Why Do People Enjoy Cricket?

Cricket is one of those sports that really seems to divide views. Some people see it as exciting and providing the perfect form of entertainment. For others, however, there may be a feeling that cricket is a sport that's slow and perplexing.

As a cricket enthusiast, I hope to be able to explain the origins of my own love of the sport. If you simply don't understand how it's possible to enjoy watching a game of cricket, then allow me to enlighten you!

As a young boy, my first glimpses of cricket would have been on the village green. It's a sport that has a distinctive look and sound. In terms of appearances, there was also something rather wonderful about seeing all of the players (and umpires) dressed in white, against that lovely, green background caused by the grass playing surface.

Often cricket fields tended to be in nice locations too. They might have trees just beyond them, or a stream running close to the edge of the pitch.

But how about the sounds associated with cricket? If you've never seen cricket being played at close quarters, then you may wonder what this is all about. The truth is that there are a number of sounds that help to define the sport. Since it is generally more genteel than something like soccer, I'm not suggesting that it would be possible to really associate this sport with the roar of a crowd.

Although international matches certainly generate large crowds, my early exposure to the game was on a much smaller scale.

That's why I tend to think of the game as being about the sound of the leather ball being struck by a willow cricket bat. Good shots would be applauded by team-mates, watching spectators and opponents too. There would be the occasional conversation on the field, accompanied by further chats taking place all around.

In the pavillion, meanwhile, there would be the familiar sounds of tea and sandwiches being prepared. Simple pleasures, but they were wonderful to see and hear.

Although the modern-day, professional sport might seem to have little in common with those times, there are actually many similarities. Many of the noises are still the same and the action is not so different from that witnessed on the village green.

International cricket is played to a higher standard and it's now usual to see players wearing a range of coloured clothing. But those early days set the scene for my own love of the game and recent changes have done nothing to diminish my view.

My views on cricket are shared by millions of people around the world. It remains incredibly popular in England, Australia, India, South Africa and many more countries. Long may it continue!

How to Play Leg Glance

Leg glance is the term used in the game of cricket, when the batsman flips or flicks the ball from the wickets (where he is batting, i.e. stumps) or from the off side to the leg side. This is a classic shot and is normally played by great players of the class like Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar etc. One can play this shot only with practice. With rigorous practice one can easily master this classic shot. This is not a very powerful shot, and requires class and not might to play.

Leg glance is a pretty run scoring shot and is used by players mostly in situations when one has to change the strike and give it to the batsman on the other end (i.e. the one who is not facing the bowler). This can be used to score boundaries as well if played with precision. Due to the many advantages in learning this shot most of the youngsters' have the basic question' how to play leg glance'.

There are normally two basic ways to play leg glance shot:

• Playing it with the front foot.
• Playing it with the back foot.

When the leg glance is played with the front foot, it is normally played like a drive, when the pitch of the ball is reasonably full, which finally hits the half volley.

Steps on how to play leg glance:

• Position your body behind the ball.
• Rigorous practice.
• Always play the ball late, and not instantaneously when it is pitched.
• Keep your eyes fixed on the ball and watch it all the way through, till it pitches on or beside the crease.
• Roll your wrist or flick the wrist on the ball impact and keep the face of the bat angled towards the leg side of the field.

When an individual position himself behind the ball, you need to remember few things like:

• If the ball is a full pitch one, you need to move forwards to where the ball pitches, like one would play the drive shot, keeping the head and the weight of the body over your front leg.
• If the ball pitched is of the short delivery type, you need to step back, across the stumps. Keep your body position exactly behind the ball's line.
• In both the situations, you should keep a careful watch on the ball being pitched.

How to Do Fielding and Throwing in Cricket

Fielding in cricket is one of the most crucial aspects of the game. As a matter of fact, a good fielding can take one of the teams towards a win. Similarly, a bad fielding can prove to be disastrous even if the bowlers and the batsmen have proved their worth on the pitch. In a game of cricket, there can be a number of issues which are related to fielding and this edition will include some of the fielding and throwing tips which are to be followed in this game. The players are required to field during a cricket game and they are positioned in different manners from the beginning till the end. Therefore, a player should be very sharp and cautious while fielding and also fast in order to keep an eye on the ball.

They should also be able to run in the direction of the ball whenever it approaches their way. Followed by this, the fielders should make constant attempts to watch the batsmen and by closely watching each of their moves, they should be able to gauge in advance about the direction in which the ball will move so that they can act accordingly. However, mastering the art of fielding is not something that will come easily to a fielder and it is only with sheer practice that one can expect to achieve the match winning skills. Misfielding is one of the most common features of a cricket match and we have seen a number of times when players miss a catch or a throw which can alter the fate of the game. Basically there are two ways in which to carry out the job of fielding:

• The player can either consider running towards the ball in an attacking mode and grab it after getting it from the ground
• The other technique is to pick the ball with the help of the legs. In this, the player will be required to stoop down, put the legs in a way so that it does not move further and then pick it up.

Similarly, throwing the ball in a cricket field is equally a matter of high skills and the best way to do it is by moving the arm towards the target and the arm should be positioned in a way so as to facilitate the throw. While doing the same, the elbow of the arm which is used for throwing the ball should be reasonably higher almost reaching the height of the shoulder. Thereafter, the arm movement should be co ordinate in a manner which helps the player to throw the ball towards the target. Moreover, the player should be aware of the exact direction in which the ball is to be thrown. During a match of cricket, confusions which arise while throwing the ball is one of the most common incidents.

On coming back to the art of fielding, the players can also make use of the attacking mode of fielding. This is to state that the player should run towards the ball and with the correct footwork should be able to bend and pick the ball and even if they miss their hand on the ball, they should try to manage the same with the feet. This is just a brief outlay of the general fielding in cricket and techniques of throwing the ball as both the activities depend on a specific game and the way in which it progresses.

Cricket Fielding Tips

Every cricket lover must be aware of the popular phrase which emphasizes the importance of fielding and says that 'catches win matches'. There lies the significance of cricket fielding tips, which every player should memorize. Of all the cricket games that we witnessed till date, we have noticed the role and importance of fielding which acted as a deciding factor behind many victories. Similarly, we have also seen many strong cricket teams losing an almost-won match, due to poor fielding quality of the players. Fielding which seemingly appears to be the most secondary quality and requirement of a cricket team is actually not so. In many instances we have experienced cricket tournaments wherein a comparatively weaker team had won a match against a stronger team and the credit went to unmistakably tight fielding. That means, a team can have the world's best batsman, the deadliest fast bowlers and spin bowlers, but winning can still seem to be farfetched, in case it lacks strong and built-up fielding skills. Misfielding from the players meant to chase the ball can demoralize the entire team and this factor in many instances has led the team to lose a game.

Hence, cricket fielding tips should be provided to every budding cricketer who dreams to perform his best in the field as an all rounder, contributing towards the victory of the team. Cricket is a best example of team-work where every player must give their best shot in every aspects starting from batting to fielding. To empower your fielding abilities, you must master the art of anticipation and instinct as it is all about being intuitive about the balls' speed, direction and height. A good fielder is comfortable of fielding from any position, be it the slip cordon or the boundary. Concentration plays a major role while fielding in the boundary and with it the presence of mind and ready to act goes hand in hand.

A fielder who is covering the boundary is tend to get distracted with the noises and banters from the nearby crowd and that can prove to be fatal to his purpose; thus he should master the art of shutting down himself from all external noises and distraction in order to focus full concentration on the movement of the ball. A fielder thus should converge only in the position and direction of the ball and should be able to anticipate its speed and orientation. Another important thing to remember by all fielders is to avoid being over-confident and speculative about the catches. Many a times a fielder starts celebrating the catch even before he successfully grab the ball and this proves to be fallacy for him, as he soon misses the catch due to lack of concentration and sense of reality. Remember to first secure the ball tightly in your hands before celebrating the catch. Body position and proper stance make a big difference while fielding as it defines your readiness to act, run, stand and chase the ball. Last but not the least, always stay alert and on your toes while fielding and this will require you to possess a physically super-fit body.

How to Make a Ball Slower

As far as bowling is concerned, there are several strategies which are implemented by the bowler in order to attain success or get the batsman out. Basically, bowling is all about combining the right techniques and sheer practice which brings the desired perfection in the game of cricket. During these times, when the batsmen have dominated the cricket field anyway, it is not merely about how to make the ball slower but the implications or the significance that it carries in the game of cricket. Some of the familiar techniques which can change the pace of the ball include taking the shine or the smoothness off the ball by rubbing it hard.

Followed by this, there are other aspects such as long grass, the condition of the ground and the pitch which can result in slower deliveries. The game of cricket has undergone a rapid change with respect to the style of the players in the domains of batting and bowling. Bowling is not merely about applying certain strategies to get the batsman off the field but to remain consistent with new and innovative techniques which are necessary to survive as a bowler. For instance, bowling in the same areas can no longer baffle the batsman and with new forms of cricket tournaments like T20, a smallest mistake can change the course of the game.

In other words, the primary objective of the bowler is to understand the situation of the game and make deliveries which may never allow the batsmen to have control over the game. On the other hand, there can be a lot of implication of slower balls which can dominate the action of a bowler for a particular match. The reasons to bowl slower is to deceive the batsman who is unable to follow the pattern of the delivery and ends up making mistakes very often which is most desired by the bowler. In addition to this, a slower delivery is actually meant t stop the array of runs particularly with if a batsman is hitting boundaries and staying in the field for a longer time.

However, a slower ball should be delivered in such a manner so as not to let the batsman to identify beforehand that it is actually a slow ball for he may then become cautious. The basic purpose of a slower delivery is to lessen the time within which the batsman s supposed to hit the ball and not allowing him to modify the shot in a way so that it works to his advantage. A slower ball can be delivered in a variety of ways and the chief among them is off cutter, leg cutter, palm ball or split finger.

In fact, a slow delivery is something which should always be a matter that allows the bowler to make constant changes in their approaches and actions with the likes of Shane Warne and Glen Mc Grath, two of the masters of slow deliveries. In other words, there are many ways in which to bowl slower deliveries which should serve the purpose of the game.

More Cricket for the Youngsters!

There are many reasons as to why we should encourage more children to get involved with cricket. I appreciate that any sporting activity is good, especially with the high levels of obesity many children are suffering nowadays. Cricket though promotes more than just physical activity. It also encourages good sportsmanship, ambition, teamwork, and importantly respect for your opposition. The training is a good way to install both fitness and discipline into the younger generation. The big question, however, is how to get cricket into the psyche of our children. Here are four ideas that could help:

1. Get more schools to promote cricket. As a summer sport it will not clash with football or rugby, and will allow children to have interests outside the football season. I know many schools do teach cricket, but many more do not seem to want to. Maybe there is a class issue, with people believing it is just a game for toffs. Something that I strongly disagree with. I am no toff for example.

2. Make sure everyone gets a cricket trophy when there are presentation events. The trophies do not have to be big, or expensive, but they make the children feel part of the set up. This is important in helping them carry on playing the game. Those who perform the best can always benefit from better Cricket trophies.

3. Cricket clubs need to do more to bring cricket to all areas of the community. People need to know that cricket can be for everyone, and is a great way, through the training as well as the games, for children to keep fit, and grow self esteem. Maybe by more promotion within schools and various youth centres,we can take on more younger players.

4. Due to the expense of purchasing all the right equipment, maybe clubs could find a way to support those with limited spare money by supplying that equipment. People could then borrow it. Extra costs could be met, maybe, through various fund raising functions. This would mean parents would not have the excuse that they cannot afford to encourage their children into the game.

In conclusion there is a strong need for sports clubs in this country to get more of our young people involved in them, for personal development and fitness reasons. We have to make the effort to break down any class barriers that may cause many to feel that they would not "fit in" with those who do play. We have to portray the great feeling of smashing a six, or taking a wicket. Values including good sportsmanship, dedication and hard work are things that cricket can convey strongly to our younger generation. Many sports can also do this, though I believe cricket can do a lot to help develop them in ways these other sports cannot.

Village Cricket

What is there to like about cricket? What a good question. I grew up in the countryside. Village life was good. Nothing signified the village lifestyle more to me than the cricket matches played on those warm summer weekends, on the local village green. Warm applause when the ball passed the boundry. A well bowled wicket resounding in equal crowd appreciation. Everything was good-natured. The drink would flow from the club house with never a bad feeling between those who took part in its consumption. I compare these memories to those of the local football teams. They would be fighting and swearing on a Sunday morning. I often wondered why the referees turned up to enable these spectacles. Fights often broke out between rival clubs. A far cry from a gentlemanly handshake between rival teams, one victor, one not, that took place many times over on our village green.

The game of cricket appears slow and harmless. However I dare anyone to bat in front of a competent fast bowler and not be a little worried, as the ball speeds towards them at many, many miles per hour. All those pads have a purpose alright. Many a tooth has been chipped, and mid section badly bruised. Funnily enough none of the players seem to feel the need to spend many minutes on the floor rolling around to try and get their opponent into trouble. A ball to the hip is more painful than a trip on wet grass I can assure you.

The quick reactions of the wicket keepers, the slips, the accuracy of the fielders throwing the ball to stumps and the wicked spin as the ball is bowled towards the batsman, are all difficult skills to hone. Those who do not appreciate the levels of skill involved clearly have not played the game. The skills are subtle, yet take a lot of practice and conditioning to hone. The fact that running is only a small part of the game does not make it any less difficult to play well.

How I wish I was still living back home in that village. Games are still played there, and when visiting my parents, (something I probably do not do enough), I enjoy sitting on the green, watching the match. The local pub sits opposite the green, and its beer is fantastic. I have never had the benefit of enjoying anything as relaxing as watching a game so high in skill, and competitive in nature, played by such sporting people.

A Brief Introduction to Cricket

Cricket is a modern day sport played between two teams. Each team has eleven players. The game is played on an oval or round shaped ground which has a rectangular 22 yard long pitch at the center. One team bats to score as many runs as possible. The other team stops the run flow by dismissing the batsmen. A run is scored when a batsman hits the ball with his bat, runs to opposite end of pitch and touches the crease there without being dismissed.

There are three formats of the game:

a) Test Cricket
b) One Day Cricket
c) Twenty-Twenty

Test Cricket

The oldest form of cricket is Test Cricket. The game of cricket actually evolved with Test Cricket. Records show that first ever test match was played between Australia and England in the year 1876-77. The game of cricket has come a long way since then. The rules have changed a lot. A test match is played over a period of five days with each team batting and bowling twice. Maximum over that can be bowled in a day is 90 while there is no limit on the number of over a single bowler can bowl. Over 2000 test matches have been played till date.

There are nine test playing nations which are full members of International Cricket Council - The International Cricket Governing body. These members are Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

One Day International

Limited over cricket was introduced in England in the year 1963. Internationally, the first limited over game was played in the year 1971. One game is played in one day. A bowler can bowl a maximum of 10 over's in a game. In 1975, a new tournament known as World cup came into existence. All International Cricket Council members gathered at one place for a series of matches against each other. The winners of tournament were termed as World Champions.

World cup is played after every four years. ICC has conducted 10 world cups till date. Australia became champions four times, West Indies and India twice while Pakistan and Sri Lanka once. The last world cup was held in the year 2011 and was won by India.

Twenty-Twenty

The latest evolution in the game of cricket is twenty-twenty. Here, each team plays 20 overs and a bowler can bowl a maximum of four overs. First international Twenty-twenty game was played in the year 2005 between Australia and New Zealand. First twenty-twenty world cup was held in 2007. The tournament is played every two years and twenty-twenty world champions are crowned. 20 international teams have played the game till date.

Even after 100 years of its existence, the popularity of game is still increasing. More and more people are taking up this sport. It is only second to Football in terms of followers around the globe and is set to post a challenge for the top slot very soon.

How Can Performance Coaching Make You A Better Athlete?

Athletes who have had performance training know the harm that can be done to their game when they let negative thoughts, or what is known as "pessimistic thinking," takes hold. A losing team more or less gives up or possesses a losing attitude that affects performance. A marathon runner, for instance, is affected by thoughts of his inadequacies and becomes sure he can't make it for the duration. The strength of thought is usually disregarded and not given acknowledgment for all kinds of poor performance issues, missed plays, and even entire losing streaks and seasons.

A great deal of very famed pleasant results provided by people who deal with performance coaching are wasteful techniques which might appear like beneficial in the beginning but in due course of time, they turn out to be inefficient by actually fueling up the negativity that the athletes are looking to cope with and failure. Slogans such as "think positive" or "believe in yourself" are nice catchphrases, but they have very little to do with athletic performance, and as answers to wayward ideas, they simply do not work. In fact, an athlete who always engages a negative thought with the hollow phrase, "I think I can, I think I can," like the infamous little engine that could, is simply affirming the pessimism by engaging with it and allowing it a place on the stage.

In other words, in performance sports training, using catchphrases, or attempts to redirect negative thoughts, gives lifeblood to negative thinking and takes one's attention away from the act of the performance. This type of mental coaching tends to enable the negative thoughts, making them something that need to be dealt with instead of a voice on the sideline that can be acknowledged then understood.

Negative feelings might, in fact, serve a different purpose - they assist you see, with clarity, where you need to improve. So if you attempt to wrestle them down with positive affirmations or visualizations, you make them true, and provide them the power to truly affect you.

In short, the finest way to deal with negative thinking and improve your team's efficiency is to comprehend that negative thoughts and feelings are usual, necessary, and have an usually overlooked positive. They are an inborn sign that our thinking (not our life) is off track, and if we do not look in a different direction we will be certain to steer into trouble. Therefore, energizing negative thoughts by turning them into something that must be averted is the last thing an athlete, or any performer, ever wants to do.

Why Remote Controlled Cars Are So Popular

With all of the vehicle laws and regulations that we have, driving isn't nearly as fun as it used to be. If you have a fast, high-powered vehicle, there is nowhere to air it out and see what kind of speed it can do, and if you dare drive around town showing a little exuberance behind the wheel, you will be pulled over. These are reasons why remote controlled cars are so popular among both children and adults alike. It gives everyone a sense of what driving really should be like.

What Are They?

Remote controlled cars, or RC cars, are very popular all over the world. They have evolved tremendously over the past few years and with the advent of reliable wireless technology, they are more fun than ever before. You will find remote controlled vehicles in all shapes and sizes, from tiny race cars to big, mock four-wheel drive models that can go over any rocks or through any valley.

How Do They Run?

Most remote controlled cars are now battery operated, though the batteries are not the kind that you would put in a flashlight. These are high-powered batteries that are rechargeable, which means that you will save money on them in addition to them being more environmentally friendly than the disposable kind.

You will also find some cars that are fueled by nitro fuel, which can be more powerful, but it is also a little dangerous. If your children will be playing with the cars, then you should stick with battery-operated models.

How Do You Control Them?

When remote controlled cars first came out, they were driven by a wired remote control that you held in your hand. The car was literally running on the end of a cord. Now, wireless technology allows you to drive a car that is pretty far away from you without any kind of tether. The battery is in the car and you are controlling all of its movements. This can really be a lot of fun!

Where Can You Get Them?

You can buy remote controlled cars in hobby stores and in some toy stores, but you will find that there is a much bigger selection of them online. In addition, you can choose from those cars that are already built and ready to be taken out of the box, or you can choose to build your own.

Building your own car isn't for everyone, but for many people it is the most rewarding part of this hobby. When you build your own car and then see it out there driving, you will feel a sense of accomplishment that you might not get in any other hobby.

This is the ideal hobby for the entire family since both parents and kids can have fun building and driving these vehicles. Whether you use your remote controlled vehicle for fun or you decide to get into racing, this is a fun and healthy hobby that will enable your family to spend quality time together.

What You Need to Know About Remote Controlled Helicopters

Remote controlled vehicles can be a lot of fun and if you have tinkered around with cars and would like to try something just a little bit more challenging, then remote controlled helicopters should be your next step. These can be fun as hobbies, but they are also good learning instruments for your children, too. If you want to teach them about flight, aerodynamics, or technology, then this is something that will really spark their interest.

How Do These Work?

Remote controlled helicopters come in a variety of styles and sizes, from those that are very small and safe to fly to those that are far more expensive, very big, and have huge motors. If you are just starting out, then you should first start at the low end of the scale so that you can improve your flying skills. Chances are that you will wreck several of these before you get the hang of it, so there is no use in wasting your money.

These all work with a wireless remote control that controls all functions of flight. This is a lot different than running a remote control car because you have a whole different dimension to deal with. If you have flown a plane or know anything about helicopters, then you will have a definite advantage in also flying remote controlled helicopters.

How Are They Sized?

Remote controlled helicopters are generally found from size 15 to 90, which is really a description of the motor size, but also represents how big they are. It is easier to fly a smaller one and it is also a lot safer. So if you will be teaching your children how to fly, then again you should choose smaller remote controlled helicopters.

Where Can You Buy Them?

Hobby stores and some toy stores will carry these, but if you are looking for variety, then shopping online is the best idea. You will soon see that there are hundreds of different models that you can choose from, each of which has their own advantage. Some are able to fly faster, while others fly easier or higher. The choice is really up to you.

What Can You Do With Them?

As you begin to learn how to fly your remote control helicopter, you will see that you can maneuver it in much the same way that you would a traditional helicopter. This will certainly give you a lot more respect for people who fly them in real life!

As long as you have plenty of clear space, no trees, and no power lines, then these are safe to fly. It is a good idea, as I have said, to start small and only fly in a very constricted area. As you become more confident and have more flying skills, you can take your helicopter out to a park or piece of deserted land to really air it out. That is where you can really perfect your skills and see what your device can do.

How to Get a Great Vertical Jump

The goal of this article is to provide some long term goals for athletes to pursue in their training for athletic enhancement. With all the various types of training, set/rep schemes, periodization models, exercise techniques, so on and so forth, there are a thousand different options for training. All those choices can be overwhelming. So to simplify the situation, I want to establish some high standards in the various areas of training. As long as you are moving toward these standards, your training is successful. So it does not matter if all the "experts" say that low-rep lifting is better for vertical jump training. If your max squat is increasing with sets of 25, then sets of 25 are great. And it doesn't matter if people say you have to do three workouts a week. If one workout is making you better, then by all means keep doing it. Now we know that flexibility, strength, explosiveness, and springiness are the abilities that must be trained for increased athleticism. But without some standards in those particular areas, athletes are left in the dark as far as what actually constitutes a high level of ability. I've had someone tell me he was strong because he could leg press 400 pounds. Another guy thought he was explosive, because he "felt really fast" when he moved around the basketball court. And another said, "I consider myself to be flexible." In light of this, I am providing some high standards to shoot for in the different areas of sports training.

STRENGTH

I have a few standards for strength, the first being the most important.

1. Max squat 2 times body weight.

Simply put, you cannot reach your athletic potential without being very strong. That does not mean that every good athlete is very strong. It means that if you have not reached that mark you still have potential for significant athletic enhancement through increased strength. This particular standard is one that will seem impossible to some (typically taller) athletes, but be very achievable for others (typically shorter athletes).

2. Max deadlift more than max squat.

This one is not so easy to justify, and I'm sure I'll get some emails about it. I have a couple lines of reasoning. One, the hips are the strongest and most powerful joint of the body. In training proper athletic movement, it is important to be hip/glute dominant rather than knee/quad dominant. Thus, when it comes to lifting, you want to lift more weight in the exercise that tests the strength of the posterior chain muscles and the hips. Two, just looking at the biomechanics of the two exercises, the bottom of a squat is just a weaker position. People are naturally stronger in the deadlift position. Indeed, beginner lifters always deadlift more. So not only should you want to deadlift more than squat, but you can expect to do so naturally. (Note: this is dependent on squat style. An extreme powerlifting style squat actually largely reduces the role of the quads. In this case the deadlift and squat use very similar positions in the legs, but in the deadlift the torso has to bend down further, which makes it more difficult.)

3. Set of 5 reverse lunges each leg with 65% of max squat.

This is a standard that may seem ridiculous to some accomplished lifters, but it is important to possess unilateral strength in order to have unilateral power and speed on the court or field. Most sports movements involve pushing into the ground with one leg at a time, so it makes no sense to neglect 1-leg strength.

FLEXIBILITY

All athletes should possess good all-around flexibility. The hip joints in particular are the area which will require the most attention. There are tests for evaluating flexibility, but the links cannot be posted in this article.

EXPLOSIVENESS

Hang power snatch 60% of max squat.

In the hang power version of the snatch, the bar is pulled from above the knees and the thighs are above parallel when the weight is caught overhead. Completing this movement requires a high bar acceleration and velocity. Achieving this with a higher percentage of the maximum weight one can lift indicates a better ability to generate muscle tension quickly. Hitting 60% is an indication of an elite level of explosiveness. SPRINGINESS This is a difficult quality to measure, because it is not evident by itself. As I have written over and over, the level of proficiency in athletic movements is determined by a combination of abilities, not just springiness. Well any movement that is potentially useful for evaluating springiness is going to be an athletic movement, so finding an indication of springiness alone is quite difficult. One recommended test involves depth jumps from various heights. It makes sense in theory, but in my experience the test simply doesn't work. I believe a more reliable indicator of springiness is the difference between a standing and running vertical jump. A greater difference indicates a higher level of springiness. This test is useful in the sense that if the figure increases it does indicate an athletic improvement. However, because all the components of athleticism factor in, that improvement may be the result of a number of different things. Also it's entirely possible that an athlete will make training improvements, run faster, jump higher, but not see any change in this number. Thus, I wouldn't put too much stock in this test. If I had to set a lofty goal, I'd go with a 9-inch (22.86 cm) difference for 2-foot jumpers and a 12-inch (35.56 cm) difference for 1-foot jumpers. But I will not cling tightly to those numbers or even attempt to defend them.

STRENGTH UTILIZATION

This phrase basically refers to all facets of training other than strength. Athletic ability is basically comprised of two things: (1) strength and (2) the ability to use that strength for athletic movements. The latter is a combination of flexibility, explosiveness, springiness, and movement skill. After playing around with the numbers from various athletes that I've trained and whose abilities I am very familiar with, I have devised an equation. The equation takes your height, weight, and strength (max squat), and gives you a lofty goal for the potential vertical jump with an approach you could achieve at that level of strength. The closer your actual vertical is to the potential vertical from the equation, the better you are at utilizing your strength in the vertical jump. If your vertical is near or above the potential vertical, then you will most likely have to increase your strength to improve your jumping ability.

Here's the equation: height x (0.21 x max squat / bodyweight)^(1/2) = potential vertical. I just want to make clear that the potential vertical from the equation is intended to be very difficult to reach, even impossible for some because it will require a level of genetic blessing. So don't be offended if you're not close to it. In fact, I'd be happy to be further from it, because it would indicate that I could increase my vertical without having to lift heavier weight.

A disclaimer about all these standards. They are dependent on a decent level of skill in the movements in question. For example, if you've never squatted and you're terrible at it, your max squat is not going to be a good indicator of how strong you are. In that case, the standards for explosiveness and strength utilization will be thrown off, because they relate other numbers to your max squat. Or if you are too inflexible to get into a good lunge position, you have no chance of meeting the unilateral strength standard even if you are proficient in that area. So generally speaking, if you're a beginner don't take your results in these tests too seriously.

CONCLUSIONS

Of the tests listed above, the two primary indicators I like to look at are the max squat and the maximum potential vertical equation. One measures strength, ability at the slow end of the spectrum of human movements. The other measures the utilization of strength for athletic movements, which are at the fast end of the spectrum. As stated before, those two abilities are really what determine athleticism. The results from those two tests tell you where you're at in the two categories, strength and speed. This helps in planning training. At risk of being too obvious, if you're bad in a particular area you should focus on improving it. In the end, as long as you're progressing toward one of the goals, you are on the track to athletic success.

Finding Cheap Olympic Accommodation

Going to the London 2012 games? Well unless you are living in central London then you are going to need some accommodation, but it will be no surprise that prices are already rising. So if you have got a cheap ticket at £20.12 then if you are not careful your bill for going could be 10, 20 or even 30 times or more than the cost of the ticket. So read my guide on getting cheap Olympic Accommodation before it costs you dearly.

The first and most obvious tip is that the further you are away from Central or East London then the cheaper the rooms are going to be. However you do not want to be too far away otherwise you may find yourself traveling hours to and from the venues, which kind of defeats the objective of staying overnight.

Secondly the closer you are staying to a mainline station that has a fast route in to London then the more you will pay also, indeed hotel prices in Reading are already jumping up as people wanting to stay overnight are realising it is only 30 minutes to central London by train.

Next you need to think about the quality of the accommodation you want as it is unlikely that you will be spending much time in it other than for sleeping. However many people realise this and so budget accommodation will be getting snapped up fast, so the key to a cheap room is booking as soon as possible.

Alternatives to hotels are camping with many sites being readily available just outside many London commuter towns, and if this was me that is the option I would go for. Other than that B&B's are probably the next cheapest, or you maybe lucky and find a student hall of residence or a YMCA to stay in.

The last worry is getting to the hotel and finding they have overbooked and "Bumped" you to another hotel as the chances are it will be miles away, as if they are full so will everyone else be. So pay well in advance keep your receipt and double check several times before traveling. If this worries you make sure you check in to the hotel as early as possible in the day, even if your room is not ready you can check in and leave your luggage. It is those arriving late that will be "Bumped".

So if you want cheap Olympic accommodation then do some research on the Internet asap.

A Fortnight or 50 Years? The Legacy of the London Olympics

The question of sustainability is one that has a habit of cropping up when critics discuss the mega-project that is the 2012 Olympics.

Some 24 construction projects have already been completed, including a £537 million Olympic Stadium and £269 million Aquatics Centre. The much-touted Olympic Village that will house 17,000 athletes and officials from over 200 countries, meanwhile, has just been sold to the property company owned by Qatar's royal family at a loss of nearly £275 million.

So, as great swathes of East London are 'regenerated', large sums of money are changing hands. There has been an air of staunch earnestness to the Olympic Park Legacy Company's (OPLC) intentions to engender viable long-term urban improvement, but many feel the vision will extinguish under financial pressures post-Games.

One thing that cannot be denied is that Stratford - and the greater East London area - has been commercially reinvigorated. After the closing ceremony of the Games, the Olympic Village itself will be repackaged, with sporting dormitories turned into 2,818 flats and houses, while 8,000 new homes will be built in five new neighbourhoods around the Olympic Park over the next ten years.

While some are worried about generic apartment buildings springing up en masse, the OPLC has outlined plans for low-rise terrace and mews houses with gardens, eschewing previously-mooted high-density complexes. But with only half of these properties being described as 'affordable' by Triathlon Homes, some are wondering just what these 'Olympic communities' will resemble in years to come.

The construction centrepiece, meanwhile, should leave a lasting impression. The Olympic Stadium will have a capacity of 80,000 seats, making it the third-largest stadium in Britain behind Twickenham and Wembley. An axonometric view of the building reveals its layered composition, with a demountable steel and concrete upper tier holding 55,000. It is the lightest Olympic Stadium on record, utilising surplus gas pipes for the roof truss and a moderate 10,000 tonnes of steel. A polythene wrap will encircle the stadium and will provide a 'clear and memorable identity to the stadium' according to Rod Sheard of architects Populous. Chemical company Dow are working on repurposing the panels for after the Games.

Ultimately, time will tell whether the Games' legacy proves to be a lasting one. With the final bill for the Olympics dubbed 'inherently uncertain' by the National Audit Office, it is hoped that the monuments of London 2012 remain in use for a long time to come.

Constructionbytes.com is a free construction news and resource site established by construction professionals for fellow industry members.

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The Origins of Horse Riding Jodhpurs

The origins of horse riding jodhpurs are closely linked to the game of polo. The game, which begun over 2500 years ago across Persia and Central Asia, was not recognisable as the game played today, but the players were always mounted on horses. This game worked its way down to India and was changed into a game we would now recognise; involving a polo stick and ball.

The development of jodhpurs is linked to an original ancient style of trouser worn in Northern India, especially in what is now the modern state of Rajasthan; its main city being Jaipur. In the late 19th century Sir Pratap Singh, a son of the Maharaja of Jodhpur, took to wearing legwear specifically designed for the game; an updated version of the original jodhpur trouser which he had perfected for use when in the saddle. Before long all the players were wearing these trousers, and they continue to be an essential for today's rider.

The popularity of polo had spread to England from India at this stage. Sir Pratap Singh and his polo team first introduced jodhpurs to England during Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897. The British polo players named them jodhpurs after the city in which they were first created.It was also in England that breeches were designed. Based on the same principle as jodhpurs, breeches were shorter, ending at mid-calf, and designed to be worn with long riding boots.

When they were first designed, jodhpurs featured a loose fitting shape from the knee to the hip to allow for freedom of movement in the saddle, and also to prevent uncomfortable over-heating in a hot climate. They were more snug-fitting below the knee and featured leather patches on the inside of the knee. Many of these features have remained the same, however nowadays the development of stretch fabric has allowed them to become tighter and more aesthetically pleasing whilst still offering the same comfort.

There are also now more types of jodhpurs than ever before. These include the original 'knee patch' jodhpurs - where additional material is added to the knees to improve durability and grip. An improvement on this design has been the development of full seat jodhpurs, where the additional material stretches around the rider's seat. This makes the jodhpurs far more comfortable, as there are no seams between the rider and the saddle, which can cause chafing. This also further extends the life of the jodhpurs and the security of the rider in the saddle.

A wide range of fashionable and comfortable jodhpurs and breeches are available at great prices from Equestrian Clearance

The Difference Between Electric and Gas Powered Remote Control Boats

The advantage for buying electric RC boats as compared to gas propelled boats are distinct.

Electric remote control boats are usually a better choice for the new radio boat hobbyist. They require less maintenance and are usually fully assembled. The electric boats are usually slower, but when the battery runs out, it will do so gradually. That way you can steer the boat toward shore and be able to retrieve it without getting wet. Gas powered radio boats will run down suddenly and you might have to go swimming to retrieve the boats.

Electric Boats will go slower which will allow novices to hone their handling and driving skills, before they graduate to the faster gas powered boats. Doing this will allow the new user to gain confidence before he moves on to the gas powered remote control and possibly to competitive racing.

The electric powered remote control boat also will require a lot less maintenance. Electric power boats run a lot cleaner obviously. There is no intake to clog and no gas to mix with oil. As gas prices rise the electric powered remote control boats also will cost less to operate. You can also carry extra batteries and battery packs a lot easier than messy gas cans. The battery packs are also a lot lighter. Electric boats also do not cause any pollution. They don't put exhaust into the water or air. Because the electric powered boats are much cleaner you can test drive them in bath tubs and swimming pools.

The electric boats are also better for the younger members of your family. Since they don't have to mix gas they are considerably safer than gas powered RC boats. Because they are safer and easier to use the younger people in the family will hopefully want to continue the hobby with their parents and pass it down to their own kids. As an added benefit the kids will be less inclined to stay inside and sit in front of the television. What parent won't find that to be an acceptable benefit. Not to mention the time with family.

Whether you use electric or gas powered boats the joy and time spent with family will be invaluable. Not only will these times be remembered by all, but the chance to be outside and in nature will allow one to appreciate wild life. If the boating becomes boring the kids and parents can also go for a swim.

Finding the Best GPS Watch for Your Needs

Finding the best GPS watch really depends on your personal needs. If you are a triathlete, you need to find a model that is waterproof as well as one that will record and save the data from your workouts. Being able to download that data to your PC, analyze it, and determine the best way to enhance your next workout is invaluable.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 has great reviews, is priced reasonably, and is compatible with Training Peaks. This is an online training program that guides athletes through any training program.

The Garmin Forerunner 305 has amazing accuracy, is powerful, and simple to set up for first time users. It has the ability to record calories burned, distance, elevation, grade, and heading as well as lap and pace modes. You can track heart rate, lap heart rate, average heart rate, and heart rate zones. It measures fatigue and fitness level and allows you to set up virtual running or biking companions that compete against you.

There are three options for gathering data with this watch. One is for quick workouts, one for interval workouts allowing you to add repetitions, and advanced workouts. You have the option of setting goals for each workout step, varying distances, times, and rest periods.

The size of the Garmin Forerunner 305 is moderate. It is not so large and bulky that it becomes a distraction and it is not so small that it is hard to see the display. The battery lasts about 10 hours, it is waterproof up to 30 minutes, and weighs.74 oz.

For first time users who are not sure which GPS watch is best for them, the Garmin store in Chicago allows a trial run. A deposit is required and is then credited toward the purchase. A small rental fee is charged for each day it is rented, but this is a great way to try it out before you decide to purchase.

Timex Ironman GPS watches are reasonably priced and is practical, reliable, and durable. It is equipped with memory recall. There are several choices including a 30, 50, 100, and 150 lap models.

The 100 lap model has a large display and a classic design with advanced features such as 100 hour chronograph, 10 lap memory recall, a 99 lap counter and a night light.

The Timex Ironman 30 lap provides a 100 hour chronograph, 30 lap memory recall, a 99 lap counter and also is equipped with a nightlight. Timex has also designed a model of the Ironman 30 lap especially for women.

The Ironman 50 lap is a powerful sports watch with high level functionality and a large display. It is also equipped with a night light, a 50 lap memory recall, a 100 hour chronograph, and it stores workout training logs.

These are but a few of the many options from which to choose. There are many price range and design choices and with a little research, you are sure to find the best GPS watch for your needs.

Different Styles of Specialized Mountain Bikes

The sport of mountain biking has grown in leaps and bounds over the last few years, and has seen a major growth spurt in sales for companies that produce specialized mountain bikes.

The days of big, heavy framed lumps of metal with knobbly tires are long gone making way for sleek, light, yet incredibly strong framed, futuristic looking bikes, with dual suspension and a variety of tire types you would usually find on a formula one racing car.

These off road machines tend to come in 4 different categories, and are usually built and set up differently to handle different terrain and riding conditions.

Cross Country (XC)

Cross country bikes are lightweight fast, most of them are now built with aluminium or carbon fibre frames, are geared to go over all types of terrain and can handle some pretty severe punishment.

Downhill

Downhill bikes are specifically built to ride only down hill, they are still constructed with light weight frames come with dual suspension to handle a lot more extreme terrain, they will usually come with larger tyres than your average XC bike, with larger disc brakes which are more powerful and allows the rider greater control.

All Mountain (Trail riding)

All mountain bikes are for general riding, mountain or trail conditions. Although they are designed to be able to climb hills efficiently, they are usually a little heavier and stout than your average cross country bike. All mountain bikes are an excellent balance between efficiency, comfort and control.

Free Ride

Free ride mountain bikes are built tough to handle a lot more punishment than the other styles of bike. A free ride biker will take these bikes through hard hitting trails, drops, jumps and other crazy stunts.

These bikes are built heavy and tough, not so easy to pedal to the top of the hill, but with dual suspension and tires designed for maximum grip, to will handle anything you can throw at it on the way down.

Specialized Mountain Bikes

These 4 styles of mountain bike are just that, built and set up for a specialized style of riding.

Apart from the all mountain bike, using your bike for anything other than its intended style of riding will be difficult to do, and possibly cause damage, if not ridden under the conditions and terrain it is designed for.

Buying Tips

If you're thinking of buying a mountain bike, I suggest doing a little homework first, check out a few different bikes in your local bike shop or read a few MTB Reviews.

Think about the type of riding you will do most often. If you have to travel long distances to a mountain or have access to off road trails you will have to think about transport to these areas as well as whether you will be able to get enough use from these types of bikes to make it worth the out lay.

If you are unsure about which direction to go, maybe start with an all mountain style bike, learn a few tricks and techniques, and get regular use from it, before upgrading or investing in any other specialized mountain bikes.

A sport like this can be expensive, but very rewarding when you get the right mix of conditions and the right gear. Do some research, try a few different styles of riding and see what suits you the best.

For more info on one particular brand of bike check out the Scott gambler 10 mountain bike review.

Ride Today Like it's Gonna Be Your Last