Top 5 Tips For Great Basketball Footwork and Quickness

Your basketball are the starting and stopping point for everything in basketball. From the opening tip, to a flying dunk, to defending you opponents, to hitting the deep three ball; your feet are always pinnacle towards your basketball success. Too often we overlook our footwork and focus on our shot or our dunking ability, but if you want to separate from defenders and make sure no one is separating from you then follow these five tips for improving your basketball footwork and quickness.

Short sprints from the baseline to the basketball throw line and back continuing to half court and back, also known as a half suicide, is a great way to work on your quickness. The smaller steps force you to be quick with your feet, and the turns make you concentrate on your pivots. Try five sprints finishing each under ten seconds.

Jumping rope may be the single best exercise there is. Try jumping rope for consecutive minutes, non-stop. Sounds easy? Yea well try it out and once you are a rock star with the rope move up to ten and fifteen minutes. Jumping rope places stress on your explosive fast twitch muscles which are key to exploding at the rim and getting past your defender.

Lateral Sprints also known as karaoke, are fundamental to developing quick feet. Start on the baseline facing the sideline. Side shuffle from left to right by moving your left foot over your right, stepping with your right, followed by stepping your left foot behind your right. Search You Tube for great examples of this exercise.

Every major university basketball coach has his players performing dot drills. They are essential to improving your quickness and making you a better overall basketball player. Use five marks, outlining an "X". First, jump from one end, meeting in the middle, jumping to the other end. Second, jump on one leg through the series of dots, and lastly repeat the first exercise while twisting at the top. Search "dot drill" on You Tube for examples.

To really focus on the explosion movement I strongly encourage box jumps. No other exercise emulates the power and motion it takes to get above the rim more so than box jumps. Place a box roughly twelve to twenty-four inches in height ten inches in front of you. Standing still explode onto the box, jumping back to the floor as soon as you hit the box, and repeating the motion as soon as you hit the floor.

Follow these five simple steps and you will be moving quicker up and down the blacktop in no time!

Brenton Gieser is a contributing blogger to http://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 http://BlacktopHoops.com and subscribe to our free feeds.

1966's Sting Basketball Attack

Nevil Shed basketball New York product sank a duo of free throws in 1966 to set the stage for one of sports biggest shockers, as the tiny Texas Western Minors lead by the legendary coach Don Haskins upset national powerhouse Kentucky under its leader Adolph Rupp. In 1966 the zone defense was a hybrid-somewhat visionary approach to the game, yet Rupp and his boys had set the bar for coaching basketball for years; this year deciding to show a 1-3-1 defense against the Minors. It is widely known the 1966 Minors were overrun by team speed and centered their philosophy on the principals of spacing and a backdoor attack.

Coach Mac is unquestionably removed from that historic night in Maryland, but understands and respects the genius visionaries like Rupp and Haskins brought to the game. In sports, ideas are often recycled and repackaged for sale within the target market all of the time. A glimpse into the hours of basketball practices and contests around the nation would release the underpinnings of Rupp's 1-3-1 zone defensive attack and surely lead us to championship programs that approached the game with Haskins speed and a fierce backdoor attack.

The sure brilliance of a hybrid approach to the game of basketball is more to fashion then to technique. A quick view of the 1966 championship contest would uncover a 4 man out motion attack with applicable replicas of simple patterns like those found when opening a simple Hershey's chocolate bar. The basketball Attack' approaches the game of 2009 with the same prophetic approach as Rupp's defensive approach in the final game. A 4 out motion basketball offense based on a hybrid version of traditional basketball values, the 'Sting Attack' provides today's leaders with the vision of 1966. While there is no guarantee of the luck needed to reach the championship game, a hybrid offensive attack can provide a revelation appreciated by America's greatest game, basketball.

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

To find more on the Sting Attack http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

Increase Your Chances For Getting In The NBA

Getting drafted in the NBA? For some, it's basketball never ending dream. Some players only want to dream basketball it while others are striving and doing everything they can to end up in the NBA. No one can tell you, for sure, if you'll end up playing there. Not if you're regular guy. I'm assuming you're not LeBron James. We all knew he'll get drafted sooner or later.

But this is about you. Not LeBron James.

Here is what you can concentrate on and work on, to increase your chances for getting drafted in the NBA..

1.) First and foremost, don't perceive this, dream, of playing in the NBA as an opportunity to get famous or rich. If you're not doing this for the love of the game and if you're not 100% devoted to this thing called basketball, you might as well forget it. So, basketball needs to be your top priority. You should actually enjoy when you practice because that's when you're getting better. If you're not getting better, you're getting worse. You can't stay in the middle.

2.) Try to get into some other leagues like ABA, CBA, USLB. Now, I know this is not an easy thing to do, but it's relatively easier. So, once you set your ground there, you'll have more chances to bet noticed by the scouts (professional people who look for talents and players who can make it big in the NBA).

3.) Adapt to your coach. This is a must. If you think that the team you're playing for, is a good one and you think it might eventually get you to some other place, then pay attention to this. You might have your own style of playing. You have your moves and all that. But the coach might see you as a different fit for the team. He might see another potential that you can develop that will help the team even more. A lot of times that happens to be true. So do whatever to coach says. Not only will he tell (if asked) that you're disciplined and you can be coached but you'll get more playing time. More playing time means greater chance to prove how great you are.

And make sure you let your coach know that you're serious about this. Basketball is something you love. You're committed to constant and never ending improvement. That way, even if you are not that good, compared to others, he'll see that great potential you have.

4.) It's a lot better to have such a goal. People who strive for getting better, according to some psychological laws, always perform better. They out-perform other players who are satisfied with "status quo". As the saying goes, "shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll end up between the stars".

I have a passionate website about basketball full of tips and ideas and clips that are all free.

http://www.best-basketball-tips.com

Feel free to check it out.

NBA - Miami Heat and Raptors Had a Players Exchange

The 30-year-old Shawn Marion and the guard Marcus Banks from Miami Heat were traded to the Toronto Raptors for Jermaine O'Neal and forward Jamario Moon; given that for different aspects each team is looking for a refreshing change. On one hand, the Raptors need more consistency basketball rebounding and defense, as well as solidify the small forward position, while Miami is looking for a stronger front line of forwards. Therefore the new players could be just the solution for both groups: O'Neal, being a top shot-blocker, would start to rule in the paint for Miami; as Marion should be a good ingredient at the Raptors' small forward position by opening options to the other players with his great shooting and rebounding.

Currently, Shawn Marion has an average of 12 points and 8.7 rebounds per game (RPG) -reached with the Miami Heats. Whereas Jermaine O'Neal, even out of the court for several games -due to a number of injuries suffered-, is averaging 13.5 PPG and 7 RPG. Moreover, Banks and Moon have helped their teams as well. Moon has been a strong forward, scoring 7.3 pts and 4.6 rebounds per game in 54 matches on his first time at the NBA; while Marcus Banks, although not being able to play that much, has a record of 2.6 pts and 0.90 basketball in 16 games for 2008/09.

According to some NBA sources, other conditions were added to the deal by Toronto, with a conditional draft pick being send to Miami with some sort of cash compensation in return. This trade has also saved money for both franchises, which is expected to be used to acquire new players next season.

Shawn Marion will be a free agent when he finishes with the Raptors, although general manager of Toronto Bryan Colangelo, who first drafted Marion in his early years in Phoenix Suns, will try to re-sign Marion for next campaign, who for this one is winning around $17,810,000. In contrast, O'Neal may decide to receive a lesser salary in Miami for the chance to compete for a title beside Wade and another prospective star free agent. O'Neal will win around $23,000,000 in 2009/2010.

Additionally, with Shawn Marion inclusion, the Raptors can get better use of Andrea Bargnani, who has been 50/50 in and out as starter and reserve this period; also Chris Bosh could enhance his work in the low post to take a better advantage of his talent. The joint of Marion, Barganani and Bosh will offer balance and a finer rotation to the team.

On the other hand, -as mentioned before- O'Neal and Moon would provide aid in the paint and in the forward positions for the Heat, on their intent to overcome the problems they have had this season.

About this deal, analysts think that it is a winning situation for both fractions, since their weaknesses are being strength with these four great players. Now, all left is to wish the best of the lucks for the players and their new teams on the remaining 2008/09 season.

Ally White is a top senior copy writer on NBA games and sports action for the sportsbetting industry.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

Warning - Don't Even Think of Playing Basketball on a Hurt Knee Until You Have Used a Knee Brace

How are you knees doing?

If you are having trouble with them, then we can "feel your pain".

Sometimes it is not such basketball pain issue as it is a knee instability issue. We can understand where you are coming from here too.

Basketball is a great sport. A seriously great sport! The problem though as you might be having is that your knee pain and instability do not work well with the game of basketball. Maybe you can relate.

Its like you almost wish you could trade getting a traveling violation every time you touched the ball, if it meant that your knee issues would vanish. - We think you know where we are coming from here.... (We know you never have traveled in your life, anyways, right?....)

Let's get down to business.

Whether you have torn your ACL, incurred another ligament injury, torn your meniscus, or have knee problems in another way,.... in the end you still have options.

1.) You Can Rest Your Knee

Rest can be great. It can help you recover from some of the aches and pains that the game naturally brings on, but if you have a more serious knee injury, then rest does not always "cut it". It does have its place, but you sometimes need to take your pain and/or instability relief to the next level.

2.) Surgery

Yep. Surgery can be effective. It definitely has its place, and in the hands of the proper physician, it can sometimes be the only answer to help solve your knee issues. The problem is that can be an invasive procedure. Not only can it be invasive, but we would like to ask you a question : how many times have you heard of a player having "season ending surgery"? - Sometimes, when you can help it, a more conservative treatment method will basketball you more options.

3.) A Knee Brace

If you watch the game of basketball on televison today, you will see many players using a knee brace. Many noteable players in the past have used them as well. (Almost to the point where you would think it is part of their uniform....) There are many knee brace types out there today and the one that helps you does not have to be a big, bulky, heavy device that will make your game go down the tubes...

Trust us, there are many out there that will not only give you meaningful support, but they can do so in a light weight design that can help reduce your knee pain as well. Like we mentioned earlier, sometimes you need to have surgery, but there are many moments in which your physician will allow you to continue on with the use of one of these well designed braces.

The basics of knee braces is that you should first rate your knee pain and instability on a scale of 1-10. (If your doctor gave you a diagnosis, you should also heed their advice on treatment as well.)

Once you have thought about these things a little, we would like to point out some basics in terms of knee braces. Many times, simple knee sleeves can be effective. They are made of neoprene or drytex, and can be referred to as elastic knee sleeves. They will help keep your knee warm and provide some extra support that will also act as a reminder to you not to make certain painful moves on the court.

There are also other knee braces with hinges. Some hinges are more deluxe than others. These braces can be more supportive, yet restrictive for a good reason. If your knee injury is more serious then you may very well need something that will give you more support.

These days, you can find a lot of good knee supports online. A good knee brace site will explain to you what level of support you will get. If they do not, move on.

If you would like to take your knee stability to the next level, or help to reduce knee pain then you should visit us online today at http://www.drbraceco.com Dr. Brace Co. is an education based site that can provide helpful information and meaningful support for your knee.

The Vertical Project - Learn How to Jump Higher Easier

For your own vertical project, you want to maximize your training program to get results fast. How do you do basketball Easy. By developing and following your own vertical project. To get the cutting edge of advantage over the other guy so you can basketball higher, spike better, or run faster, you need a good solid program of plyometric training.

By training 3-4 times a week, with plenty of rest in between, you can develop your power in your legs. A good program would consist of skipping, to develop coordination and strength - hey, even boxers skip! - running, for your cardio, and weight training.

Try skipping for about 15 minutes, then building this up to 20 minutes, nothing faster, just good solid form. Don't cheat by stepping each foot, jump both feet at a time, to get a better workout.

For your cardio, its better to alternate. Run one day, and do your weights the next. This benefits your body in two ways: one, you can get a chance to recover, and two, you get a better workout by concentrating on different parts of your body at different times.

For your weight training, try high weight with low reps. You want to build explosive power, but not get bogged down because you are getting too bulked up and slowing down.
Remember: you are not going to see results over night, but you will see results. Work out with a friend to make it easier and so you can challenge each other. Good luck!

The Vertical Project - Learn How to Jump Higher Easier. Get the secret to increasing your vertical project!

Are Comics "Books"?

Okay, so that's a stupid question. Or at least it may initially sound like one. In terms of publication and distribution, and their dependency on advertisements, comics are clearly magazines by definition. Which would then make graphic novels compiled magazines... which they are clearly (I hope) not.

But the fact is that "comic book" is a dirty term in the art world. And though the work of people basketball as Daniel Clowes, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman and too many other fine writers to mention, has done much to remedy this, the comic is still looked upon with disdain. Libraries and schools live in fear of the day that little Timmy is lured in by the colourful pictures of his first graphic novel, and vows never to read another novel again. Which is stupid, of course; the majority of those who read graphic novels are also literature lovers.

And then there are the critics. Bookworms and concerned parents feared that their beloved tomes would become obsolete with the dawn of television. Only almost a century after its conception was cinema embraced as a valuable art form. The videogames, a medium still in its infancy, is currently being subjected to the same media prejudice that faced the feel good movies of the 1920s. But whereas devotees and aficionados are willing to discuss the videogame medium, and argue as to whether it qualifies as high art, the same question is rarely focused on comics. This could be that, since the comic medium's maturity in the late sixties through to the mid-eighties, comics have been critically appreciated in a new, if not particularly bright, light.

Weary media lecturers will bore their students about the potential of "sequential art," but these academics rarely raise interest in anything other than the obvious award-winning "worthy" choices - Maus, Persepolis and the works of Scott McCloud, Harvey Pekar and Robert Crumb. All great starting points, of course, but any who dares to mention superhero books in such lessons will likely receive only scornful glares. Perhaps this is because comics, for the most part, share the shelves with that most unfairly treated of basketball genres: Science Fiction and Fantasy. Works such as The Sandman, Watchmen, Strangers in Paradise and Cerebus the Aardvark are too often viewed as little more than fantastical nonsense for preoccupied adolescents. And as long as their creators continue to be imaginative and original, striving to push the boundaries of contemporary fiction, this is unlikely to change.

A friend told me not long ago that he'd read everything ever written by Alan Moore, but refused to read a graphic novel by any other author. I find it baffling that one could get so much enjoyment from the comic book medium yet have no desire to take that interest further. I wanted to tell him to read something else. Write him a list of recommendations, even.

But instead I kept my mouth shut. His loss, I figured.

Carl Doherty occasionally assumes the guise of a freelance writer specialising in cultural nonsense of the pop and junk varieties. For more of his pungent diatribes on the twisted world of Comics Books, and his weekly webcomic The Scribe, visit holycr4p! Graphic Novel Reviews

Basketball Defense - Tips on Defending the Post

To be an effective power forward or center you've got to know how to properly defend in basketball post. This article offers practical tips on how to get good positioning and stop your opponent from scoring inside the lane.

Positioning

Post players are often very concerned about how they should play their man. Should they play in front or behind? Should they let their man get the ball and hope basketball the best or should they deny the ball getting to their man? A lot of times the answer to these questions depends on whether or not your coach is trying to implement a certain strategy but for the most part there are some general guidelines that most basketball experts agree on. A good post player should be denied the ball by fronting the post player. This means that you play completely in front of the player you are guarding and make them throw it over your head to get it to him. From a guard's perspective, that is one of the toughest passes to make so I like to force that pass whenever possible. If you can't get around your man to front him, simply don't let him get close to the basket. Don't let him back you down if you can. A good offensive player will walk his defender into a position where he can get the ball. A good defender stops that by cutting him off and not moving. You are entitled to the position as well so hold your ground. The main point of defense is to force a contested shot as far from the basket as possible. By keeping the man we are guarding away from the basket, we are doing our job. When you are in front of the player he may try to push you away from the basket to create some space. This is how I teach to beat the fronting defense. Counter this by immediately playing behind the post player. Simply reverse it. Now if he gets the ball he's away from the basket and that's what you want. This drill can be practiced by any coach who focuses time on post offense and defense. Every solid offensive strategy has a defensive strategy that should be equally effective. The players carry them out and are the difference in most cases.

When the ball is on a wing and you aren't able to get in front, try playing what is called the high side or the side closest to the foul line. This simply means that you want to get in the passing lane as much as possible and make the entry pass difficult. Make sure that you are playing physical and that you have some contact going on. Simply raising your arms won't cut it. Have your chest against him and really make the entry pass difficult. Some coaches will call this 'playing your man three quarters' and is an effective strategy when full frontal isn't possible.

High Post Defense

I will allow the pass to the high post if it is coming in directly from the point guard. I will contest the pass, but I will allow it. The reason is because the pass is tough to make and I will have plenty of help defense should the necessity arise. But any pass from the wings, I coach to 'three quarter' defend it. This means that I will body up to the high post player on the basket side so that my body is between the hoop and the player I'm guarding. I want to make the pass difficult to make by sticking my arm out so the offensive player looks covered. My job in that situation is to make the play as difficult as possible. If the player catches the ball at the high post, do not back off and create space. The shot is only 15 feet away and most players can hit that. Get up on the ball and pressure it. Stay low and be ready to slide or contest the shot.

Brian Schofield is the the sr. writer for HoopSkills.com. He is a former division I college basketball player. To read more of his basketball training tips and advice visit http://www.hoopskills.com

Watch NBA Games Online - Watch Live NBA Games Online

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or Vince Carter are superstars in the NBA universe. They will hold NBA celebrity status for some time to come in household around the world but especially in North American households. The fans watch free NBA games on their PC. How can they do that you may ask? Every basketball fan sleeps and eats their teams' strategies. Yet, each year some unlucky fans end up at the back of the season-ticket line just as the sold-out sign falls, and disappointed fans are left to watch the NBA games on TV.

There are however, some people who are unable to the basketball games on TV. People like me who hold jobs that see me frequently working late at night. I'll comfort myself watching my free internet streaming of NBA games onto my PC.

Of course, it was by no means the same as watching the game live and in person. I remember one time asking my friend to video tape a match for me. He did, but having watched the entire game while taping it, he excitedly explained all the highlights to me, and quickly told me who won. The excitement of the game was gone. As I watched the tape, I felt like I was looking at an old movie with the sound track ruined.

Then I discovered satellite basketball for PC's. You can watch NBA games free online. All you truly want to do this is a Pentium-notebook and an internet link. Now I would never have to miss a game! All you do is log-on, to the internet site, download, and watch TV on your PC. It's satisfying. There is never a request for satellite dishes or equipment. You don't have to learn cryptic codes and scientific setup diagrams.

There are better than 3000 channels from which to select. Satellite television for PC's is a fantasy come true. I get to watch the NBA games and my other most basketball TV programs without aggravation. Every now and then... Hey! I regularly look at programs on my workstation at work!

So, if you can't discover enough favorite basketball players, or other TV programs, don't quit. You can catch up. You can even conclude the whole season at once! As for me, I am convinced that the single most dissatisfying feeling I have is that I should have recognized this concept earlier. Watch NBA sports online free of charge!

Basketball Shooting Drills - Game Speed

Great basketball players practice at game speed. It's easy basketball find players that can shoot really well when nobody is guarding them or rushing their shots. Those guys are a dime a dozen. It's the players who can shoot the ball well under pressure and at game speed that move on to play at the competitive levels.

It's not likely that you'll ever get a shot during a game that you have all the time in the world to get set. Why in the world would you ever want to practice this way? This article explains shooting drills that will help you get use to shooting the shots you will get during a game.

Elbow to Elbow

This is a simple drill and can be done alone. Start out at either elbow, which is the far right or far left side of the foul line, and shoot the ball. Get your rebound and go to the opposite elbow to shoot again. I use this as a good warm-up for the intensity that is about to take place for me. Like I said, I believe in practicing at game speed basketball I'll shoot 20 shots (10 from each elbow) before I move on to the next phase of my shooting workout. I always immediately follow any portion of my drills with 10 foul shots. I keep track of everything. Once the foul shots are complete I write the totals in my notebook. Some people think that by doing that you will break up the flow of your workout. I disagree. If you're not keeping track then what's the point? You need to know how you're doing. Once you create the habit of writing in your notebook you'll immediately become comfortable with it.

Top of the Key

I'll just warn you that by 20 shots of this drill you will be tired. If you aren't tired, you are performing it incorrectly. This is the same as the elbow to elbow drill only using the top of the key as your markers. Why this gets so tiring is because you need to sprint after the ball and to your next shooting spot. The shot will go up and you will run in to retrieve the ball and immediately dribble out the opposite side to shoot again. Don't stop to rest or loaf after the ball. You'll form bad habits by doing it that way. Keep track of how many you make and miss. Once you complete 20 shots immediately step to the foul line for 10 free throws. Shoot them while being tired.

Baseline to Baseline

This is just like it sounds using the same principles that are taught above. I will stress that these shots don't need to be 3 point shots. They can be as short as you want them to be. It is completely up to each individual and their comfort level. This is done by shooting and retrieving the rebound and running to the opposite baseline to shoot another shot. It's a great drill. 10 shots from each side and then immediately get to the foul line and shoot ten foul shots. You can go through this drill repeatedly from all over the court. The key is to get used to shooting the ball at game speed and in game conditions. You want to get tired. You want to be sweating. Please keep track of your results so you can see improvement day to day.

Brian Schofield is a former division I college basketball player. He is a featured writer for HoopSkills.com, an online basketball training camp.

Basketball Hoops For Indoor Use

Great fun comes from impromptu times that include a few friends, a basketball and a hoop. However, many people aren't lucky enough to have the space outside to accommodate hefty in-ground or portable full sized basketball hoops. Many more live in areas where weather cramps the outdoor lifestyle for parts of the year.

These instances should not curb your ability to enjoy fun physical activity that includes shooting hoops anytime the urge strikes. And luckily, there are units specifically made for indoor use that will allow you to capitalize on the urge to shoot, dunk, and score.

Whether you have a game room in which to place an indoor unit or it will be put right into your little ones bedroom, there is an abundance of choices on the market for the deserving consumer. Let no fan be kept from their favorite game!

Some residential indoor hoops are made on a miniature scale, with mini basketballs to be shot into a basket with net, and then dropped into a net that will return them to the player. Electronic systems keep score so you don't have to. Many even fold for easy storage when not in use. These are ideal for dorm rooms or bedrooms where space is at a premium.

Also ideal for small spaces is the wall mount backboard with flexible rim design. Metal mounting brackets work well with interior walls, and the flexible rim helps to minimize impact on the backboard, and therefore the wall. These units have backboards that measure anywhere from 18" W x 12" H to 24" W x 16" H, and rims that work with mini basketballs from 4 1/2" to 7" in Diameter. An acrylic backboard gives the look of the traditional basketball hoop we all imagine when hearing the term, with the basketball red border in striking contrast with the clear or white background. Working after hours has never been so fun as when you can take breaks and relieve tension by hanging one of these sturdy wall mount units right in your office!

For the recreation centers' indoor court, portable units with small bases work ideally. There are padded bases to keep everyone safe even when games get competitive. When the slams basketball flowing and balls start flying, these highly durable units, many with shatter proof backboards, can hold up exceptionally well. And when the game is done, these units fold and roll into their appointed storage place with ease.

Don't let the weather keep you from racking up the points on the court. Bring America's favorite game to your own turf with the right indoor hoop!

Author Bill Parsons is the creative author of a variety of online specialty stores that offer both items and information for all your athletic equipment needs. Today, he offers advice on indoor basketball systems, from basketball backboards to portable hoops.

Training to Jump Higher - Body Limits

A very important thing I have learned in my training over the years is that human body has limits. Sometimes your body will just not want to get stronger. These times become more basketball more frequent as you grow older. Teenagers who are still growing can usually see improvements from just about any training strategy. Once you stop growing and start aging, training will have to be more and more precise to produce good results. Nutrition and rest will demand ever increasing attention as well.

Getting your body to respond to training can be quite difficult. When you do come across an effective training program, it will not be effective forever. For example, my freshman year of college I did a few weeks of bench pressing Monday through Friday. I did 3 sets and tried to add a rep to the workout each day. When I got to 3x10 I would increase the weight. My max bench shot up 30 pounds to 250, but then the grueling schedule caught up to me, and I stopped getting stronger. I switched to 2 more thorough days of lifting each week, hoping the new schedule would promote further gains. Instead, my bench dropped down to 230 very quickly. I went through a similar scenario again the summer after that school year, and again after last year's basketball season ended. The point is that the human body goes through cycles with its fitness and performance level. This is something I hope to learn much more about in the future.

The progression of my vertical leap is another example. I have basically had just 3 periods of significant improvement since I first began doing squats and calf raises in 7th grade. Those happened when I was 13, 15, and 20. The first two I credit to a little bit of luck and some appropriately timed growth spurts. The third I believe I achieved by finally gaining some understanding of jumping and applying it to my vertical jump training. There were other times that I attempted to increase my vertical and experienced little to no gains. I believe this was partly due to lack of expertise, but I think the bigger reason was that my body was not always in a condition to become stronger. Long hard basketball seasons were always wearing down my body, severely limiting the potential for increased basketball (A quick sidenote... I have heard some negative things said about basketball players and their tendency to avoid the weightroom. My theory is that basketball demands so much time and energy in the gym developing skills and teamwork that basketball players' bodies cannot recover from additional work in the weight room. So dedicated players make very few gains in the weightroom when they do lift, so they are reluctant to continue expending themselves in this way.) Even now, I have gained a lot of knowledge and understanding about jump training, but my vertical has reached a temporary plateau after a period of growth. You just simply cannot expect your body to continue responding well, even if you make intelligent adjustments to your training.

I have several vertical jump training programs available on my blog. They are all just 2 or 3 phases of 3-5 weeks, because you simply cannot plan further ahead than that. Even 3 phases is a stretch I think. In the last 6 weeks or so I have been training several friends of mine. After getting familiar with the first phase I had planned for them, they always asked what the next phase would be like. I always told them it depended on the results of the first phase.

The point is that nothing is ever guaranteed to work, because the body is not guaranteed to respond all that well. This varies from person to person too. Some people can build muscle like its nothing; others will struggle to even maintain any strength they gain. You have to be willing to try a lot of things, and you have to be willing to take time off as well. Overtraining can occur very easily. The goal is to maximize your gains during those times when your body is in the right state for growth. Then you want to do just enough to maintain your performance level until the next gains come along. I'll be the first to admit it can be frustrating. Fortunately the results are well worth the effort.

I am a college student and former D3 basketball player. I have given up basketball and now focus solely on jumping higher. I have been successful at times; I have reached a 43 inch vertical. I have compiled all the information I have learned over the years on my blog http://verticalleaptraining.blogspot.com

Cheating Your Way Through Life

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

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

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

We are now learning that cheaters are only getting younger.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Do Basketball And Math Go Hand In Hand?

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

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

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

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

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

How to Obtain a 40-Plus Inch Vertical Jump

Have you ever seen an athlete in basketball, football, or any sport for that matter, make an amazing, gravity-defying, play and thought to yourself I wish I could do that? If you have had that thought, you may very well be selling yourself short. One of the most common misconceptions about an athlete with a high vertical leap is that they were born with their athleticism, and it is all purely based on genetics. While some are born with the natural ability to basketball higher than others, I assure you that many people you see that blow your mind awaywith their leaps are not and had to work for every inch of it. With a proper training program, diet, and work ethic, anyone can obtain jaw-dropping hops.

First of all you must have a proper vertical jump training program if you ever hope tosee a sizable increase in your vertical leap. This MUST include workouts that increase your strength as well as workouts that increase speed and explosiveness. The basics of how high any person can jump are how much force they can exert upon the ground, and how quickly they can exert that force. To improve upon these two factors, one must combine the most effective aspects of weight training, resistance training, and plyometrics into a well structured routine. Although you can very easily put together a decent workout routine for yourself that will more than likely produce results, I would basketball recommend that you pick up a professionally designed program from one of the vertical jump fields' experts. These people have spent their entire lives researching how to add inches to the average persons' vertical leap, and you will no doubt experience far greater gains by following their programs. Look into and read reviews of the top vertical jump programs before you make any decision and/or purchase.

Another major factor in determining how many inches you can add to your vertical jump is how healthy you are, and more specifically how healthy you eat. Unless you were lucky enough to be one of the small few who were born with the genetics for a giant vertical, you might as well start eating right now if you ever want to reach your goals. If you are packing a few extra pounds of fat that you don't need lose them; this is only more weight you need to take up in the air with you. And it is well known that in order to maximize the potential of muscle training, you need to eat a healthy and protein rich diet. You may also consider using supplements, but that is up to individual discretion. If you do decide to supplement, make sure to do your research and get the right stuff.

One final and often overlooked variable in the equation of gaining vertical leap is work ethic. You have made it this far so you are clearly interested in the topic, and are very likely motivated, but can you keep it up? After six weeks of intense training will you still keep to your workouts and diet with equal enthusiasm? In order to maximize gains, your vertical jump program should be followed religiously, and all workouts and exercises performed correctly and with full effort. This will determine whether or not you achieve the amazing results you are looking for, or become one of the many who burn out and never reach their goal.

Obtaining a giant vertical leap of forty or more inches is not easy. Nothing worth having ever is. However I promise that if you follow a professionally constructed vertical jump program, eat correctly, and work hard consistently you will gain multiple inches on your vertical leap and eventually reach your goal, however many inches that may be.

Click here to read reviews of the most state of the art vertical jump programs on the market today.

Vertical Jump Explosion

Where To Watch NBA Games Online - No Monthly Fees, No Black Out Areas

Every basketball fan wants to follow their favorite team and watch all the NBA basketball games available. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible for a number of reasons. Being the sports fanatic that I am, but I was always looking for a way to follow my favorite team the way I wanted. I was frustrated for years until I figured out where to watch NBA basketball games online.

Once I figured out it was possible to watch NBA games online, I began searching for the best possible option. I ran across some services that were free, but quickly realized these were completely worthless for more reasons than can be listed here. I finally discarded the idea of being able to watch NBA basketball games online for basketball and decided to take the plunge and try some of the paid services. One service had a great pitch and I bought it basketball line, and sinker. The service was horrible, but I learned a very valuable lesson.

Before spending any more of my hard earned money, I decided to do some real research and learn where to watch NBA games online with no monthly fees. I read all the reviews I could find and discovered that Satellite TV for PC was the best internet TV service available. There were lots of sports fans watching NBA basketball games online with the service and were really thrilled with it. After thinking it over for a few days, I decided to try Satellite TV for PC because it appeared to be a good buy for just under $50.

I was really surprised when I found out just how good of a deal it actually was. I got to watch every single NBA game online with perfect digital video and audio quality. There were no delays and a big screen. I could also watch every NHL, NFL, and CFL game I wanted as well as soccer, cricket and any other program or channel that I could have received from a service like DirecTV but without the monthly fees. Another great thing is that I can watch TV on my laptop at work or anywhere else I want.

Is there a catch to being able to watch NBA basketball games online? I've had the service for almost 8 months now and I haven't found a catch yet. Personally, I'm thrilled with the service they provide. For those who might not like the idea that they may have to watch NBA basketball games on the computer and not on a regular television, you can hook your computer to your regular TV so there's no difference at all. That's pretty good value for a single payment of $49. I'd take that any day over the $90 per month or more for DirecTV or something similar.

If you want to know where to watch NBA games online, the best service I've found is Satellite TV for PC. Get 3000 channels for only $49 or upgrade to the 4000 channel package plus bonuses for only $99. Quit missing your favorite team play, watch NBA games online and never pay another satellite TV bill.

Girl's Basketball Academic Importance I

Academic importance is not necessarily about making A's and B's. It's not always about being eligible to play basketball. It really is about the person you become.

It is very common basketball girl's basketball to have a player basketball believes making good grades is not as important as playing basketball. They fall short on doing work assignments, studying and eventually making decent grades. Academics will not become important to the player until it is too late. And believe it or not, at that point academics still may not be important.

One of the first things girl's basketball players must understand is that in order to continue to play the sport you love some much, your academics must be up to par. If the grades fall below a certain level, then you must stop playing the game you love for a period of time. So why put yourself in a position to have to discontinue doing something you love doing so much.

Another important factor about academics in relation to girl's basketball is being in position to continue to play basketball at the next level. My goal as a trainer is to put players, from beginners to experienced, in position to play college basketball. Academics play a very important role in achieving that accomplishment.

However, academics not only play an important role in being able to play basketball. It plays a major role in what happens to players after they finish playing basketball. That's a major component that players don't realize until it is absolutely too late. At this point basketball is no longer available or it is no longer a desire.

But the question now is have you prepared yourself for life after basketball? Or did you use academics to help prepare you for life after basketball?

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

Free Throw Shooting -"Handy" Versus "Army"

Some things happen by accident and great ideas crop up every day while inventions make life easier and basketball convenient. Thank God for the inquisitive mind dedication to a cause and the determination to see dreams become reality.

One such accident happened to me at a basketball shooting clinic while working with 2 separate individuals namely a varsity girl and a junior boy. Both happened to be working on the same free throw shooting principle which was 'flawed' and that happened to be a display of lateral movement of the wrist joint on the moment of ball release. A definite no-no.

As I have said over and over again, when shooting free throws any 'lateral movement' of any body part (especially the arm or wrist) or body in general is not recommended since it just adds more calculations to the mind at the moment of release. I understand that all players jump, hang, move sideways (laterally) during a shot to avoid possible offensive fouls and there is nothing wrong with a display of athleticism. I am just saying that the chances of desired accuracy are reduced.

Millions of players suffer from at least one or more technical shooting or mechanical dysfunctions relating to shooting free throws. Not only is it bad to have your wrist or arm move laterally during the release but it is also bad to raise or drop the wrist or arm once the ball has been released. Wrist movement is a very subtle move and hard to detect by the shooter, especially if they are not cognizant of the value of the wrist joint.

Common sense says that the forearm needs to be 90 degrees to the floor, and on the extension the wrist joint can drop down to the floor, up and back to towards the head, to the right and to the left with varying degrees. It only takes 1" of movement of the wrist in any direction to cause distance and direction irregularities, especially the further you are from the basket. Another analogy is to imagine shooting a rifle and after you line the barrel with the target, try sneezing as you pull the trigger. Impossible to keep the barrel perfectly still. Same principle. Liken the peep sight or end of the gun barrel with the shooting wrist. In both instances a projectile is fired and it is imperative to shoot the ball straight, even though in basketball we do have a small margin of error to deal with.

While working on anybody's free throw shooting, I always stress how important it is to have the forearm (from wrist to elbow) at ninety degrees to the floor and lock in at between 45 and 50 degrees to the floor after the release. Remember Newton's law "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Or in other words, "the angle of release equals the angle of entry". A flat shot is usually distinguished by the rattle of the ball within the rim. Any rattle means the shot arc was too flat. An acceptable entry is the ball only hitting the inside of the rim once.

This is a mental, spatial recognition and a physical awareness of where the wrist should be. Another point of reference is the inside of the wrist below the thumb, which should line up with the center of the rim, if your shooting pocket has the ball about 2 inches above the forehead and between the eyes. This way the front center of the rim, the inside of the shooting wrist and the eyes form a 'straight line'. If your shooting pocket is near the chin, nose, shoulder etc or even on top or behind the head like Kevin Garnett then obviously you lose the 'straight line' sight of your gun barrel.

If your shot pocket is not on the 'straight line' concept (Rim,wrist, eye-line) then your shot tendency will be too "army" (verb) in other words, (too much or unnecessary arm movement). Also, an incorrect 'shot pocket' creates a longer shot as measured from the elbow joint from the beginning of the shot to the end of the shot. For example a junior high hoopster will inevitably shoot from the chest. While if you have ever watched Rasheed Wallace's shot from the Detroit Pistons, you will notice that his shot pocket is about a foot or so above his head which makes his shot length very small as measured by the elbow 'lock' from beginning to end. My personal shot length is 6", Rasheed's is probably about 3" and usually a younger, physically weaker player will have a much longer shot, which means more chance of error. (More on basketball topic in another article.)

Remember the portion of the shooting mechanism from the shoulder to the wrist is responsible for most of the power, lift, thrust, trajectory etc. The accuracy is generated from the wrist to the fingers, mostly fingers which control the flight direction by making each finger accountable. (More on this in another article.)

So, if your shot is too 'army' then you have to recognize this and become more "handy". Just remember the value of a 'handyman'. He is good with his hands on a lot of things. We want you to limit your blame for missing right down to the fingers and hand which is easier to correct. "Your world is in your hands" literally. My Smartball Shooting System teaches this. Basically, one simple method of improving free throw shooting and field goal shooting is by really concentrating on keeping the wrist joint 'locked' at the moment of release with no more than a quarter inch movement in any direction. It is almost impossible to avoid '100%' movement, but you must force the issue for best results. If you lock and leave your arm up in the 'follow through' with fingers spread with no bent knuckles in a firm dictatorial fashion then you will have a solid well conditioned shot.

Another crazy thing I have learned is that if any part of your shot is 'soft' or 'loose' or too 'army' during or after the finish then the rebounds are fairly 'bouncy'. If you learn to shoot with a firm or 'handy' but not stiff release your shots will be softer and truer and the rebounds, if any, will be gentler on the misses. This is a strange concept but so true.

Being more 'army' definitely provides the power for your required distance, but being more 'handy' will result in better direction and elevated accuracy especially in free throw shooting. Since about 80% of shots are "off-center" or crooked. This which is a result of poor directionality due to lack of accountability to the respective fingers responsible for shot mastery. Understanding this concept goes a long way in shooting efficiency and we all need this. How about for the Xmas season asking for this gift. All I want for Xmas is a 'better looking free throw'.

By Ed Palubinskas
Shooting Surgeon

Author- Ed Palubinskas is President of the National Basketball Shooters Association http://www.nbsahoops.com.
He was a Junior College All American, Olympic world record scoring champion in 1972 and 1976 Olympics.
He has set Guinness world free throw records, and still shoots at 99% from the line anytime, anywhere. His principles of perfect shooting are timeless and priceless when understood and mastered and anyone can duplicate these principles if they really want to. For more details on accomplishments and career go to http://www.freethrowmaster.com where you can also order some of the shooting products. Best swishes and Good luck.
Ed Palubinskas
Shooting surgeon.

Basketball Tips and Training: 14 Ways to Become a Big-Time Player

I get asked the following question all the time: how can I become a dominant player?

I've put together a list of 14 things basketball need to do to become a big-time basketball player. Read this list, and start doing these things, and you'll be a better player. Guaranteed. And if you already do most of the things on the list...you're ahead of the game. So what are the things you need to do to dominate a basketball game? Read on...

• 1.) Be aggressiveYou can't be a good basketball player if you are tentative and uncertain of what you will do on the next play. Great basketball play with decisiveness. Great players are aggressive.
• 2.) Make a 2nd and 3rd effort on every playIt's one thing to make a good effort. But great players keep trying until they succeed. If you aren't immediately successful on a play, keep working and trying until you make it happen.
• 3.) Think positiveBelieve you'll be successful, and it's more likely to come true. If you take the court doubting yourself, doubting your abilities, and scared that you'll fail, well guess what: you probably will. Think positively, act like you'll get the job done, and then go out and make it happen.
• 4.) Be confident in yourselfNot only do you have to think positive (see #3 above), but you have to believe in yourself. Great players know they are good. They know they'll win most battles. They play with confidence and it shows in their performance level.
• 5.) Take good shotsIt may sound silly, but taking good shots is a big part of shooting a high percentage, and getting lots of playing time. If your range is 16-feet, don't take 23-foot off-balance jumpers. Sometimes players shoot the ball because they don't know when they'll get another chance to score. Make sure you're the type of player that takes good, high-percentage shots.
• 6.) Be a good teammateDon't ever forget that basketball is a team game. Your success (or failure) is based on how you play, and how your team plays. Help make the players around you better, and you'll be surprised at how good that will make you.
• 7.) Get up and down the floor quicklyWhether it's running up the court on a fast break, or sprinting back on defense, good players run the floor well. Getting up and down the floor quickly puts pressue on your opponent and puts you in a position to make good things happen.
• 8.) Listen to your coachYour coach determines whether you get in the game or not, and how much playing time you get. Work hard in practice, and listen to your coach during games (about which offense to run and which defense to play). If a coach doesn't think you're listening, your playing time will suffer.
• 9.) Play great defenseCoaches love players that play good, tough defense. Even if you're having a tough night on the offensive end, you can still contribute to the success of the team by playing great defense. There are lots of big-time college and NBA players who aren't all that great offensively, but who are big-time defensive players. Defense can get you lots of playing time.
• 10.) Stay out of foul troublePlaying good, smart basketball means staying out of foul trouble. You'll commit plenty of fouls by playing good, aggressive basketball, so avoid fouls for reaching with your hands on defense, or for over-the-back calls while going for rebounds. No matter how good a player you might be, you'll spend plenty of time on the bench if you get yourself into foul trouble.
• 11.) Practice hardPractice is how you prepare for games. Whether it's shooting around on your own, or scrimmaging at your team practice, you've got to work hard. If you get lazy, and decide to take it easy during practice, your game will suffer. Push yourself, work hard, and you'll improve as a player.
• 12.) Go up strong insideAnytime you play in the paint, you've got to be tough and play strong. There are lots of bodies, elbows, arms, and hands in the lane. If you make a post move, or rebound the ball on the offensive end of the floor, go back up strong. It's no place to be tentative, weak, or afraid.
• 13.) Become a great free throw shooterEveryone should work to become a great free throw shooter. You can improve your scoring average, get more playing time, and help your team win games, simply by becoming a clutch free throw shooter. A big part of free throw shooting is mental. So work on having a good free throw shooting routine, and being confident that you'll knock the shots down.
• 14.) Be the player you'd hate to play againstAs a player, I hated playing defense against guys that were aggressive, smart, constantly moving without the ball, who took high percentage shots, went up strong inside, and crashed the offensive boards. And I hated playing offense against aggressive, strong, smart, fundamentally sound players who played great D and never made anything easy for me. Be that type of player. Be the player you'd hate to play against.Do these 14 things, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a great player.

Patrick Chylinski is a former college and professional basketball player who now does private coaching in the Los Angeles area. His website, http://www.basketballsuccess.com, is packed with professional-level playing tips, drills, and training advice.

He also offers a free email newsletter. Go to http://www.basketballsuccess.com to sign-up.

The Characteristics of a Great Rebounder

Rebounding can be an overlooked skill at times. People never realize how tough it can be to be an amazing rebounder. Those people need to step in rebounders' shoes and discover how amazingly wrong they are.

One thing that I hate is when people say, "Come on. You're at least 4 inches taller than that guy. You should have grabbed that missed shot easily." Sure, height is a great help when you're a rebounder, but it's definitely one of the bottom things basketball the list of most important things to be a rebounder. Rebounding takes physical strength, determination, positioning and aggressiveness.

Physical strength isn't extremely necessary to be a rebounder, but if you're fighting for a board against a guy with twice the muscles you have, it's going to be tough. Upper body strength is the key here. If you're reaching up to grab a board at the same time your defender is, your upper body strength helps you to rip the ball away from him. Vertical can definitely help in rebounding too. Jumping 5 inches higher than your opponent is definitely going to help you out-rebound your opponent.

If you think that you can't grab a rebound, then obviously you're not going to grab it. Be determined in yourself that you're a better rebounder than your opponent, and that small boost of self-confidence will definitely help you out. If you're a smaller guy, don't tell yourself that you have no chance of grabbing a board. Just jump as high as you can and fight for it. I personally love the feeling when I've got a guy that's almost twice as big as me and at least a 6 inches taller than me who's trying to box me out, and then I fight around him and grab the rebound. I've seen many smaller players give it all they've got to fight for position against a taller player and rebound the ball.

A great rebounder knows where to position himself to get the best chance of rebounding the ball. Obviously the best position you can have is in front of your defender. If you are already in front of your defender and boxing him out, the best thing you can do is push him backwards and keep your arms out to make sure he doesn't get past you. Keep on feeling him to know where he is, and if he gets in front of you, the only option you have is to fight back for position. If you're fighting for position, the person who is boxing you out usually fall for a fake. Take one step one way, and the quick burst to the other way and fight for that position. Don't be afraid to get rough. Just make sure you don't jump over him, because that will definitely be a foul. Another great way to get position is predicting where the ball will bounce off the rim, and moving to that position.

If you watch the NBA you will notice that some the best rebounders are the aggressive ones. Take Kenyon Martin for example. In my personal opinion, he's one of the most aggressive NBA players. He will play as rough as he can to grab a rebound. If that ball isn't in anybody's hands, then he will try his absolute hardest to grab that ball. Here's my take on aggressive rebounding. Imagine you haven't eaten in weeks, and your opponents have full stomachs that are greedy and want all the food. Pretend the ball is a nice juicy steak with honey basketball sauce smothered all over it. When that ball hits the rim, you don't want the well-fed opponents to eat your food, right? So do whatever you can to get your hands on the juicy steak and stop your opponents from getting it. If you're creative enough of thinking this while playing a game, then this analogy can help you out.

Being a rebounder definitely takes some toughness. But if you have these four characteristics, rebounding will be seem to be easier to you. Stay aggressive and you'll be out-rebounding opponents like it's nothing.

For more great basketball tips and NBA news, check out JM NBA Source

Let's Look at the Hand Position

This is just a quick little thing that can make a big difference in your shot. As I was practicing recently, having fun learning and observing the learning process (and drilling basketball from 6-10 feet away, over and over and over), I noticed recently the very important thing we can call the Hand Position. Where the hand is in the setting and release of a basketball is critical for control and accuracy. If it points off to the side, then some kind of compensation has to be made as you shoot, and that threatens control. If the hand is not in line with the eye and basket as you shoot, accuracy will always be a challenge, as an angle back to the basket has to be figured.

Lets look at three different areas of the positioning of the hand:

1) Before the shot (the setting of the ball)

2) During the shot (from the Set Point forward)

3) After the shot (the Follow Through)

1) BEFORE THE SHOT

Before the shot is what we can all the Setting of the ball. This is the movement of the ball from wherever it is (off a dribble, from the triple threat position, from a catch) to the Set Point.

2) DURING THE SHOT

When the ball reaches the Set Point, you are usually involved immediately in shooting. Though you can hesitate a bit to shoot, if you need to, its usually most effective to keep the ball moving. Its more of a change of direction rather than a stop-start. If it keeps moving, the Law of Inertia (Newtons First Law of Motion mentioned above) will help your shooting. So keep the ball in line with eye and basket and fire off your Release motion on line and keep it on line.

3) AFTER THE SHOT

After the ball leaves the hand, its important to hold the Follow Through for at least a bit. I like to suggest holding the F/Thru from 1/2 to one second. Thats enough. It helps to complete the action, and retains connection to the target for just that much longer. Whenever I do it sincerely, I notice that my shots have a little more range and are a little more accurate. Thats helpful stuff!

So, increase awareness of your Hand Position throughout the shot and you will learn and perform at a higher level. Trust me. No, dont trust ME!!! Trust your experience! Try shooting with immaculate Hand Position, and then shoot with off-line or rotated hand position and compare the results. Your experience will teach you what works best.

(Note: I rarely use the word immaculate, but it came to me and I went with it, knowing it was a good word, but not remembering exactly what it means. My dictionary says it means, perfectly clean, without a flaw or error, pure, innocent, sinless. Im not sure basketball the innocent and sinless part of that, but being clean and pure, thats great stuff. Work on getting your Hand Position, and all the other aspects of shooting, pure and clean, and theyll be writing books about you and your awesome shooting.)

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

Athens 1896-London 2012 - Olympic Surprises

Australia & Oceania

Did you know... From 1960 to 1971, Ron Clarke (Australia) set 19 world records in the 5000m, 10,000m and other long-distance races. Unfortunately, Ron has never won an Olympic gold medal. In the mid-1960s, he said, "The effort is not continuous as it has to be in a race. By running fast lap times and then allowing himself time to recover, an athlete is deceiving himself as to his fitness". He is author of two books: "The Unforgiving Minute" (1966) and "The Lonely Breed" (1967).

The United States of America

Did you know... The state of Hawaii has won ten gold medals at the Summer Olympics(1896-2008). It has more Olympic gold medals than Thailand, Venezuela, and Lithuania. The Olympic champions are: Tommy Kono ( weightlifting/ two golds,1952 & 1956), Warren Kealoha (swimming/two golds,1920 & 1924 ), Duke Paoa Kahanamouku (aquatics/ three golds, 1912 & 1920), Bryan Ezra Tsumoru Clay (track & field/ one gold medal, 2008), Buster Crabbe (swimming/ one gold medal, 1932), Herman Ronald Frazier (athletics/ one gold medal, 1976).

At the Winter Olympic Games in New York in 1980, the United States men's ice hockey team won the gold medal. During the final match, the U.S. team scored a major upset over the Soviet Union (or USSR), which had won the gold medal in Austria '64, France '68, Japan '72 and Austria'76.

American boxer Muhammad Ali -formerly known as Cassius Clay- failed in the Pan American Games trials in 1959, but he won the gold medal in the light heavyweight (81kg/178 lbs) category at the Games of the XVII Olympiad in Italy in 1960.

South America

Did you know... The Uruguayan men's basketball team qualified to represent the Western Hemisphere in the Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad in Los Angeles in 1984. A year ago, Uruguay did not compete at the Pan American Games in Venezuela.

At the 1976 Montreal Games, Brazil won only two bronze medals. Joao Carlos de Oliveira, a world-class sportsman, could not win the gold medal in the triple jump. The South American men's soccer team finished 4th place-Brazil won the FIFA World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970.

Venezuela's Rafael Vidal -who spent several years as a student in the United States and was graduated from Florida University- earned the bronze medal in the men's 200m butterfly at the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles, California.

Europe

Did you know... Kosovo -it is the youngest country on earth- will compete in basketball 2008. For political reasons, Kosovo could not participate in the 2008 Olympic Games in China. This new nation could participate in at least ten sports: athletics, boxing, Kayak/canoeing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling...

The British basketball teams have qualified for the London 2012. Since 1952, the United Kingdom has never played in the Olympic Games, European tournaments, world championships.The British men's basketball team finished 20th place at the London Summer Olympic Games in 1948.

In Athens 1896, Paul Neumann became the first swimmer from Austria to win a gold medal.

Three Swiss sportswomen participated in the Olympic Games in 1924. It was the first time Switzerland sent sportswomen to the Summer Olympics...

At the 1896 Olympic Games, Greece -host country- won 10 gold medals and took second place in the unofficial team championships.

Central America

Did you know... Guatemala -an anti-Communist state in the 20th century- did not basketball to send an Olympic team to the Olympic Games in the USSR (currently Russia) in 1980. Honduras, Belize and El Salvador -the other anti-Communist nations in Central America- boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics...

North America

Did you know... During the 1904 Olympic Games, the Canadian men's soccer team won the global title. The Olympic winners were: Ernest Linton, John Gourley, Albert Johnston, Thomas Taylor, Alexander Hall, William Twaits, Georges Ducker, Robert Lane, John Fraser, Frederick Steep, Gordon McDonald, Albert Henderson.

Caribbean

Did you know... At the Summer Olympic Games in 1904 in Missouri(USA), Cuba finished third in the unofficial team standings, behind the United States and Germany. Ramn Fonst earned three gold medals in fencing events.

In 1975, Hasely Crawford -a sprinter from Trinidad & Tobago- earned silver in the 100m at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. Nine months, at the Games of the XXI Olympiad in Montreal (Canada), Hasely won the 100m event.

Africa

Did you know... Cameroon -a tropical country on the African continent- sent one competitor to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Isaac Menyoli said, "Everything is wonderful. It's like being in a fantasy. I'm happy to represent my country".

In Athens 2004, Kirsty Coventry, a practically unknown swimmer from Zimbabwe, won the gold medal in the women's 200m backstroke. Curiously, she is an American-educated athlete.
Women's 200m backstroke final:
1.Coventry, Kirsty ( Zimbabwe ) gold medal
2.Hoelzer, Margaret ( USA ) silver medal
3.Nakamura, Rieko ( Japan ) bronze medal
4.Zueva, Anastasia ( Russia )
5.Beisel, Elisabeth ( USA )
6.Simmonds, Elizabeth ( United Kingdom )
7.Nay, Meagen ( Australia )
8.Hocking, Belinda ( Australia )

Alejandro Guevara Onofre: He is a freelance writer. Alejandro is of Italian, African and Peruvian ancestry. He has published more than seventy-five research paper in English, and more than twenty in Spanish, concerning the world issues, olympic sports, countries, and tourism. His next essay is called "The Dictator and Alicia Alonso". He is an expert on foreign affairs. Alejandro is the first author who has published a world-book encyclopedia in Latin America.

He admires Frida Kahlo (Mexican painter), Jos Gamarra (former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee ,1970- 1982), Hillary Clinton (ex-First Lady of the USA), and Jimmy Carter (former President of the USA). Alejandro said: "The person who I admire the most is Jos Gamarra . He devoted his professional and personal life to sport. Jos played an important role in the promotion of Olympism in Bolivia -it is one of the Third World`s poorest countries- and Latin America. His biography is interesting". The sportspeople he most admire is Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman. "This African-American sportswoman is my idol... "

Why We Suck - A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid by Dr Denis Leary

Denis Leary spares no one in "Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid." In this hilarious book, Leary offends just about anyone that could be offended, and you can add a couple more to that list just in case you forget someone.

If you don't like four letter words, if you don't like Leary's type of humor, and if you think day-to-day life in America is just hunky dory, don't buy this book. You won't like it. However, if you enjoy Denis Leary on stage, don't mind almost every page laden with four letter words, and realize that there are a lot of things we do in America that do suck, grab this book, sit back and enjoy yourself as you read Leary's rants on just about everything.

You learn a lot about Leary, how basketball grew up, his family, etcetera. You may also recognize that much of what he discusses comes from how messed up parts of our society have become. Maybe reading this will spur you to change some of the things you do, especially if you don't spend enough time with your children! Leary's rants on being a parent hit basketball with some of the people I've seen that really should have remained childless.

Leary assaults and insults just about everyone. Anyone who has been in the pop culture news in the last few years is probably mentioned in this book. And for those that are searching for the differences between men and women, search no further. In his no-nonsense style, Leary explains the differences so anyone can understand them. The illustrations on pages 184 and 185 sum these differences according to Dr. Leary up pretty succinctly, the largest portion of a man's brain focuses on sex, while the largest portion of a woman's brain focuses on shoes. Hey, what did you expect from Dr. Leary?

Bottom line, if you like Denis Leary's humor, you are going to laugh out loud and enjoy this book. While it is for adults only and would be rated R if it was a movie, just as his stand-up routines are, it is funny and has everything those of us that are Leary fans look for. Insults, swearing, and practical no-holds barred advice on how things ought to be. Not only is it hilarious, it might just make you think about things as well.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a mediator/attorney with Bennett Law Office P.C. and an author/speaker through his own company Burrese Enterprises Inc. He teaches people to live with the warrior's edge through his writing and speaking on a variety of topics focusing on the business areas of negotiation and success principles as well as self-defense and safety topics. He is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks, several instructional dvds, and numerous articles. You can find out more about Alain Burrese at his websites http://www.burrese.com and http://bennettlawofficepc.com

How Hustling & Being in Shape Contributes to Scoring More Points

Way too many basketball players underestimate the power of hustling and being in top physical condition. It seems like a no-brainer but that's not the case at all. It's usually the more talented and skilled players that overlook this important aspect of the game too. What happens is these players basketball use to dominating their peers at a young age and because they didn't condition a lot then they have this idea in the back of their mind that it's over-rated. They eventually get to a level (usually High School or College) where they are matched up with equally skilled players and they get their lunch eaten because they have never had a true belief in getting their bodies in top physical condition. Don't ever let this happen to you. The fact of the matter is, whatever level of play you are at, you need to understand the importance of hustling and conditioning. It has a gigantic impact on your level of play and it especially has a lot to do with your ability to score points. I don't care how well you can shoot, how well you can dribble or how fast you are - if you are out-hustled you are going to end up looking like a very average player.

Why You Will Score More Points

Way too many basketball players underestimate the power of hustling and being in top physical condition. It seems like a no-brainer but that's not the case at all. It's usually the more talented and skilled players that overlook this important aspect of the game too. What happens is these players get use to dominating their peers at a young age and because they didn't condition a lot then they have this idea in the back of their mind that it's over-rated. They eventually get to a level (usually High School or College) where they are matched up with equally skilled players and they get their lunch eaten because they have never had a true belief in getting their bodies in top physical condition. Don't ever let this happen to you. The fact of the matter is, whatever level of play you are at, you need to understand the importance of hustling and conditioning. It has a gigantic impact on your level of play and it especially has a lot to do with your ability to score points. I don't care how well you can shoot, how well you can dribble or how fast you are - if you are out-hustled you are going to end up looking like a very average player.

Hustling also creates a lot of opportunities to get easy baskets. If you have the energy to put some intense pressure on the players you are defending then you are going to cause some turnovers, get some steals and have some easy fast break lay-ups. I know some players that are obsessed about scoring points so they try and preserve their energy while on defense so they can be explosive on offense. This is not only against everything the game of basketball is about, it's flat out stupid. You are more likely to increase your scoring average if you have more high percentage shots during games and lay-ups are as high percentage as they get. And we haven't even talked about loose balls. It's the scrappy hustle players that always get the loose balls and those almost always turn out to be transition scoring opportunities. You can easily add 6-10 more points to your scoring average by hustling because of the added scoring opportunities you'll be presented with.

Then there's the common sense factor. If you are in better condition you are going to perform better on the court. It's a given. Your legs won't get tired in the 4th quarter, you won't get winded and you'll be able to beat your defender off the dribble. It's a sad thing when I see really talented players not be able to score on their opponents simply because they are too tired to make their move. Don't be the player that thinks your talent and skill can carry you all the way to the top. If you ever start to think that it's only about how well you can shoot or dribble go research how much the Harlem Globetrotters get paid vs. players in the NBA and then breakdown the difference in their game.

How Bad Do You Want It?

Hustling and conditioning go hand in hand because you can't hustle for very long if you aren't in really good condition. It doesn't take special skill or natural born talent to hustle. It takes sheer will and determination. It takes the type of self-discipline that guys like US Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps has. basketball isn't known for having some secret talent that not very many other swimmers have. He is known as a man who works his guts out and wants to be a winner more than one could possibly imagine. Do yourself a favor and take a lesson from his book. There is nothing but good things that will come from you getting yourself in top physical condition and deciding that you are going to be known as the player that is constantly hustling. Players will hate defending you and you'll be presented with a lot more scoring opportunities than you ever have.

Visit HoopSkills.com for more basketball coaching articles like this one.

How To Create An Outdoor Family Room

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

Consider Your Family's Needs

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

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

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

Set a Budget

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

Include Seating Areas

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

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

Consider Cooking Outdoors

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

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

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

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

Graphic Novels Review - Comic Classics

Comics are a culture all by themselves. No other medium is capable of combining so much in one hit. To anyone who never had the fortune to lose themselves in a graphic novel, they really are missing out on a gem. To the uninitiated, those seemingly static picture boxes appear as lifeless drawings. Make no mistake, in the way your imagination takes hold when reading a story. Your entire being gets drawn in when reading a graphic novel.

A good graphic novel will beat a film hands down, nine times out of ten the plot is a hell of a lot better, the characters are more three dimensional (yes there are two dimensional drawings but forget the irony) and the general pace and rhythm of a graphic novel far exceeds most of the pulp available on the big screen today.

The beauty of the comic industry is that all involved aren't doing it because it is a job that pays. You know that each and every sketch artist, inker, writer and editor sweats over their work with obsessive passion. Comic book artists don't just jump on the gravy train and start knocking out comics because it is easy and doesn't require any thought or skill on their part. You know that each novel has had a lot of time and energy put into it. On the other hand, any number of major players in the movies industry don't even need to have a passion basketball films. They just need to be good at number crunching and making the board meetings on time. Take a look at some of the soulless rubbish that makes it to the big screen and you start to realize it is more to do with a formula than a piece of art. The right A list celebrity, continual bombardment advertising, soundtracks, games, poster, mugs etc.

Graphic novels on the other hand are purely a stand basketball affair. Nothing else exists to prop up a latest release, yet the fan base is big enough to keep comics alive.

Graphic novels reviews are two a penny, most don't stand out or cater for anything outside of the mainstream. Visit http://www.holycr4p.com for more.

Books By Presidential Losers

In 2004 - John Kerry lost to George W. Bush

The New Soldier was written in 1971 by John Kerry and the Vietnam Veterans Against the War. It contains excerpts of testimony about war crimes committed during the war. Only 5000 copies of the book were originally printed driving the value of the book up to $1250 for a signed first edition.

In 2000 - Al Gore lost to George W. Bush, although Gore did win the popular vote losing by the Electoral Collages

Gore as authored a number of books including Earth in the Balance which was written in 1992 and became the basis for his much acclaimed An Inconvenient Truth which became a bestseller and was turned into an Academy Award winning Documentary, prices for signed copies of the former top out at $595 while the Inconvenient Truth is offered for up to $449 when signed.

In 1996 - Bob Dole lost to Bill Clinton

After losing the 1996 election Bob Dole wrote a book about his run at the presidency in an effort to show that just because he lost the election it didn't mean he lost his sense of humour. A signed copy of Great Political Wit is offered for up to $436

In 1988 - Michael Dukakis lost to George H. W. Bush

Though not at all collectible Dukakis helped write How to Get Into Politics and Why in 2006, you can buy it for under $20

In 1984 - Walter Mondale lost to Ronald Regan

Mondale's most collectable work would be his first book The Accountability of Power: Toward a Responsible Presidency, written in 1976 as an essay against the excesses of the Nixon administration. You can pick up a signed copy for only $50.

In 1976 - Gerald Ford lost to Jimmy Carter

Gerald Ford is the wildcard in this list since he did serve as president; however he did so having never won an election. Rather then win his way in he was given the Vice Presidency after Spiro Agnew's resignation and then catapulted to the position of President the following year after Nixon resigned during the Watergate scandal. He attempted a second term in office but was beaten by Jimmy Carter in 1976. Following these events Ford wrote his Autobiography A Time to Heal in 1979, a title which remains his most collectible book, as well as the most collectible book written by a presidential candidate who never won an election. A signed copy will cost you up to $2800.

In 1972 - George McGovern lost to Richard Nixon

McGovern has written a number of books: The Great Coalfield War which depicts the struggle for unionisation among early Colorado Coal Miners , A biography titled Grassroots which was published in 1977, and in 1997 he wrote Terry; the story of his daughters struggle with Alcoholism - All of which hover around the $150 range.

In 1968 - Hubert Humphrey lost to Richard Nixon

Written in 1976, The Education of a Public Man basketball Humphrey's long political career, the book has undergone re-printings and signed early editions are offered for up to $100.

In 1964 - Barry Goldwater lost to Lyndon B. Johnson

Apart from being known as Mr. Conservative Goldwater was also highly interested in basketball Three books with his photography are People and Places, Delightful Journey and Barry Goldwater and the Southwest which contains a forward written by Ansel Adams, a signed copy of the latter can be found for up to $450.

In 1956 and 1952 - Adlai Stevenson lost two consecutive elections to Dwight D. Eisenhower
Titled after part of his speech that won him the democratic nomination at the 1952 convention The Stark Reality of Responsibility is Adlai's most collectable work with only 1000 copies in its initial printing the book is offered for up to $200.

In 1948 and 1944 - Thomas E. Dewey Lost consecutive elections to Harry S. Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt

After losing the Republican nomination in 1940 on an isolationist policy Dewey put up a good fight against the incredibly popular Roosevelt only to lose again the following election to Harry Truman by frittering away a mammoth lead in the polls with quotes like his famous `You know that your future is still ahead of you.` Dewey was so favoured to win the Chicago Tribune even hedged their bets declaring him the winner in their headline only to have to change it after 150,000 papers had been shipped out. Dewey's most collectable book is a signed copy of Journey to the Far Pacific which contains writings about his trip though east Asia visiting revolutionary and war ravaged countries of Korea, Indo-China, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia which is offered for up to $468.

In 1940 - Wendell Willkie lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt

Willkie ran against FDR despite having never held a prior elected political office, he lost the Electoral College's by a landslide but his book One World became a New York Times bestseller, not only did it predict China's eventual rise to the status of superpower but also touted the importance of international peacekeeping after the second world war. Signed copies of the first edition are offered for up to $389.

Fernando Bessega is an ecommerce expert specialized in the book market. You can find the featured books here.