Sports Then and Now

Athletes that play any sports know that their natural talent alone will not get the job done on the field. Half of the battle comes from the process of preparation before a game begins. Like Benjamin Franklin once said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” In the following piece, you will learn the best tips necessary for having an advantage in preparation over the competition.

Visualization

In life as in sports, it is important for one to see the bottom line in their mind’s eye before the action manifests itself during in-game action. One must always begin with the end in mind. It is essential that an athlete engage in a great deal of mental imagery. These mental images must have specificity and be of great detail. For example, a basketball player can sit in the stands overlooking the basketball court before everyone else and go every game situation in his head before the game begins. This is especially helpful when it comes to a player going over critical late-game situations.

They Master Motivation

During a long season, athletes must do whatever it takes to keep themselves motivated throughout the season. A motivated player will have the energy to push through the internal and external pain. They are able to navigate through the difficult day-to-day circumstances and keep themselves in an enhanced state of preparation and readiness. A motivated player exudes self-confidence. Players can develop their self-confidence by engaging in positive self-talk. If effectively done, positive self-talk can regulate an athlete’s mindset to the point that they are ready to conquer the world by the time the game starts. Read the rest of this entry →

As a coach, it should be your top priority to keep your athletes safe. In fact, it may be a higher priority than trying to win the game. The good news is that there are many steps that you can take to keep your players safe while also putting them in the best position to succeed.

Take a Conservative Approach to the Game

It may be possible to keep injuries to a minimum by taking a conservative approach to the game. For instance, you may want to prevent younger pitchers from throwing pitches involving the use of their elbow. Football coaches may discourage quarterbacks from throwing passes to wide receivers in the middle of the field.

Make Players Wear Optional Safety Equipment

Athletes will do anything for a competitive edge even if it may put their physical health at risk. This means that they may wear smaller pads or even forego pads at all if it slows them down or otherwise hinders their ability to play the game properly. As a coach, you should only play those who wear all required and even optional equipment as well to make sure no one gets hurt. Read the rest of this entry →

A swimming pool is one of the biggest dreams a homeowner can have. The fact is that most people imagine friends and family splashing in their backyard at some point in their lives. If you’ve actually got the space and cash, you might be thinking of really adding one.

There’s more to owning a swimming pool than just splashing in the sun though. In fact, there’s a little bit of hard work that your somebody else is going to have to do. That shouldn’t stop you from getting the pool of your dreams though!

Keep reading to learn what you need to know before you install a swimming pool. You’ll be happy that you have some basic knowledge once that pool is installed and you’re swimming like a dolphin.

Pick the Right Style

There are a lot of styles of pools out there despite what you see in most people’s backyards. The fact is that you can even create a custom swimming pool in any shape or design as long as it works with your backyard.

When choosing a swimming pool design, consider how you want the pool to be used and who is going to be using it. If you’re really putting it in for family and friends, you want a pool that’s large and has multiple depths.

However, if you’re mainly putting in a pool for adult family members or you want to swim for exercise, a single depth lap pool may be the ideal option. Lap pools are also excellent for smaller backyards and more modern homes since their typically geometric shape often looks best with contemporary homes. Read the rest of this entry →

For Sport athletes, accidents come unexpectedly and can result in a sprained ankle, broken bone, or a muscle tear. However, there is no secret formula for healing from sports injuries. The key to a fast recovery lies in simple measures that are often overlooked. The following web page will share some tips of gaining fast recovery from an athlete accident.

RICE (Rest-Ice-Compression-Elevation)

Experts recommend the RICE procedure to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and to fast track healing after a minor athletic injury. The first step is to limit regular activities. The next steps involve putting ice on the injured part and exerting pressure to prevent swelling. Make sure you take the ice off every 20 minutes to prevent a cold injury. You can use an elastic wrap or air cast to put pressure on your injury. Lastly, you should elevate the injured area at a level that is above the heart for minimal swelling. The RICE approach is usually used before a person seeks advance medical treatment. If a RICE strategy does not work, it means your injuries are severe and you should seek the counsel of professionals such as those at McLaughlin & Lauricella, P.C. in addition to getting medical attention.

Change Your Diet

Macro nutrients will help you heal from an injury faster. Proper nutrition increases the supply of nutrients transported by blood to the injured area. Avoid consuming foods that increase inflammation. These include foods such as cayenne, eggplant, potatoes, hot peppers, tomatoes, and processed flour. Instead, eat foods that accelerate healing such as juice from organic vegetables, foods rich in omega 3 acids, ginger, garlic, beets, and radishes. Additionally, focus on foods that are high in zinc, calcium, glucosamine sulfate, manganese, and multivitamins. Read the rest of this entry →

One of the best ways to experience the fall season and its changing leaf colors and new crisp breezes, is from the seat of a bicycle. Riding in a pack surrounded by fellow biking enthusiasts, you get a new perspective of the gorgeous autumn countryside. The following six fall bike tours are some of the best rides suggested by various members of local bike clubs and tour organizers from around the country.

Boise, Idaho
October is the best time to check out the foliage in Idaho. The brisk weather ranges in temperature from the 40s to the 60s and the bike tour along a 25-mile-strech of path through the Boise River Greenbelt that skirts the Boise River is one of the most popular treks. Several bike rental shops are located along the river trail for those who want to rent a bike rather than rather than bring their own.

Lake Champlain, Vermont
One of the favorite foliage viewing locations in the New England area is Vermont’s Champlain Valley. Particularly popular is the six-day tour out of Bristol, Vermont. After heading north to Lake Champlain, the tour makes stops in Ticonderoga, New York, and ends in Middlebury, Vermont. Riding from 13 to 33 miles a day, you’ll be surrounded by an array of fall colors through the entire ride. This wonderful all-inclusive bike trip doesn’t come cheap. For about $2,000 per person, you are provided with a top-class touring bike, nightly lodging at local inns, and terrific meals at local restaurants. Read the rest of this entry →

Going off-road is a feeling unlike any other. You have to have the skill and technique to maneuver without damaging you or the other passengers. It is a thrill ride of adrenaline rush and has been picked up by many enthusiasts. Jeep climbing as a sport in the dunes and deserts is a phenomenon that has surprised many. But how did this sport get its start?

The Jeep: Military Beginnings
The Jeep has always been an off-road vehicle. Starting as a military vehicle, this vehicle saw major use during the Second World War. The original jeeps were designed by a company called Bantam before the design was picked up by Ford in order to produce the number of vehicles that the army needed. The army continued to push for more terrain defying designs, even going so far as to develop one that could go underwater. Militarized jeeps were even used in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

The Jeep Comes to the Homefront
Willys produced the first civilian Jeep in 1945, and it was the first manufacturer to own the rights to the Jeep name. Since then, the vehicle style has gone through a variety of different owners and manufacturers. In the 1970’s through into the 1980’s, the Jeep name brand was losing money. Finally the Chrysler Company ended up with the Jeep in 1987 and a renamed brand of that company still owns the Jeep today.
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