Sports Blogs | The People's Sports Network | ecachockeycoachesvscancer.com

Archive for November, 2009

The worst situation that a volleyball team could be in is to show up at a game without knowing what skills they needed to win the game. Hitting the ball, being in the right place, and playing competitively can help to win the game as well as gain confidence in the sport. Focusing on the basics for volleyball can help you to gain the skills you need for every game.

1. Serving. This is what always starts the game and helps to keep the game. There are two basic types of serves. One is overhand; where the player will throw the ball in the air first, then hit it. The second is underhand, where the server will hold the ball and swing their other arm underneath the ball to hit it. There are a variety of other serves beyond these basics, all which help to get the ball over the net, and get the game going.

2. Pass or reception. This is usually set up by the setter of the game. It is used in order to take the ball and give it to the other players on your own team. They will then have the ability to put the ball to the other side like they want to. You can either pass by the forearm or by hitting the ball overhead.

3. Tip. A tip is used as a way to trick the other team into thinking that the ball is going further than it will. The player will hit the ball lightly, making it go over the net but not too far into the other player’s area so that they can’t hit it back.

4. Dig. This is the ability for a player to save the ball from hitting the court after it has been spiked. It usually requires a player to slide underneath the ball on the court or to dive underneath the ball.

5. Rebound. This occurs when the ball stays on one side, making the players rebound, or take the ball back.
Read the rest of this entry »

For individuals preparing for their next marathon, or leisure running event, you know how important it is to keep your body fully hydrated to maintain your ultimate peak performance. But no matter what level of runner you are, having properly designed running hydration gear can be the vital reinforcement in helping you get across that finish line safely!

A balanced performance level for runners is a very important component, and your concentration level plays a key role in keeping proper pace, and maintaining your ability to read the warning signs your body is telling you. This is why the correct sports apparel and running equipment is just as important as the training for the serious running enthusiast.

Hydration accessories play a key role in the runners’ mix of sports products needed to keep their endurance at the level required by the individual runner. Many designs are currently available that not only provide functionality, but also offer comfort and stability. While running long distance, or taking short mountainous trail runs, the last thing you want to be worrying about is if your water pack is fitting correctly, and the gear content isn’t shifting and bouncing all over your body.

With inferior product designs, you will experience more frustration, and with your attention focusing on your bottle gear, and not your activity, you increase your chances of throwing your concentration off, or even worse, you may seriously injure yourself.
Read the rest of this entry »

Are you a busy executive or mom trying to do everything? Are you getting so stressed out that it seems like you’re not accomplishing anything? If so, you can use martial arts to combat that stress! Many of the skills and techniques used in martial arts training are the same skills and techniques you can use to rid your body of stress.

So, you might be wondering how a skill that is commonly depicted as a fighting tool can actually reduce stress… Some of these common images of martial arts aren’t completely accurate. The cartoons, video games and movies showing martial arts as a fighting tool are only showing you one small facet of the art. The skills necessary for training martial arts can teach you how to balance your mind and body and give you the confidence you need to face the stressful events in your life.

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

One of the techniques used to create this balance is using breathing and meditation techniques to help you connect and control your mind and body. There are different types of meditation: sitting, standing, kneeling and moving. Find the position that works best for you. Here’s how to start.

1. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.

2. Breathe deeply. To make sure you’re breathing deeply enough, put your hand on your stomach. If your stomach isn’t pushing out as you breath in, you’re not breathing deeply enough. Try to pull the air all the way to your navel before you let it out.

3. When you breathe out, keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth. This keeps helps minimize your saliva and swallowing.

In the Chinese way of thinking, breathing like this is completing a path: The mouth is a gate and the tongue on the roof of the mouth allows your vital energy called “Qi” or “Chi” (both pronounced “chee”) to circulate throughout your body. Chi is what helps your mind and body connect.
Read the rest of this entry »

On March 31, 2006, with very little notice, an American Legend died and a big piece of Americana quietly faded into the dustbin of history. On that day, U.S. Repeating Arms Co., maker of Winchester Rifles closed their New Haven, Connecticut plant for good, ending the life of a product so closely intertwined in the growth and history of our country that the two are almost inseparable. This involvement began in 1857 when Oliver Winchester acquired and restructured the failing Volcanic Repeating Firearms Co., subsequently changing the name to Winchester. During a large part of their 149 year existence, the name Winchester was synonymous with rifles, especially the lever action rifle, which began with the Henry Rifle, a lever action rifle that fired a metallic cased cartridge and held 16 rounds. It began appearing in the hands of Union Soldiers in 1862 and was quickly cursed by Confederate Troops as “that damn Yankee rifle they load on Sunday and shoot all week.”

Next came the 1866 model, dubbed “Yellow Boy” by the Indians because of its bright brass frame, protected the pioneers on their trek during the Westward Migration after the Civil War. The Yellow Boy was followed by the Model 1873 known as “The Gun That Won The West” and was found over the fireplaces of settlers cabins and in the teepees of some Indians. It rode in the saddle scabbards of cowboys and armed lawmen and outlaws alike.

The culmination of all of this was the introduction of the model 1894, destined to be one of the few firearms to be in continuous production for over 100 years and the best selling center fire rifle Winchester ever made. More deer have been taken with the Winchester 1894 Rifle than any other rifle made.
Read the rest of this entry »