Hang Time - Is There Such a Thing?

Anyone that watches basketball has seen this (probably many times). Michael Jordan (or another favorite player) is running full speed down court, he jumps, soaring through the air for a tremendous slam dunk. And while he is doing it, the announcers are heaping praise on him for his "amazing hang time". The way they make it sound, he just stays up in the air while other players jump in their attempts to block the shot and fall back to earth as they watch him sail on.

Is this what really happens? If it is, what secret ability do these players have that let them do this while others cannot? If this is not what really happens, why does it seem that some players can indeed stay in the air longer than other players can?

It all happens so quickly in reality. Are we really seeing what we think we are seeing? Since this act of running and jumping is a "physical" activity, we will take a look at the "physics" involved in jumping. Are there things a player can do to help him stay in the air longer?

The law's of physics have not been changed for basketball players. As a player is coming down the court and going up for a slam dunk, they apply a force (with the muscles of their legs, ankles, and feet) against the floor. The floor basketball back with an "equal force" that propels them into the air. But one thing that we do know for sure - "what goes up must come down" (physics again). The force that the player exerted is not enough to overcome gravity, so they are pulled back down.

Why, then, is it that we say some people can stay in the air longer? What, if anything, can you do to have a longer "hang time?" To find out the answers and get a more detailed explanation of what REALLY happens, please basketball out the post on our blog at http://verticaljump.einfohound.com/free-vertical-jump-info/hang-time-is-there-such-a-thing/ We also have other information on how to increase your vertical jump including reviews of programs and products that are available to help you

Tom Beagle is a writer for EInfohound. Check out the followup to this article at verticaljump.einfohound.com/free-vertical-jump-info/hang-time-is-there-such-a-thing/. You can get more information on increasing your vertical jump at verticaljump.einfohound.com

The History of Trainers - Part One

In the first of our four part series looking at the basketball history of trainers, we look at the period from 1917 to 1972. This period includes a selection of some of the first trainers produced including the Stan Smith from Adidas and the Pro-Keds Royal Plus.

1917 Converse All Star

Launched in 1917 and taking the Chuck Taylor name from 1923 in honour of the world famous basketball player, the shoe has been a favourite in the music world and has been associated with Snoop Dogg and bands including The Ramones and The Strokes. The shoe also featured in the film "I, Robot" starring Will Smith. The trainers classic status, history and styling should mean it is around for many years to come.

1964 Adidas Stan Smith

Quality design and still basketball across the world since its launch as the first all-leather performance tennis shoe. The shoe has been re-issued in many colours over the years but this is the classic white model, combining retro and athletic fashion. These trainers go with any outfit.

1968 Puma Suede

The basic design of these trainers, coupled with the wide variety of colours, these are one of the worlds best loved shoes. The 1990s brought about a revival of these Puma classics which can be worn with virtually anything and still look good.

1969 Adidas Superstar

This was the first low top basketball shoe to be made and is known by millions as the "shell toe", a feature that was included to protect the toes of the players. A favourite on the hip hop scene with its chunky fit and styling, Run-DMC released the song "My Adidas" in recognition of the shoe. The trainer, worn by basketball legend Kareem Abdul Jabbar when they were released, can be seen worn across the globe today including in every US prison!

1971 Pro-Keds Royal Plus

Available as either a high or low top, these trainers were easily recognisable by their red and navy stripes. Developed for the basketball court, these Keds were worn by Nate Archibald of the Kansas City Kings.

1972 Adidas SL 72

With the SL standing for Super Light, these trainers were designed for the 1972 Olympics in Munich and were incredibly light. These trainers featured a built in heel counter and were re-issued in 2004.

Thats it for the first instalment, next time we will look at the period up to 1987 which includes the birth of the mighty Jordan.

Trainershack.co.uk sells authentic discount Nike trainers, Reebok trainers, Adidas trainers, Puma trainers and more online with free delivery and up to 50% off High Street prices. http://www.trainershack.co.uk

Leonards Hope - A Love For Basketball

With basketball basketball falling against the pavement like an out of tune musical instrument I found myself walking next to an older gentlemen who had clearly not taken the easy path in life. As the rain drops lit up his tattered unshaven face, the gentleman managed to glance in my direction and under a muted monotonic voice he opened my eyes to lives great adventures. Standing together under the cover of a Portland city bus stop, two ordinary strangers came together to share in our common passion-basketball.

It was at this moment, I discovered my new friend was a basketball legend in the great state of Utah in the early 60's. He had walked through life's journey guided by the comfort of a bouncing rubber basketball and a dream to be noticed by one of Oregon's many high level institutions. Yet, struggles of the street had stabbed my friend; this was clear by his rundown appearance. Leonard-I would come to know him by-had left the confines of his small Utah town as a legend and was transplanted in the heart of the Northwest to pursue 'hope' and 'opportunity' to better his life through the game of basketball.

Not unlike Leonard, I too traveled through life with a found optimism the game of basketball could provide. As we both stood under the bus stop and watched as the rain continued to pound the passing cars on Martin Luther King Avenue, it was clear basketball had provided me with so much and failed embrace Leonard. You see I had found some success as a varsity basketball coach at a young age and later as an author of a series of E-books and founder of a basketball resources website dedicated to providing inexpensive resources to future coaches around the country. In a harsh splash of reality, the integrity of the game had challenged the dreams of us both and walked two total strangers to the breaking point of opportunity. Leonard still searching for his 'hope' and I still hoping for the 'dream' brought together by the northwest rain, a shelter, and the game of basketball.

Coach Macs Ebooks and Resources http://www.coachmac-basketball.com

Check out how the game of basketball can influence your life: http://www.squidoo.com/High-School-Basketball-Offenses

Phoenix's Title Shot: Burned to Flames

The Phoenix Suns went all the way to the Conference Finals last year when few of us considered the playoff worthy. But now this team is under whelming to say the least. With only Nash and Marion on the active roster from a year ago, the Las Vegas projected line of victories for Phoenix has crumbled to 43. That's barely enough wins to sneak into the #8 seed. What went wrong?



The Suns won 62 games last year, the most in the NBA. However, the Suns have made many transactions since the end of last year, including Joe Johnson signing with Atlanta for fame and fortune over victories. Quentin Richardson was ousted for Kurt Thomas for a better defensive frontcourt. While I didn't like this move, it was recoverable: Boris Diaw, Jim Jackson and Raja Bell could pick up the slack. But several weeks ago, Amare Stoudemire suffered a devastating injury that will keep him out until February. The Suns title chance basketball have burned up right there, and won't be reborn until Stoudemire can return safely.



And it's not just the 3-month basketball of Stoudemire that hurts them. Both Joe Johnson (2nd highest 3P% last year) and Quentin Richardson (led league for most 3's made last year) are gone, which will complicate Nash dishing the ball to the outside. The Suns inside and outside offense are both close to gone.
But the most troubling circumstance for Phoenix is they'll have to change how they play. This team is old all of a sudden, and small as well. 6-8 Boris Diaw will get considerable playing team at Center and SF Marion and PF Kurt Thomas have both moved up a position in the staring rotation. The Suns will have to by their time until Amare can return, because one more injury will push them out of the playoffs. When the Marlins and Angels won the World Series, all of their players had career years (or close to it) and played as a team. The following year, both teams missed the postseason entirely.



There is absolutely no chance of Phoenix duplicating last year's success, and 43 wins seem almost generous. This is still a good team, but their one year of glory is up and maybe for good with Stoudemire absent. Blowing 16-pt 4th quarter leads to teams like Dallas won't help either. They'll make the playoffs, but their impact on the West too subtle to make a difference. What's worse is San Antonio's chance at the title has lost its one obstruction.

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