横峯さくら「やっと戦える態勢が整ってきた」

2012年04月01日18時33分




リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 笠　りつ子 -3
2 イエ・リーイン -1
一ノ瀬　優希 -1
服部　真夕 -1
茂木　宏美 -1
6 ジョン・ミジョン 0
ヤング・キム 0
8 キム・ソヒ +1
N・キャンベル +1
10 井芹　美保子 +2


順位の続きを見る





裏街道のスタートとなったが、しっかりとイーブンにまとめた（撮影：ＡＬＢＡ）







＜ヤマハレディースオープン葛城　最終日◇1日◇葛城ゴルフ倶楽部(6,587ヤード・パー72)＞

　「ヤマハレディースオープン葛城」の最終日。5オーバーからスタートした横峯さくらは、この日強風の中パープレーにまとめ21位タイに順位を上げて大会を終えた。

笠りつ子、古閑先輩に続いた！目標の大会でツアー2勝目

　INコースからスタートした横峯は12番でボギーが先行すると、15番もボギーとし序盤でスコアを落としてしまう。しかし、17番をバーディとしトータル6オーバーで前半を終えると、後半も1つスコアを伸ばしスタート時のスコアに戻す粘りを見せ「風も強かったし、まずまずだったと思います」と納得の表情を見せた。

　「ここ最近、ショットが試行錯誤の状態が続いていた」と今シーズンの悩みを語った横峯だが、このラウンドで光が見えた様子。「(今日)コースの中で修正できたのが大きい。4試合終わって、やっと戦える態勢が整ってきたと思います」と今後の試合での躍進に自信をのぞかせた。次戦「スタジオアリス女子オープン」から、この4試合とは一味違ったさくらのゴルフを見せつけることが出来るか。

【最終結果】
優勝：笠りつ子(-3)
2位T：葉莉英（イエ・リーイン）(-1)
2位T：一ノ瀬優希(-1)
2位T：茂木宏美(-1)
2位T：服部真夕(-1)
6位T：ヤング・キム(E)
6位T：全美貞(ジョン・ミジョン)(E)
8位T：キム・ソヒ(+1)
8位T：ニッキー・キャンベル(+1)
10位T：原江里菜(+2)他6名

21位T：横峯さくら(+5)他7名
65位T：斉藤愛璃(+13)他3名

＜速報＞藤田寛之が逆転優勝！今季3勝目

リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 藤田　寛之 -16
2 W・ウェンチョン -15
K・バーンズ -15
池田　勇太 -15
キム・ヒョンソン -15
6 室田　淳 -14
ドンファン -14
8 谷原　秀人 -13
近藤　共弘 -13
10 イ・キョンフン -12


順位の続きを見る


＜ANAオープン　最終日◇16日◇札幌ゴルフ倶楽部 輪厚コース(7,063ヤード・パー72)＞

　北海道にある札幌ゴルフ倶楽部 輪厚コースで開催された、国内男子ツアー「ANAオープン」の最終日。2位でスタートした藤田寛之がスコアを4つ伸ばし、トータル16アンダーで逆転優勝。今季3勝目を挙げた。

　1打差の2位タイは池田勇太ら4選手、石川遼は13位タイに終わった。

【最終結果】
優勝：藤田寛之(-16)
2位T：リャン・ウェンチョン(-15)
2位T：カート・バーンズ(-15)
2位T：池田勇太(-15)
2位T：金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(-15)
6位T：室田淳(-14)
6位T：ドンファン(-14)
8位T：谷原秀人(-13)
8位T：近藤共弘(-13)
10位T：宮里優作(-12)他2名
13位T：石川遼(-11)他4名

遼、20歳最終戦は13位タイでフィニッシュ

リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 藤田　寛之 -16
2 W・ウェンチョン -15
K・バーンズ -15
池田　勇太 -15
キム・ヒョンソン -15
6 室田　淳 -14
ドンファン -14
8 谷原　秀人 -13
近藤　共弘 -13
10 イ・キョンフン -12


順位の続きを見る





13位タイに終わった石川は「来週も優勝争いに加わりたい」と前を向いた（撮影：米山聡明）










＜ANAオープン　最終日◇16日◇札幌ゴルフ倶楽部 輪厚コース(7,063ヤード・パー72)＞

　国内男子ツアー「ANAオープン」最終日。ホストの石川遼は2バーディ・ノーボギーの70でフィニッシュ。スコアを2つ伸ばし、トータル11アンダー13位タイで競技を終えた。

「石川遼1打速報」で全ストロークを振り返る

　石川は序盤からティショットが安定せず、パーを拾う展開に。優勝を狙うためには前半からチャージをかけたいところだったが、なかなかチャンスにつけることができず、ようやく初バーディを奪ったのが7番。その後、9番パー5でもバーディを奪うがその後は、スコアを伸ばせずにホールアウトした。

　しかし、再三のピンチもリカバリーショットが冴え、この日もノーボギーのラウンド。2ラウンド続けてのノーボギーは自身初だ。「同じ2アンダーでも4バーディ・2ボギーのほうが自分らしい」とこの日のプレーに満足はしていないが、バーディを積極的に狙っていくうちに「自然とボギーを打たないゴルフができるようになった」と自身の成長を実感できた。「全体的に良くなってきているので、来週も頑張って優勝争いに加わりたい」と最後は前を向いた。

　明日、誕生日を迎える石川はこの日が20歳のラストラウンド。この1年を振り返り「アメリカで長い間戦ったのであっという間の1年でした。プエルトリコオープンで2位に入ったのがとても昔のことに思えます。成績を残せたとは言えないけど、米国ツアーで優勝争いを経験できたのは大きかったです」とコメント。勝ち星こそないが、様々な経験を得てプレーの幅も広がってきた。21歳初戦は所属するパナソニックが主催の「パナソニックオープン」。この大会で得た手ごたえを、優勝という最高の結果にすべくこれからも前を向いて走り続ける。

【最終結果】
優勝：藤田寛之(-16)
2位T：リャン・ウェンチョン(-15)
2位T：カート・バーンズ(-15)
2位T：池田勇太(-15)
2位T：金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(-15)
6位T：室田淳(-14)
6位T：ドンファン(-14)
8位T：谷原秀人(-13)
8位T：近藤共弘(-13)
10位T：宮里優作(-12)他2名
13位T：石川遼(-11)他4名

池田勇太は悔しい3週連続2位「ビリと一緒」

リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 藤田　寛之 -16
2 W・ウェンチョン -15
K・バーンズ -15
池田　勇太 -15
キム・ヒョンソン -15
6 室田　淳 -14
ドンファン -14
8 谷原　秀人 -13
近藤　共弘 -13
10 イ・キョンフン -12


順位の続きを見る





9番でイーグルを奪いガッツポーズ！ 首位に肉薄した（撮影：米山聡明）











＜ANAオープン　最終日◇16日◇札幌ゴルフ倶楽部 輪厚コース(7,063ヤード・パー72)＞

　国内男子ツアー「ANAオープン」の最終日。池田勇太は1イーグル・5バーディ・2ボギーの67をマーク。スコアを5つ伸ばすチャージをみせたが、あと1打及ばず3週連続の2位に終わった。

池田勇太の今季成績

　池田は2番でボギーが先行するが4番から3連続バーディを奪取し、首位に肉薄。そして9番パー5では残り250ヤードのセカンドショットを5番ユーティリティでピン手前4.5メートルにつけイーグルを奪取。その後も2つスコアを伸ばし、首位に並んで最終18番へ。しかし、ティショットを右の林に入れてしまうと、2打目は出すだけ。パーセーブできずにボギーとし、トータル16アンダーの藤田寛之に1打及ばず2位タイで競技を終えた。

　3週連続の2位(タイ含む)は記録が残る1985年以降では1992年の藤木三郎、1997年の尾崎直道に次ぎ3人目の記録。この結果に「優勝争いしても優勝しないと意味がない。2位じゃビリと一緒だよ」と唇を噛んだ池田。最後は「疲れた…」と言葉少なにコースを後にした。

【最終結果】
優勝：藤田寛之(-16)
2位T：リャン・ウェンチョン(-15)
2位T：カート・バーンズ(-15)
2位T：池田勇太(-15)
2位T：金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(-15)
6位T：室田淳(-14)
6位T：ドンファン(-14)
8位T：谷原秀人(-13)
8位T：近藤共弘(-13)
10位T：宮里優作(-12)他2名
13位T：石川遼(-11)他4名

藤田寛之が今季3勝目！「とても大きな1勝」

リーダーズボード
順位 選手名 スコア優勝 藤田　寛之 -16
2 W・ウェンチョン -15
K・バーンズ -15
池田　勇太 -15
キム・ヒョンソン -15
6 室田　淳 -14
ドンファン -14
8 谷原　秀人 -13
近藤　共弘 -13
10 イ・キョンフン -12


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自身初の年間3勝、賞金ランクでも首位に返り咲いた（撮影：米山聡明）











＜ANAオープン　最終日◇16日◇札幌ゴルフ倶楽部 輪厚コース(7,063ヤード・パー72)＞

　一時は首位に4人が並ぶ激戦となった国内男子ツアー「ANAオープン」。この戦いを制したのは43歳の藤田寛之。藤田は2打差2位からスタート。前半は出入りの激しいゴルフとなるが2つスコアを伸ばして折り返すと、後半は12番でバーディが先行。14番では8メートルのバーディパットをねじ込む。終盤に入り他の選手がスコアを落とす中、粘りのプレーでパーを拾いトータル16アンダーで今季3勝目を挙げた。藤田はこれでツアー通算14勝目。年間3勝は自身初、そして賞金ランクも首位に返り咲いた。

藤田寛之の成績など

　10年前、ジャンボ尾崎と優勝を争い、17番パー5のセカンドショットで林越えを狙うも失敗。ボギーとし敗れた藤田。この日はティショットをグリーンエッジまで246ヤードの地点まで運ぶと、「狙う状況だった。前の組の(池田)勇太がバーディを獲ったかもというのもありますし」と10年越しの再チャレンジ。結果は球は右に大きく曲がったが「木に当たって右のバンカー横にいったのはラッキーだった」と今回は林を越えることには成功。「地味にナイスショットだった」という3打目を2メートルにつけたが、バーディはとれず。プレーオフを覚悟して臨んだ18番はティショットが左のラフへ。セカンドはピン奥10メートルの難しいラインだったが、「すごく緊張した」というファーストパットを30センチにつけパー。同スコアだった金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(韓国)がボギーだったため栄冠を手にした。

　藤田は世界ランク50位以内に入り、海外メジャーに参戦することが目標。「早く優勝を重ねていったほうがいいので、これはとても大きな1勝になった」と喜びのコメント。今年で40回目を迎える今大会、「20年前にはマンデーに出ていたし、10年前にはジャンボさんに負けて、そしてとうとう勝つことができて自分の成長を感じることができる」藤田は40歳を超えてからこれで8勝目。年月をかけコツコツと積み重ねてきたものが、今大輪の花を咲かせている。今回の優勝は他の選手がスコアを落とし「ラッキーだった。転がりこんできたようなもの」と本人は言ったが、これも地道に“ゴルフが上手くなりたい”と願い続け練習を積み重ねてきた、藤田に対するゴルフの神様からのご褒美だろう。

【最終結果】
優勝：藤田寛之(-16)
2位T：リャン・ウェンチョン(-15)
2位T：カート・バーンズ(-15)
2位T：池田勇太(-15)
2位T：金亨成(キム・ヒョンソン)(-15)
6位T：室田淳(-14)
6位T：ドンファン(-14)
8位T：谷原秀人(-13)
8位T：近藤共弘(-13)
10位T：宮里優作(-12)他2名
13位T：石川遼(-11)他4名

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen - UFC117

Anderson Silva is training very hard and is focused for his fight this weekend with Chael Sonnen. According to his manager Ed Soares, Anderson is walking around at a lean 194 pounds.

There is no doubt in my mind that Anderson is ready for this fight. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest, if not the greatest fighter in the world. For the last several years, he has destroyed every fighter put in his path including James Irvin, Dan Henderson, and Rich Franklin. His win over veteran fighter Forrest Griffin appeared to be effortless and left Forrest embarrassed, dazed, and bewildered to the point that he just ran out of the ring.

My questions concerning Anderson Silva have nothing to do with his skill level or his ability to beat opponents. My concern is will he give fight fans the type of performance we expect.

Anderson Silva's latest win over Demian Maia was nothing short of an embarrassment for the UFC. He spent a full 5 rounds acting like a fool. It was obvious he could have finished Demian anytime he wanted to. Instead, he walked around with his hands at his side, laid down in front of Demian, and acted more like a clown than a fighter. Instead of finishing the fight, he took it a full five rounds to win by decision. It was so unbelievable it was the first time UFC President Dana White ever walked out in the middle of a main event and didn't present a Champion with his belt.

Anderson's performance left Dana White apologizing at the post press conference. Dana even speculated at the press conference that Anderson could be the first UFC Champion to fight in the untelevised preliminary bouts. Dana said he had never been more disappointed in a fighter and his performance.

So what is it that fans want to see?

When you have the skill of Anderson Silva fans expect you to finish fights. When Mike Tyson was in his prime, it was business as usual to spend $40 - $50 to watch one of his fights and watch him destroy his opponent in less than a minute. This is exactly what the fans expect from Anderson. Sure, it is disappointing to spend $50 for a PPV fight that lasts less than a minute, but it is less disappointing than watching a guy act a fool for a full 5 rounds.

What do the fans expect from the UFC?

Anderson needs some real competition at 185 pounds. The Demian Maia match was a terrible fight. No one expected Demian to have a chance at winning that fight and Anderson proved with his antics just how bad a match up it was. The UFC has to find someone at 185 pounds that can present a real challenge.

Baseball Tips On Hitting: How To Know If Your Bat Weight Is Right

Forget all the baseball tips on hitting and let's start with the proper bat first. We can get to the other baseball coaching tips later. Let's learn how to figure out the proper bat weight you should be using. Not having the proper bat weight is an extremely common problem, especially with younger baseball players. Much too often, they have the improper bat weight and almost always it's because the bat is much too heavy! It happens occasionally with older baseball players as well.

How To Determine the Proper Bat Weight You Should Be Using:

1. Grab the bat at the very end, holding just the knob and using all your fingers. Use your right hand if you are a right-handed hitter or left hand if you are a left-handed hitter.

2. While still holding the knob only, extend your arm and the bat out in front of you, with your palm facing up.

3. In other words, the distance from your shoulder to the end of the barrel of the bat should be about 5 or 6 feet total.

4. Hold the bat for about five seconds and if your hand quivers, the bat is probably too heavy. If your hand remains fairly steady, your bat weight is probably okay.

This is just a guideline but your actual swings at the plate should be your truest and most reliable indicator as to proper bat weight. It's unfortunate that some baseball coaches get involved in advanced baseball tips on hitting and too often overlook the obvious. Some players, especially young players, have way more bat than they can handle.

If you're usually getting the bat around quickly enough on average or slightly above average fastballs, there is a very good chance that you are just fine. You can also see what weight the rest of your teammates are using. Usually the difference among players on a team is only an ounce or two.

So, you should be in the ball park already. No pun intended. Basically, it should only require some fine tuning it by an ounce or so to your personal preference.

One of the best baseball tips on hitting is that if you are going to err, make sure you err on the side of the bat being too light instead of the weight being too heavy! Having a little "less bat" than you can handle is a very minor baseball hitting problem and is far superior to having "too much bat" and being constantly late on every pitch, where you will have no chance for a successful at bat.

Golf Psychology: The Post Shot Routine

Post-Shot Routine

A what? I hear you ask...

We all know what a Pre-shot routine is but what the hell is a post-shot routine?

Well think about it? If the Pre-shot routine's role is to ensure that consistent shot preparation leads to consistent shot execution*, what could the post-shot routine be used for?

Answer: To either anchor good results or to ensure poor results are not negatively reinforced in your mind.

However, there aren't many players who have a post-shot routine. So once again, you will be incorporating a technique into your game that will move you further ahead of the field. Most players simply shove their club back into the bag and move on - when their shot comes off the way they wanted it to - or they SLAM the club back into the bag and reinforce the negative anchor*, when the shot doesn't come off the way they wanted it to.

Let's look at the "positive" side of Post-Shot Routines first.

Instead of just watching the ball travel and landing with no real enthusiasm, watch the actual ball flight; notice its shape and how it reacted when it landed. Then congratulate yourself, calmly, if the shot shape matched what you planned and the ball ended up in your desired location. Anchor* the good feeling of success. Stop and reflect quickly on your setup and the feelings you had prior to making the shot. It's a good strategy to reinforce what you do well. A constructive review with a post-shot routine will do just that.

What about if the shot did not come off the way you intended?

If the shot did not come off the way you intended - don't blow up! "Play" the shot again while other players are actually taking theirs (as long as you're not in their line of sight!). Get a feeling for what went wrong; make a note to correct this on your next shot and once more "play" the shot, successfully this time, and let your mind register what should have happened. See the ball doing what you intended it to - in your mind's eye. This way you still re-enforce a positive from your mistake rather than anchoring the mistake (as would happen if you blew up and slammed the club into the bag or threw it away.)

Very often it's our thinking prior to our swing, not the swing itself that "caused" the poor result. It will become an extremely useful habit to consciously use a post-shot routine. You will become a much more focused player through its repetition and adoption.

A well run and practiced post-shot routine is a practical way to manage your emotional resources. There is nothing much to it yet don't discount its simplicity. Add it to your game and reap the rewards.

How To Make Carp Boilies And Fishing Paste Baits Using Pineapple Flavours And Butyric Acid!

So you are looking to produce some incredibly effective economical paste baits, or boilies or pellets for this winter and spring? Pineapple is so popular but these extremely potent homemade baits described here are so different! These ideas and recipes will really prove their worth even as free baits or paste wraps around your favourite readymade boilies etc; so read on now!

You really need to offer fish highly soluble ingredients and additives in very easily dispersed forms for fishing baits used in cold waters of the late autumn, winter and spring. Very usually additives and ingredients that are highly soluble also happen to be very much more easily digested by carp and other fish, and also really effectively disperse in the water column to form highly potent concentration gradients that fish can easily detect and home in onto in order to find your hook baits! Better than this though is that such fish will be excited to a massive degree before they reach your bait, thus making them much easier to catch as they drop their natural caution to a higher degree!

The first step is to get some calcium caseinate and whey protein concentrate or lactalbumin and casein of varied forms. If you can’t get these or the cost is prohibitive then why not use other forms of milks like Vitamealo or Lamlac. Next get some fructose powder and lactose, maybe some vanilla extract meal and wheatgerm, Belachan or fermented shrimp powder from CC Moore, plus some betaine from them or the really effective betaine HCL from CW Baits. I would get some CC Moore Super Slop in the course, and in the liquid forms. This is a mixture of really seriously potent natural foods absolutely packed with feeding triggers and attractor substances that carp, and also other fish such as barbel and chub are extremely sensitive to!

I might add some extra ingredients such as garlic powder, blue cheese powder rich in butyric acid and attractive salts and soluble proteins etc also. I would certainly add Feedstim XP (In powder form), and hydrolysed poultry protein. These really make such an incredible difference to results and impacts on fish senses believe me!

Other addictives that I would recommend include enzyme treated yeast powder and yeast powder (probiotic) and of course soluble fish protein and green lipped mussel extract. Few anglers use squid powder to alter characteristics of their sweet pineapple baits so try it! It might sound strange to use it alongside CSL (corn steep liquor) powder for instance or raw molasses but do it and see what occurs; I will not cover the nutritional secrets of why this is here but later in this article you will see where to find these secrets out OK!

Cyprivit is an often over looked additive but it really enhances palatability and so boosts repetitive feeding, and the B vitamins in it really boost fish energy levels so improves your chances of getting more bites and more fish in the cold!

CC Moore Ultrasweet is an intense sweetener. This is renowned for use in cold water baits as well as in summer ones, but remember to use both fructose concentrate and this together because each enhances the habit-forming internal impacts internal duration of each of their impacts!

One massive point to make is that using both the liquid form of an additive or ingredients alongside the liquid form really is a fantastic edge for cold water baits. Think about it; doing this produces a double whammy effect of fast leak off of stimulation plus a slow but intense leak off that really lasts, both pulling fish in excited states and modes of behaviours to your hook baits! Look into this factor as much as possible and you really will reap big rewards as a result!

Ok I said this bait is about pineapple, well how about using the unique pineapple and butyric acid flavour custom designed by a leading house for CW Baits; it is really dominating waters now! Simply mix whatever ingredients and additives you wish to use into paste (you do not even need to use eggs,) maybe just Liquid Super Slop from CC Moore. I say much more about this on CC Moore TV each month as a consultant describing how and why to use a massive diversity of various substances to trigger feeding in many potent ways and also gain incredible competitive edges over competing baits!

For paste using the above kinds of ingredients and additives you will have extremely potent paste, just add your pineapple flavour and away you go. For a twist, why not mix up some high PC liquid lecithin from CW Baits with clove or cinnamon essential oil, and add this to you pineapple flavour!

Personally I avoid using any heated baits at all in cold water wherever possible. This might mean recasting more often but it is very surprising that most pastes can be made to last intact for at least 6 hours and I have made homemade paste that lasts at least in terms of the main matrix of the bait as long as 23 hours plus (without using any egg!)

Boilies really are not needed most of the time but I do not use baits because I want all the nutritional stimulation and attraction in my baits to be fully intact and leak off as efficiently as possible to seriously hit the fish right between the eyes! To most maximize cold water baits using the above ingredients and additives takes further understanding and secrets that make them incredibly habit forming over and above normal baits, and that is really where the biggest success is discovered! Revealed in my unique readymade bait and homemade bait carp and catfish bait secrets ebooks is far more powerful information look up my unique website (Baitbigfish) and see my biography below for details of my ebooks deals right now!

Meister MMA: The Right Fight Gear

Mixed Martial Arts, or "MMA", has become one of the world’s fastest growing sports over the past five years. MMA’s popularity has largely increased due to rising television coverage and more organizations and gyms dedicated to the sport. Many people have found MMA to be a great source of exercise and a way to increase total body fitness. For others it is a great way to relieve stress or pent up aggression in an intense but structured environment.Finally, Mixed Martial Arts is also a great way to build self confidence and self defense skills.

Appropriate attire and gear is essential to success, even more so than other sports. Making sure your fight gear is safe is extremely important,because MMA is such an extreme sport. Just like in Football or Lacrosse, without the proper protective equipment an injury is all but assured.

Protecting your hands is one the most important priorities in safely practicing MMA. MMA and boxing hand wraps are a must-have item. Your handwraps should be made of high quality cotton and should be slightly elastic to allow the wraps to comfortably fit your hands.If you are an adult, you will want to purchase a pair of 180" hand wraps – these are full length hand wraps and will provide you with maximum protection. For children, teenagers and most women, 108" hand wraps are the best choice to fit your needs. Fortunately, hand wraps come in many colors and styles so you can choose the look that is right for you. MeisterMMA.com is a great place to find quality hand wraps in classic and trendy styles. Some examples are black, blue, camouflage (camo), death skulls, or pink hand wraps. Because they will get dirty with each use and eventually wear out, you will want to buy multiple pairs.This way you will always have a clean pair ready to go.This will also allow you to get different styles to match your attire.

Finally, make sure you get the accessories you need to make practicing MMA easier.A hand wrap wash bag makes washing your pairs easier and more convenient. You don’t want your wraps getting tangled up in the washer or dryer. A hand wrap rolling machine is also essential to re-wrap your pairs after washes or uses. This is a great time saver.After hand rolling them once you will never want to do it again.

Buying hand wraps from a quality seller online can save you money and time, and provide you with a better selection of fight gear to choose from. Get started in MMA today with the right gear and accessories. MMA hand wraps should be the first item on your list.

Boating is Exciting

Boating is Exciting
It is fascinating to imagine how many boats there are in America. There is a vast expanse of water suitable for all kinds of boating experience. The coastal area as well as all the inland lakes and rivers make this recreational adventure possible. The range in size and value of the boats in use runs from the small rowboat to cabin cruisers and yachts. Historically boats were one of the first modes of transportation. The Bible records the construction of Noah's ark occurring many centuries before Christ. The dimensions and construction materials of the ark are given in Genesis chapter six. The ark was made of cypress wood and covered with pitch, both inside and out. It was 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. This huge boat was likely the largest water craft built before the modern era.

My first experience with boating started when I was very young. My father often took me to the river early in the morning before sun up. He taught me how to paddle and to fish. I well remember the excitement I felt while getting quietly into the boat and gliding silently over the surface to the areas where we hoped to catch fish. He emphasized being quiet so we wouldn't scare the fish. Our equipment was very simple, consisting of a pole, a line, sinker and hook. We also had homemade floats attached to the line to indicate when a fish was taking the bait. We fished with the intention to take enough home for a delicious meal. We only released the small ones. I wanted to do my share of paddling so he taught me how to pick an object in the distance and go straight toward it. He explained how to twist the paddle during the stroke to keep going in a straight line. Practicing this skill added interest to the outing, especially when the fish weren't biting.

Many families consider the days they spend on the water in their family boat the highlight of their holidays. They get a great deal of enjoyment from the equipment and facilities on board. The possibilities for comfort and enjoyment in their experience on the waterways is only limited by the family budget. For instance a fisherman wants to catch fish. Knowing where the fish are is a must, so he starts to think about a fish finder. Families who like to travel and explore would find a GPS system interesting and necessary. Navigational electronics may be needed for travel in coastal regions. Depth finders and plotters may also be on dreamers shopping lists.

As you plan for your weekends and holidays you may wish to add some new equipment to your family boat. Online shopping is a quick way to find the items you are looking for. You can easily compare the different brands and price ranges, find the latest models and see how easy it is to shop online and have the items delivered. Have a fantastic summer enjoying your boat with your family.

Lakers Vs Celtics

Ray Allen scored 12 first quarter points–including two three pointers to move past Reggie Miller into sole possession of first place on the career list for three pointers made–as the Boston Celtics cruised to a 27-20 first quarter lead over the L.A. Lakers. The Celtics eventually pushed that margin to 15 points but then Kobe Bryant erupted for 20 second half points and the Lakers emerged with a 92-86 win, their first victory of the season against a legitimate championship contender. "Statement game" is a somewhat overused phrase but, whatever you call it, at some point before the playoffs began the Lakers needed to prove that they could summon up the necessary concentration and effort to beat a top level squad.

Pau Gasol contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He looked soft and tentative early in the game–bobbling the ball every time Kendrick Perkins touched him and settling for some fadeaway shots–but eventually Gasol provided some much needed paint presence. Miller (who was one member of TNT’s three man announcing crew) even called Gasol "Iron Man" (surely the first time that appellation has ever been applied to Gasol)–not in response to Gasol’s solid play but rather because a freak collision between Gasol and Lamar Odom left Gasol unmarked while opening a gash on Odom’s head that required several stitches to close. Odom shot just 4-12 from the field for 10 points but he snared a game-high 12 rebounds (though several of those boards were his own misses). Andrew Bynum tallied 16 points and nine rebounds.

Bryant worked hard to get his big men involved while he scored just three points on 1-3 field goal shooting but even though Gasol and Bynum each scored 12 points the Lakers trailed 53-45. TNT’s Charles Barkley has repeatedly said that Kobe Bryant has "slowed down a lot" and at halftime Barkley added that he knows from personal experience what Bryant is going through.
Allen’s three point milestone is a significant accomplishment; his 2562 career three pointers are not only two more than Miller’s old record but they are more than 800 ahead of Jason Kidd’s third place total. The 35 year old Allen is in excellent condition and is shooting a career-high .459 from long range this season, so he probably will ultimately obliterate Miller’s standard. However, amidst the quite deserved appreciation that is being shown for Allen (and for Miller) it would be nice if some recognition were given to the league that popularized the three point shot and to the player who held the career three point field goal record even longer than Miller did.

The Lakers took command in the second half as Bryant poured in 20 points on 8-14 field goal shooting. The Lakers’ bench did a solid job of maintaining a slender lead while Bryant rested during the first part of the fourth quarter and then Bryant returned to action with guns blazing, bagging three straight buckets in less than two minutes (and eight points in the final 4:49 overall, plus a great dish to Gasol for an easy layup after the Celtics triple-teamed Bryant) to hold off a late charge by the Celtics. It is obviously true that the Lakers enjoy a size advantage against many teams but it is befuddling that many people do not recognize that a major reason that the Lakers can so effectively exploit this advantage is that it is very difficult to double team the Lakers’ bigs because of how much Bryant threatens the defense. Gasol and Bynum receive much more single coverage than they would if they played without Bryant. It is also worth remembering that the Lakers’ big man-focused offense in the first half resulted in an eight point deficit; however, the advantage of getting the big men the ball early is two-fold: it keeps them mentally involved in the game at both ends of the court and, as long as the score is reasonably close, it preserves Bryant’s energy so that he can close out the game at the end (whether or not Bryant’s heroics fit the definition of "clutch" prescribed by various "stat gurus").

Tips for Carrying Paintball Markers

If a person is starting out in the exciting world of paintball, they need to know how to carry the paintball markers in order to have the most success when competing. This sounds like such a simple thing, but they really need to have a good idea about what they are doing. The game can be very fast-paced, with people coming at them from all sides. Their reaction time is quite important. If they are even a step slow, they can be shot with paintballs and eliminated from the game rather quickly. Doing everything that they can to decrease the time that it takes for them to get off a shot will help them to win much more often.

First of all, it is wise for them to use the strap on the marker if they are going to be running. No one likes to admit that they would run away from a firefight, but everyone has done it at one time or another. Sometimes the best strategy is to run from the fight, regroup, and come back with a new plan in mind. The strap can help to keep them from dropping the gun while they are running. Stopping to pick up a fallen marker is a good way for them to get shot by those who are in hot pursuit.

Secondly, they need to keep the marker aimed forward at all times. Raising the paintball gun into the air is the sign that a person has been shot. They have to raise their gun and point it upward while they walk to the sidelines so that they will not be shot again. If they do this while they are just walking without having been shot, it can cause a fair bit of confusion.

A person should also make sure not to aim the gun behind them by flipping it upside down. This can be tempting if they are trying to shoot backwards while they run from the fight. If they do this, however, the gun will not fire. All of the paintballs that are in the hopper depend on gravity to fall down into the gun. The paintballs will not be able to get in the proper position to be shot out if they are in the wrong part of the hopper.

When crouching behind something, it is wise for a person to keep two hands on the gun even while shooting over the top of the obstacle. The person might want to hold it in one hand so that they are less exposed, but this is much less accurate for hitting the intended target.

Homemade Plywood Boats - Really Does Construction of Wooden Boats Is Achievable?

Your goal of owning a boat can be in your reach. Building homemade plywood boats is simple, cost-effective, and rewarding. Many boat enthusiasts say that it much easier to build their own unique boats rather than purchasing a premade one from the factory thanks to such high costs. And whatever your level of skill is, you'll find a project that is best suited for you. Whether you want something more basic or a much more intricate in design, the level of difficulty can definitely vary from one boat plan to the second.

The Custom made Boat plans are great for someone that wants to start something more manageable. Construction of wooden boats is best suited for beginners because it is pretty much straightforward in its plans. This type of plan uses the stitch and glue method. This type of building method is good because you can have a lightweight but strong hull. Further more, this technique doesn't require a lot of different parts so you can save on materials.

Almost all homemade plywood boats plan includes detailed step-by-step instructions of the 254 plans, a wooden mast, and two mainsails. After you have your plans then you can start to purchase the materials you will need to start your project. Most of your cost will go into buying the plywood, paint and epoxy (glue). And you will need fiberglass cloth and filler at the same time. The best type of plywood for the project would be marine plywood. It's better never to skimp on the materials, especially when you are considering safety measures. Once you complete the finishing of this boat, you will then begin studying do the sails. This will determine how good the plans you've purchased are because, making the sails require some geometric knowledge. It is therefore very important to hold very good working plans that have proven to operate in other projects.

To successfully build these homemade plywood boats, you have to spend some time and money in to it. No person can effectively finish this endeavor without putting quality effort. Then when you have completed this project the rewards will be endless. You and your family are going to have your dream vacation without worrying about costs. After the construction of wooden boats comes maintenance. Maintaining these boats is much cheaper than trying to maintain those expensive pre-made boats. And you will have the satisfaction for being able to enjoy something that you have created with your own hands.

Please remember, you don't require a lot of skills for that construction of wooden boats. In a short time, you will see the returns of your investment. Because you purchased the homemade plywood boats plan, you should be assured to own something that will appear professionally built. Make use of this opportunity and never feel like you should be wealthy to obtain a boat.

A Guide to Using Magicshine Bike Lights

Why do I need Magicshine Bike Lights?

Magicshine bike lights provide everything you need for optimum performance whilst enjoying your favourite pastime. Riding your bike without lights would be like getting into your car at night and driving without any headlights, not a smart move! In the winter months, the nights draw in earlier than usual so it is wise to have a well-lit cycle. Whether you are a beginner, an experienced mountain biker or commuter, any biking activity in the evening should be accompanied with bike lights. The autumn and winter seasons can bring unfavourable weather conditions such as snow and fog and your Magicshine lights can do wonders in these circumstances. Safety is of course a main priority when cycling in the dark but night riding is for many, a very exhilarating and challenging sport. Your lights will help guide the way no matter what the terrain.

Fitting your Bike Lights

Attaching Magicshine light heads to your bars is easy thanks to the tried and tested ‘O’ ring system. They can be fitted on to your bike within seconds making it a simple and speedy process and you’ll be well away quicker than you think! There are a number of different mounting options available too so you can enjoy not only a front light but also a rear one or a head mount. If your light has a remote control command module, this is mounted in the same way however if required it can be placed next to your thumb. Having it closer to your hand will allow you to change mode on the roughest and fastest of trails without having to remove it off the bars.

Staying Safe with Magicshine

It is essential that you keep your bike lights well maintained and before heading out on your bike, make sure they are clean and fully charged. There’s nothing worse than being stuck a long way from home with a failed light! Many of the lights in the Magicshine range come with a colour coded LED that change colour from green, to blue, to yellow, finally turning red when you run low on power. The ‘get me home’ power mode will operate using minimal power to ensure that get back safely. Running time for batteries can vary so it is worth checking before you purchase your light which one is right for you. Turn night into day on your ride and choose Magicshine bike lights.

Why an Electronic Dartboard?

"Why an Electronic Dartboard?", is one of those questions that gets tossed around by many people that are interested in the notion of buying a product such as an Arachnid electronic dartboard or even one of the Halex electronic dartboard models. The goal of this article will be to examine the three major advantages that the electronic dartboard has to offer over its traditional counterparts. These three advantages are among the most popular reasons that many people have for preferring an electronic device to a traditional one.

Safety would probably have to be the most important advantage that an electronic dartboard has to offer over a traditional product. The traditional products cannot work correctly unless traditional darts are being used with them. Traditional darts have sharp, metal tips that are meant to be able to physically pierce the bristle material that the traditional dartboard is made from. People that have children are especially not going to want to install a device that would require the use of such darts. Children might see these sharp devices and assume that it is acceptable to play with them. In the worst of all possible scenarios, children might become hurt or seriously injured. Adults even face the possibility of injury when they are playing darts with these traditional style of darts.

An electronic board is likely to be much more solid that many of the bristle models are. This is not to say that bristle models lack a solid build as many of them are actually built for professional play. The very design of an electronic model is going to require it to be much thicker than most of the casual kind of bristle designs. The very design of the electronic board often calls for it to be made from the thickest types of metals and plastics as well. This is not always the case, however, it often is. These new wave devices are really built to last, and this is why many department stores carry them as high ticket items.

It is also very important to keep in mind that electronic boards are going to offer the advantage of keeping score for the user. When people are gathered for a competition, there should be no need to dispute the recorded scores as they have been precisely recorded by the computerized board. Many people that play with traditional boards will scribble down their scores on a pad of paper, or, even worse yet, attempt to use their memory. There should be no discrepancies as to the validity of scores when playing with an electronic model.

The three reasons discussed here are simply the most common advantages that provoke consumers to buy products such as the Arachnid electronic dartboard or the Halex electronic dartboard. There are many other reasons to prefer an electronic model. There might be some features that are unique to a higher level Arachnid electronic dartboard just as there are certain features unique to a Halex electronic dartboard. It is up to the discretion of the buyer to read reviews and discover which brand might work best for him or her.

Greatest Methods For Planning Basketball Drills

If you are serious about basketball, you must see that basketball drills are extremely useful, even if nobody likes to do them. The only way to learn a musical instrument is to play the same notes over and again, and it's the same with basketball if you hope to improve your game playing. Basketball drills, however, must be planned in a way that takes the players' abilities, strengths and weaknesses into account. The following are some great ways that you can plan great basketball drills for your basketball players.

It's important to change the basketball drills players practice over time. Doing the same drills during every session is not only boring for players, it ends up limiting the progress they make. Each drill involves a certain skill and sometimes various aspects of the same skill set, so it's necessary to give the team members a wide variety of drills. When you mix up the drills, the players won't get bored, they'll be extra motivated, and they'll get better than ever with more abilities. But you should stick with a certain drill set so that you can make sure your team members get what they're supposed to learn, and then it's ok to switch things up so that boredom doesn't sink in.

When it comes to basketball, just like all other games and sports, the psychological aspect of the game is just as important as the physical aspect of it. Even though drills are used to improve skills, it's also important to work on the players' motivations so that they can play at their best. Even if a player or a team have a bad performance, that must not carry over into the practice drills. Every practice is a way to move to the next level. Players must always go at maximum levels when engaging in drills. If players are low energy or unmotivated while going through drills, they will act the same way when playing the game. To get the most out of drills, it's essential for everyone to take them seriously.

In basketball, rebounds happen all the time so you need to practice these also when you're practicing drills. Players must learn to assume that any shot, whether taken by a member of their own or the opposing team, is likely to miss, so they should be ready to take possession of the ball. This is as much a mental as a physical issue, as you have to be in a constant state of alertness for this. To practice rebound drills by bouncing the basketball off walls and having the player get it, or you can use the backboard in the same manner. Rebounding is one of the aspects that keeps basketball so unique, and the game is a very fast paced game, so players need to work on maintaining their quickness and physical fitness, and the only way to do that is through constant drill practice.

Basketball drills are a part of the game that is essential for both beginners and professionals to know. Even professional players will not do it properly if they do not practice on a regular basis. Drills give players a chance to learn proper techniques and learn about areas that need improvement. Remember to utilize these few suggestions when planning basketball drills so that you team can benefit from them.

There is no doubt that there are several elements which can aid you to boost your game abilities in almost any sport, such as basketball,soccer and volleyball, and probably one of the most significant of them is your vertical jump ability.

Become A Better Gamer With These Tips

You may debate with your friends about which console is best, or which video game title that is coming soon is the one you need to buy first, but you'll never debate that video games are a ton of fun. Read on to find out a few tips and tricks about gaming.

Buy games that are used. Video games can be extremely expensive, sometimes topping fifty dollars. That's hard to handle if you buy a game and then find out you don't like it. You can save as much as 50% by purchasing used video games.

If you are playing an RPG game, take the time to talk to the other characters in the game. Most of the time what they say is not helpful to your ultimate goals. But, occasionally, you will strike gold. Therefore, the small investment of time is worth the big payoff that you will get if you persevere.

If you can't get past a particular level, turn off all noise, whether it is the in-game sounds or music that you have put on. This will help you to really focus on what is happening in front of you and you may have a better chance of progressing in the game.

Video games are expensive, so rather than purchase one that you are unsure if you will like, rent them. Many services offer video games for rent for a certain price every month. By renting the video game first, you can test it out to see if you like it and the buy it if you do.

If you decide to allow your preschooler to play a video game, always sit with them when they do it. Talk to them about what is happening in the game. By making the experience a social event, you can create special bonding time between you and your child while they are doing something they enjoy.

Modern video games are not without their dangers, and playing them obsessively might be the one to worry about most. If you know that a friend or family member is a gamer, be on the lookout for signs that they're spending an immoderate amount of time playing. If they're having trouble meeting their obligations at school, work, or in their social circle, it may be time to confront them about how they manage their gaming time.

Video games are a lot of fun, but they can be quite tricky, too. If you are stuck on a game, go online and search for cheats. Most games have some sort of cheat or cheats that can make them a lot easier. Simply search in your favorite search engine and you can easily find cheats to make your game play better.

Get in shape with video games. Many video games are now interactive and use your body movement. If you are getting bored with your exercise routine or don't have one yet, invest in a video game and get into shape. You will find yourself having a great time and getting in shape all at once.

Avoid buying big name games near their launch dates. Waiting means that you are more likely to buy a game after a patch or two has come out to fix glaring holes and bugs that could impact your enjoyment and game play. Also keep an eye out for titles from studios that are known for good patching and support.

Wait for game of the year editions of major titles. These often come out a year or more after the original title, but include a lot of the downloadable and extra content that was released in stages after the initial title. These games offer a lot more bang for the buck.

If you are searching for a particular game to buy but want to purchase it at the best price possible, use the "shopping" tab available on many search engines. This will allow you to immediately compare the prices of the game at all the major retailers online. You can also see ratings for the seller in question, helping you determine who you should buy the game from.

Sure, you could be cleaning your room, doing your homework or even be outside playing, but why? Video games are where it's at! At least you took the time to learn something today, and for that you should be proud. Keep gaming, keep learning and keep having tons of fun!

Top11: FIFA World Cup Scorers

Top11 became top12 since twelve players have scored ten goals or more in FIFA World Cup. Germany dominates the list of top goalscorers in the FIFA World Cup. Four Germans are among the 12 best. The list is topped not by a German but by a Brazilian phenomenon. There are only players from Europe and South America on the top list, eight Europeans and four South Americans.

12. Grzegorz Lato - Poland
World Cup Goals: 10
Goals per World Cup game: 0.50 (10/20)

Grzegorz Lato was part of the Polish national team in three World Cups (1974, 1978 and 1982). Lato scored his first World Cup goal in his World Cup debut against Argentina. He scored one goal in Poland's 3-2 victory against the Argentines in the 1974 World Cup group stage. In the same tournament he scored the winner against Brazil in the match for third place.

11. Teófilo Cubillas - Peru
World Cup Goals: 10 Goals per
World Cup game: 0.77 (10/13)

Teófilo Cubillas played three World Cups (1970, 1978 and 1982) with Peru. Cubillas scored the winner against Bulgaria in his first World Cup game. Peru were trailing 0-2 but won the game 3-2 thanks to a Cubillas goal in the 73rd minute. He scored in all of Peru's matches in the 1970 World Cup. Besides the goal against Bulgaria, Cubillas scored twice against Morocco and once against West Germany. Then he scored another goal in the quarter-final loss against Brazil

10. Gabriel Batistuta - Argentina
World Cup Goals: 10
Goals per World Cup game: 0.83 (10/12)

Gabriel Batistuta played twelve World Cup games for Argentina in three World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002). Batistuta scored three goals in his World Cup debut in Argentina's 4-0 win against Greece in the 1994 World Cup group stage. He made his last World Cup appearance in the 1-1 draw against Sweden in the 2002 World Cup. Argentina needed a win to go through to the second round.

9. Gary Lineker - England
World Cup Goals: 10
Goals per World Cup game: 0.83 (10/12)

Gary Lineker appeared in two World Cups (1986 and 1990). Lineker scored all three goals in England's 3-0 win against Poland in the final group match of the 1986 World Cup. He scored two in the 3-0 victory against Paraguay in the next match. Lineker also scored England´s goal in the 2-1 defeat against Argentina in the quarterfinals.

8. Helmut Rahn - Germany
World Cup Goals: 10
Goals per World Cup game: 1.00 (10/10)

Helmut Rahn scored West Germany's winning goal against Hungary in the 1954 World Cup Final. Before that he scored one of his team's consolatory goals in the 8-3 defeat against the Hungarians. He also played in 1958 World Cup where West Germany finished fourth.

7. Jürgen Klinsmann - Germany
World Cup Goals: 11
Goals per World Cup game: 0.65 (11/17)

Jürgen Klinsmann represented his country in three World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998). Klinsmann scored in his World Cup premier when Germany defeated Yugoslavia 4-1. Klinsmann scored three goals in Germany's road to the trophy. He scored five goals and had a great 1994 World Cup but Germany failed to defend the title. In the 1998 World Cup he scored three goals as Germany bowed out in the quarterfinals.

6- Sándor Kocsis - Hungary
World Cup Goals: 11
Goals per World Cup game: 2.20 (11/5)

Sándor Kocsis was the top scorer in the 1954 World Cup with eleven goals. Kocsis scored two extra-time goals in the 1954 World Cup semifinal victory against Uruguay. The Hungarians were favorites but lost the final against West Germany. Sándor Kocsis only played in one World Cup but he has the best goal per game ratio on this list.

5- Pelé - Brazil
World Cup Goals: 12
Goals per World Cup game: 0.86 (12/14)

Pele has achieved more than any other player in the history of World Cup Football. He hasn't been tops corer in any of the four World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970) he played in, but Pele is the only player who has won three World Cup titles. Pele scored his first World Cup goal in the 1-0 victory against Wales in the 1958 quarterfinal.

4. Just Fontaine - France
World Cup Goals: 13
Goals per World Cup game: 2.17 (13/6)

Just Fontaine scored 13 goals in 1958 World Cup. Fontaine scored in all the matches he played in this World Cup. No one has scored more goals than him in a single World Cup. The 1958 World Cup is the only one he has played in.

3. Miroslav Klose - Germany
World Cup Goals: 14
Goals per World Cup game: 0.74 (14/19)

Miroslav Klose has scored 14 goals in three World Cups (2002, 2006 and 2010). Klose scored his first three World Cup goals in the 8-0 victory against Saudi Arabia. He is the first player in the history of football to score five goals at successive World Cups.

2. Gerd Müller - Germany
World Cup Goals: 14
Goals per World Cup game: 1.08 (14/13)

Gerd Müller played in two World Cups (1970 and 1974). He scored his first World Cup goal in the 2-1 victory against Morocco at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he finished top scorer with ten goals. Müller scored the winner which secured Germany's victory in the 1974 World Cup final against Holland.

1. Ronaldo - Brazil
World Cup Goals: 15
Goals per World Cup game: 0.79 (15/19)

Ronaldo is a World Cup legend with 15 goals in the tournament. He was a member of the Brazil team that lifted the 1994 World Cup USA. He scored four goals on Brazil's march to the 1998 Final. The phenomenon added eight goals into his overall tournament total as Brazil won World Cup title number five in Korea/Japan. His final World Cup appearance came at Germany 2006, where he scored his 14th and 15th World Cup goal in the quarterfinal against Ghana.

Underdogs: Bradford Knocked Out Three Premier League Sides

Everyone loves a story of an underdog. Bradford City's 2012/13 League Cup campaign is a story about an underdog that almost ended with gold. They were thrashed 5-0 by Premier League side Swansea City in the final at Wembley Stadium. But on the way to the final, Bradford performed one of the greatest cup achievements in the history of football. Bradford City Football Club was the first fourth-tier team to reach a major English cup final for 51 years. The feat of a fourth-tier side beating Premier League teams Wigan, Arsenal, and Aston Villa en route to the Carling Cup final at Wembley is the stuff of dreams.

Fourth round against Wigan Athletic

Bradford City Football Club reached the quarter-finals of the Cup with a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League side Wigan Athletic. Shaun Maloney and Jordi Gomez both missed from the spot as Wigan lost on penalties against Bradford. Bradford then followed it up by beating two more top-flight teams.

Quarterfinal against Arsenal

Bradford knocked out a full-strength Arsenal side by beating the Gunners 3-2 on penalties. They battled hard in the 120 minutes and deserved the victory. Thanks to a Garry Thompson goal, Bradford led from the 16th to the 87th minute of the match. Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen took the game to extra time with a late equaliser but he failed to score on the final kick of the shoot-out.

Semifinal against Aston Villa

Bradford defeated Aston Villa 4-3 over two games in the semifinal. The 2-1 loss at Villa Park followed a 3-1 win at home two weeks earlier. Bradford's players celebrated the loss that counted as a victory, in front of their ecstatic fans. Bradford was the first club from the fourth tier to reach the final since Rochdale in 1962.

Swansea was superior in the final

Fourth consecutive Premier League team became too difficult for heroic Bradford. This story about an underdog had no fairytale ending. Swansea City put an end to a fantastic Bradford campaign by a 5-0 trashing at Wembley.

Bradford City Football Club won their only major title in 1911, when they beat Newcastle 1-0 in a FA Cup final replay. The club was founded 110 years ago (1903). Bradford did not win the trophy at Wembley but they won promotion at the same stadium some months later. Bradford defeated Northampton Town 3-0 to secure a place third tier in the English football league system 2013/14.

***

The English League Cup is open to all 92 members of the Premier League (20 teams) and the Football League (72 teams).

Soccer jerseys have become very popular amongst soccer fans

Soccer jerseys have become very popular amongst soccer fans
Soccer jerseys have become very popular amongst soccer fans throughout the world. Fans sport these jerseys to show their admiration for their favorite soccer player. Although the trend of wearing the same jersey as popular football players has been around for quite a long time now, this concept has only recently gained the cult status of almost being a global trend. People of all ages can be seen wearing soccer jerseys, but this trend is more popular among young people, especially among college youths.
As in the jersey and short manufacturing, polyester and its hybrid cousins stand out in performance and durability. When choosing soccer socks, look for the blend to list polyester first, or highest, among the named components. You will pay a bit more, sometimes double for soccer socks with a high polyester thread count, however china wholesalers choosing the better socks over those made of say, primarily acrylic, will pay off for you in happier player’s feet. In a game where feet are of supreme importance, it is wise to invest a bit in the proper care and comfort of them.
A soccer jersey store is the place that people look for once they want the number jerseys of their favorite sports stars, like Beckham, Ronaldo and any player wholesalers belongs to a popular sports club. The concept of the soccer jersey store has gained recognition all over the world where sports merchandise is sold in large numbers. Competitions such as the World Cup Soccer and the Euro have increased the popularity and demand for soccer jerseys, both authentic as well as replicas.
One can also sport a vibrant, bright colored, authentic and official soccer jersey to make a fashion statement for events other than popular soccer matches. Soccer fans prefer to sport a soccer jersey, which is a short sleeve T-shirt, comfortable for summer and coming in a range of fantastic in colors.It is better to purchase a soccer jersey two months before the beginning of the soccer season in order to be able to purchase the jersey of the most popular players. This is also the time when the stores are brimming over with fresh stock of premium sports equipments and apparels.
The soccer jersey collection includes a large range of brightly colored and vibrant soccer jerseys available in various styles. These soccer jerseys make a good fashion statement during the matches as well as for other sports events. Most soccer fans look forward to the jersey collections, which have short-sleeved T-shirts that can be worn in summer. These are comfortable and are available in a wide range of colors. Choose the best wholesale soccer jerseys collection and support your team.
Sportspersons who are related to a specific team, a football club, football leagues or schools sport the official jersey belonging to that club or team. Every football team usually has the official sports T-shirt available in two colors; one for the games, which are held on the home grounds and another, T-shirt for football games held in foreign countries.
Sports jerseys can be worn as a symbol of support during the ongoing football season. Available in amazing sizes and colors, sports jersey can help soccer fans to become the centre of attention, wherever they go. If you are on a lookout for an authentic jersey, one can contact a sports jersey store and if possible the team’s official store which is selling the team’s gear.If you want to know more about it,login TradeTang websit,please.

Things to Consider When You Choose the Best Tennis Racket

Things to Consider When You Choose the Best Tennis Racket

Whether you are just starting out as a tennis player, or even if you are an old pro, the tennis gear you hoose is extremely important. One of the most important pieces of tennis merchandise that you will purchase as a tennis player is your tennis racket. Your racket is extremely important and will set the tone for your game, so of course you want to pick out the best tennis racket you can find. With so many different choices out there, it can be difficult to figure out what the best Tennis Rackets are for you; however, if you consider your skills,your style of playing, the weight, and the materials of the racket, you should pick a winner.
Basically, there are three main things you should consider when choosing a racket. Your ability level, your style of play, and racket’s specifications are the keys to get the best racket. For the beginners, a basic, versatile, and affordable racket can be a good idea. Intermediate players can consider ones that fit their style of play. For your information, a larger racket will add some power to a finesse-player’s game, while the smaller one will help a power player. If you are at advanced level, a composite racket will be good for you because it provides greater strength at a low weight.
Many tennis racket manufacturers produce multiple racket models with varying specifications. Popular brand name tennis rackets include Avery, Babolat, Dunlop, Fischer, Gamma, Head, Prince, ProKennex, Volkl, Wilson, and Yonex. Each racket manufacturer has its own unique characteristics and nuances that pervadewholesalers entire tennis racket line. You can consult your local tennis professional or tennis racket expert for advice on the brand of racket that is most likely to fit your needs. Ultimately, however, testing out different brands of tennis rackets is the best way to find the right match.
More than likely if you are an advanced player, you have your own particular style of playing. Your tennis playing style will also influence what you will need in a good tennis racket. If you like to use a great deal of topspin in your game, then a racket that is head heavy can help you improve your spin. Also, if you are a serve and volley player, there are tennis rackets that are specifically designed for your style of play, and the same goes for players whose game relies mainly on groundstroking. No matter what style of play you enjoy, more than likely you will be able to find a racket that can enhance and improve your style.
While the length of tennis rackets is fairly standard, many manufacturers have begun to offer longer rackets in recent years. The standard tennis racket length is 27 inches. While the rules of tennis allow rackets to measure up to 32 inches, most tennis rackets measure from 27 to 28 inches. The benefits of increased tennis racket length are increased reach and increased power. Longer tennis rackets china wholesale can provide more power because the arc the racket travels during the swing is longer (especially on the serve). Players that are more skilled generally prefer the maneuverability of standard length rackets.
The last think you should consider is the weight, since the weight affects power and control. You can get more power and control from a heavy racket with 11 ounce weight. A 9.8 ounce and 11 ounce mid-weight racket has a combination of power and control. For the best possible control and power, a light racket with less than 9.5 ounce weight is the best answer.If you want to know more about it,login TradeTang websit,please.

The Most Wonderful Basketball Drills Imitate The Related Game Tactics

There are usually not that numerous stuffs that might restore basketball drills in favor of effective on every half in regards to the game with each player. It’s merely while it does workout routines over in addition to over again, works jointly, will get harmonization in addition to studies different abilities would a gaggle be able to be competent on the court. The workouts a gaggle practices, however, have to be organized with a particular plan hence they tackle the correct points in favor of the players. The rule in favor of basketball drills which can be advisable in this editorial would assist our crew to acquire the bulk out regarding all follow sessions. Essentially the most glorious basketball drills would imitate the similar game techniques that the ball gamers would observe while they’re on the court. Training abilities individually like shoot in any other case dribbling the ball are literally not that expensive since there’s so numerous dissimilar mixture concerning issues that occur all through a actual game. Players would develop unhealthy habits suppose they observe too in a different way due to what really occurs on the court. In favor of illustration, suppose a player practices dribbling individually, he might observe the ball, which is not completed on the courtroom since, we’ve to watch our environs instead. This is the reason exercises should be merely like the actual games the place players should acknowledge in what technique to handle the ball in numerous dissimilar circumstances when they are being shielded by others. A capability that workouts necessitate to focus in is making the basketball gamers succesful to set out due to offense to protection in a speedy way. Basketball is a quick moving recreation, in addition to players necessitate a high degree regarding training, good reactions, as well as an attentive thoughts to be prepared in favor of the following play.

Mental Toughness - How Important Is Mind In Sports?

We all know sports are all about physical fitness and physical endurance. What we also know for fact is sport people do not attach much important on another important aspect - MIND MANAGEMENT.


Athletes may possess 100% physical fitness but if he/she is not mentally fit, the physical fitness is as good as not having it at all. So what is Mental Fitness?

Physical training teaches the body the physical attributes and tunes the body to use the skills of the sport, while mental training teaches the nuances of focus and mind control and the ways to enhance the performance.

It is important to realize the enormous power of thought and its effect on performance. Sport people in particular achieve peak performance when the BODY, MIND and EMOTIONS are synchronized at the same level and on the same goal. But unlike mastering physical aspects – perfectly physical skills and developing physical fitness, the importance of Mind Management is ignored by the athletes and coaching gurus.

Self Hypnosis, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) can play a critical role in shaping, tuning a sports person mind to develop positive attitude for achieve peak performance.

Hypnosis is a tool, which we can utilize to enhance or enable whatever we set our minds to accomplish. We can use this tool to build self-esteem and confidence, add clarity and a sense of control to our lives. NLP is concerned with how our minds work – the pattern we use to organize information, the ways we motivate (or inhibit) ourselves. EFT deals and helps optimization of emotional health of an individual.


Together these three terrific techniques will greatly help the sports people in enhancing, improving their performances in their respective sports arena.

Montana - In Search Of Moon Lake: A Montana Mission Mountain Oddessy

Montana’s Mission Mountains - a phenomena of stunning proportions and striking beauty. I marveled as I waded back between those magnificent peaks. I was following the trail around McDonald Lake and back up Post Creek, off in search of Moon Lake. I had no illusions about the meaning of the designation stamped on the map - Annual Grizzly Bear Closure Area. There was no indication that this was the time for the closure though, so with considerable trepidation I set out on my adventure, figuring they must be off doing other things at the moment.


To get to McDonald Lake, travel Highway 93 between Polson and Missoula, Montana. About 7 miles north of St. Ignatius, you turn right on McDonald Lake Road, following it straight east toward the mountains. Crossing a canal, you turn left and north, following the winding road another mile to McDonald Lake dam. Turning left again, follow the dirt road across the dam, past picnic spots and finally to the trail head at the end of the road.

I am always in awe at the up-close and personal proximity of the surrounding peaks in that area, providing the constant lure to the area. In particular McDonald Peak with the McDonald Glacier towers over me to the south, directly across the lake and creek. Even as I marvel at the majesty of the towering peaks, the imagination takes off, spying a hundred vantage points above me for
the local Grizzly population. I struggle to avoid picturing them sitting “up there”, flipping a coin for which one gets first crack at the prewrapped morsel blindly stumbling into their kitchen. The
amazing mountain scene, however, provides an unstoppable appeal, and the logical probability of having a bad day with a Grizzly is low enough that the exploration must proceed.

The first thing you notice as you hit the trail is that it is not overly used. Makes you wonder. Within a quarter of a mile on the trail around McDonald Lake, following a set of mild switchbacks, you find yourself out on a point above the lake, with an awe inspiring view of the lake and McDonald Peak. Many times I’ve stopped when traveling through the area to walk that quarter mile to that point for “just one more picture”, as can be seen on our website in Gallery 3.

From that point leading back along the north side of McDonald Lake, the overall trail is surprisingly level for trekking into such steep mountains. The trail, virtually following the base of McDonald Peak sits at around 3,800 feet in elevation, with the peak right next to you “up there” at 9,868 feet. Leading around the lake, the trail crosses numerous wide open slide chutes leading clear to the top of the peak opposite McDonald. At another point the trail crosses a moss covered shear cliff, but is wide enough that you don’t feel at risk for falling. Past the end of the lake, the trail drops down onto Post Creek, and in the next couple miles leads through an amazing old growth Cedar grove.


Needless to say, my bear paranoias prompted me to pick up a sturdy stick. Not that I’m ready to put up much of a fight. Rather, I whacked that stick on every other rock and tree branch all the way up the trail. Bears really have no interest in spending time with the humanoid species. So if the bear hears you coming, they will interrupt their otherwise busy schedules to find pursuits clear up over the ridge from you. The key is to avoid surprising them. With all my noise, they at least stepped aside to a safe distance from the crazy person.

Past the wonderful cedar grove the trail gradually climbs through a brushier area approaching the upper end of the canyon. I hit a set of 4 or 5 switchbacks leading in a steep climb up a rock face
up the north side of the valley, opposite McDonald Peak. The trail then leads off from here in a loop circling around, crossing Eagle Pass and coming out on Eagle Pass Creek north of McDonald Lake.

Moon Lake was within striking distance. Once past the switchbacks and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the trail leads through some marshier areas in the upper reaches of Post Creek. At last, through the trees Moon Lake came into view, settled in the midst of tall pines. In late June this glistening jewel of a high mountain lake still entertained snowbanks along the shadier shorelines.

Settling on a sunnier lake shore spot under the tall pines I marveled that the Dieties allowed me this unbelievably unique opportunity. Flanked by the massive peaks all around I existed in this exquisitely rugged backcountry spot, far off the beaten path. No other human beings were anywhere within miles of this awesomely gorgeous corner of the world. In an emergency that might be a negative aspect. With the Dieties at my side, I wasn’t living to always watch for emergencies, and savored that sense of uniqueness, and do to this day.

Montana Mountain Climb Hike Swan Range Trail Grizzly Bear Motels Base-Camp

This time was different. Previous years I had settled into a tent near the car at the viewpoint below Richmond Peak, a timbered ridge to the north and east of Seeley Lake, Montana. Time and again I had enjoyed the awesome view of the mighty wall of mountain ridge that rose up from the canyon below me, towering over all surroundings - the majestic Montana peak of Sunday Mountain. From the Richmond Peak vantage point the face of the peak, made up of bare slide zones, with a few ridges of trees and brush, appeared to rise almost straight up from the valley floor below. It was not a mountain wall that I would expect to yield a trail, a bit of a cliffhanger path that would lead to the summit.


Awakening that Saturday morning in August though, again at the Richmond Peak viewpoint, after a quick breakfast, I threw my pack on my back. I then hit the trail up the side of Richmond Peak across the canyon from Sunday Mountain. On a previous hike in the area I had found an unmarked trail that departed the mapped trail/abandoned logging road leading up the side of Richmond Peak. The unmarked trail crossed the saddle where the canyon rose to meet the ridge, and appeared to connect with the Sunday Mountain face, and then head upwards - at a sharp incline. I wasn’t certain where the trail would lead, but it sure gave the appearance of providing a possible access route to the top of Sunday Mountain.

With clear blue skies of an incredible Montana August day, the climb ahead would still be a cool one as the sun of the day was to the east behind the Sunday Mountain ridge. No question about it, this was also bear country - Grizzly bear country. The initial distance on this unmarked trail led off through dense, overgrown brush as it led across the saddle. What better place for them to be hanging out than in the dense brush I was working my way through.

Such a huge relief to make it past the dense brush, with no bear tales to write home about. Out into the open I was on the lower flanks of this mountain I had dreamt of tackling for years. As noted, the trail immediately took a sharp turn, upward in a steep climb. Then, veering off to the north across the face, a slightly leveler trek ensued as it angled upward across the face through wonderful fields of bear-grass mixed with a myriad of flowers in a rainbow of colors. It was almost beyond belief - trekking through chest high fields of flowers on the trail to Sunday Mountain.

The trail led across 2 or 3 avalanche draws filled with bear-grass, then doubled back, requiring scrambling up rock ledges, and again leading off across the draws. With another hour of scrambling the steep path, to my surprise I found myself working through a high mountain meadow area apparently home to a band of mountain sheep. My heart beat faster as I realized that this high meadow was tucked in directly below one of the summit cliffs outcroppings. Given the climb to that point, like my heart could beat much faster.

Another 20 minutes of scrambling, and at last, the summit ridge for Sunday Mountain was conquered. The view stretched before me down and back into Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. To get to the Sunday Mountain summit called for another half hour of scrambling, following the ridge up and up until I could go no further, the highest point on the mountain ridge.


What a sense of triumph! In all directions the ground dropped below me, to the east off into the vastness of the Bob Marshall Wilderness with a large expanse of Grizzly Basin directly below. To the west from this birds eye view, the steep drop off I had just come up opened out on an expansive view of the Swan Valley with the Mission Mountain Range lining the western horizon. Below me, drifting lazily on the breezes, an eagle circled looking for it’s afternoon snack. To the east from my perch at the top of my world, 2 or 3 snowbanks in the draws below me persistently held out for upcoming fall and winter reinforcements.

An absolutely spectacular find on the Swan Range. From that wonderful vantage point other primary access jumping off routes for the Bob Marshall Wilderness were visible up and down the Swan Range. To the north Holland Lake marked the trail system from there, and south Pyramid Peak marked the access routes over Pyramid Pass. The area - such a wonder, and now I knew there was another route into the Bob. Truth be known, even though the climb was, well...., a climb, it really didn’t take as long to make it to the Bob Marshall boundary as taking the other two primary routes.

Regardless, it was still a physically challenging journey that would lead to a host of aches and pains in this 50 something Montana explorer. It was certainly great to know that there was a cozy, comfortable base-camp set up in place with a hot shower when the hammering up the face and back was accomplished. Either direction from this incredible corner of Montana there were whole sets of quality motel accommodations with soft beds, hot showers or even a Jacuzzi to soak the tired muscles. Perfect base-camp lodgings were available either locally in the Seeley - Swan Valley, at the northern end in the Kalispell and Columbia Falls area, or at the southern end in the Missoula area The crowning touches to a truly stellar Montana mountain adventure.

New Years - Here Are Some Great New Years Eve Ideas To Have A Bang

Okay, so you find yourself hosting a New Years Eve bash, but you need some New Years Eve ideas to help make your party a hit among your family and friends. You may not be having a thousand people attending, but you can make it a memorable party with a few tips and ideas on how to make the big night a success. Just remember that your guests are coming to be with each other and will not care if there are not elaborate decorations and a live band.


New Years Eve ideas begin with deciding a few important factors. You need to decide if it will be a kid friendly party or a strictly adults party. Do not feel bad if you ask your guests to leave their children at home.

Other partiers may not like the fact that their partying is curtailed by a sleeping baby. This is a time for them to get some relief from the family stress. If it is a kid friendly event, then you will want to include snacks and games that the kids will enjoy.

Take a cue from such party venues in London to celebrate this special occasion. Why not host a costume party? Everyone comes in disguises and at midnight everyone will remove their mask.

It is a lot of fun and it will lend an air of mystery to the event as each person tries to discover the identity of their fellow partier. Make sure there are plenty of finger foods and beverages to go around, because the party will no doubt last until the early hours of the morning.

You can always find New Years Eve deals in retail stores, but it may require waiting until the last day or two before the party. Grocery stores will run sales on chips, dips and drinks to fit any budget.


You can pick up left over holiday decorations such as silver tinsel to help decorate your home for the party and white holiday lights are always beautiful when placed on the ceiling. The ambient lighting will create an atmosphere of romance and whimsy.

New Years Eve ideas are all around you. Just take a look on the internet at what other people are planning. You may not have the budget to travel to a New York City New Years Eve, but that does not mean you cannot have just as much fun hosting your own party.

Celebrating this special day is about spending the time saying good-bye to the old year and welcoming the birth of the new one. Spending that time with family and friends is what makes a party truly special.

Billiard Tip - Correcting Common Faults In Billiards

In billiard playing, so very much depends on the avoidance of all too common faults. Here are some of the common faults, and the way you can cure them. They are the problems with stance and weight distribution, sighting, and variation in cue line and line aim.


Stance and Weight Distribution

When shaping at their shot, many people try to distribute their weight more or less equally on both legs. This is wrong, it prevents that decided forward lean of the body from the hips upwards which is inseparable from a correct stance.

To remove this fault, you must throw the left leg well forward to give you plenty of support when you lean over the table to get down to your ball. At the same time, you stretch your left arm as nearly straight out as you can, thus providing a firm and steady base for your bridge hand, and generally solidifying the whole of your stance.

Sighting

Sighting a stroke is not easily done in the proper way. There is plenty of room for error, and the most common fault in sighting the object-ball is to start the cue moving while attempting to gauge how the object-ball must be hit. This is asking your eyes to do two things at one and the same time.


The moving cue-tip must distract the eye from the object-ball, and I strongly advise you to be on your guard against this handicap to
good play.

When your cue-tip is stationary, it may or may not afford an excellent guide to your actual point of aim. For instance, if I were aiming to play a plain half-ball stroke, my cue-tip, then identical in direction with the line of the stroke, would point straight through the centre of my ball.

Variation in Cue Line and Line of Aim

The line of the cue varies widely in three strokes played to hit the object-ball in exactly the same place, and in only one of these strokes, the plain half-ball, does the line of the cue coincide with the line of aim. This element of variation is constantly at work in billiards, and ignoring it is one of the commonest of mistakes.

Innumerable strokes are missed through attempting to get the cue too near to the line of aim when playing strokes demanding the use of side, and there is also a constant tendency to mix the line of aim with the line of the cue when sighting these strokes.

These faults are not readily apparent to the absolute beginner, who finds the theory of them rather puzzling. But the player who makes his thirty or forty breaks fairly often, can see these faults if he takes the trouble to think of what must be happening when so many of his strokes go wrong, if played with pronounced side on the cue-ball.

The remedy is very simple - it is just this - never forget that the line of aim is always through the centre of your ball to the point aimed at, and that it is quite unaffected by what the line of your cue may be when you are imparting side to your ball.

I find that the way to avoid faults in sighting is to begin by taking a rapid general survey, which decides where you want to hit your cue-ball to produce a given effect from the contact you estimate to be necessary with the object-ball. Then you align your cue on the spot where you desire to hit the cue-ball, keep your cue quite still, and fix your eye on the object-ball, as you actually make your stroke.

These are some or the more common faults and their cues when playing billiards. Conquer these faults and you are well on your way to success!

Free Family Card Games - Two Card Games For Any Age

There are many excellent card games suitable for children. For example, the many games of the Stops family are all good fun, are all easily learned, and are all suitable for mixed groups of children and adults.


Here are two of this group which can be learned in no time and played for hours. Have fun!

SEQUENCE

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 2 to 10. Four or 5 players make the best game.

CARDS: Deal one at a time to each player until the deck is used up. It doesn't matter if some of the players are dealt more cards than the others.

OBJECT: TO get rid of all of your cards.


THE PLAY: The player at the dealer's left puts down his lowest card in any suit he chooses to begin with. The rank of the cards is:
(Highest) Ace-King-Queen-Jack-10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 (Lowest)

After the first card has been put down on the table, whoever has the next-highest card in the same suit must put it down. This process continues, until somebody finally plays the Ace of that suit.

Sooner or later, one of the players will get rid of all of his cards. He wins the hand, and the other players lose one point for each card that they still have when the hand comes to an end.

MICHIGAN

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: 3 to 8.

CARDS: The ordinary deck of 52 cards plus the 4 special cards (we'll come to them later) from another deck.

THE DEAL: The dealer gives one card at a time face down to each player, taking care to deal an extra hand as though there were 1 more player at the table. It doesn't matter if some hands have one more card than others.

PAY CARDS: The 4 pay cards, taken from another deck, are the Ace, the King, Queen, and Jack. These are placed face up in the middle of the table and remain there throughout the game. Before each deal, each player places one counter on each of the special cards. (The counters may be poker chips, matchsticks, toothpicks, dried beans, etc. All players should be given the same number of counters to begin a game.)

OBJECT: TO win counters from the other players. This is done by getting rid of all of your cards or by playing a pay card and thus winning the counters that are on that special card in the middle of the table.

THE PLAY: The dealer looks at his own hand and announces whether or not he will auction off the extra hand. If the dealer wants the extra hand himself, he puts his own hand aside, face down, and plays the extra hand in its place. If the dealer likes his own hand, he may auction off the extra hand to the player who bids the most counters for it. If 2 players make the same bid, the first one to speak counts.

If both speak at the same time, the one who would play first going around to the left from the dealer wins the tie. If the dealer says he is going to sell the extra hand, he is not allowed to change his mind even if he is not satisfied with the results of the auction.

After the question of the extra hand is settled, the play begins. The player to the left of the dealer may begin with any suit, but must put down the lowest card of the suit he chooses to begin with. The player with the next higher card in the same suit continues, and the play proceeds as in Sequence.

When any player puts down a card that is the same as one of the pay cards in the middle of the table, he collects all of the counters on that card. It is therefore an advantage to hold one of these pay cards in your hand.

If a player reaches the Ace of a suit, he must start with a new suit, but must play the lowest card he holds in whichever suit he chooses to continue with.

Sooner or later, some person plays the last card in his hand. He then collects from each other player at the rate of 1 counter for each card left in that player's hand.

Children and adults alike will have fun with these games!

Learn Table Tennis - Essential Strokes Used In Table Tennis

There are a few strokes which need to be mastered so that you can play table tennis like an expert. Listed below are several which you would do well to practice until you have mastered them.


THE BLOCK SHOT

The first stroke you must learn for defense is the block shot, which is executed by holding your racket at a right angle to the table and meeting the ball just after it has landed on your side of the net. This shot is quite easy to master once you have learned to grip the racket properly and time the ball well enough so that you hit it more or less in the center of the racket face.

Although expert players use a great deal of spin on almost every shot, and perform drives and chops with ease, you will want to learn the block shot first because it is the easiest and simplest way of returning the ball.

If it were not possible for the opponent to put a great deal of spin on a light ball, we probably would use this shot exclusively. However, it is extremely difficult to adjust the angle of the racket face rapidly enough to return shots made with sidespin, under spin, or over spin.

TECHNIQUE FOR THE BLOCK SHOT


The block shot is usually taken on the backhand, with the right foot in advance of the left and the right side of the body turned slightly toward the net. Left-handed players, of course, reverse these directions. Bend your arm at the elbow and keep your wrist firm. Stand close to the table, keep the blade of the racket horizontal and block the ball with a quick motion just after it has bounced on the table. (Note: In table tennis it is against the rules to volley, that is, to hit the ball before it has bounced.)

THE CHOP

To gain more time and sureness in returning hard shots, players learn to retreat behind the table and use a chopping motion to keep the ball in play. A forehand or a backhand chop is made by starting the racket up high, around your shoulder, and chopping forward and down in back of the ball at a forty-five-degree angle. Not only does this stroke return the ball, but it keeps the return low and applies enough backspin to force your opponent to hit his return into the net, unless he adjusts his racket to allow for your spin.

THE FOREHAND AND BACKHAND DRIVES

Just as the chop is the weapon of defense in table tennis, so the fore-hand and backhand drives are the attacking weapons. To make a drive, turn slightly in either direction; tilt your racket face forward; bring your racket to the ball, then up and slightly over it with a pronounced brushing motion, finishing out with the racket well above your head. This vigorous motion gives the ball the topspin which makes it drop down on the other side of the net.

The prime purpose of the drive, as an attacking stroke, is to win the point by speed or by placement. It is often necessary to take a chance on missing the ball when you are trying to play offensively. Obviously, if you take too many foolish chances you will end up by making too many errors and by losing the game.

THE SERVE

Service in table tennis must be made by bouncing the ball on your own side of the table first. There are many restrictions placed on service, which generally prevent the serve from being an offensive weapon. Any spin imparted to the serve must be imparted by the racket and not by hand. Take care to vary the length and speed of your serves so your opponent will not be able to make aggressive returns.

There is of course more you can learn about the sport of table tennis, but once you have learnt these shots, you will be off to a great start!