How To Play Basketball Defense: 10 Tips For Success

Learning How To Play Basketball Defense properly helps teams win championships. I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, "Defense wins championships". That's a very common statement when describing the most successful teams in basketball - at all levels of play.
As many times as we've heard that said and actually proven on the court, most players and coaches still don't make defense a top priority when developing their game. Why is that?
Well to start, learning how to play basketball defense is hard work! Sadly enough, most players and coaches aren't willing to put in the time and effort needed to become successful on the defensive end of the court. The other reason most players and coaches aren't dedicated to improving their defensive game is that it isn't as fun as other aspects of the game.
Yes - shooting, dribbling, passing and the other aspects of offense are often more enjoyable to teach, learn and practice so that's where most players and coaches focus their time and effort. But in order to become complete and well-rounded in all aspects of the game, players and coaches must dedicate a portion of their time into learning how to play basketball defense. It's critical to their success!
The ten criteria I have listed below will help determine whether a player can be considered a complete defensive player. This is helpful for coaches and players alike. How so? Well, coaches can use these criteria to help develop their approach to the defensive game. They can use it as a foundation for success. Players can use this information to help them focus on the importance of becoming a defensive specialist! Again, they can use this as their foundation for success on the defensive end of the court!
In order to become a complete defensive player, you must:
1. Have quick hands and quick feet.
2. Be able to jump quickly and repetitively.
3. Have good instincts and react quickly to the action on the court.
4. Have a coach that is focused on and committed to improving individual and team defense.
5. Be able to play a variety of defenses - (Man-to-man, a variety of zones, half-court traps, full-court press, etc...).
6. Be able to make a quick transition from the offensive end of the floor to your defensive position.
7. Have a thorough understanding of the entire game and all of its concepts and strategies.
8. Communicate with your teammates on the defensive end of the court.
9. Be able to play both strong-side and weak-side defense equally as well.
10. Practice proper defensive stance, footwork and positioning.

Powerful Periodized Strength Training Basics For Volleyball

Strength training dominates most athletes' fitness and conditioning programs through out the year. In particular, volleyball players are well-known to have one of the highest levels of strength training dedication. These elite athletes realize the benefits of a proper periodized strength training program.
Volleyball pushes players to the extreme. Each athlete is expected to excel in explosive movements, vertical jumps, power hitting and intense serves. The position rotation in volleyball signifies the definite need for comprehensive players. Being a great blocker is a huge plus, but volleyball thrives off of all-around spectacular athletes. Strength training is a massive component to any elite athlete.
Strength training for volleyball requires the knowledge of periodization. Periodization means changing one or more variables within your strength training program on a regular and consistent basis. These variables can include the exercise, the frequency of lifting, the intensity of lifting, or the method of lifting.
Volleyball players, as well as most other athletes, work on a yearly periodization schedule. They break their year down into 4 distinct segments or cycles. Each new segment means they should change their strength training program to match that cycle's goals.
The four segments can be broken down into the off-season, the pre-season, the in-season, and the post-season. Each season has unique goals and a unique strength training program. Athletes allow time for resting, building strength and building sport specific functions before the start of the official game season.
The off-season's goal is to build power and strength. The off-season utilizes power exercises and higher weights to increase muscle size and strength. Typically, the strength training program is most intense during the off-season. Athletes invest a lot of time to their basic fitness foundation.
The pre-season focuses on actual sport specific functions. Squatting, jumping, lateral stepping, hitting and spiking are all common volleyball movements. The pre-season volleyball strength training routine is less intense than the off-season. The goal is to maintain that strength and power, but to perfect sport specific movements. Most of the routine is dedicated to mock volleyball games and drills.
The in-season purely focuses on maintaining the off and pre-season's goals. The off-season built power and the pre-season put that power to use. Athletes enjoy the fruits of their labor during the in-season. The spike that flies past the opponent's head and drills into the floor is proof that strength training for volleyball works.
The post-season's goals are about relaxation and repair. This is a time of year that includes low intensity workouts. The goal is to allow the body to heal after grueling months of high intensity workouts. These few weeks of rest and low intensity strength training and cardio bring the entire training year to a close. The post-season delivers a skilled and healed athlete to begin the off-season strength and power building again.
Off-season ~ Pre-season ~ In-season ~ Post-season ~ Repeat
Regardless of the season, a few things remain constant. Volleyball players should always perform one or more exercises for each muscle group. Each exercise should be performed through a full ROM (range of motion), and each strength training routine should steer towards sport specific movements.
Strength training for volleyball players is an essential and organic component of their fitness and conditioning program. Strength training delivers the edge that all athletes need to succeed. Periodization is necessary in all strength training programs. Volleyball and other sports have taught us the importance of a proper fitness routine based on specific goals.

The Basics of College Football Picks

In recent years, picking college football games has become increasingly popular. During the fall season of college football the process of picking games happens in a number of ways and places. Understanding the different situations and scenarios are why picking football games can be so fun and enjoyable. Below we have the basics of college football picks explained. The Spread To understand college football properly, you first need to understand how the point spreads work. Point spreads are how sports books get betting on both sides of the game. A number is assigned to each team playing in the game. This number is how many points the book believes that team will need to have in order to be added to their score for you. The better, to believe they might win the football game. For example, if Northwestern plays Indiana, the book might say the line is Northwestern plus 3. Basically this means if you bet on Northwestern and they win or lose by less than three you win your bet. The spread is what makes picking college football games so exciting and yet so difficult. The Office Pool College football picks explained in the same context as the office pool will make it easier for you to understand. In a pool, the money is collected from many individuals and held centrally. The money is then paid to the winner and often times to a second and third winner as well. With a pool, individuals compete by picking college football games each week. With many pools the games are picked by using a point spread which makes the selections more challenging and harder to win the money. Straight Gambling College football picks can be compared to actual gambling with a sports book. Many people who enjoy gambling use sports books to bet on their favorite college football picks. This is so they feel like they have even just a little knowledge of what is going on so they have a chance of winning. Unlike that of casino games, there is little about football gambling that you can’t control with the exception of the betting lines. The false sense of control is what makes college football picking very popular. This is the basics of college football picks in a nutshell. You might find that no matter where you go you will find people picking college football games for many reasons. By learning the betting lines and how points are spread you have a better idea of how it all works. Also, by understanding how the pool works you will quickly see the appeal of college football betting.