Michigan Wolverines at Michigan State Spartans

The Michigan State Spartans host Big Ten and state rival Michigan Wolverines on Thursday, with the once-mighty Spartans looking to start salvaging their season (7 pm ET, ESPN).Michigan State (12-7 SU, 6-11 ATS, 4-3 Big Ten) has seen better years - like last year, when the Spartans went to the Final Four. Tom Izzo's team had high expectations to open the 2010-11 College Basketball season, with veteran club still high on its March Madness experience.

Ranked in the top three to start the season, most expected Izzo and Co. to be back in the Final Four in Houston.Just to compound the disappointment so far this season at MSU, starting guard Korie Lucious was dismissed this week, after he "displayed conduct detrimental to the program," Izzo said in statement. But Izzo is a future Hall of Famer, and he will have the Spartans jacked up for Thursday's game against the Wolverines, who in many ways are the perfect opponent at the perfect time for the Spartans. Michigan State is 8-2 SU in the past 10 head-to-head meetings, although the Spartans have covered just half those matchups.

When they last met March 7 last season, the Spartans blew them out 64-48, cashing as a 10-point home favorite. The previous meeting was a tad tighter, the Spartans edging the Wolverines 57-56 on Jan. 26, failing to cover as a 4-point road favorite. Michigan State lost 86-76 to the No. 12 Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday as a 6-point road underdog.The loss dropped MSU to 25th in the AP rankings and right out of the ESPN/USA Today Poll. Look for the Spartans to bounce back Thursday.

Number 20 Georgetown Hoyas at Number 7 Villanova Wildcats

Big East conference rivals the No. 20 Georgetown Hoyas and the No. 7 Villanova Wildcats clash in NCAA College Basketball action Saturday (12 pm ET, ESPN). After a rough patch that saw them lose four of five games between Dec. 29 and Jan. 12, the Hoyas (15-5 SU, 11-7 ATS and 4-4 Big East) seem revitalized and have won three straight. Villanova (17-3 SU, 10-6 ATS, 5-2 Big East) was roaring through the season up until three games ago, when it lost to the UConn Huskies. The Wildcats bounced back with a huge win over the Syracuse Orange but were then upset by unranked Providence. Head-to-head, the Hoyas have a slight edge at 6-4 SU, while both teams have covered the spread five times in the past 10 meetings. Three of the past four have gone over the over/under total.

This is the first meeting between the teams since last season. They split two games last year. Georgetown won 103-90 on Feb. 6, covering as a 2-point home favorite. The score went well over the total of 151. And Villanova won 82-77 as a 4. 5-point favorite on Jan. 17. The score in that matchup went over the total of 146. 6. Georgetown blew out the St. John's Red Storm 77-52 on Wednesday, cashing as a 7. 5-point home favorite. Villanova lost to Providence as a 6-point road favorite on Wednesday. The Wildcats got a poor effort from their two Coreys - Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes, who combined for just four field goals and one 3-pointer.

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Article Submitted On: January 29, 2011

Jump Higher In Basketball and Fly Like MJ

Basketball is indeed a game of inches, but for most of us, flying as many inches off the ground as a Kobe Bryant or a Vince Carter or (daresay) a Michael Jordan just isn't going to come naturally. For most of us, a healthy dose of elbow grease is going to have to be in the cards in order to tack a few more precious inches onto our own vertical leap. Here, then, are some exercises to jump higher in basketball.

When getting started with exercise of any type, it's always wise to spend a few moments beforehand getting warmed up and stretched out. The most important result of any workout regimen, including those that feature exercises to jump higher, is to walk away from the activity afterward without an injury. A pre-workout warm-up is your best defense against such an injury.

Once you're loose, get into a decent steady physical rhythm on a jump-rope. The non-stop hopping motion provides solid conditioning for reactionary leg muscles, which of course contribute to your vertical leap.

Next, try moving into some deep knee-bends. Initially stand with your feet at a width shoulders-apart, then slowly bend down with your knees while keeping a straight back posture. Crouch as low as you can, and hold that extreme position for three to five seconds. After that, rise back up slowly to your original standing position. Fifteen is a decent round number of reps for a first attempt at deep knee-bends, but over time, try to increase your total number of reps in increments of ten every few days, eventually topping out in the neighborhood of 75 reps per routine.

Another simple, highly effective example of exercises to jump higher would be toe raises. Pick any safe and solid spot to stand still with your feet somewhat close together. Raise your body up onto the balls of your feet, using your toes for added balance, and then lower yourself back down slowly. It's truly as easy an exercise as it sounds.

Finally, mix in a routine of stomach crunches. Lie flat on your back, and use your abdominal muscles to elevate your shoulders to just above the floor surface. The result from this activity is an increased strength in critical "core" muscle groups, which are very important for increasing leaping performance. Oh, and they'll make your abs look pretty!

So try a few of these exercises to jump higher when you get the chance, and before you know it, you'll be flying like MJ himself.

No 19 Louisville Cardinals at No 20 Georgetown Hoyas

NCAA Basketball bettors have a great Big East matchup to look forward to as two teams coming off big wins clash Monday night at the Verizon Center, with the No. 19 Louisville Cardinals visiting the No. 20 Georgetown Hoyas (7 pm ET, ESPN). Both teams scored huge upset road wins on the weekend, the Cardinals getting past the No. 5 Connecticut Huskies and the Hoyas upending the No. 7 Villanova Wildcats. Louisville beat UConn 79-78 in a double overtime thriller at the Harry A. Gampel Pavilion on Saturday. The Cardinals cashed as a 5.5-point road underdog and the score went over the over/under total of 142. Point guard Peyton Siva had 19 points to pace the Cardinals.

The Hoyas beat the Wildcats 69-66 and covered the spread as a 4.5-point underdog on Saturday. The score stayed under the total of 144.5. Austin Freeman, this preseason player of the year, had a lights-out performance for Georgetown. The guard scored 10 of Georgetown's final 12 points and finished with 30.Georgetown has now won four straight after dropping three in a row. Louisville (17-4 SU, 9-6 ATS, 6-2 Big East) is just 1.5 games behind the Big East-leading No. 2 Pittsburgh Panthers. Georgetown (16-5 SU, 12-7 ATS, 5-4 Big East) is three games behind Pitt. Head-to-head, the Hoyas are 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in the past five meetings. The teams haven't met since Feb. 23 last season, when the Hoyas won 70-60 and cashed as a 4-point road underdog. The score went under the total of 140.5.

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Article Submitted On: January 31, 2011

A Brief History of the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Team

The Atlanta Hawks are an Eastern Conference National Basketball Association (NBA) team that began in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons of the National Basketball League (NBL). Only 13 games into its first season, owner Ben Kerner relocated the franchise to Moline, Illinois, a city then known as one of the "Tri-Cities." As a gesture toward the region, the franchise was renamed the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, becoming one of the NBA's 17 original franchises when it merged with the NBL in 1949.

As mentioned in the Leo Wells sports blog, the team ended its first season with a trip to the playoffs under coach Red Auerbach, and then notoriously traded the draft rights for future Hall of Famer Bob Cousey. However, after moving from Moline to Milwaukee in 1952 and becoming the Hawks, the franchise redeemed itself by drafting future Hall of Famer Bob Petit in 1953.

Failure in Milwaukee and Success in St. Louis

Despite the versatile Petit, the squad played poorly in Milwaukee, prompting their move to St. Louis in 1955. But in 1957, with Petit as the centerpiece, the squad reached the NBA finals, loosing to the perennial powerhouse Boston Celtics in a closely contested game seven. In 1958, they faced the Celtics in the finals once again, this time winning their only NBA championship.

The Hawks would meet the Celtics in the 1960 and 1961 finals as well, losing both times. But the drafting of Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens in 1961 would give the franchise a bright spot for years to come. Despite the Hawks' playoff success in the 60's, St. Louis rebuffed Hawks' owner Ben Kerner's petition for a new stadium to replace the aging Kiel Auditorium where the squad played. In 1968, the franchise was sold to owners in Atlanta and soon relocated there.

Winning and Losing in Atlanta

In the early 70's, the Hawks were a popular, winning franchise that featured future Hall of Famer "Pistol Pete" Maravich and Lou Hudson. But they would end the 70's in mediocrity. After being purchased by Ted Turner, their fortune changed in the 80's, particularly after acquiring the high flying Dominque Wilkins whose soaring slams and smooth jumper made the squad a popular TV and stadium draw until he was traded in 1994.

A feared playoff team in the late 80's, the majority of the 90's would see the squad deteriorate to mediocrity, seldom inspiring the fear in opponents that they did in the previous decade. Since their sale to Atlanta Spirit LLC in 2004, the Hawks have again become a playoff team, though haven't advanced past the second round of the playoffs, an accomplishment yet to be realized since their move to Atlanta. Currently, the team is coached by Larry Drew and plays in the Philips Arena. It recently signed its star, shooting guard Joe Johnson, to a six-year contract worth $119 million.

Finding the Right Jump Program - Not All Programs Are Created Equally

Almost any athlete who has wanted to increase their vertical jumping ability has undoubtedly researched the myriad of jump programs available on the market today. The first question in any athlete's mind is going to be, "Can such a program work for me?" Sadly, most programs do not work, and this fact not only results in lost time and money - it can also create a situation where an athlete is risking injury. There are many factors to consider when evaluating jump programs, and by gaining a greater understanding of the shortcomings of the majority of the information available, it becomes easier to find the right program to help a person realize their goals.

Unfortunately, many of the jump programs available today were devised as purely money-making schemes that have little regard for an athlete's safety or their desires. There are scores of systems that claim to produce results, but such programs are often written by ghost-writers who have no real experience with properly training people to increase their verticals. Other times, a jump program is created as a part of a marketing program where the true goal is to make money. In either case, it is important for an athlete to carefully research several jump programs in order to find a legitimate one. Programs that are created by coaches who specialize in proper, safe and effective jump-training techniques will produce dramatic results.

There are many reasons why the majority of jump programs fail to cause significant improvement. The main reason for this is that an inferior program is not comprehensive when teaching an athlete how to implement a diversified training regimen. This is critical, as it is counterproductive to primarily focus on one or two techniques when there are no fewer than nine variables involved in effective vertical jump training. Working on one's explosion is just one aspect of improving jumping ability, but many programs will act like this one component is the "Holy-Grail" of jump training. When searching through all the jump programs out there, be sure to find one that offers a diversified approach.

Coaching and mentoring are key components of any athletic training program, as it is critical for an athlete to not only receive feedback, but also to make sure that they are following the steps properly and safely. Most of the jump programs available leave an athlete on their own when it comes to support. It is unrealistic to think that a person will experience dramatic results through just the reading of a book or article. It takes much more than that to reach the goals set forth. A few of the high-quality jump programs offer unlimited email support coupled with phone support, when necessary. These are the programs worth considering.

Even when armed with all the best information on how to improve one's vertical jumping abilities, failure is inevitable if an athlete does not take a disciplined and dedicated approach to their training. The personal attributes that are required to be successful at any type of training must come from within, and there is no jump program in the world that can do the work for a person. A good program is a place to start, but there are other necessary tools that must be utilized if an athlete is going to get the most out of their efforts. There is no use investing time and money into a jump program if someone is not going to display the work-ethic and commitment required. Along the same lines as proper discipline, a specific dietary program must be used in conjunction with proper training if one is going to reach their potential. Finding a jump program that offers a sensible diet plan is critical in allowing muscles to receive the fuel they need to be as strong and efficient as possible.

Jump programs are not just to be thought of as being beneficial to those wanting to improve at basketball. The training involved in improving vertical jumping ability can be applied effectively to almost any athletic endeavor. Athletes young and old stand to benefit from a quality jump program.

Fortunately, there is a comprehensive jump program out there that will provide all the necessary tools to be successful. There is no other program that takes into account the real formula needed for improving one's vertical like The Jump Manual. Check out http://www.thejumpmanual.com/ for all the information. Don't rely on writers to do a coach's job - instead enlist the help of professional sports trainers who take pride in what they do. This program offers everything an athlete will need to realize dramatic improvements in their jumping ability.

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Over the Door Basketball Hoops

The over the door basketball hoops is something that not only adds easiness, but the pleasure that it brings to that of your kids are endless. We all have times and places that we have build our first memory, this if the best way in which you are able to give your kids their first practise shot of their favourite game. These variations of indoor hoops are adjustable and some models can be ceiling-mount. In cases like these, there is no right way in which you play basketball, all that matters is the amount of fun that you have while dong it and the over the door basketball hoops will guarantee that.

If you work in an office there are always moments that you find yourself with nothing to do and all your work is done for the day. All that you do need is a hoop on the back of your office door. Pretty soon, you will have your colleagues paying you a visit to shoot some hoops. The amount of fun as well as usage ideas of this is endless, you are able to place this on the inside of your kids bedroom door, this is a fun way in which they are able to have fun and at the same time enjoy what they do and that would be shooting hoops.

Over the door basketball hoops brings fun to family unit time, and is more than perfect for the basketball fanatics within the family. The measurements of the hoops are one that is great enough to practise your slam-dunk and at the same time get the perfect shooting practise. If you are living in your college dorm and the only time that you have to pass is spent in the self-service restaurant, have you any idea what this basketball hoops will do for you? It would be able to relax you just before an exam, you are able to play some shots and just take your mind off the whole lot that is happening around you, and sometimes that is the best thing to do.

With this sort of basketball hoops, there are no hassles of having to ceiling-mount, even though it is possible and the only way that you would be able to call this adjustable is if you get a lower of higher door. All that matters in this is that you have fun and at the same time enjoy it.

There are many ways in which you are able to take your favourite game home, and this has been proven to be the best way of having fun. There is nothing more that would be even more so than having to play with the over the door basketball hoops during office hours or during hours of studying. All that you have to bear in mind, is that this soon to become ritual would soon enough be a habit that would lead to greater heights, I think that you would want to take that leap.

The Boston Celtic Sports Fans - Providing Support Like No Other

For my money, I have to admit the best NBA fans I have ever seen in person have been the rowdy crowd at the TD Garden. Even before the game started I remember thinking to myself that as an opposing NBA player, there is no other place in the entire league where I would rather sit out the game feigning an injury and preferably stay on the team bus. When it comes to being a passionate sports fan as a collective, the Boston fans have it down to a science.

Unlike some of the other places I have been to, Boston fans start chanting even before the game begins and they simply do not let up until the final buzzer sounds. Different from other NBA teams where their fans chant for only one star player or for the entire team as a unit, almost every single player in the Boston line-up, whether they be starters or benchwarmers, get some love from the crowd, most of them even have their own personalized chant.

And the beauty of it is that these New England NBA sports fans genuinely seem interested, and knowledgeable, about the game of basketball. Their cheers and chants, though still profane, are mostly witty and informed.

What you have to love as lifelong NBA fans is that even when the team is underperforming and not doing well that season, the love for the Boston Celtics still resonates through the TD Garden every single night. I do not know whether it is the atmosphere of the Celtic dynasties that have came and gone, but no matter whether you are enjoying a Celtics win or a loss, the fans provide entertainment that few fans in the NBA universe can match, simply being there amongst the crowd is already a joy in itself. As an NBA fan you owe it to yourself to check out at least one game at the TD Garden, you will be glad you did.

Improve Your Jump Height In Basketball With These Easy Tips

The vertical leap is really a complicated multi-joint motion that demands muscle group synchronization greatest improved by highly targeted skill training. Conventional power training, explosive kinds of weight exercising, and plyometrics could be efficient for growing your vertical jump. The type of training that's most efficient is decided by the specific talents and weak points of the basketball player.

Simply because your vertical leap is an forceful muscle action, you'll need to work on growing your vitality along with your power. This really is clearly done via particular workouts. Enhancing your vertical jump by 10 inches or much more in just a couple of weeks is feasible but you'll have to follow a great plan. Really, your vertical height is a capability that can be enhanced, just like almost any other capability. Certainly, you will find some elements which are going to assist or impede your development, but we just about all have our troubles to deal with.

To improve there are lots of workouts you are able to do which will offer extremely quick outcomes. Leaping greater entails training your whole physique to have the ability to properly shift the explosiveness from the bottom of your feet all the way up to your arms. One physical exercise method which will assist you to jump greater that's frequently overlooked by numerous individuals is core power focusing.

As with just about all other elements of physical exercise, high quality is much more essential than quantity, so concentrate on mastering your style when maintaining this position. It is a wonderful finish to a workout while you are cooling off. Nourishment is very essential with regards to enhancing your performance. You'll need a lot of protein and carbs to load up your current power prior to your routine. This will make certain that your muscle tissue is provided ample time to soak up and recuperate prior to the subsequent set of working out.

First of all, we ought to define precisely what a vertical jump is. Essentially, you check your capability by standing flat on your feet and leaping directly up within the air, with out moving a step. You determine your reach by decreasing your hop reach by your standing up measurement - the distinction is regarded as your vertical leap. Your standing reach will be the height you are able to accomplish while flat footed, your jump reach is as described previously.

I'm certain you realize some individuals enhance their performance by performing absolutely nothing but power training, squats for instance. Nonetheless other people enhance greatly by performing absolutely nothing but plyometrics and swiftness exercises. Simply because of this, the typical athlete is extremely confused exactly where they ought to concentrate their endeavors. Regrettably, most trainers are actually a whole lot worse. Some state power training will be the answer? Other people say plyometric work will be the finish all and be all. The reality is, the solution depends upon you along with your distinctive physical features and no one can give you the answer to that specific dilemma except your body and how it reacts. Your efficiency in a particular tasks will inform you exactly where to apply your workout efforts.

Advantages of Playing Basketball for Fitness

We've all heard how swimming is the ultimate exercise sport, but let's face it, not anyone can swim. Not everyone enjoys being in the water either, and there isn't too many to swim with. Basketball, however, is one of the world's major sports. It is a staple in any sporting event, one of the most publicized and commercial that some of the richest and most popular athletes in the world are professional basketball players, and in modern, urban societies, basketball is even a gauge of masculinity.

But forget about masculinity (feminists would balk) and the professional basketball league for a second, those are stereotyped constructions of basketball. If anything, one should play basketball for fitness. Basketball is the ultimate exercise sport; not only does it thoroughly work out the whole body, but being a team sport, is a lot more fun and exciting than, say, swimming.

It is not a secret that basketball involves a lot of running. Not just running in one lateral direction, however, but frantic running, jumping, skipping, leaping in all possible directions, back and forth the court, whatever it takes to intercept the opponent and grab the ball, for more than an hour. In that kind of running alone, basketball is an excellent means of cardio and strength exercise. Over time stamina is strengthened, balance is honed, agility is achieved. Every muscle in the body is worked, especially those that tend to be overlooked and underused, such as the gluteals, hamstrings, outer thighs and arm muscles. Basketball also employs plyometric movements that develop lean muscles and burns fat fast. The constant, unpredictable movement of arms and legs works out the body in such an intensive way that unlike routinely exercise, the body never gets bored of it, building what is called a 'muscle memory' that creates an appetite for exercise and makes it easy to return to it after a slump.

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Article Submitted On: January 31, 2011

Celtics Take Crown From Kings

After coming off a glorious win against the Lakers, Boston Celtics defeated the Sacramento Kings with a 95-90 win. Celtics increased their wins against the Sacramento Kings to seven straight in a row.

In the first half, Sacramento's Evans, who had suffered from a sprained ankle last season, was able to prove his ability to maneuver the basket by knocking down a jump shot. However, Celtics were able to answer back with Ray Allen driving to the basket with a lay up. In the second quarter, Rondo gets hit with a technical foul for pushing DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins, confused and frustrated, was benched due to the altercation between he and Rondo.

Later in the second half, Sacramento's, Donte Green was able to knock down the jump shot, increasing the King's lead by eight right before half time. At the break, Allen proved that he truly a leader by motivating his team to get back on track. Ray Allen proved that his main focus was to come in and take the King's thrown with his dominating three, decreasing Sacramento's lead in the third quarter.

Though Demarcus Cousins demonstrated his versatility by hitting an outside shot, it still wasn't enough. Down by one, Celtics forced a Sacramento turnover, allowing Pierce to drive to the hoop. Big "Baby" Davis was also able to add to Celtics lead in the fourth quarter with an all time "IN YOUR FACE" dunk. He had fourteen points off the bench. Rondo finished with seventeen points and eighteen assists.

Miami Heat, Orlando Magic Meet in Southeast Division Clash on TNT

LeBron James says he's ready for the rematch as the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic meet in the "Battle of Florida" on NBA on TNT Thursday at the Amway Center (8 pm ET, TNT). The heated Southeast division rivalry should get cranked up another notch when the teams meet for the third time this season, with each looking to break the 1-1 SU deadlock in the season series so far. Orlando got the better of the Heat in their last clash Nov. 24, winning 104-95 and cashing as a 4-point home favorite. That was revenge for a loss in the opening week of the season, when Miami won 96-70 on Oct. 29 and covered as a 3.5-point favorite. Miami (34-14 SU, 22-25-1 ATS) looked very average through most of January as it struggled with injuries to two-thirds of its "Big 3." Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade have now rejoined James to form the NBA's most powerful power trio.

Conversely, Orlando (31-18 SU, 20-27-2 ATS) has struggled in its most recent stretch of games, winning one then losing one.LeBron and the Heat faced his old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in their last game on Monday and romped to a 117-90 win, easily cashing as a 17.5-point home favorite. The score went over the total of 198.5. Orlando lost 100-97 to the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, failing to cover as a 1.5-point road favorite. The score went over the total of 196.5. Orlando is 6-4 SU and 6-4 ATS in the head-to-head series over the past 10 meetings, and the favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings. Orlando is a 2.5-point home favorite and the over/under total is 197 in NBA Odds.

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Article Submitted On: February 03, 2011

Carolina Tarheels Hold Off the Miami Hurricanes

Freshman player Harrison Barnes of the North Carolina Tar-heels had a stellar game in Miami on January 26th, 2011, leading his team to a 74-71 win over the Miami Hurricanes. Barnes sank a three-pointer giving them the edge with only six seconds left in the fourth quarter.

The Hurricanes started early with a fourteen-point lead, but the Tar-heels were able to press ahead. This recent win gives North Carolina seven games in a row that they have beat the Miami Hurricanes as well as improving their season record to 14-5.

During the fourth quarter of the game, Barnes landed a fifteen-foot shot with one minute and nine seconds left to tie to the score. Despite the efforts of Miami's Malcolm Grant to land a three-pointer to lead the team to overtime, he missed and the Carolina kept the lead. Miami did have a season-high thirteen three-pointers in the game. Miami was able to sink four of those three-pointers in a row in the first half putting Miami up 18-4 after less than seven minutes in the game.

The Tar-heels were able to score on nineteen of twenty-two possessions. The second half of a back and forth with thirteen lead changes. However, North Carolina was able to hold off Miami without a single basket in the last four minutes, finishing the game 74-71.

With performances by Harrison Barnes only being a freshman, the Tarheels have a strong rookie on their team. The Tar-heels go on to play North Carolina State and Boston College, two very strong teams, but the performance of the Tarheels behind their skilled freshman, Harrison Barnes, should be able to continue their ongoing success and strength as they head towards March Madness.

Becoming A Winning Basketball Player: 5 Characteristics Of The Champion

While every person likes to think they have what it takes to be an athlete, it's not enough to just sign up for the team and show up for practice. If you're going to invest all the time and effort into play, why be an average player? But not everyone is suited for excellence. Here are some characteristics you want to have before deciding if you want to make a commitment to investing your most valuable asset, time, into being a winning basketball player.

1. Competitive Nature

The type of person who will excel at basketball is a competitive person who feels a strong urge to be the best on the court. They will fight for rebounds, block shots, and fully invest themselves in each and every shot. If you do not beat up on yourself at least a little when you know you didn't give it your all and failed, you may not be competitive enough.

2. Open to Coaching

If you cannot be coached, you will not succeed. You need to be open to being openly criticized and improve on weaknesses when they are pointed out. A good player knows they have a lot to learn, no matter how good they are, and leverages their coach for success.

3. An Obsession for Practice

Showing up for required practices and games is not enough-if you want to be mediocre, that is fine, but a winning player will practice whenever they can and put out the extra effort. Laser skills only come with this kind of practice. Winners are not simply born, and raw talent is never enough.

4. Strong Self Discipline

Self discipline goes beyond a commitment to practice-solid athletes will often need to control themselves where non-athletes do not have to. Life is full of distractions and alternate paths. Even young players will have to avoid making poor mistakes as simple as eating the wrong things or as complex as walking away from a fight at school. Pro athletes serve as an example and get lots of media attention and so must restrain themselves just as much.

5. The Ability to Face Challenges

Life is a constant challenge for an athlete. Besides mustering the strength to make the right choices and put in all the effort, you will constantly face opposition from both your own limitations and the people you play against. You have to get up when you fail and try again. You have to have the tenacity to play all the way to the last second, even when there is no way to win-this is what it means to give it your all.

Most importantly, can you do this all every day? The life of an athlete does not have an "off switch"-not if you want to be a true champion. You need to be willing to make a full-time commitment to practice and put in the extra time while others sleep and take a break. To defeat your own weaknesses and perfect your strengths.

It's a commitment to a way of life, and not everyone is made for this.

Basketball Success: The Basics Of Solid Defense

While those successful goals are the most telling indicator when you are winning a basketball game, any true champion knows that a good team's success often lies in their defense. Your ability to prevent rebounds and limit turnover is an invaluable asset in any game and a team without defensive tactics will never be the best. Let's look at some of the basics you should work on to be a great defending player.

The first thing any player should learn when it comes to defense is perfecting their stance. The solid stance begins by maintaining just over a shoulder-width distance between your two feet and resting on the balls of your feet. If someone pushes on you, you should not sway or move at all-your balance should be solid and evenly distributed.

Keep your knees bent, arms out, elbows bent, and palms up. Keep your head up as well, and direct your attention towards the level of the opposing player's stomach, as this is a great center for reading and anticipating movement. While the heads, eyes, shoulders, or limbs can often be used to distract you or fake you out, the midsection rarely lies.

Your head should not move too much when in this stance-learn how to look out of the corners of your eyes for what is going on. Peripheral vision is a valuable asset for a solid basketball player.

Develop a good defensive slide, moving your feet sideways with quick short steps while staying in stance. Common mistakes players make is moving up out of their defensive position during a slide, leaning in the direction of slides, or crossing their feet-all moves that put you off balance and leave you unprepared.

When you are on the ball, your obvious goal is to keep it from traveling any further. Defense specifics will vary from team to team, depending on coaching, but your main goal is to stop it.

There are many ways to satisfy the goal. Often, what we want to do is direct opposing players off of the court and towards the out of bounds area if possible, once they are stuck in a corner, you and other players can try to keep them there until a 5 second call.

At all times, focus on restricting them from moving forward to their goal, but don't put so much energy into this that you forget to just stay on them at all times. After all, covering and staying on the player is more crucial than limiting court penetration.

Learn to use an opposing player's disadvantages against them. Players will often drive to one side or the other, in favor of their stronger hand (right or left), but you can keep them on their toes by forcing them to play their weaker side. Learn to change your position to keep them going where they do not want to go.

Properly staying on an offensive player is all about confusing them and restricting their movement while going with their movement when it is inevitable. It is a balance.

Another crucial element of defense is knowing when you lost your player and compensating for that. Learn to signal or alert other players on your team when this happens, and then run back to your opponent as fast as possible to resume your defensive position. Never give up and stop when they get away.

There is a lot more to proper defense than this, but these are some good points to keep in mind. Never forget that a good offense will never be good enough to win alone-they may win a lot of games between two mediocre teams, but when it comes to the wins that count, they will always come up short.