Sports

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 8, 2015October 12, 2016

As the Commissioner of your fantasy football league, its your job to make sure people are playing the game fair and competitively, while having fun doing so. There are a couple scenarios that really get to me when doing fantasy and can leave me feeling sour at the end of the season. Firstly, I can not stand when people forget, or just flat out refuse, to login each week and set their starters. Easy wins are easy and to me there is no gratification in that. Another thing that bothers me as a commissioner, mostly because of heart, is seeing people who really focus, do their research, make excellent moves on the waiver wire and just come up short at the end-of-season payout.

Over the years, I've tried to make my leagues as fun as possible for a couple reasons; to attract new and interest players, and to sustain the focus from week to week. I've compiled a small list of things that I do to help keep people interested, which ultimately will keep them logging in from week to week.

1. King of The Hill (KoTH) – Side games are a great way to keep focus for your league players. KoTH is a fun game where league players choose a single game and then predict the winner of that game. So long as the player has chosen correctly, they will move on. The catch is that each player can only pick a team to win one game throughout the season. If the Patriots are playing the Broncos, and I choose the Patriots to win that game, I can not pick the Patriots again all season.

2. Weekly Challenge – This can be a wide range of topics or scenarios, its really up to your creativity as a commissioner. I like to setup challenges that are simple, but have payouts each week. A challenge idea can be as basic as "Which Kicker will score the highest fantasy points this week?" or narrow it down a tad bit and have it be "Which Kicker will kick the most field goals?".

3. Pick 'Em – Another idea for a side game is a Pick' em forum, where players submit their prediction for each games result throughout the season. Each win can be worth 1 point, and have a running total go until the end of the season. You could even choose to do a separate for play-offs as well.

4. Bounties – A great way to keep people focused and having fun is to encourage people to track bounties. A bounty is a select set of instances that can payout money or be just for fun. A bounty can be "QB with the longest touchdown pass" or "TE with the most touchdown's scored". This is different from Weekly Challenges because they are running throughout the season, not just for one week.

5. Credits / Debits – This is for the more aggressive fantasy leagues. It's a method that I like to use …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 8, 2015October 13, 2016

If you want to improve your health and physical fitness a boxing training program may be what you are looking for. As well as building body strength and fitness it can also go a long way to improve your personal confidence. Of course, by taking part in boxing workouts you will also improve your fighting form.

People who have tried boxing as a form of exercise find it to have very positive results, arms and legs usually gain a lot of strength and become more defined in shape. However, the benefits are not all physical. People also find that they gain a greater sense of inner strength and feel more emotionally balanced.

Boxing as a form of training and exercise became part of the large fitness training arena a few years ago. Great benefits can be found from boxing workouts on muscle toning and the cardiovascular system. It was the release of many videos featuring Tae bo and kick boxing workouts that made boxing rise in popularity.

The many innovative variations on boxing such as power punches, defence and punch and kick exercises have all the components of aerobic exercise. As you progress you will find your strength will build along with your confidence as you are taught how to execute punch and kick moves more effectively for a far more intense workout.

Kicks and punches which are performed in various combinations on blocks are done with an imaginary opponent, you have no doubt seen this many times on television etc. where the participant through punches and kicks into the air. There are also training facilities where there is the necessary equipment such as punch bags and so on. In some cases there may even be a real opponent to hit, they have very good padding on their hands of course!

Cardin kick boxing gives many more benefits other than the physical factors, it is an excellent way to burn off excess calories. In just one hour of kick boxing you can expect to use in the region of between 350 and 500 calories. It is also very good for maintaining a good heart rate of somewhere between 75{64aad3a316df32ff60dab9c8534014c5cfdef308ef860a6ce60ff66eaa8cfaf6} and 85{64aad3a316df32ff60dab9c8534014c5cfdef308ef860a6ce60ff66eaa8cfaf6}. This has been proven to be the ideal rate for anyone in training or exercising.

Boxing as exercise is beneficial for the whole body. As well as increasing arm and leg strength through the repeated sparring and jogging whilst punching at the same time,it also helps increase resistance and strength whilst greatly enhancing the reflexes and flexibility of all your muscles.

The workouts involved help to greatly enhance balance and co-ordination which in turn gives you body great form and increased stability and also allows joint movements to be more flexible giving fantastic results in physical fitness.

There are many benefits to be gained from all types of boxing training, that is on top of the physical benefits. In the training process you will learn a great deal about defence skills which, in today’s world could prove to be …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 6, 2015October 12, 2016

For the last few years, you might have thought that the sport of boxing had gone into hiding, or simply retired altogether to be replaced by MMA De La Hoya and Merryweather came along to try to breathe new life into their sport; while I can not yet say what this will mean for the future of boxing, I do know that my generation and the generations which will follow will certainly prefer MMA over boxing.

The question of the popularity of the two sports as compared to each other is largely generational. Younger generations prefer MMA, while the older set is in favor of boxing. The following generations are also going to prefer MMA – because to put it simply, it is a better sport and has more to offer the fans.

So why is MMA better than boxing? I'll explain by starting with the negatives of both sports – the negatives are actually the same for each, so it's simple.

Those who prefer boxing to MMA call MMA barbaric. This perception comes largely from not knowing about the sport and being unaware of the rules of MMA. Just like boxing, low blows, gouges, pokes and other dirty moves are disallowed. I ask you is MMA really so barbaric? Boxers punch each other in the face too – the difference is that MMA adds wrestling moves to the equation; is that really what pushes it over the edge, or is it just a matter of taste? This is specious reasoning for sure. If MMA is barbaric, then so is boxing.

Another argument made is that the promotional tactics used by MMA are ludicrous. True, there is plenty of pre-game trash talk between the fighters. Many compare these promos to those used for professional wrestling matches. However, exactly this kind of promotion is done for boxing as well. Remember Muhammad Ali? He had a trash talking game which would put any pro wrestler to shame. It's hard to make the claim that MMA is silly when boxers do just the same as MMA fighters.

Some boxing fans will also tell you that like professional wrestling, MMA matches are staged. I answer this claim with these two questions – Do you have proof that MMA matches are staged? Do you have any proof that boxing matches are not staged? These people have exactly as much proof as I do that the sport in question is a sham (none!). This argument gets no one anywhere.

Having gone over the downsides, let's move on to the positives. The positives are also easy enough to explain. As a way to illustrate the question of boxing versus MMA, consider the analogy of pizza. Someone decided to do something very smart by adding tomato sauce and cheese to bread. However, there is always someone smart enough to improve on your idea, no matter how good it may be. So someone came along later and added onions and olives to this pizza, making a good thing even …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 6, 2015October 13, 2016

The following interview is with Coach Bill Bratton, who was my Soccer Coach at Cross Keys High School in Atlanta, Georgia for the school year 1989-1990. I asked him for an interview to share his thoughts on Soccer. He has been involved with Soccer for over 25 years so I wanted to pick his brain on the subject.

Stafford:

Hello Coach, you have been coaching high school soccer for over 25 years. How did you first get involved in the sport?

Coach Bill Bratton:

Hi Stafford and thank you. Well I started coaching soccer in 1982 in DeKalb County in my first year teaching at Sequoyah High. The previous coach had left and the school needed someone to coach. The principal offered me the opportunity to take over the program.

Stafford:

How was that experience for you and how did you prepare for this new role as a High School Soccer Coach?

Coach Bill Bratton:

I will admit I had never played or coached soccer before. In the off season I spent time preparing and learning by reading books and going to clinics. I will also admit that the players knew more about the skills, the formations and what it took to play the game than I did but it was the coaching organization of putting a team together to play as a team that was my strength. I really enjoyed coaching soccer once I mastered the knowledge I needed.

Stafford:

How long did you coach at Sequoyah and how did you end up at Cross Keys?

Coach Bill Bratton:

I coached Sequoyah for 4 years before DeKalb began a consolidation program and I transferred to Cross Keys in 1986. I had the privilege of coaching the Keys program for the next 20 years. I earned my Georgia class D coaching license as well as a Class C level National Coaching license from the USSF. The situation at Cross Keys was much like Sequoyah, they needed a new soccer coach and the AP who would become the principal offered me the position.

Stafford:

How was the situation at Cross Keys, and what did it take to build the program?

Coach Bill Bratton:

It took hard work and discipline to build the program. My job involved rebuilding a program. It had lost its organization, discipline was amuck, and the program wasn’t winning, just 2 years from finishing 3rd in the state. I had to incorporate discipline into the program and to teach players what playing on a school competitive team meant and was needed to win. This progress was going to take many years to complete.

Players would tell me “Coach we just want to play”. Cross Keys was a highly transient school. It was a constant rebuilding progress every year. They had no understanding of playing as a team, that they had to come to practice, to commit, and to be successful they had to play as a team. As I look back that took 2-3 years to get across. …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 6, 2015October 12, 2016

Trying to purchase a pair of figure skates for the first time can be a daunting task. The usual question is: What brand do you choose? However, choosing the figure skate that's best for you depends on several factors and each of those factors are important.

The first thing to consider when choosing figure skates is your skate size. The best way to determine the skate size is to measure the length and width of your foot. There are several pro-shops that will measure your foot for you. However, if your rink does not have a pro-shop, there are several good websites out there that have specific instructions for how to measure your foot to determine what size skate you need.

Once your size has been determined then it is important to consider which brand of skate to purchase. Each brand of fits differently and the most popular brand of figure skate may not be the one that best fits your foot. Some brands fit more narrow like a ladies dress shoe and some brands have a wider fit like a tennis shoe. Some of the most common brands for beginner figure skaters are Risport, Riedell and Jackson. If you have a foot that is very narrow, you may want to consider a Risport. This brand has a very narrow fit. If you have a medium to wide foot then you may want to consider a Jackson as they have a wider fit.

Each brand of ice skates has several models to choose from and they can range in price from $ 80 – $ 600 USD or more. When you have selected the brand that fits your foot, it is time to find out which model of figure skates would be best for you. The first question to ask would be: Are you going to only skate a few times a year or are you going to skate several times a week? If you are only skating a few times a year, then a recreational skate would be a good choice. The if you are On skating Several times a week, take classes, or skate Competitively, then the best model would be Discerned by vBulletin® your skate level. Tripadvisor Tripadvisor your skate level to the different brands of figure skates with the help of your figure skating coach color : as your weight and size may influence whether a lightweight boot or an extremely stiff boot should be purchased.

Ice skating can be a very enjoyable sport, but if you do not have the right type of skates for your feet it can be very painful. Do some research and weigh your options before making your final decision. More importantly ask questions! It is difficult to make a wise choice if you do not have all the information available to you. …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 6, 2015October 13, 2016

Sports have touched and have reached out to every facet of American life. We have seen dramatic wins, losses, championships, great plays, and not so great plays. Americans love sports and the athletics that play them and love to share and talk about these great moments.

The 1960s was a period of evolution and change in the sporting world. American sports certainly mirrored what was going on in American history. The 1960s was a decade full of emotional rebellion among the younger generation. The labor struggles, race relations, social innovations and commercialism that were evident daily in American society can be traced back to events that occurred in the sporting world.

Athletics began wanting to get highly paid for their sporting talent and get rich by playing their specific sport. This was similar to the attitude of the younger generation reflected in the lifestyles in the 1960s. Athletes began invading the world of commercialism by selling their products through their sponsors and making even more money. This made amateur athletics want to turn professional even earlier. And for the first time in the 1968 Olympics, amateur and professional athletes competed together.

Union labor struggles were evident in the sporting world with athletes hiring union leaders to represent them in their team dealings. Also, racial issues were evident where black athletes would use their fame to express their views against racism. We also saw the hiring of Bill Russell as the first black head basketball coach of the Boston Celtics as they won their 8th consecutive championship.

However, despite all the struggles and commercialism evident in the sporting world as well as in American History, the 1960s saw some great sports performances and created some great memories. Athletes like Wilma Rudolph, Jack Nicklaus, and Wilt Chamberlain – amongst others – were at the top of their respective sport. We also saw great teams such as the Boston Celtics and Green Bay Packers. Sports – bringing all of this together.…

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 5, 2015October 13, 2016

Do you play football and need protection for your hands and fingers? Maybe your hands need weather protection or your just need something that will give you a better grip on the ball. Football Gloves is the answer!

There are many reasons that players wear football gloves. Here are three reasons why a player will wear football gloves.

The most important purpose of football gloves is to provide the player with a firm grip on the ball. On a hand off or catching the ball with sweaty hands makes the ball slippery. Running backs and receiver’s gloves may be a bit sticky in the palm area. Basically to have a better grip on the ball.
Gloves also give protection to the hands. On some pass plays, the force of the ball is strong enough to cause abrasions and cuts to the hands. When players on defense or offense are down in the clinches they need protection from helmets, face masks and from their hands getting stepped on from cleats. These gloves are designed to give this added protection.
Players also wear glove for weather protection. When it is raining or snowing, that’s enough cause for a slippery situation between player’s hands and the ball. First, the ball has to come from the center to the quarterback. Second, from the quarterback to the running back or receiver. Gloves keep your hands and finger dry and warms and give them flexibility so players can have a better grip on the ball.

Football gloves come in different styles for certain position. Quarterbacks, receivers, corner and running backs wear regular style gloves. Defensive and offensive of linemen normally wear gloves with the fingertip cut out but thicker padding. These gloves are made by companies like Nike, Reebok and Under Armour. It’s up to you to choose the correct pair that fits your needs.…

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 4, 2015October 12, 2016

Nowadays there is much talk about the benefit of volleyball, as a team sport, to individuals. This benefit is said to be even bigger than that of other more popular sports. Maybe the most popular of team sports is soccer but there are also others, like volleyball, that have the same important effects for the participants.

Volleyball, is unfortunately a neglected sport. It has neither been promoted as should have been nor it is of the most popular among young people. However it has positive consequences on people that like to take part in it.

First of all, it helps people to stay healthy and to preserve physical fitness, as it happens with other sports. At the same time it is a way, for young people, to release tension without turning to dangerous outlets such as violence and crime.

Another benefit of volleyball, is its contribution to the development of solidarity and cooperation between the members of the team. The common effort, brings individuals that participate in a volleyball game, closer to each other, while this game gives them the chance to cooperate for the best possible result.

From all the benefits that are described here, anyone can understand that this sport does not fall short in comparison to other sports. But despite its advantages few people take part in it. The main reason for this is that volleyball is not promoted by the mass media, while at the same time families and schools does not encourage young people to participate, because they think soccer, track and fields and basketball are the best ways of exercise.

However, in the last few years there is a trend to teach volleyball more often in gym classes. It is important that this trend be continued. Volleyball teaching in schools should become more systematic and at the same time young people should be encouraged to take part in volleyball games especially if this agrees with their personal inclinations.

At the same time the mass media should promote the sport through the broadcasting of volleyball matches or TV programmes that give information about the sport. This way people will discover volleyball and the new dimensions that the sport offers.

In conclusion, volleyball, like every sport, has positive results on individuals and so it is necessary for more people to realize the benefits of these results and make the effort to learn and enjoy the game. …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 3, 2015October 13, 2016

American boxer Michael Gerard “Iron Mike” Tyson was born in the New York City borough Brooklyn on June 30th 1966. The ferocity and intimidating style of Tyson involved a series of rapid knockout wins that lead to his becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world in 1986. Ten years after Mike Tyson was born, a young Ugandan boxer Vitalis (Vitalish) Bbege, who had quickly acquired the equivalent of a national Tyson-like ferocious boxing image, was scheduled to represent Uganda at the 1976 Olympics to be held in Montreal from July 18th to 31st. Among the boxers on the Uganda team were future national boxing legends John Baker Muwanga (bantamweight) and featherweight Cornelius Boza-Edwards (Bbosa). Vitalish Bbege was scheduled to be Uganda’s welterweight competitor. Many African and other countries politically boycotted the 1976 around the starting of these Olympics. The scheduled preliminary bouts involving boycotting nations’ boxers were ruled walkovers in favor of the opponents of the non-boycotting nations.

In retrospect, Bbege had widely acquired his national brutal rapid knockout reputation during the 1974 African Amateur Boxing Championships that just so happened to be held in Bbege’s Uganda home territory. The boxing tournament took place in Kampala in November. Welterweight Bbege quickly disposed of all his opponents by early knockout, save for the audacious and strong Prince of Egypt who persistently held on until the end. Young and relatively unknown Bbege was quickly in the books as Africa’s amateur welterweight boxing champion. For decades, his name has remained legendary in Uganda and as synonymous with not only boxers, but also with belligerent and hard hitting regular people.

Bbege, as a welterweight represented Uganda at the Pre-Olympic Boxing Tournament in Montreal from November 27th to December 1st 1975. In the quarter-finals, on November 27th, the referee stopped Nico Jeurissen from Bbege’s onslaught, in the very first round. Bbege, in the semi-finals on November 29th, true to fashion, knocked out Leo Pelletier of Canada in the second round. But the finals, on December 1st, were not fruitful for Bbege. Bbege was defeated by Yoshifumi Seki of Japan with the referee stopping the fight in the first round. Bbege went home with the silver medal. And so did heavyweight Jacob Odonga, another Ugandan who was technically knocked out in the finals (by Hocine Tafer of France). The only other Ugandan contestant at this tournament was Mustapha Wasajja. He won the gold medal after outpointing Bryan Gibson of Canada.

After the 1976 Olympic boycott, Vitalish Bbege soon moved to the then West Germany (Federal Republic of Germany-FRG) where they would be more lucrative boxing opportunities for him. He remained an amateur boxer and never boxed professionally. He joined the Sparta Flensburg Boxing Club (BC Flensburg) in the city Flensburg where he still resides and is a fitness and boxing trainer.

Representing Sparta Flensburg (BC Flensburg), Bbege won numerous annual Schleswig-Holstein Amateur Boxing Association (SHABV) titles from the late 1970’s to the late 1980’s. In 1979, Bbege won the SHABV amateur middleweight (75kg) title, the …

Written by:Sharon LisaPosted on:October 3, 2015October 12, 2016

So what is the perfect destination to get your football season kicked off with a boom? How about taking a trip to Vegas for an ultimate fantasy football draft party or just a weekend getaway for that weeks marquee NFL matchups? Regardless if it's about sorting out everyone's lineups for this year's fantasy league or just enjoying a weekend with your football buddies, Las Vegas has everything you could ask for in terms of accommodating venues to relax and let loose. From VIP football party packages, club experiences, great restaurants and sports bars you'll surely find a place to hang and watch the Saturday and Sunday games.

So let's say you and your crowd of football junkies want to setup one of those ultimate live fantasy football drafts this season … Where do you start? Well by contacting a Las Vegas VIP Services company you could find yourselves having one of the most unforgettable fantasy weekends imaginable. The services provided by such companies can help arrange transportation services around the city, reservations at your desired eateries and sports books, along with VIP entrances to some of the greatest nightlife venues on the planet.

Okay so it's Las Vegas, its Labor Day weekend or the weekend before and it's time for your live draft. The Vegas heat is probably hovering around 100 degrees so maybe your group may want to get a reserved spot, cabana, or bungalow at one of the classy outdoor pool venues such as Bare, Wet Republic, Azure at Palazzo, Rehab at Red Rock, or Liquid at the Aria hotel and casino. After the early pool party is over, go get dried off and get ready to head to your reserved table at a local restaurant where your live fantasy draft will be held. Order your food, round up the draft orders, get your laptops and IPads out, choose your drinks, keep your napkins close by and let the smack talk and fantasy football madness begin! Keep in mind not to drink too much while picking your team because the limo service and nightlife venues are still ahead.

Okay so the football season is in full swing, somewhere around week 9 or 10, and the teams have all pretty much defined themselves … maybe it's time you gather a group of friends to travel to Las Vegas to make some bets and enjoy a football party package in the City of Sin! What does a football party package in Las Vegas entail? Well a quick rundown for some ideas would include reserving tables at a sports book and making your bets, finding some venues to hit up after the last game has been played, and of course where you and your friends will be staying during your trip. A quick list of top Vegas sports books could include the sports book at Mandalay Bay, Lagasse's Stadium, MGM Grand, The Palazzo, Planet Hollywood, Red Rock, or Caesars amongst others. And for nightlife venues you can choose from an array …

5 Ways Commissioners Can Increase Fun and Focus in Fantasy Football Leagues

Boxing – Much More Than Physical Exercise

Boxing Vs MMA (Mixed Martial Arts)

Building and Managing a High School Soccer Program

How To Pick the Best Figure Skates for Your Foot

Sports in the 1960s – Mirroring American History

Three Reason to Wear Football Gloves

Volleyball Today – The Benefits of a Great Team Sport

Vitalish Bbege: Uganda’s Amateur Power Punching Champion and the Boxing Wins in Germany

Planning a Fantasy Football Draft Package in Las Vegas