Basketball.

High School Player to Basketball Pro in a Few Steps

The stakes are high before anyone from high school can get an acceptance from any college that offers athletic scholarships. The road to that much-sought-after scholarship is definitely spiky. The basketball game, alone, requires physical stamina and mental endurance. When these are established, there are more to conquer such as the college application, finalizing your portfolio (resume with completed works attached), and knowing which college coach to approach and to sell your skills.

Once you have landed a scholarship and you start to fulfill your childhood dream, then you might begin to feel that school basketball is no longer sufficient to satiate your aching for the professional basketball league. If you have decided to go pro and believe that you can, then read these time-tested guidelines that will surely make you the next ‘talk of the town’:

1. Be committed. Once you feel that you have the talent to become a professional basketball player, then commit yourself. Don't chicken out at the slightest sign of obstacles (because there will be many).

2. It is imperative for you to be on top of your game at all times. Make the impression that you are a go-getter and that you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to. Prepare yourself physically. In terms of endurance, if you are able to run a mile, then do two. Double your efforts and the results will be doubled as well.

3. Impress your coach. He will be able to back you up on any applications that you make. When he is assured that he has a key player on his team, he might be able to make recommendations. If not, at least the word will get around that a certain player performs each game like it is the last game of his life.

4. Professional basketball is a form of employment and, thus, a career. If you have submitted your best resumes for the college athletic scholarship, then it’s a must to submit something more than your best. Highlight the skills that make you an asset to the professional team (examples are your statistics, newspaper articles that were written about you or your team, proof of game programs, etc.). Express your desire to enter the professional league by adding a cover letter. Make sure that the complete application papers are forwarded ahead of schedule.

5. Since professional basketball doesn't require licensing, time and again, the importance of getting good grades is reiterated. Most professional leagues require their players to have graduated from college or be nearing graduation. Graduating students should graduate within the prescribed calendar year. If not, some leagues are able to take in high school graduates. To add to that, they not only require mere graduates but graduates who made good grades.

6. Develop a professional attitude. Learn punctuality and self-discipline in all matters. Also, know how to bridle your anger. The slightest provocation could send you home and deprive you of the chance to earn $25,000-$20 million every year. Be sure that you are emotionally mature enough to take the rigors of the job.

7. Apply as early as when you are 20 years of age. In NBA, for instance, they will require you to have graduated from high school at least two years prior to the recruitment process.

8. Prepare to be homesick. Most professional basketball players have to travel (very far away) from their home so psyche yourself to be tough in all circumstances. Success will only come to those who are willing to sacrifice something in return.

9. Get yourself an agent that will serve as your counselor. These agents will further your basketball career by helping you connect to the right people in the industry. If you are one of those players who gets called from agents without even asking for one, then you are mightily blessed.

10. When you are retired, what will you do? You have to have a buffer career for your retirement years. If you can, establish a business and a sizeable savings. Know that there is life beyond the basketball court and that you will inevitably live that.

Basketball.

High school  Basketball.:Your Stepping Stone To a College Basketball Scholarship

There have been countless films on playing high school basketball and by doing this, the lead actor has landed a college scholarship. This isn't just a Hollywood make-believe event. It can happen even to an unknown athlete in your school—or it could happen to you.

When you believe that you were born to fulfill your destiny as a basketball star and that most of your time in high school was spent in trainings and basketball games, then you are on step one. As a high school basketball player, it is important for you to be noticed by, not only by the swooning girls but also, your basketball coach. He may be able to make the recommendations that you need to land a college basketball scholarship. Although this isn't a guarantee, it pays to do well in every training or game and to stand out.

Your high school basketball coach might not know coaches of different colleges so it is also highly advised that high school players make themselves known to them. Unless you play like Michael Jordan, then you have to be able to sell your skills to these coaches. Make them notice you. Don’t wait for any college basketball coach to recruit you. You must confidently submit a resume or profile of your personal basketball history and let your track record be tangible proof for them.

The next rule is probably one of the most important things that any high school basketball player needs to know—and that is to achieve good grades. Although basketball may be unrelated to language proficiency or mathematics, the fact remains that most colleges that offer basketball scholarships will want their applicants to have outstanding grades. What do these grades prove? They only tend to prove that despite the rigors of trainings and games, the player remains disciplined to finish other tasks. The grades will also mirror how well you balance your time on different endeavors. So the next time you start thinking that your English grade means nothing to your college basketball scholarship, think again.

Generally in the United States, athletic scholarship applications are best done right after high school graduation. The standing rule for age is 18-24 years old. The great news in the U.S. is that, there are a booming number of colleges and universities that offer scholarships. You have a lot of choices so take a pick and start sending your resume to some of the colleges that you like.

Participate in ranking tournaments and give each one of these games your best shot. When you are ranked high, of course, the chances of getting a good scholarship will be greater compared with mediocrity in regional or national ranking.

To be able to land an athletic scholarship, you should understand the sophisticated processes of recruitment. You just don’t go about telling every college basketball coach you meet that you can play the game. Know which colleges you want and be able to impress that you can play basketball on a non-neophyte level. Promote your skills and sell your talents.

Behave yourself. Basketball coaches want to work with an individual who has a clean track record and who they can mold into the athlete that they envision. If you have a smeared record, chances are, coaches might shun away from meeting you.

When you have finally decided which college will be able to offer you the best scholarship, begin processing not just your resume but also other important credentials such as transcript, your ACT and SAT scores, samples of completed work (in short, your portfolio). These are just some of the necessities so it’s important for you to ask your chosen college’s specific requirements. There are, of course, different requirements for different colleges.

There are many hurdles to acheiving an athletic scholarship. The requirements include a lot of physical and mental preparation. If you believe you have what it takes to succeed, then you have already succeeded.

Basketball.

Warming Up for the Big Game

Warm-ups before a basketball game are very important. It conditions the muscles so that proper circulation of blood to these muscles is ensured. It somewhat “practices” the muscles and makes them ready for the rigorous activity it will face during the basketball game. Doing warm-ups are essential to prevent injury to the basketball player while playing the game. This shouldn't be taken for granted because doing warm-ups helps the basketball player prepare physically and warm ups increase the performance of the body.

The basics of warm up exercises or workouts before playing basketball involves stretching the muscles and cardiovascular exercise such as running around the court three times.

Head

Bend the head forward, then bring it back to the center and then bend the head to the back. Repeat 10 to 15 times. Bend the head on one side, bring it back to the center and then bend to the other side. Repeat 10 to 15 times

Make a circle using the head starting from side of the ear near the shoulder, then to the front, then to the other side of the ear, then to the back and back to the starting point. Do this again in the opposite direction. Repeat head circling 5 to 10 times.

Arms

Extend one arm sideways away from the midline of the body. Imagine holding the wall with your palm and fingers spread apart. Make forward circles and repeat 10 to 15 times. Make backward circles and repeat 10 to 15 times. Do this with the other arm and then with both arms simultaneously.

Stretch one arm by crossing it over to the other side of the body and locking it with the other hand until you feel a comfortable stretch. Hold for about 15 to 30 seconds. Do it with the other arm. Reach the farthest point of the back that the arm can reach using one arm and push the elbow with the other hand until you feel a comfortable stretch. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat with the other arm.

Hips

Stand and take a step backwards using one foot. Bend the knee in front and shift the weight back to the opposite hip. Bend forward and reach farther down to the back leg making sure that the legs are kept straight. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Switch to the other side and repeat.

Quadriceps

Stand on one foot and grasp the other foot with one hand at the back and make the foot touch the buttocks until you feel a comfortable stretch. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Calves

Face the wall and lean forward using the arms for support. Put one foot forward and bend the knee. Put the other foot backward keeping the leg and knee straight and the heel down. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds switch sides and repeat with the other foot and leg.

Achilles’ Tendon

Face the wall and lean forward using the arms for support. Put one foot forward and bend the knee. Put the other foot backward keeping the leg straight, knee bent and the heel down. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds switch sides and repeat with the other foot and leg.


Legs

Hold on to anything for support with both hands. Bend the knee and extend the leg forward. Then swing the leg backwards from the previous position. Repeat 10 to 15 times. Switch legs and repeat.

Hold on to anything for support. Swing one leg about 30 degrees from the floor and return to standing position. Swing the leg again a little higher than before. Keep on swinging gradually increasing the height until the highest comfortable height is reached. Do this about 10-15 times and then switch legs and repeat.

Jumping Jacks

Stand straight with feet together. Do a low jump landing with the feet apart as well as bringing your arms up from the sides to the top of your head. Do a low jump when returning to the starting position. Repeat 15 to 30 times.

A simple warm up exercise shouldn't be taken for granted. A little time should be allotted for warm ups before each basketball game to help prepare the muscles and increase the ability of the body to perform at it's best. When taken for granted it can hurt the basketball players and may even cause injuries. Everybody should do themselves a favor and warm up properly.

Basketball.

3 Proven and Tested Basketball Plays (and some Extras)

Are you a member of a basketball team that has recently suffered a string of losses? Are you starting to feel hopeless and are considering quitting altogether? Don’t lose hope. If your basketball coach is scrambling for a play that would be guaranteed to work on your upcoming game, then be his pet by introducing these time-tested basketball plays that will surely be scores when executed correctly:

The Triangle Offense

1. On this offense, two players take the post positions. They three players distribute themselves on the side wings, point guard and corner positions. The post player would be the apex of the triangle as well as the corner man and the wing man. Whoever obtains the ball at the strong-side of the wing would be the play’s triggerman. Being the triggerman, he will determine what the result of the play.

2. The players who hold the post position should now stay at the elbows. The point guard will then go to the mid-circle bottom. When this happens, the point position players will downpick two players. When this happens, there should be an open pass in the wing area.

3. When the triangle offense is played with precision, what should be achieved is an easy open shot.

The Out Of Bounds Play

1. Pinpoint a specific ‘passer’ that will handle the ball and pass it to a player who can openly shoot the ball. The success of the play will depend on this passer, although his position or size isn't the main aspect to consider. Anybody who can do a ‘dual trick’ will do. And what is a dual trick? First, the chosen passer should pretend to go on the offense. Once the opponent buys the trick, the passer should execute, at a perfect timing, a move that will misdirect the opponent. When this becomes a success, the passer will be able to give the ball to any available player who can shoot the ball freely.

2. Your team should be familiar with this move before it is done on the court. When any one member of the team is unsure of the participation they will contribute, then confusion creeps in and down goes the play.

The Flex Offense (Man To Man Offense)

1. This offensive move is believed to be the most widely used offense in basketball history. There are several ways of executing this easy but highly effective move. One way of doing it is through the stack entry. At the start of the play, the players come in a stack.

2. The guard then chooses a side where he can go to the elbow. The forward should prepare himself to receive the ball while the guard is out doing this.

3. The center then moves to the three-point lane. On the other side, another player should do this move, too.

4. The guard then passes the ball to the team’s forward as the center flashes above the screen that has been previously set.

5. After the screen has been set, one guard should set a screen for his fellow guard.

6. The forward then passes the ball to the center (who should make sure that he showed his hand prior to the move) after the screen has been established.

7. The elbow should be the forward player’s destination after this pass, with the guard running to the rainbow area.

8. One center player should set the screen for the other center to take.

9. All you need now is practice and repetitions.

Here is a short list of other famous plays that you can research online. Remember that there are even some websites that feature animated plays so it will be easier for you to execute the moves:

- The Man Defense

- The Defense Press

- The Match-up Defense

- The Motion Special

- The Press Offense

- The Late Game Plays

There are so many ways of improving your team’s output. These famous plays are just some of them. Once you master each technique and execute them in precision, you will start to see an improvement—not only your team’s scoring but more so on your level of discipline. That’s a guarantee.

Baseball.

When the Rod Sox Arrive in Florida for Spring Training,Winter Blues in New England Disappear

Traditionally, the first sign of spring in New England is the reporting of pitchers and catchers to the Red SoxSox who are enjoying eighty degree temperatures and sunny days in Florida. We know that when they make the trip back north to Boston, at the end of March, they'll bring some of that warm weather back with them.
spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida in mid-February. While still dealing with snowstorms, and cold temperatures here in New England, we are able to live vicariously through our beloved Red
As more and more players arrive in Fort Meyers, we are re-introduced to the personalities that we, as diehard Red Sox fans, will follow for the next six-plus months. We are reminded of their heroics from seasons past, especially the long-awaited World Series championship in 2004. We are reminded of Manny being Manny, Big Papi's 2005 MVP caliber season, Curt Schilling's warrior-like performances in the 2004 World Series, and all of the other reasons that we, as diehard Red Sox fans, have become so attached to this group of players in recent years.

The spring of 2006 brings new faces to Boston, like Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, Coco Crisp, Alex Gonzalez, etc. It also brings rumors of a possible return to Boston of one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, former Red Sox ace Roger Clemens. That right there is enough to help us forget about the cold days and snow, and look forward to late August and September, when the Red Sox will be in the midst of a heated pennant race with the hated arch-rivals, the New York Yankees.

Even with the Patriots winning 3 out of the past 5 Superbowls, Boston is still a baseball town, and the legions of fans that follow the team through their spring training practices and meaningless exhibition games is a testament to that. Maybe it's because we know that once the Sox begin spring training, springtime in New England is only a little over a month away, or maybe it's because we've had to go five-plus months without our beloved Red Sox. Either way, when the Red Sox report to spring training, the winter blues seem to instantly disappear throughout New England.