Junior Athletes

What can sports teach?

admin — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:14:20 +0000

Sports is an important activity for anyone. It should be included as part of curriculum for school students. Corporates should encourage their employees to take up sports. Playing sports has a lot of pluses. Here are some benefits of playing sports.

Sports teaches teamwork

There can be no better activity in the world than sports that teaches people to play as team. You can teach people teamwork in classrooms, but you might not be able to teach them how to use it practically. Sports is activity-based learning. It teaches the value of teamwork, and how it can affect the destiny of team members and the team as well.

Sports teaches sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is a quality of sport-persons. It is the ability to take praise and criticism in one’s stride. It is the ability to come to terms with failure, and think of ways to improve. Sportsmanship teaches people to accept that they might be weaker than others. It also teaches people to appreciate the quality of others.

Sports teaches people to think on their feet

Thinking on one’s feet is a great skill. Sports is an activity that teaches people how to think on one’s feet. It also teaches independence of thought and action. A lot of things are involved here. Some of them are decision-making skills, strategy, execution, presence of mind to name a few.

Sports teaches discipline

Sports teaches discipline at various levels. It could be discipline in teamwork, action, strategy and so on. Apart from all these, sports is a great leveler. It gives a chance for anyone to prove their hard-work.

Athleticism and Fashion

admin — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:23:52 +0000

Athletes have traditionally been thought of as nothing more than meat heads who strut around in dirty jerseys and play off of their animal appeal. While this is sometimes true, athletes can also be some of the best dressed individuals in any party or club scene. When an athlete comes around, he or she wants to show off that they can do more than run, jump and get the ball where it needs to go.

For one thing, athletes tend to rock Coogi clothing with the same natural grace they display on the field or the court. Even though an athlete isn’t showing off their athletic prowess when they’re decked out in nice clothes, they can still show off who they are and how they roll. The way you walk says a lot about who you are and what you do. When it comes down to brass tacks, the only really important thing you have is game. So let your game come out in everything you do, and also in everything you wear.

Another way athleticism and fashion go together is in how you present yourself when the game is over. At some point, every athlete retires and takes on more sedentary pursuits. While it’s very easy to pretend you’re all but a god when the game is on, you have to remember that what comes after is even more important. Dress to be respected as a person instead of just an athlete, and you will get that respect. If you try to coast on your laurels, you’ll find that most people’s memories of your on-field heroism are cloudier than yours.

Shooting Team Criteria

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 04:57:24 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Gaining membership on the Junior Olympics shooting team is an involved process. In addition to being excellent shooters, youth must also exhibit academic excellence through good grades and school attendance. the USA Shooting National Shotgun Coach is responsible for selecting the best and brightest youth to represent the country in Olympic games.

A candidate should not expect to be considered for team membership if he is not skilled. Shooters are trained by an Olympic coach who looks for style and technique in students. Individuals unable to control shots are not considered for the Junior Olympics. In addition, skilled candidates failing to attend several practice sessions should expect to be overlooked by a coach. The Unites States Junior Olympic shooting team is meant to be comprised of highly skilled and dedicated youth. As such, individuals who fail to attend and exhibit quality performances at practice will be denied entry to the team.

Quality and dedication should extend beyond practice into the classroom. Individuals who perform well in practice but fail to achieve academic excellence may be disqualified as a candidate. When evaluating school performance, coaches search for consistency and balance. While it is exceptional to have a person obtain a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) in one semester, it is more notable to see a student maintain a 3.7 GPA over five semesters. Students capable of maintaining an excellent GPA while participating in various clubs and sporting activities are given preference over persons who merely attend school.

Why Team Sports are Important to Young People

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 15:33:11 +0000

Image by Development Works Photos via Flickr

As a young child grows and develops, there are certain traits that the child should be exposed to in order to be able to survive as an adult. Team sports offer a child an excellent way to develop many of the life skills that will be necessary in later years. There are many good reasons why parents should strongly consider allowing their young child to play team sports.

1) Understanding the value of teamwork.

A person who tries to succeed in life on her own will find it difficult. When someone is exposed to team sports at a young age, she starts to understand the value of working within a team. She is taught how team dynamics can affect the outcome of an event, and she learns to rely on her teammates to help insure success. More importantly, she learns how her role is just as important as anyone else on the team.

2) Evaluating strengths and weaknesses.

When you go through life, you spend time trying to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of people. It helps you to understand who you can rely on to get certain jobs done. Working in a team as a youngster makes evaluating strengths and weaknesses easier.

3) The value of winning as a team.

Playing team sports as a child teaches a person how to treasure winning as a group, and how trying to act as an individual can cause the team to lose. These are valuable life lessons that can be applied later in life in business and personal settings.

Team sports offer valuable life lessons for youngsters, and can make your child better-equipped to handle adulthood.

How to Buy Inexpensive Athletic Equipment

admin — Sun, 08 May 2011 15:33:08 +0000

Image by ECU Digital Collections via Flickr

In order to play sports safely, you must have the right equipment. There are places you can look that will help you to get the sports equipment you need at a price you can afford. In some cases, all it takes is asking the right questions to get your child on the field and out there playing.

1) Check with the league.

In some regions, all you need to get your child involved in sports is to buy them the right sporting shoes. Some football, baseball and hockey programs lend out the equipment to families that cannot afford it. Ask the organization’s administrators if the equipment is provided.

2) Second hand equipment is just as good as brand new.

There are chains of sporting goods stores that specialize in buying used sports equipment and reselling it. The discounts on buying used equipment over brand new can be significant. You can also ask your local thrift shop if they have any sports equipment for sale. Don’t forget to look at garage sales, yard sales and estate sales as well.

3) The Internet is your sports equipment friend.

The Internet is full of stores that offer deep discounts on sporting equipment and websites with people offering to sell used equipment. Do not buy any equipment until you get a chance to look at a picture of it. But if it looks good, and the price is right, then you should go for it.

Buying sporting equipment does not need to be expensive. With the right resources, you can find sports equipment at a discount that will have you in the game.

Sports athletes: Creating their own destinies!

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 21:02:49 +0000

A trained mind is far more competent to challenge any occasion. Sports professionals know the importance of getting ready for the biggest challenge by training for months and years in advance. The coaching staff makes all necessary arrangements here. It is a common belief that players perform super-heroics when it matters the most. There is no doubt about it. The noticeable point is that it is not a matter of luck or sheer coincidence that these great players score on the biggest occasion of their playing careers. There is more to it then what is mentioned over here so far. The working methodology suggests that such tricks are performed day in and day out. These professionals are also well-aware of the fact that there is no such thing called as ‘extraordinary’. It is a balanced combination of skills and dedicated approach which turns them into favorite superstars. The key to locked door is to perform these acrobatics in the training ground before the whole world comes to know about it.

The coaching guidelines suggest that players should find a way out of the dark period sooner than later. It is an established theory that every player would have few bad days or weeks in his or her playing career when things would stop working for them. It is the duty of coaching staff to keep on pushing it further till the respective player finds the magical touch back. Sports industry has all the necessary tools and equipments available to keep on raising the standard level. It makes an interesting subject to read the life-history of these players about their journey from nowhere to the top position.

Sports training: Winning it in time!

admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 21:02:52 +0000

The history of mankind has witnessed some of the most memorable moments being played on the sports fields. It is one area of human interest which we all can relate to and feel connected with. We all have different choices when it comes to favorite individual or team sports and sports professionals. People follow their favorite teams with intense passion and support it throughout their lives. The success factor is a different subject altogether. These small sporting clubs have limited resources. There is tight budget to begin with. They cannot go out and compete in the market to buy top players but one thing that they are not short on is the amount of dedicated passion. They work hard and fight for each other in the field to give something to their fans to be proud of and a reason to make them come back week after week.

The sports culture is an integral part of world human society. Every nation has its annual sports budget. It primarily focuses on providing necessary facilities to young participants. Once these sports professionals start playing for their schools or universities, then the whole path becomes clear to find their names being called upon by national selectors depending on the performance. The training equipments have a bigger role to play nowadays. The modern day advanced training machines make these players fit and ready to face the challenge. The training ground serves as an ideal platform. It is at this time when they get to know more about their weak defense and strong points. It brings the much-needed attention and focused back so that there is no room left for complacency to creep in.

Poker Like the Pros

admin — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:15:34 +0000

The World Series of Poker attracts millions of viewers each year. They come for many reasons, even the ability just to watch a game they know little about. The draw for others is the chance to win a fortune and to watch as some of the best players in the game work hard to achieve their goal of dominating all other players.

You may know the game of poker, but do you know how to play like the professionals? If not, learn to play like them. The best way to do that is to learn how to play poker like the professionals learned to play. The following tips will help you to do just that.

You will need to learn to focus. Concentration is one of the most important aspects of the game, and the hardest skill to learn. Learn to play “in the zone” if you hope to win.
Learn to read. Having reading skills – and this has nothing to do with ABC’s – can help a player to know what the other player has a solid hand or may be bluffing.
Be passionate about the game. Purchase custom poker tables like the pros had when they were learning. Play the game often and be sure to analyze how well you played the game after each hand. Learn from your mistakes.
Be creative about the game. Developing strategies is part of winning at this game, too. By thinking of new ways to work around the other player’s strategies, you can find yourself winning more often.

The World Series of Poker may be your destination, but to get there, you will need to work hard at the process. It can take a lot of time and hard work to accomplish these goals, but in the end, playing like a professional is worth it in the end.

Coaching: Turning and training athletes into a strong team.

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:02:54 +0000

The coaching staff has number of responsibilities to look after even when the team is not playing during the off-season. These coaches are the primary driving force behind every successful team and players. It goes without saying that sometimes even players are not aware of the underlying potential. It takes an expert’s view and proper guidance to nurture them to world-class athletes. Some of the most successful coaches are the best mentors. Their presence alone can lift the performance and send a strong message around in the dressing room. They can simply transform an average playing team of eleven members. The only substantial difference is that they do not have the fear of losing. They build a strong bunch of players. They know it for fact that adverse situations would come sooner or later. So, they make future plans by working on it purposefully well in the present.

Individual sports or team sports require an experienced approach by coaching staff to make its way through tough situations. We all know that coaches can only stand outside and monitor the actions of each player. The moment they feel that any player is not playing effectively, they would be the first one to replace it with another one. It is more about technical understanding of the game and analyzing things efficiently. Sports professionals know the importance of listening to the advice carefully and following it immediately because they know it better than anybody else. These young talented players would become future coaches and managers in the sports industry. It becomes necessary for them to take their lessons properly and start learning right from the playing days.

The definition of success has a different meaning in the world of sports. The best of coaches would always leave a legacy to be followed from there on.

Sports: Playing as a unit

admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 21:03:01 +0000

Any sports professionals would tell you the importance of how crucial it is to play as a team-member. It strengthens the overall performance of every single individual playing in the team. It is a kind of competition going on within the team to enhance the productivity level. It is a healthy practice to have when you know that elevated standards of performance would eventually lead to remarkable results in the end. It is one of the key parameters which have made different teams achieve the highest rewards and trophies to be won in the game. Sports fields are filled with inspirational tales from one corner to the other end. There is never a dull moment even if your favorite team is on the verge of losing or getting points shared with the opposition team.

The coaching staff knows the importance of motivating every single member of the unit in order to achieve collective performance. There is not a shadow of doubt behind that winning is everything but even that everything would look small and miniature given the kind of value these coaches give to the idea of staying together and fighting together. This is the shortest possible way to glory. The training sessions take place every day and it is the best possible time for coaching staff to build a healthy and conducive environment. They are supposed to infuse a sense of urgency and feeling of mutual admiration to win over the playing team-mates first before thinking about winning anything else afterwards. It is a highly entertaining and rewarding job given the condition that players are willing to fight to prove their presence and show the world that they have what it takes to be one of their future favorite players. There is no finishing line here as records are being documented in the history books for every action performed.

Sports professionals: Make ideas work

admin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:03:17 +0000

The passion for game never ends. It makes its way through tough and hostile environment when a sports match is lost and reputation being tarnished by the same group of people who had earlier chanted their names as greatest athletes on the planet. The heroics performed on the field displays the strength of character. It makes an effective part of coaching manual to provide consistent supply of belief to their players at times like these. Whenever sports professionals are out of form, it becomes necessary to put trust in them and prepare them for the ultimate show. It was never about the talent or capability otherwise he or she would not have made it to the top. The need is to find the missing link over here. Sometimes, the desire to stay on the top and compete week in and week out is highly questionable. It throws the balance out of favor. The coaching guidelines suggest that the most important task is to develop a sense of winning within the team. It is only human to lose focus and stay off the track. It is like every other profession where professionals would have bad and better days. The margin for error in sports industry is too narrow that one cannot afford to miss the chances for long. The secret stands in effective implementation of ideas while getting trained on the field. It is one place and time when nobody would be watching the progress however it paves the way for future form of success. The training staff is highly competent to infuse a winning mentality in order to increase the confidence level. There is not a major difference to be found when it comes to winning or losing a game. It all comes down to the boiling point of doing the job till the whistle is not blown by the official referee.

The mental toughness level dominates the survival chances. It sets the potential unleashed only to be utilized in favor to win the battle, both on and off the field, by the coaches.

Sports: Legendary description of victories made and battles fought

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 21:04:16 +0000

The field of sports is highly entertaining and rewarding. It fills the arena with uncompromised sense of victory and accomplishment. It is along concluded theory that there are more miracles to be seen once a sports tournament begins. Every athlete tries his best to perform to the level of expectations set by the training staff. The thrill factor continues to roar and live in the mind of sports professionals for years and years. Legends are made on and off the field. The recent sports culture has been well supported by the advancing technological achievements. It has taken the fitness level to glorified heights of playing all through the calendar year. The training equipment section has been largely benefitted out of it. The training machines have specifically been designed to cater to the emerging needs. The good part is that it has brought tremendous amount of consistency level and set standards to be followed.

Sports professionals have tough environment to compete in. The concept of team sports is all about making collective efforts and working together to make a winning combination. It demands higher level of concentration and fitness, to say the least. On the other hand, individual sports make an exciting prospect because you would be completely responsible for all the actions taken on the field. The coaching team is solely responsible to drive the performance. The success formula states that players must be made to realize about the underlying potential they have at regular intervals to keep the passion alive and burning. There are no bigger secrets left hidden over anywhere. Sports professionals need to assess the performance and find out for themselves that what makes them rise few inches above the ground. It is like any other business venture. Athletes have the common interest of national pride and individual glory to attain whenever they go out and start playing. The excitement level grips the audience with an unconquerable spirit to defy the odds and achieve victory through the narrow passage of last dying moments of the game.

Wagering on a Game Can Be Fun

admin — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:26:30 +0000

There was a time when betting on sports was not looked upon favorably. There were plenty of people out there who thought sports’ betting was something that was done by a particular section of people who were not highly thought of among the rest of the world.

However, these days all that has changed. There are plenty of people who are seeing sports betting as a great way to enjoy the games they love to watch. For example, some people have started making bets over soccer games. Others have gotten into the idea of participating in office pools for the annual college basketball tournament. The Super Bowl has seen an increase in betting on sports betting sites, in local bars and at parties. Placing a gamble can elevate the level of excitement a person feels while watching the game because the game becomes more than entertainment — it becomes a moneymaking opportunity.

The NFL in general has increased the amount of money that people spend to gamble because so much of its sport is tied into the betting aspect of it. This has made the NFL a very popular organization with gamblers, and sports books offer everything from betting against the spread to forming confidence pools and fantasy football leagues.

The truth is that there are plenty of people who have learned to embrace the fact that as humans there is something attractive about gambling. There is something that feels good about putting a little bit of money on a game just to increase the excitement. Now that there are so many sports betting sites online, it’s even easier for fans to join the fun of placing a wager.

Betting can be a great way to enjoy sports and connect with friends. Why not pick a game and try your luck?

One of the Best Ways to Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Join a Sports League

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 18:45:14 +0000

We hear it in almost any modern health article. We need to exercise. We need physical activity. The best way to lose weight? Exercise! The best way to stay healthy? Exercise! The best way to stay happy? Exercise! Physical activity is key to a modern healthy lifestyle for both our physical health and our mental health. Studies have shown that the more physical activity a person gets, the happier they are. A recent study found that of all the physical activities out there (housework, jogging, running, going to the gym, etc.), the happiest people are those who participate in a sports league of some sorts.

Why is this? Probably because we humans are social beings. We like comraderie. We like to feel like we’re a part of something. Sports leagues give us the opportunity to bond with our teammates. Besides, sports games are fun. Lifting weights at the gym with strangers may not seem like much fun. Pounding the treadmill in a fluorescent-lit gym may not seem very exciting. Sports teams, however, are extraordinarily active and varied. You have a common goal. It’s light-hearted and fun. You’ll find yourself wanting to go to the sports league instead of dreading going to the gym.

As an added benefit, you have an entire team of well-wishers on your side to motivate you. While it may be easy to create an excuse (“no gym today, I’m tired”) for individual exercise, your team relies on you. You need to be there. You’ll find it’s much easier to show up with a team on your side, a team that will be disappointed if you don’t show up.

So what are you waiting for? Go join a local soccer team. Form a lunchtime hockey group. Play baseball with the guys every Saturday. You’ll be so glad you did.

What Defines a Sport?

admin — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 18:45:18 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Many people roll their eyes at the so-called “girly” sports in the Olympics: figure skating and ice dancing, for example. What defines a sport? Is it the “feel” of the sport? Does it have to involve teams? Why do some consider cheerleading a sport and others call it a dance team? Is dancing a sport?

No matter if you agree on whether figure skating or ballroom dancing is a sport, these well-toned professionals who participate in such activities must be considered athletes. Dancers often are more toned and muscular than athletes in some of today’s most popular sports because dancing requires them to use their entire body in ranges of motion in ways that a defensive linebacker in football or a golfer would never dream of. Dancers also undergo much more training and discipline to excel in their profession.

When compared to other sports like shooting, pool, or curling, it may seem ridiculous that dancing isn’t a sport in the Olympics, especially when sports like ice dancing or figure skating are. Figure skating involves precision, fluidity, timing, and a keen sense of music–sound like dancing at all? Ice dancing makes no pretense in its comparison to its non-ice counterpart, ballroom dancing. The sport fully acknowledges that it has its roots in the art of ballroom dancing. All of these activities (skating, dancing, cheerleading) involve a judging system of points, distinct skills, and a highly competitive field of participants.

So at the end of the day, why is dancing not considered a sport? Why is figure skating laughed at? Why do people roll their eyes at cheering competitions? Is it because many of these sports are wrongly considered to be a mainly female activity? Who drew the line and said if something is aesthetically pleasing, it cannot be a sport? If this were the case, football would be an art, not a sport, because of the intense attention drawn to uniforms, commercials, and cheerleaders.

Online Sports Betting Sites Offer a Range of Opportunities

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 09:01:59 +0000

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As online casinos and online poker grew in popularity, it was just a matter of time before sports betting sites gave players the opportunity to bet on their favorite sports teams from the comfort of their own homes. Knowing how to use online casinos will help you make smart bets that earn money.

Online Casinos Make Sports Betting Easy

The proliferation of online casino games has made it easier for individuals to bet on sports such as football, basketball and baseball. Many sites even offer players the opportunity to place bets on smaller sports that do not command a lot of attention. The easy access of online casinos could lead to an increase in sports betting.

Betting on Sports

Sports betting occurs at every level of play. Although you probably won’t find your son’s little league team listed on a sports betting site, you will find local pro teams. Some sites will let you bet on everything from pre-season games to the World Series and Super Bowl. This keeps fans interested throughout the season. Everyone bets on the Super Bowl. Real fans, however, keep track of statistics throughout the season and place bets on the teams they believe will win small games as well as big competitions.

How Sports Betting Works

Sports betting sites offer a variety of opportunities for fans. Choose betting options that give you the greatest advantage. That usually means placing bets on totals and spreads. Online gaming sites should give you your odds when you place a bet. These odds can change depending on what occurs after you place the bet. Still, considering the odds will help you determine whether you should bother placing a small or large bet. When you win, the casino will deposit money in your account. If you lose, of course, they keep the money that you bet.

Explore online casinos that make it easy to bet on a wide range of games and collect your winnings.

Choosing a Sport For Your Child

admin — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:45:11 +0000

If you are a parent who wants to get your child involved in sports, its important to pick an activity that is a good match for your child. Here are some tips to help you pick a sport that fits your child’s interests and abilities:

Start by exposing your child to various sports. You can do this at first by watching different sports on TV. If your child thinks a certain sports seem interesting, take note of things like whether your child prefers team sports (basketball, soccer) or individual sports (golf, gymnastics).
When it comes to selecting a sport, body type matters. A petite body type is ideal for gymnastics, while a tall frame is better for basketball.
Once you have narrowed down to two or three sports that your child enjoys, enroll them in lessons or a league so that they can get experience at those sports. Keep it to one sport per season and see which one they have the best aptitude at and enjoy the most.
Of course, before you sign up your child for lessons in a sport, take them to the doctor for a thorough physical. Let the doctor know what sport(s) your child will be participating in.
Think outside of the box when it comes to selecting a sport for your child. Activities such as fencing and martial arts count as sports, so don’t lock your child into traditional sports like baseball or soccer.
Don’t pressure your child to take up a sport just because you played it when you were their age. Maybe you were great at basketball, but your child does not have the body type or interest to excel at that sport, and would rather play another one instead.

Benefits of Sports for Kids

admin — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:45:08 +0000

Participation in sports is beneficial for kids in several ways. Young people who play a sport tend to better academically; participation in sports also improves social skills. This is in addition to the physical benefits of playing a sport. Some kids will want to be a part of a competitive league; but if not, a city league or church-based group can provide opportunities for your child and the benefits are much the same:

First and foremost, sports are fun! It’s helpful for kids to engage in an activity with youth who have similar interests.
For girls in particular, playing a sport results in a better body image and high self-esteem. Staying active reduces the chance of becoming overweight.
Studies have shown that girls who play a sport are less likely to get pregnant as teens, and boys and girls who play sports are not as likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol.
Engaging in physical activity is an excellent way for kids to combat stress and ward off depression. Exercise releases endorphins that improve mood.
Playing sports fosters discipline in youth. It teaches them the importance of setting goals and then putting in the practice required to reach those goals.
Kids who play sports can apply that discipline to their studies — playing sports increases a child’s chance of graduating from high school.
Playing sports creates good sports. Kids learn that you can’t win them all and they learn how to maintain a positive attitude, even in defeat.
Kids who play sports are more likely to remain active as adults. Physical activity helps maintain a healthy weight throughout life.
Playing sports helps a child to develop coordination and they also learn how to think strategically. Strategic thinking is a skill that can be helpful on or off the court.
By participating in a sport, kids learn the importance of teamwork and develop leadership skills.

Sports Camps for Kids

admin — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:45:06 +0000

Sports camps are a way for kids to receive in-depth instruction in a team or individual sport. While some kids may participate in a sports camp strictly for recreation, others may enroll in a sports camp as a way to further their training in a particular sport.

Sports camps are available for team sports like football and soccer, as well as for individual sports such as tennis and gymnastics. Some sports camps are day camps, where kids attend for several hours each day, just as they would attend school during the academic year. Other sports camps are residential, meaning that children stay in a dorm for the duration of the camp. At a residential sports camp, there will be adult supervision 24/7. Some sports camps may last a week or two, others may extend for several weeks during the summer months.

Many sports camps will offer online registration, parents can simply fill out a form and submit payment to secure their child’s place in a sports camp. Sports camps will typically offer sessions for different age groups or experience levels. In some sports, such as gymnastics or tennis, an “elite” session may be offered — these sessions are geared towards young athletes who are highly talented and might qualify for professional or Olympic-level competition.

Representatives from college athletic departments sometimes attend sports camps in order to scout out talent. If a child makes an impression on a college scout, this may lead to an athletic scholarship once the child finishes high school.

Michael Phelps an Inside Look

admin — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 18:45:03 +0000

Michael Phelps is a well-known Olympic swimmer at the young age of 25 years old. He attended the University of Michigan, where he studies sports marketing and management. In 2007 alone Michael won 38 national titles in swimming. Over the course of his career he has set 35 world records, 5 of which he set in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His strongest stroke is breast stroke. He wears two swim caps, using the second one to smooth out the wrinkles from the first one. He is being celebrated as the “Greatest Olympian ever.” During the medal ceremony he said, “I am at a lost for words. To be the most decorated Olympian of all time, it just sounds weird. I am speechless.”

Michael devotes most of his time and energy to swimming. He practices about two to three hours, two to three times a day and about six times a week. He eats more calories than an average person could consume in a day. He has to eat so much because if he doesn’t he would never have the energy to swim as well or as fast as he does.In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and his dog Herman. He also likes to play video games.

Through the Make A Wish program he has met some children and on Facebook he shares with us, “These kids tell me that I’m their inspiration, but these brave kids are much more inspiring to me.” Throughout Michael Phelps’s career he has inspired many people just like the kids that met him through Make A Wish. Many swimmers have begun to pursue a career in swimming because of him and others like him. Some people don’t realize it, but our action effect the actions of others. Maybe Michael Phelps did recognize that and maybe that’s why he is such a great person. He has set the ultimate example and people strive to follow it.

Butterfly, Going Through the Motions

admin — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:45:01 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Competitive swimming consists of four different strokes, the hardest of which is the Butterfly. Butterfly is also very commonly used; it is the first stroke in an IM, which is an event that consists of all four of the strokes. The event lengths for butterfly can range from fifty yards to one thousand five hundred yards.

The Butterfly, or also called Fly, is one of the most dominant strokes. When doing the fly stoke the legs are moving together in a motion people call the dolphin kick. The dolphin kick helps the body have as much undulation as possible without slowing the body down. It is important to have undulation to keep the body moving through the water at a consistent rate. If the body were to have too much undulation the body would be slowly dragging in the water. If the body were to have to little undulation the swimmer would still move through the water but not as swiftly or as quickly as they would if they had the right amount of undulation.

While the legs are kicking the arms are moving in a windmill motion. While moving the arms as smoothly as possible the hands are to be flat palmed and the fingers held tight together. This will result in the arms moving more water and the body will move faster through the water. Also the swimmer never wants to smack the water with the hand, this also could result in the slowing of the body. Instead of this the swimmer wants to smoothly insert the hand into the water at an angle to create one swift movement.

During all this the head is down until the swimmer needs to take a breath. At this point the swimmer brings the head up briefly with the arms, takes a breath, the puts the head back down. When doing this the swimmer does not want to put the head too far down, this would result in the head casing the rest of the body to drag through the water.

Freestyle, Going Through the Motions

admin — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:44:59 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Freestyle is the most common of strokes in competitive swimming or even just luxurious swimming. It is one of he easiest strokes to learn because the movements are not as in-depth as any of the other strokes. The most important movements are with the legs, arms, head, and hands.

When doing the Freestyle the legs are doing the kick known as the flutter kick. The flutter kick is the movement of both legs kicking back and forth at different times. When done correctly the leg will be moving perfectly opposite each other. When doing this the swimmer should point the toe this will result in the swimmer keeping the water moving smoothly so that their body can move swiftly through the water. Of the toe is not pointed it will cause the body to drag through the water slowing the swimmer down.

With the arms the swimmer should form a sort of windmill movement, but they should have the arms moving opposite each other so one arm is in the water and one is not at all times. The hands should be flat palmed and the finger tight together so that they can move the water more effectively. The hands should never slap the water, doing this would result in the moving of less water and the swimmer slowing down. In stead the swimmer should smoothly slide the hand in at an angle in one swift movement. When the swimmer needs to take a breath they turn the head to the side of the body that has the arm that is under water. When stroking the swimmer wants to keep the head in line with the body so that the body doesn’t drag through the water.

Breaststroke, Going Through the Motions

admin — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 18:45:32 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Breaststroke is one of the hardest competitive swim strokes to learn. It consists of many different complicated and precise movements. It is also hard because not all of the movements are as swift and steady as some of the other strokes. During the breast stroke the swimmer has to concentrate on the precise movement of legs, arms, body, hands, and head. On of the things that makes it easier is that on every stroke of the arms the swimmer brings their head up for a breath.

In the Breaststroke the swimmer uses the legs in a kick that looks like a frog kick. The swimmer will bring up their legs so they form a sort of diamond. After that the swimmer will form a movement some times known as a mule kick. They will kick out hard to the side of their body and then the legs will come back together and the movement starts over again. While doing this movement the swimmers does not want to point the toe doing this will result in the moving of less water and the swimmer will move slower through the water.

With the arms the swimmer should start above the head and bring the arms around the body and at the chest bring the hands together. At this point the swimmer will want to bring the head out of the water to take a breath. When the swimmer does this they will want to keep the head as close to the chest as possible as if they are holding a tennis ball to the chest with the chin. This will make it easier for the swimmer to keep the body flowing through the water. As the head goes back into the water the swimmer will want to quickly put their arms back in front of them so their head is in between their biceps.

Backstroke, Going Through the Motions

admin — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:44:51 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

Backstroke is one of the easiest competitive swimming stoke because the head is never fully submerged. The swimmer can breathe throughout the whole event therefore conserving their energy. At the beginning of the event the swimmer starts in the water at the block. There is a poll across the front of the block to hold on to. The swimmer will hold onto the poll and bring their head to almost touch the poll while there feet are flat against the side of the pool. When pushing off the swimmer will let go of the poll and put their arms so there head is in between their biceps and kick off with there legs.

During this stroke the swimmer is lying on the back while performing swift movements with the legs and arms. The swimmer will be kicking the legs back and forth at different times so that the legs are kicking perfectly opposite each other. This kick is known as the flutter kick due to the way it looks when it is being performed correctly. This kick allows the swimmer to move through the water more swiftly and more quickly. If the kick was performed in the wrong way it would result in the body dragging through the water and the swimmer to slow down.

With the swimmers arms they are performing a sort of windmill motion but the arms are moving opposite of each other. While the arms are doing this, the hands are flat palmed and the fingers are held tightly together. When the swimmer does this it allows them to move more quickly through the water. This movement allows the hand to move more water, which allows the body to move through the water.