The Narcissism that Seems to go Hand in Hand with Being a Sports Star

March 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Scandals involving major athletes seem to be everywhere. Pick up a paper, turn on the TV, there is trouble brewing with an athlete somewhere. Late winter 2011 brings us the trial of Marni Yang, convicted of killing the pregnant girlfriend of Shaun Gayle, an ex-Chicago Bear. Herein lies the rub: Shaun was not married to the girlfriend and apparently had no intentions of doing so. He preferred to sleep around with whoever he pleased rather than settle down with someone who was having his child. Instead, his actions incited her murder. While he has not said anything publicly and will not, chances are that he’s going to keep on having sex with whoever he pleases.

And that is just the latest story in one of many. This article is not about the morality or lack of with athletes. Rather it is how their fans put them onto a pedestal, they are treated like gods by their team organization and no one sees fit to temper the high flying egos. Non-team players are not immune either. Look at Tiger Woods, formed by his father to be the best player there ever was to swing a golf club. And he achieved his father’s goal. Along the way he lost perspective and decided that he could get away with having a trophy wife and children.

When does the paying public finally say enough is enough? It is time to be a little cynical about our idols and say enough is enough.

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Why do Sports Teams Rely on a Handful of Superplayers to Take them all the Way?

March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

There never seems to be a shortage of players on the injured list in any sport. And many of those players are first string, considered to be the great hope of the team. He’s going to be the one to take them to the finals, the Superbowl, the World Series. That was until he suffered an injury that takes him out for a large chunk of the season. So what is a team manager supposed to do now?

It seems this mistake is made over and over again. The team management puts out big money for the one star athlete and the rest of the team suffers. Funds for payroll are depleted by this big name which in turns causes a ripple effect. Players that are put on the first string can’t keep up with the big name. So the star winds up supporting the team on his shoulders. And in turn, his body breaks down faster because of the excess work he’s doing in order to bring home the bacon.

When taking a close look at this habit, it really is one that should be broken. Sports teams are too used to putting out the highest bid to put together their team in order to win in one season. That is why there are so many flashes in the pan with not a lot of repeat ultimate victories. Sports needs to go back to the idea that they develop their team using the definition of the word.

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What is the Allure of Extreme Sports?

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Extreme sports are a relatively recent phenomenon, coming to prominence in the last twenty years. The reason for calling them extreme is because the activities are on the edge of sanity. Competitors go after death-defying stunts in order to win an event. The participants must be nuts to put their life on the line on such a regular basis, but they are just average Joes and Janes like the rest of us.

The subconscious brain is a key player in the desire for extreme sports. Consciously we know that trying to flip a windsurfing board 360 degrees is just plain crazy. But the attempts to achieve success start the adrenaline flowing in the brain. The risk and reward cycle that goes hand in glove with traditional forms of addiction also shows up in extreme sports participants. There is no longer any satisfaction in doing something “that everyone else can do,” despite the fact that reaching that level is unattainable by most. Old achievements feel mundane and the search is on for something that is a lot more exciting. Hence the allure of participating in extreme sports.

Getting involved in any version of these activities means running along the knife edge the entire time. And because the player has survived their last attempt, they are confident that they will survive their next. Chances are good that they will because their training teaches them their limits. But this is truly a sport that belongs to those who seek more than a thrill.

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The Rules of a Game: Betting

March 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The notion of sports betting is a common one, understood to be rooted within the athletic world, but too often does this notion baffle. Its purpose is mistaken. Its rules aren’t recognized. And the result is a refusal to play the game.

Sports betting is not the terror so many have thought it to be, however. It’s instead simple in its procedures and able to be mastered by all who wish to learn.

The process begins with a chosen competition. No game is immune to betting (traditional activities like baseball and basketball are the most common, but even Olympic swimming has its place). An individual then decides to take part of the action. He contacts a bookmaker, who handles all money exchanges and information, and places a bet based upon the point spreads, which are the odds of one team winning over another.

Point spreads determine the profits that are made. As they grow higher, however, it becomes more challenging for individuals to regain their money. For example, if a team is ranked as a 10-shot, this means that they will have to score at least 10 points above their opponent to be deemed the victor by a bookmaker (even if they win the game in real life). If this fails to happen, then the losing team is instead declared the winner, and those who bet with the points spread default their claims. It becomes imperative therefore to understand probability and statistics before making any wagers.

Sports’ betting is often forced to occur online. This is due to its dubious legality. Choosing the best sites is therefore imperative—research all of the selections carefully, understand their security systems, licensing and privacy agreements. Seek out client testimonials and read all reviews. Never assume a web page is worthy of your time. Be certain instead to decipher every single element.

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Safety Should be the Priority Concern for any Athlete

March 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sports are a lot of fun. They are also potentially dangerous. How many times have you read a story in the paper about how an athlete experienced a career ending injury? And while the odds are low, there is always a chance at dying during competition. Modern materials has added in a layer of safety that previous generations were not able to rely upon. But that is no excuse to think that the gear is going to be the first line of defense. All it takes is one bad move and that is all she wrote.

It is a given that participating in sports means giving it your all. That is the whole basis of competition: To show oneself at their very best. So it is not surprising that catastrophic injuries occur. It is way too easy to get caught up in the moment or in a rush of adreniline only to be blacking out a moment later. A hit from an opponent, a fall that cracks your skull against a hardwood floor, or a poorly aimed puck and not enough safety gear. All of these will take the player out of the game for a time.

Do yourself a favor. Make sure that your safety equipment is all up to date. Check for cracks and weaknesses. Replace any worn parts or replace the piece entirely. And when playing the game, try giving 99% instead of 100% to retain that little bit of awareness to stay out of trouble.

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Take it Slow and Easy when Starting a Training Routine

March 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Athletes don’t get their bodies overnight. They work on them day in and day out throughout the year. Trainers guide them to get the most result for the least effort, even though that effort may be gargantuan. These same trainers also know how to keep their charges from getting injured while developing their bodies. Not everyone has the same advantages as the star athletes and use written instructions instead.

Certainly there is nothing wrong with reading articles, books or taking advice from experienced athletes on forums. Their knowledge is valid or they would not have reached this particular pinnacle of condition. But the most important thing to remmeber is to not jump the gun. Our bodies build muscle in a manner that requires limitations to prevent injury. And there is nothing worse than trying to get into shape for the season, only to have a serious tendon or muscle tear before games start.

Building muscle requires that we put small tears into them. This is done by mildly stressing them a little beyond the current capability. The body then remodels the muscle, increasing strength. Rinse, lather, repeat. It is also why our bodies can be stiff or slightly painful after an intense workout. Without a trainer to keep an eye on things, self-monitoring becomes the number one priority.

So when starting out for the first time, or even after time off, don’t push your luck. Just because you can do it doesn’t mean that it’s a good thing.

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Running the Boston Marathon

February 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The world’s oldest annual marathon, the Boston Marathon has distinguished itself as a race for only the most serious and dedicated runners. Started in 1897, the race attracts an average of 20,000 runners each year. The race winds through 26.22 miles of eight cities and towns in Massachusetts: Hopkinton, Framingham, Wellesley, Brookline, Newton, Natick, Ashland and Boston.

As one of the most difficult marathons to race, not every runner can qualify for the event. The marathon is open to both male and female runners of any nation. However, the runners must complete a qualifying round before being permitted to run the race. About 18 months prior to the marathon, runners ages 18 to 34 must complete a certified course in 3:10:59 if male and 3:40:59 if female. If older than 34, the qualifying time is adjusted based on the runner’s age.

When considering if the Boston Marathon is right for you, you must first take into account the challenges that the Boston Marathon poses. Not only do you have to be fast and well-conditioned to run a long distance, you must also be prepared to face the difficult hills that lie in the marathon’s course. There are four hills in Newton, which begin at about the 16 mile mark. The most notorious of the hills has been dubbed Heartbreak Hill, which lands between the 20 and 21 mile mark. It’s primarily dreaded because of its steep climb; at the bottom, the hill is at an elevation of 148 feet and rises to an elevation at the top of 236 feet.

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Preparing for a Marathon

February 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Marathon race in Hannover

Image via Wikipedia

Running in a marathon can be a difficult yet rewarding task. Most runners are aware of the preparation and training that goes into running a marathon in the months before the event. However, as the marathon creeps up on you, be sure you know how to train and eat when the race is only days and hours away.

Practice Runs

If at all possible, try a long run on the actual racecourse about a week or so before the event. By doing this, you’ll become more familiar with the course, and you’ll be prepared for any hills or rough terrain. Logistically, you’ll also figure out how long it takes you to get to the site and where to park.

The Day Before

The day before the event, avoid any strenuous exercise or training—you could even take a break from running altogether. You won’t lose any of your conditioning if you skip one day of training. Also make sure you check to see if you need to pick up any of your race materials before the event.

The Night Before

Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrate loading the night before the race is not a good idea. Food generally takes 36 hours to process, so if you carbo load you may find yourself too full on the day of your race. Instead, try testing light dinners in the weeks leading up to the race, seeing how each one settles with you, and go with the dinner that worked best for you. Also be sure to drink plenty of fluids, including an electrolyte beverage, the night before the race.

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How to Become a High School Coach

February 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Becoming a high school athletic coach is perfect for those who have a love of sports and want to be an inspiration to young people. Being an athletic coach is much more than teaching students how to throw a football or how to serve a volleyball. Athletic coaches can have a profound impact on young people’s lives on and off a court or field. Thus, not only do athletic coaches need to be skilled in the sport they teach, they must also have a dedication to bettering students’ lives. If you want to become an athletic coach, try the following steps.

  1. Develop a passion and knowledge for a particular sport, be it tennis, football, basketball or lacrosse. See if you can get a summer job teaching lessons to children in the sport of your choice, and begin networking with coaches or athletes in your community who can help you get a job.
  2. When attending college, select a major that is relevant to high school coaching. Education or physical education can prepare you with the skills needed to effectively teach young people.
  3. Attempt to make the leap from the youth leagues to working with a high school team. Expect to be an assistant when you start out, but you could eventually move up to being a head coach.
  4. Take any necessary courses needed to certify you as a high school coach. These courses may not be needed while you’re an assistant coach, but it will show your initiative and will indicate to your peers that you’d like to move up to a head coach position.
  5. Eventually, you’ll be ready to move up to a head coach position. Don’t be deterred if you get turned down for jobs; each application or interview is a learning and networking experience.
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Understanding Your Child’s Desire to Participate in Extreme Sports

February 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

For many parents whose children want to participate in extreme or alternative sports, their biggest concern is the safety of their child. Extreme sports, by definition, push the boundaries of safety and have a high level of risk involved. However, extreme sports has a very high level of competition and a large arena of admirers. The best thing that you can do as a parent is to be supportive, encouraging, and provide the best safety equipment the sport has to offer.

Yes, children who participate in sports are likely to get injured, but children get hurt participating in organized sports as well as extreme sports. The important thing to realize is that you cannot let your fear dictate what your child can do. If they want to take the initiative and become better at a sport, then you need to be supportive not limiting.

Many parents use to worry that if their children were involved in BMX biking or skateboarding that their children would be outcasts and not fit in. That may have been true years ago, but it is not true now. There is a large following of extreme and alternative sports. There is probably a large number of children in your area  that participate in extreme sports that your child could meet and work with. It is also a great way to get your child outside. It is important to encourage your child to express themselves physically. With the childhood obesity rate so high, you should be so glad your child wants to get outside and do something.

Many children want to get involved in extreme sports for two reasons. One, the more extreme tricks you can do the more you can empress people. Children always want to empress their friends, for some organized sports is their way of doing it, for your child it might be skateboarding. Two, kids want to do something that they love. If you are forcing your child to play soccer they are probably less likely to enjoy it than if they were doing something that they love.

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