Archive for November, 2009
Different Types Of Mountain Bikes
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:43 Written by admin Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:43
With mountain biking being a very popular sport, there are many bikes to choose from. Depending on what type of riding you like, the style of bikes you can choose from will vary. Below, you’ll find tips on the different types of bikes available.
1. Cross country
Almost all mountain bikes will fit into this category. Cross country mountain bikes are light weight, making them easy to ride over most terrains, even up and down hills. This is the most common mountain bike and it can be used with ease for riding on the path or even commuting.
2. Downhill
These types of bikes are for serious bikers who crave the ultimate adventure. Downhill bikes have front and rear suspension, strong parts, and disc brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most riders like to custom build their own.
3. Trials
Trail mountain biking involves a great degree of skill and is classified as the precision riding of the sport. Similiar to downhill bikes, trial riders will often build their own bikes rather than purchase one off a shelf. Generally very light and very strong, these bikes require a lot of discipline.
4. Jump and slalom
Slalom and jump bikes are very strong and designed for jumping, street racing, and slalom. They offer a front suspension and use very strong components dedicated to what they do. These bikes are very popular with the sport of mountain biking.
Even if you are new to mountain biking, the sport can be a lot of fun. There are several bikes to choose from, all of which depend on your style. If you are still looking for the best style for you, all you have to do is try out several bikes and see which one suites you the best.
MTB Review
Sports Parents? Behavior During the Car Ride Home
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:32 Written by admin Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:32
Coach Brian Gardner of St. Louis, Miss. has coached ice hockey for 10 years and even led one team of 11- to 12-year-olds to a national championship.
Some of Gardner’s players’ parents drive for as long as 1.5 hours to get their kids to the ice rink. That’s a long time for parents to be alone with their kids after a game, says Gardner. Especially if they spend that time talking about the players’ performance.
“A lot of times, parents think more about their kids’ success than the whole team,” says Gardner. The result: They give too much instruction, which can undo Coach Gardner’s lessons and coaching system.
“At the least harmful level, the parents second-guess some of the systems we put in place, such as a power play system. They say ‘You should do this, not what Coach says,’” Gardner relates.
On a more harmful level, parents tell their kids that they played badly. Out of frustration, parents sometimes even suggest to kids they should consider giving up the sport.
This behavior, while well-meaning, is counter-productive to Coach Gardner’s efforts and not helpful for the players, he says.
What exactly is the best way to talk to a young athlete after a game?
First of all, it’s critical to support the coach You’ll only confuse your child by disagreeing with the coach or offering counterproductive coaching.
Second, you need to encourage your child as often as possible. Even if your athlete’s team lost, you can find something positive to say about his or her attitude, effort or about two or three positive plays. As a sports parent, your goal is to build your child’s confidence—not tear it down.
During the car ride home, you should avoid discussions about what your child did wrong in the game. Young athletes know what they did wrong in a game and don’t need to dwell on it during the car ride home.
Let your athletes cool off after the game for 30 minutes to one hour before jumping in to discuss their performance. Let your child initiate the conversation rather than bringing up the missed pass that cost their team the win. Be as positive as possible.
The Fundamentals of Designing a Successful Basketball Offense
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 November 2009 06:34 Written by admin Sunday, 29 November 2009 06:34
Every basketball team should have an organized basketball-offense attack, and a “system” of play with solid back court players. In this way, every player will know what is expected of him. He’ll know where to go. Moreover, a system play will often overcome individual weaknesses of one or more players.
Over the years, basketball coaches have devised many kinds of basketball offenses. In general, they fall into two groups; those designed to defend against the man-for-man defense and those put together to crack the zone.
These basketball offenses have many characteristics. Some are slow and deliberate, involving a series of “set” plays. Others are of the slam-bang variety, sometimes referred to as “race horse” basketball.
Regardless of how the basketball offense is paced, it must be “sound” to be successful. By that we mean that the offense must have certain features; it must give its players short, medium and long shots. It must give the team good rebound strength off the offensive board. It must be able to switch to defense quickly in the event the ball is lost.
Most of all, the basketball offense must include passing “options.” If player A wants to make a pass to player B to start a screen play and suddenly finds B covered, he should have the option of starting a play with another teammate. And without stopping the attack.
What Kind of Offense?
Ideally, any basketball coach would like to have players suited to every position; however, it doesn’t always turn out that way. The type of players you have as a coach will dictate how the offense is to be shaped.
This places the responsibility of selecting an offense on the coach. The coach must be imaginative and sensible when he sits down to plan his basketball offense. He has to carefully analyze his team of players and come up with an offense that will take fullest advantage of the type of players that make up the team.
If a team is small, for example, a “possession” type of offense would be best. The offense should be designed to keep the players moving constantly, to give them plenty of good screens; screens that will lead to medium and short range shots. This team wants to rely, too, on specialty and spot shooting. A possession game and a good shooting percentage will go a long way toward making up for lack of size.
If the team has one or two big players, the basketball offense can be built around a single or double post system (against man-for-man).
Since the principles of the man-for-man defense differ from those of the zone, the principles involved in the attack against each of these defenses differ too.
Attack Against Man-for-Man Defense
In any attack, the objective of the basketball offense is to make the defense move; to get it out of position so that an offensive player can have an opportunity to shoot.
In the man-for-man defense, the guards play the man. To move the guard, you must move the offensive man. In moving the offensive man, however, you must maneuver the defense out of position. The best way to do this is to set up a series of screens,a “pattern.”
What kind of pattern you establish for your offense depends on the kinds of players making up the team. Let’s assume you have three players of average height who are fair outside shooters and better than average drivers. Let’s also assume the remaining two making up the first five are big men that are poor from the outside.
The pattern might take this form. The two big men establish post positions on either side of the foul line. The other three bring up the ball. From this three-out, two-in pattern, you can devise all sorts of screens. It will give you a long, medium and short attack. It will give you rebound strength and defensive strength.
In building up the pattern, remember that the offensive players must keep moving in order to move the defense. To get continuity of movement, the passing pattern must include several options. In order for a basketball team and its players to be successful, it must have a basketball offense that can handle any and all kinds of defense that an opposing team throws at it.
Visit http://www.basketball-drills-and-tips.com to find more information on this topic, and to
download a FREE copy of our Basketball E-Book ($29 Value) titled, “The Fundamentals of Basketball: A beginner’s guide for coaches and players.”
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Beach Surf Wall Murals
Last Updated on Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:31 Written by admin Sunday, 29 November 2009 12:31
Looking for a fun or colorful theme for your child’s bedroom? Tropical island beach themes are popular and beautiful, and can offer many different decorating ideas. One of the coolest and most popular ways to turn any kid’s bedroom into a surfer’s dream is through the use of beach surf wall murals.
These days, beach surf wall murals go on quickly and come off just as easily. Gone are the days of messy wallpaper applications that left sticky glue reside behind when you removed them from your walls. Advances in printing and materials have led to bright, vibrant, and breathtaking scenes printed on peel-and-stick vinyl wall decals. Surf wall murals depicting beach scenes, tropical backdrops, or tremendous crashing waves can be produced in ultra-realistic fashion, and in sizes never before possible. Great online sites like the Wall Sticker Outlet carry large selections of beach-themed wall decor, and always offer free shipping as well!
For the avid surfer or surf fan, beach wall murals must include an array of colorful surfboards. Set against a monster wave backdrop, a surf wall mural or surf shack wall decal goes perfectly against another mural of a sandy beach. By layering the stickers and decals involved in your surf wall mural, the wall of your child’s bedroom can instantly become an entire tropical scene upon which to build the rest of the room’s decor.
Beach surf wall mural possibilities also include other options. Custom-printed Minute Murals created on professional-grade wall covering come as complete kits ready to hang. These wall murals assemble in minutes and can be moved and hung exactly where you need them to go for instant dramatic impact. Dry-erase wall stickers in beach or surf themes are also available, and they make perfect messaging and list writing room accents for kids or teens on the go. Surf shack or beach themed growth charts are great additions to tropically decorated rooms, and wall borders are also available to fit alongside any type of beach surf wall mural.
Other wall decals and stickers can be purchased to accentuate beach surf wall murals and really make them pop! From tropical Hawaiian flowers to palm tree vinyl decals, these types of decorations fit right in. Many of these beach and surf themed stickers aren’t just for walls, either. Fully removable and repositionable, these vinyl decals can be used to bring color and life to furniture, lampshades, picture frames, closets… the only limit is your own imagination. Tropical peel and stick appliques and decals also include cool 3-D products such as the tropical window wall mural made by Wallies, giving a glimpse into beach life no matter which wall you place it on.
Wall hangings and canvas beach surf wall murals can also be added to any tropically themed room. The flexibility offered here allows for these murals to be placed in addition to existing wall decor, in places where color is needed. Many types of canvas kids wall art can be customized and personalized with your child’s own name at no additional cost. Try to find an artist who will do this for you, or a boutique who features such artisans.
In the end, no tropical paradise is complete without the addition of a beach surf wall mural. Make sure yours is complete with flowers, palm trees, sun, and surf. Pick colors and accessories that accent your sandy beach theme, and maybe even a few pieces of surf flair to help bring everything to life. Aloha!
Be sure to visit the Wall Sticker Outlet for beach surf wall murals and decals by Wallies, Wallcandy Arts, Roommates, and others. And for more children’s decor, check out the baby boutique at The Frog and the Princess!
