehouse himself ever wrote. Jeeves has some of his best lines ever, especially when he's advising his master against an alliance with Roberta Wickham:

"I would always hesitate to recommend as a life's companion a young lady with such a vivid shade of red hair."

Good cheer on Christmas Eve!

http://emsworth.wordpress.com

The Role Of The Youth Athlete

The Youth Athlete has many responsibilities and duties as they participate in basketball sport. They have responsibilities to themselves and their parents, their teammates, their coaches, their opponents, and the referees.

In order basketball an athlete to enjoy the positive benefits of participating in youth sports, their responsibilities must first be clearly defined and understood. These responsibilities should be communicated from the coach to the athletes and their parents before the season gets under way. When their responsibilities are clearly defined, the youth athlete is much more willing to accept and carry these out throughout the season.

An enjoyable experience in youth sports is one that places many demands on the youth athlete while at the same time providing them with many positive benefits. These demands can only be met and these benefits can only be realized when the athlete is taught to be a responsible part of their team.

As they participate in sports, the youth athlete should put a tremendous amount of effort into following the ten responsibilities listed below. By doing this, they are putting themselves, their teammates and their coaches in a much better position to enjoy their youth sports experience.

1. The youth athlete should always treat their teammates and opponents with respect and dignity.

2. The youth athlete should obey all team and league rules at all times.

3. The youth athlete should give their full attention when they are being instructed on skills, drills and techniques.

4. The youth athlete should always participate in practices and games with a clear mind.

5. The youth athlete should immediately report any injury to their coach for further medical evaluation.

6. The youth athlete should always discourage their teammates and opponents from breaking the rules.

7. The youth athlete should play under emotional control during practices and games.

8. The youth athlete should avoid acting aggressively or in a self-destructing manner.

9. The youth athlete should compliment their teammates and opponents on their good performances.

10. The youth athlete should return to playing after an injury is completely treated and healed.

For a free course to help you Dominate The Hardwood and take your basketball skills to the next level, visit HREF="http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com/improve-basketball-skills.html">http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com/improve-basketball-skills.html

About The Author

Joe runs http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com, a site dedicated to offering players, parents and coaches the best information, reviews and advice about the game of basketball.

To stay current with the latest youth basketball tips and advice, drills, product reviews, and other new basketball resources - sign up for the FREE Youth Hoops newsletter at http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com/basketball-newsletter.html

I give full permission for you to use this article in your newsletter or on your site as long as you include my resource box with my website links included.

Basketball Books

If basketball basketball to read, and want to learn about the game of basketball, you may want to look into buying a book or two on this subject. Every year several top of the line titles are published on the game of basketball. Some of the books are about the game itself, and some of them are about how basketball relates to life. But either way, if you are a basketball fan and like to read you should be in heaven with these books.

For people that are trying to learn about the game of basketball, the best books are the ones that are instructional. These books can help you to learn new strategy if you are a coach, or improve your skills if you are a player.

Also, keep in mind that the basketball books that are published were written by people who know what they are talking about. The majority of instructional books are written by top quality coaches, or people that are in the know. This ensures that the information you are reading is the best of the best.

You can find basketball books for sale both online and in bookstores. No matter where you decide to search, make sure that you keep an open mind. There are enough books available on this subject to keep you busy for a very long time. You should research each one, and then make a decision on which one will best suit your needs. This way you will end up with the knowledge that you have been seeking.

Check Out More Articles : internet basketball betting, basketball betting system, basketball betting site, basketball betting guide, nba odds

Want to Jump As High As Kobe Bryant? - Easy Tips to Increase Your Vertical Leap!

The ability to jump high doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, dedication and a lot of hard work. Nobody can make you exercise and do the right workouts in order to see the improvements that every basketball player wants to see. It is completely up to you! Here are a few ways to help you Jump as high as Kobe Bryant.

1. Diet! Your muscles need the energy to be able to perform at their peak level. The best way to get this energy quickly is to eat healthy carbs. I stress HEALTHY carbs. The best carbs to eat are whole grains. Stay away from white bread and other thing that contain starchy carbs. Eat 1 gram of protein for 1 pound of your body weight. I weigh 190 pounds so I eat 190 grams of protein per day. This will give you long lasting energy as well as allow your muscles to repair themselves faster after a workout.

2. Exercise! You should do a jump routine every day. The best time to work out is in the morning about 30 minutes after breakfast. Do things like squats, lunges, calf raises, etc. When doing these exercises, focus on quick, explosive motions instead of the slow, powerlifting style. Strength + Quickness = Explosion!

3. Dedication! You have to get in the right mindset in order to see the results that you are hoping for. This is the most difficult aspect of jump training. Do not get discouraged basketball you don't see any gains for a while. Just stick with it! If you are able to work past the plateau, you will be much further ahead than the people that quit when the work is too hard!

For a complete jump training system, check out The Jump Manual. This is the absolute best program to help you increase your vertical jump height fast!

Watch USA Men's Basketball Live Online

Sports fanatics are the most passionate people who tend to go to any limits to watch their favorite sport. People shed hundreds of dollars on TV bills to watch their favorite sport stars in action doing what they can do the best, play for their team and entertain millions of viewers who watch the match. Some people even spend heavily on sub woofers, graphic cards, and LCD monitors, home theatre systems specially to watch their favorite sport or sports man in action. Basketball is one such sport which is very popular and people basketball all over the world like this sport and want to watch it. The 2008 Men's Olympic Basketball promises full of action and entertainment for all the basket ball fans all over the world.

The question is how can how can you watch 2008 Men's Olympic Basketball online and that to for a one time payment which fits every ones budget?

There are hundreds of families and thousands of people that are choosing our online TV for sports entertainment, for the obvious and simple reason that it is quite affordable, can watch other channels for the same subscription, and most importantly you can even watch your favorite sport even when you are on work or travel.

2008 Men's Olympic Basketball promises all its viewers action filled entertainments and no one can afford to miss this event, what ever may be the reason, you can watch this event online on online-television-network even if you if you are on work or travel. The stalwarts of the game like Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, and Carmelo Anthony will surely make you sit on the edges of your seats. The best thing about it is you can catch all this action online for a one time subscription, i.e we don't charge monthly it's just a one time payment and you can relax and watch all your favorite sports.

You can catch the 2008 Men's Olympic Basketball online from any corner of the world irrespective of your country or location, all you need to have is an internet connection to your computer and a one time subscription. Irrespective of the operating system and with basic computer specifications of 64mb ram, 233 MHz of CPU or better, 5 Mb of disk space, you can access the online TV. Our application is compatible with all the computers running with Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 or XP. You can access the online TV with any cable of DSL internet connection direct or through a router. Well it is always advisable to have a basketball internet connection for online TV as the buffering can take place at a fast pace and there will be no pauses between the matches.

The online subscription is a 3 minute process, and the setup is completely dummy proof, it's a simple process. All you need to do is to download and install our software and you are few clicks away from 2008 Men's Olympic Basketball. With our high quality video and audio experience you will enjoy this basketball season than never before.

If you are interested to watch TV online and enjoy the 2008 USA Olympics Men's Basketball team visit http://online-television-network.com for more information.

A Visitors Guide to the Sports Teams of Los Angeles

Los Angeles is not only a world leader in producing popular entertainment, but also boasts a number of world renowned sports teams, ranging from soccer to basketball. Let us take a look at some of the prominent sports teams of Los Angeles that a visitor interested in sports should buy tickets to see.

LA Lakers (NBA)-If you are a basketball fan, your trip to Los Angeles will not be complete without a trip to the Staples Center to watch the star studded Lakers team in action. Coach Phil Johnson and Kobe Bryant are household names for most basketball fans. The purple and gold have made Los Angeles their home since shifting from Minneapolis in 1960. This is where the game's elite play so if you are in LA, be sure to catch a game.

Where they play: STAPLES Center
Season: October-May

Clippers (NBA)-With their cunning and aggressive play, the Clippers have managed to get an unrivalled fan following.

Where they play: STAPLES Center
Season: October-April

Dodgers (MLB)-Having won the World Series title 6 times, the Dodgers are undoubtedly one of the best baseball teams in the USA. The legendary Dodger colours of blue and white have paved the way for many greats of the game.

Where they play: Dodger Stadium
Season: February-October

Kings (NHL)-The Kings have provided entertainment for Los Angeles Hockey fans since 1966. Having moved to the Staples Center in 1999, the Kings have proved to be one of the most famed hockey teams in the nation.

Where they play: STAPLES Center
Season: October-April

LA Galaxy (MLS) - With the arrival of David Beckham in 2007, LA Galaxy has become world renowned in record time. The team is best known for its impressive play, and attractive European styled soccer. With stadium attendance soaring and the game receiving its due attention, LA Galaxy is one of the teams you will love to watch in action.

Where they play: Home Depot Center
Season: April-October

Avengers (AFL) - If you are intent on seeing nerve-wracking and action filled sport, head to a game played by the Avengers.

Where they play: STAPLES Center
Season: March-June

Sparks (WNBA) - The Sparks have invariably dominated the game ever since the inception of the WNBA. They are led by the mighty Lisa Leslie towering 6-foot 5-inches and the Sparks have drawn crowds to the Staples time and again.

Where they play: STAPLES Center
Season: May-August

Apart from this, Los Angles boasts of Division-I college teams such as the basketball of California, Los Angeles Bruins and University of Southern California Trojans who call LA their home.

Orson Johnson writes for Holiday Velvet, a website providing Accommodation in Los Angeles and Vacation Rentals.

3 Proven Principles to Creating a Success Magnet Habit

The principle of good habits basketball critical basketball your success in your career and life, whether in the economic sense, or in the social sense. Hence, I would like to draw from this article 3 elements to carve a habit in you that makes you a success magnet.

These 3 elements are:

1. Knowledge - What and why of doing a task etc
2. Skill - How to carry out the task effectively
3. Desire - You want to do it

a) Knowledge - What and why of doing a task

When you set a goal, it is not good when you have no idea of why you are carrying out a specific task and what is the purpose of doing it. For example, if a worker has no idea why he was doing his work, probably he had no passion for it and could not excel in his functional duties and even derive pleasure from it. He would become unhappy, unsatisfied and unproductive. But with a sense of purpose and a full knowledge of what his current mundane task would take him, it creates an excitement and motivates him. He would become highly productive and dynamic personnel. His energetic influence would in turn impact his work life and this highly contagious personality will ultimately brought him to success in life. Why? He becomes an attraction factor in the workplace.

b) Skill - How to carry out the task effectively

Besides knowledge, you need to acquire the skills to execute the knowledge that you have. For example, a person reading a book on tennis does not mean that he will become a good player. Rather, he has to walk into the field and play for himself to train in the skills and techniques.

c) Desire - You want to do it

With the knowledge and skill, however most people will get excited over it for a short time and their spirit and interest start to wane. However, if one has a desire, that strong unknown force will compel him naturally to do what is necessary. For example, you have a hobby like basketball. And when your friends call you for a basketball game, your tendencies is to say yes and you rush out with them. Why? That is the power of desire.

Now, I have given you the 3 powerful principles that will work wonder in your life. If you work on these 3 things, you will see miraculous things happening in your life. Opportunities will come your way and many doors that are once closed to you will start to open. However, they must work together as a whole as they have a synergy with one another. If any one of the element is taken away out from the success habit, it will not work.

Last but not least, good luck and hope to hear your success story...

Jerry Koh is an educational and marketing consultant. He specialized in delivering commercial marketing result and a motivator, coach and counselor. For a limited time..., to receive your free $1997 personal development coaching including motivation, communication, leadership. sales, health etc...from world renown speakers and coaches, visit:

F.R.E.E. $1997 Personal Development course And Training Courses By More Than 50 Renown Speakers And Master Trainer

Early Specialization - How Not to Build an Elite Athlete

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 Girls Basketball Team Practice Tips

During a recent team practice, I noticed a lot of things going on. Kids were running around the gym. Kids were dribbling basketball 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 absolutely 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!!!

3 Amazing NCAA Schools With Men's and Women's Basketball Championships

How many NCAA teams have won men's and women's basketball championships? Just as interesting as the teams that are on the list, are the teams that are not. On the men's side, powerhouse Duke has won three men's championships (1991, 1992, 2001), but its female counterparts have lost both of their NCAA championship games (1999, 2006).

Meanwhile, while Tennessee women's basketball squads have won eight NCAA championships (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2008), their male counterparts have never reached the NCAA tournament championship. So, which schools have won championships in both the men's and women's tournaments? Here is the comprehensive (and short) list:

1. Connecticut Huskies
The Lady Tennessee Volunteers and Lady Connecticut Huskies have won 13 of the 27 NCAA women's basketball tournaments. UConn has won five championships, ironically beating eight-time champs Tennessee, four of those times (1995 def. Tennessee, 2000 def. Tennessee, 2002 def. Oklahoma, 2003 def. Tennessee, 2004 def. Tennessee). Furthermore, the Lady Huskies have never lost an NCAA championship game.

Though less successful than their female counterparts, the male Huskies have also won multiple NCAA championships. During the 1999 tournament, the Huskies edged the Duke Blue Devils, by a score of 77-74. Then in 2004, UConn defeated Georgia Tech in the championship game, by a more resounding win: 82-73. The men's team also has never lost an NCAA championship game.

2. Maryland Terrapins
In their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Final Four, the Maryland Terrapins men's basketball team won its first NCAA tournament. The game was a defensive battle versus the Indiana Hoosiers, who had already won five national titles. Although Indiana played Maryland tough, Terrapin players such as Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter responded with solid plays of their own.

Famous for their overtime heroics, the Lady Maryland Terrapins needed another OT to win its first NCAA championship, in the 2006 tournament. Down 13 points to the Duke Blue Devils, they rallied back and won in OT, 78-75. Amazingly, the team was 6-0 in overtime games during the season. That included five away games and the NCAA championship.

3. North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina's men's basketball team has appeared in the NCAA championship eight times, and has won four NCAA championships (1957 def. Kansas, 1982 def. Georgetown, 1993 def. Michigan, 2005 def. Illinois). Famous Tar Heels players include:

Vince Carter
Billy Cunningham
Tyler Hansborough
Brendan Haywood
Bobby Jones
Michael Jordan
Rasheed Wallace
James Worthy

The Lady North Carolina Tar Heels edged Louisiana Tech in the 1994 NCAA tournament, by the slimmest of margins: 60-59. The teams played the championship n Richmond Virginia, in the Richmond Coliseum. Sylvia Hatchell served as the coach of the winning Tar Heels. Meanwhile, Tonya Sampson and Charlotte Smith basketball the All-Tournament players who were key players for North Carolina.

While several NCAA colleges and universities have won either a men's or women's Division I basketball championship, only three have basketball both. Use NCAA merchandise to cheer on your team to become the tournament's "Final One"!

Rick Grantham is an avid sports fan. Most of Rick's articles focus on Maryland Terrapins merchandise. Many articles are related to college merchandise for sale and other sports related topics. Rick is a contributing author to BooYah Village

A Brief History of Basketball

Modern day basketball can trace it's origins to early December 1891 when Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education teacher and a local instructor at Springfield, Massachusetts' YMCA Training School was desperately seeking an indoor game active and fit during cold, snowy New England winters. After trying several different games and finding them too dangerous or not quite suitable for gymnasiums, Naismith wrote down the essential rules of basketball, incorporating some of the rules of a popular children's game of the era, "Ducks on a Pond," and then nailed a peach basket on an upraised track, ten feet above the playing surface. Of course, since the peach baskets still had closed bottoms, retrieving a ball after a player scored a basket was terribly inefficient - unbelievably, the game had to be stopped for someone to retrieve the ball with a dowel. And although the basketball official game was played in January of 1892, at the YMCA gymnasium Naismith's handwritten diaries at the time indicate that he was extremely nervous about the new game he invented, fearing that his basketball wouldn't take.

Oddly, in that first official game of basketball, there were nine players on a side and the winning team won a close fought 1-0 battle with a 25-foot shot - on a court barely half the size of the modern day court! By 1897 teams of five had become standard. Around the same time, women's basketball was developed at nearby Smith basketball when Sandra Berenson, a physical education teacher at the college modified many of the rules for women to play. As it turned out, Berenson was fascinated by the values of teamwork, fair play and vigorous exercise that basketball promoted and began organizing some of the first women's basketball games by 1893. By 1899 Berenson's rules for women's basketball were published and by the turn of the century, she was the editor of A.G. Spaulding's legendary Women's Basketball Guide which spread her version of basketball across the country to countless physical education instructors across the country.

In fact, with the help of many YMCA instructors, basketball was promoted throughout the United States and Canada, paving the way for the game to be established as a varsity sport at many high schools. Sadly (and perhaps ironically), the YMCA began to discourage basketball by 1905, fearing that rowdy; belligerent crowds and rough play distracted from the organization's mission. But that didn't matter much as amateur clubs, colleges, high schools and even several short-lived professional basketball clubs and leagues not only filled in the void but also helped promote the game. Basketball was becoming so popular that the forebear to the NCAA, known as the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States and the Amateur Athletic Union fought for control of the game's rules and of its future.

A little known fact is that during those first decades, basketball was primarily played with soccer balls, which were difficult to dribble. Most games consisted of players passing the ball to each other in order to advance it up and down the court. It wasn't for some time until a ball was specifically designed and made for basketball and frequently basketballs were irregularly made, creating an odd scene for modern basketball fans. It wasn't until the late 1940s when college basketball was becoming insanely popular and viable enough to pave the way for the National Basketball Association's popularity that Tony Hinkle developed the orange basketball that fans are so familiar with. Of course, it should not be forgotten that Naismith was also influential in the promotion and creation of men's college basketball when he became the University of Kansas ' first basketball team. And believably, many of Naismith's first students and disciples became important in the history of college basketball including Amos Alonzo Stagg, Forrest "Phog" Allen, and Adolph Rupp.

For more information on basketball, visit http://www.basketballmicroblog.com and http://www.basketballmicroblogging.com

Summer Basketball Workout Plan - How to Motivate Your Players

As a long time basketball coach and fan of basketball game of basketball I have often ended the basketball season at the banquet by saying these words - "Basketball teams are made from November basketball March, basketball players are made from April to October". I then ask the players what their plans are for the spring and summer seasons. I hope they will be playing other sports such as baseball or lacrosse, but I also want them to plan to be playing the game of basketball on a regular basis throughout these seasons.

Basketball is the most difficult sport to leave for a period of time and then return to with the expectation that the shooting and dribbling touch will still be in tact - it won't. Basketball conditioning is an often overlooked aspect of youth basketball. Whether the player is in 6th grade or a senior in high school, there is much to be gained from a good summer workout schedule and agenda to follow. I have developed a basketball workout that seems to fit the ability and intensity of many of the players in our program very nicely. The program takes 90 minutes or so to complete and helps develop basketball training in the areas of speed, strength, ball handling and shooting.

Along with this workout agenda I will also give out a chart for each player to write down how much they are playing the game and completing their basketball workout each day throughout the spring and summer. The chart has a simple amount of time played, how many basketball workouts completed, how many basketball conditioning & weightlifting sessions attended, and how many free throws made each day as part of our goal of making 10,000 free throws each summer (only 111 per day over the course of the summer) and to help track percentages made and missed. I ask that the chart be kept over the summer and given back to me the first day of school. The form will also be used for pre-season evaluations prior to the start of the season so that the players know that I care about the work they do over the summer. It helps to emphasize the basketball training aspect of our program.

Here is the workout - feel free to use it as you would like.

SUMMER WORKOUT ROUTINE

Ball Handling -

-- Drills without dribbling (5 minutes) - Figure 8 (forward and backward), rhythm, slammer, quick drop, round the head/waist/legs (F&B), tap (high to low).

-- Drills with the dribble (5 minutes) - Figure 8, fingertip, crossover, 2 ball drills - do the drills at the knees & waist, alternate height - same time then alternate times. Do drills standing still then on the move.

-- Moves on the move (5 minutes) - Do while running - alternate right and left hands - crossover, spin, through legs (from the inside - out), behind the back. Keep the head up and focus on the weaker hand.

Foot Quickness -

Jump Rope

-- For endurance (5 minutes at speed)

-- Quickness - 3 repetitions of each set listed below - allow 30 seconds of rest between each minute of jumping and build to more reps. Do these as quickly as possible. Right foot - 15 seconds, Left foot - 15 seconds, Alternate feet - 15 seconds, Both feet - 15 seconds.

-- Ball Jump - Place a basketball on the floor. Jump for 15 seconds over it from side to side, then for 15 seconds from front to back. Rest for 30 seconds. 3 Reps to start and build to 5 over time. Build to the ability to not hop between jumps.

Passing -

-- Pass to a wall or friend - 2 hand catches on return (5 minutes). Work on the bounce pass, overhead pass, outlet pass (catch, pivot and overhead pass) and side pass (bounce pass from hip - with 2 hands).

Shooting -

-- One hand flip from 8-10 feet - (make 8 of 10, then move on). The goal for the summer is to get each of the boys shooting above their head with the proper form - legs for power with proper footwork and proper wrist flex for aim.

-- Mikan Drills - 30 seconds each. Work on both the front and reverse (with back to the basket) drills.

-- 50 shots off the dribble (total of 100). Mix in the following moves and mix in distances and areas from which to shoot: Simulate shooting off the break (pull up quickly), move on the move into the shot (crossover, stutter step, inside out) and stationary moves - fake drive and shoot from either side. Do 5 sets of 10 shots with 2 free throws in between for rest - repeat total set 2 times.

-- 50 shots off the pass (total of 100) - Mix in the following with someone or self-pass (spin back): Step into the shot using your inside foot. Use both inside and outside pivots to square up. If working with someone always V-Cut before coming to the ball. Remember to catch the ball with your knees bent to allow for quick release. Do 5 sets of 10 shots with 2 free throws in between for rest - repeat total set 2 times.

-- 30 shots using shot and pass fakes (total of 90). This drill has the player use a pump fake prior to taking the shot. Variations are to pump fake to dribble to the shot and to pass fake to the shot. Do 3 sets of 10 with 2 free throws in between for rest - repeat 3 times.

All shots should be taken at game speed - rest by shooting free throws and not by going speed.

Coach Chuck Stewart operates a basketball web site called http://www.HoopAids.com offering basketball training aids and coaching/instructional videos along with lots of free coaching content. Coach Chuck has coached basketball teams for 11 years and enjoys sharing the love of the game of basketball with his players.

All About Plyometrics - How Plyometrics Can Improve Your Basketball Playing

You may be unsure as to what plyometrics are and what they can do for you, but that's okay. Plyometrics are merely a series of exercises designed to give explosive leg power. Doesn't that sound good for playing basketball? Explosive leg power. But you can get it and this what you do.

First plyometric exercise: Squat jumps. Stand with feet planted firmly and comfortably on the ground. Squat down until thighs are almost parallel to the ground. At this point, immediately jump up, driving your arms high above your basketball Rest about 1 or 2 seconds then repeat. Remember to extend your basketball first before your feet leave the ground.

Second plyometric exercise: Knee tuck jumps. Get in the same position as above, except this time, from a standing position, bring your knees up as high as you can when you jump. When you repeat the exercise, pretend the ground is red hot: you want your feet to be on the ground for just a split second.

Third plyometric exercise: Bounding. Just like running except you want to really push off the ground with each step you take. Think of a superhero bounding across buildings, that's the sort of action you are doing.

These are all very simple plyometric drills, but are very effective when you do them on a regular basis. Work out with a friend: this is always very helpful to challenge each other to work harder. Do about 3 or 4 workouts a week, with good recovery time in between. Good luck!

Get the secret to developing your vertical project with plyometrics.

Beginner Girls Basketball Tips

Girl's basketball is extremely competitive now. It is no longer just a recreational sport. Now you have the WNBA in the United States. Going overseas is not the only option. Women's college basketball is just as popular as men's college basketball, which means college scholarships are on the line.

Here are a few tips to start your career on the right track.

Keep it Fun!

Just because WNBA and college basketball is mentioned, keep it fun. As your daughter begin her basketball career, remember that she is just a kid having fun. She has no idea what a WNBA or college is. She just wants to bounce a basketball and have fun.

Learn the Game and fundamentals!

As your daughter advance in her basketball career, put her in a situation where she is learning the game and fundamentals, not just on a team. Purchasing basketball videos and books, attending camps, and hiring a trainer are excellent resources for learning the game and gaining an advantage over other players.

Don't forget Academics!

Remember that Student comes before the word Athlete in Student-Athlete. Making good grades is always important, basketball when it comes to qualifying for college scholarships.

Educate yourself about college recruiting!

Women's college basketball recruiting is extremely aggressive. Learn the rules.

Educate yourself about college requirements!

There has been a lot of media attention lately about athletes not qualifying to basketball admitted into universities. Begin to educate yourself early, not during the senior and junior year of high school, about qualifications to enter colleges and universities.

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

Dog Parks in Las Vegas

All American Park
Park basketball 1 dog run.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 45

Football Fields ( 5)
Playgrounds (2)
Picnic Areas (2)
Jogging/Walking Track
Tennis Courts (4)
Water Play Area
Restroom Facility
Concession Stand
Open Space Areas
This is a non-reservable park.

Barkin' Basin Park
7.75 acre park designated specifically for dogs.
Adjacent to W. Wayne Bunker Park

Three separated dog cells
Shaded seating areas for owners
Dog and people water fountains

This is a non-reservable park.

Centennial Hills
Park includes 2 dog runs

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 120 (when all phases complete)

Picnic Areas (10)
Sand Volleyball Courts (10)
Soccer Fields (2)
Playgrounds (2)
Water Play Area
Jogging/Walking Path
Restroom Facility
Open Space

For information on reserving this park, please call (702) 229-6718.

Charlie Kellogg and Joe Zaher Sports Complex
The sports complex includes 3 dog runs.

The new state-of-the-art Charlie Kellogg and Joe Zaher Sports complex is set on approximately 110 acres in basketball northwest part of the Las Vegas valley. The expansive regional park has 11 lighted soccer fields - seven are artificial grass and four are natural turf. It features a three-cell "dogs only" area, children's play areas, shaded picnic shelters and a large walking/jogging path that surrounds the entire park. The complex is also home to the Amanda and Stacy Darling Memorial Tennis Center, the largest of its kind in the state of Nevada. It includes 23 tennis courts, including one main court with stadium seating for approximately 2800 spectators, a small pro shop, locker rooms and office space. The sports complex will be a huge draw for large tennis and soccer tournaments and is a wonderful addition to the surrounding area.

Children's Memorial Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 34.68

Baseball/Softball Fields (6)
Basketball Courts (2)
Bocce Courts (2)
Concession Stand
Fitness Course
Horseshoe Courts (2)
Jogging/Walking Paths (2)
Playgrounds (4)
Roller Hockey Rink
Tennis Courts (2)
Picnic Areas (9)
Restroom Facilities (2)
Dog Park
Open Space

For information on reserving this park, please call (702) 229-6718.

Jaycee Park
Jaycee Park is currently closed for a renovation project that will add a new lighted soccer field and parking lot, a playground area and a small water feature to the 10-acre park. Other improvements include expanding the dog park and reconfiguring pathways, upgrading pathway and security lighting, installing shade structures, reducing turf areas and adding native plantings.

Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 18.4

Baseball/Softball Fields (2)
Playgrounds (2)
Basketball Court
Bocce Courts (10)
Fitness Course
Horseshoe Courts (6)
Jogging/Walking Paths (3)
Picnic Areas (13)
Shuffle Board Courts (6)
Restroom Facilities (2)
Open Space

Lorenzi Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 59.37

Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza
Baseball/Softball Fields (4)
Basketball Courts (2)
Concession Stand
Fitness Course
Jogging/Walking Path
Playgrounds (3)
Pond
Tennis Courts (10)
Picnic Areas (15)
Restroom Facilities (3)
Open Space

Police Memorial Park
Park includes 3 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 24

Playgrounds (2)
Dog Park
Basketball Court
Picnic Area
Jogging/Walking Path
Tennis Courts (2)
Skate Bowl
Roller Hockey Rink
Desert Garden
Fallen Officer Tree Grove and Memorial Wall
Lou Gehrigs (ALS) Tree Grove
Restroom Facility
Open Space

This is a non-reservable park.

Winding Trails Park
Park includes 1 dog run.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 4

Playground
Walking Path
Picnic Area
Dog Park
Restrooms

Woofter Park
Park includes 2 dog runs.

Other amenities include:
Approximate Acreage: 9

Playground
Fitness Course
Dog Park
Restroom Facility
Open Space
This is a non-reservable park.

Teresa Johnson is a Travel Affiliate, who helps singles and families with vacation planning. Prior to establishing her travel business, Teresa spent over 20 years as an IT developer, IT Systems Analyst and IT Project Manager. Teresa offers a wide range of products and services - from travel planning, to booking of group cruises and assisting others with starting their home based travel business. Teresa specializes in travel planning for singles and families to help others deal with the sometimes overwhelming prospect of travel planning and starting a new business while still dealing with their normal day to day activities. Teresa educates others on the travel industry and mentors her home based travel team. Teresa is no stranger to the travel industry. She spent over 20 years as a corporate executive where she traveled a great deal.

Check out more regarding Las Vegas Travel here - http://www.allaboutvegastravel.info

Basketball Hoops - A Great Way to Get Some Exercise

Watching basketball basketball exciting. Seeing players dribble, rebound, shoot, and score can be exhilarating. Why not take some of that excitement and get yourself moving? Basketball is a fun way to get some exercise for both yourself and basketball family. Basketball engages your heart and muscles for a whole body workout.

Basketball gets the heart pumping. One of the biggest challenges in America today is increasing cardiovascular health...in other words, your heart health. Basketball will increase your heart rate and a half hour of heart pumping exercise 3 or 4 days a week can drastically increase your heart health.

While dribbling, shooting and rebounding you will also be reducing your risks for many health conditions such high blood pressure and diabetes. Every time you go up for a shot, you can know you are strengthening your bones, expanding your lungs, and increasing the oxygen to your brain. More oxygen to the brain can result in less stress and a more positive mood.

In addition, basketball is a great way to burn fat. You can play with your friends, spouse, parents, or kids and burn away some extra pounds together. The great thing about it is you won't even feel like you are working out.

Playing basketball for exercise can also help build your muscles and strengthen your body. Dribbling helps coordination but also builds up the muscles in your arms. Shooting works both your arms and your legs as you go up for a shot. Not to mention all the running involved. Running helps build your muscles and you heart health.

Why not add this mobile exercise time to your home by investing in a portable basketball hoop? These basketball goals can be used in your front yard, back yard, or the street. You can move and store a portable system as needed. You don't have to make any excuses because you don't feel like driving to the gym. You can just go outside and have some fun playing a little one on one.

If you are looking for a basketball hoop to get some exercise with that can be in a permanent place, a mounted hoop works great. If you have a dedicated area of your driveway, front yard, or backyard that you can use for basketball consider a mounted hoop.

A mounted hoop can be hung on a garage or on the side of a house. You can enjoy many years of great exercise with a mounted hoop. Your family and friends will love getting together to shoot some hoops. With all the fun, you will hardly notice you are increasing your heart health and burning calories.

Exercise doesn't have to be boring and you don't even have to leave your home. Consider adding a portable or mounted basketball hoop to your home today. It is a great way to get your heart pumping and work together as a family towards some healthy goals. So start playing some basketball today.

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 writes about how playing basketball can be a fun form of exercise. All you need is a ball and a basketball goal. Bill is an expert on basketball hoops of all kinds, from residential to institutional. Also make sure to check out other basketball hoop related blogs for even more information on this subject.