Archive for the ‘Basketball’ Category

If women dunked on the regular, would they be superstars? Would their dunking be responsible for sold-out arenas and high school gyms all over the world? Just imagine for one second, if you went to a women’s basketball game and there were wind-mill, 360, and alley-oop type dunks happening within the game on the regular. How would you feel about women’s basketball then? How would you perceive these women now? Would this make you withdraw or enhance your support? Would you respect these women and the game more if this were reality? Would you pay to see this? Ponder this. Would it matter to you if these same women wore high-heels or sneakers off the court? Would or would it not matter to you, if these women’s physiques were so cut and well-defined that they put most average and healthy men physiques to shame? From my 16 years of experience in women’s basketball, I’ve noticed that not only female basketball athletes, but the majority of female athletes, are judged first on looks alone before their athletic ability is even recognized.

The image of women’s basketball to some is perceived as a group of masculine women who mimic their “talents and image” after their male counterparts or labeled the infamous term and my favorite, the “tomboy.” A woman named Senda Berenson first introduced basketball to women in 1893. She altered Naismith’s rules around to avoid the unwanted roughness of the men’s game. Berenson eliminated physical contact as much as possible to make the sport of women’s basketball socially acceptable and to ease the mind of “then” society’s attitudes and thoughts toward female sports, when at the time gymnastics was the leader in physical fitness for women. Berenson also thought of physical contact as insulting, which is one of the main reasons she wanted to change Naismith’s original rules.

Well, the last women’s basketball game I attended, I overheard a man behind me referring to one of the players on the court as a man and making subtle and sarcastic remarks about this particular player because her build was very strong and her talent very extraordinary. He would say things like, “Good shot man,” and laugh while his wife attempted to hush him and deter him from embarrassing her even further. Her appearance seemed to be overshadowing her performance to this particular person. The year was 2008, not 1893.

At times, I can not help but wonder if the majority of people view women’s basketball this way: appearance first and talent second. I read basketball blog posts every now and then to see if there are any new comments or real knowledge posted on the subject of women’s basketball only to my dismay. I see the usual, “Women’s basketball is just not as entertaining as men’s basketball” or “They would not have even lasted this long if it wasn’t for the NBA’s backing.” Huuhhhh is the only reply that I have at this point anymore to those comments. Ok, not really. However, I can not say this next sentence enough. This might be one of the most important times, if not, the most important time for women’s basketball to leap to new heights. The talent is expanding in so many game-changing ways. Read about Britney Griner. No, go look up Brittney Griner on youtube and tell me that is not entertainment or that women’s basketball is not evolving for the better.

There is no mascara, no eyeliner, no eye shadow, no foundation, no lip gloss or lipstick. However, there is a resilience, a strength, a fortitude, a passion, and a love so pure in women’s basketball. Let’s allow women’s basketball and its strong and beautiful athletes to finally flourish. The time is now. Let’s not judge a face or personality that we have yet to experience off-court. Let’s appreciate the same amount of hard work these women and young girls put in to perfect a skill, a craft, a way of life, just as the M.J.’s, Magic’s, Lebron’s, and Kobe’s did and do. Let it be “A League of Their Own” because they are talented by skill and not by your presumptions. When can our appearance not matter and our talents be recognized first and foremost?

Of course, we are women; but we are also athletes, we are mothers, we are Michelle, we are Oprah. We are strong and beautiful. We can dunk and bare child. Now, is that not beautiful?

You can protect a young girl or woman’s dream by supporting women’s basketball by: attending women’s basketball games and spreading the word on its athletes. The time is now to help push a league to new heights, to help drive a young woman or girl to her potential, and to help a dream soar.

Women’s basketball is the record and I’m just the d.j.

Fallon Wright is a budding entrepreneur and women’s basketball sports enthusiast.

Author: Fallon Wright
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Once you make the decision to buy basketball goals and basketball hoops for personal or community use, you may think that the matter is closed. This isn’t necessarily the case. Several accessories are available to help you get the most out of your basketball equipment.

If you have decided to buy a basketball goal or basketball hoop with a crank to raise and lower the rim height, you may want to make sure that it stays at the level you have selected. In that case, the FT 12 lock is the solution to the problem. This key operated handle lock can be used on either the 4″, 5″ or 6″ EZ-Crank adjustable goal systems.

A ground anchor kit is available if you buy one of the outdoor basketball goals and basketball hoops offered. In it you will find everything you need to install an EZ-Crank adjustable basketball system, including a template, rebar, hex bolts and J-bolts. A set of instructions has also been included.

Outdoor basketball goals and basketball hoops for outdoor use need to be grounded, and buying a ground sleeve makes the process a lot easier. The sleeves are meant to cement into place and the post fits neatly inside. Eight tension bolts hold the post in place, and the sleeve is buried 36″ below the playing surface. The post is then perfectly leveled.

When it’s time to practice drills, you will appreciate the fact that you have a ball carrier to keep all of them stored neatly. The casters on all four corners make the unit easy to move into place and back into storage once the game or practice is finished.

What home basketball court would be complete without having lines stenciled in the concrete of your driveway or patio area? Use Basketball Court Stencil Kit FT 20 to paint a free throw line, regulation line and circle on any blacktop or cement surface.

Practice time needs to be used to its best advantage, and you can minimize the time you spend chasing after stray shots and passes by buying the FT 22 Defender Ball Retention Net. This product is designed to promote safety as well as reduce the damage to your neighbors’ property and plants. The unit fits on top of all of First Team’s pole-mounted basketball goals and basketball hoops. Best of all, you can install it in about 10 minutes and get on with enjoying the sport!

Practicing rebounding skills with the FT 23 Block-Aid. You don’t need any tools or ladders to install it; just toss it into place or use a broom handle to lift it up. Made from lightweight urethane, the Block-Aid will help you improve your rebounding skills without damaging the floor or injuring the other people you are playing with.

These accessories for basketball goals and basketball hoops can help you get the most out of these products. When you are thinking about ordering the right basketball goal or hoop for your needs, consider what else you might need to complement it.

Author Bill Parsons is the creative author of a variety of online specialty stores that offer both items and information for all your athletic equipment needs. Today, he offers advice on the different types of basketball hoop accessories.

If you’re looking for a new basketball goal, there are many different types and styles to choose from. Click any of the links here and all up the basketball hoop experts.

Author: Bill Parsons
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

The very first decision that you will have to make before you purchase a basketball goal is which one of the three primary types of basketball systems you will purchase.

In Ground System – Perhaps the most common and the most popular kind of basketball goal is the in ground system. This system is designed to cement straight into the ground, and as a result it is the most stable and provides the best rebound.

In ground basketball hoops are essentially permanent, so you have to make certain that you are comfortable with where you wan to put your hoop before you install it. It is also a good idea to check your homeowner’s association’s regulations regarding basketball hoops before you purchase an in ground unit.

Portable Basketball Goal – With portable basketball hoops, the system is stabilized by a large plastic base that you fill up with sand or water. Portable basketball goals are perfect for areas where you are only able to play basketball outside a few months out of the year. When it gets to chilly, you can just roll the hoop into storage.

They also work well for when your homeowner’s association regulations prohibit the installation of in ground basketball hoops.

When purchasing a portable basketball hoop, you should try to find a unit with the largest capacity base that you can find. The larger your base, the more stable your system is, and better rebound you will experience.

If you live in part of the country where temperatures can drop to below zero, it is important to remember to fill your portable basketball hoop base with sand instead of water. Water will expand when frozen, so it carries the risk of potentially cracking your base on chilly evenings. If you choose to use water, make sure to include some antifreeze in the base to prevent the water from freezing.

Roof Mounted Basketball Systems – If you don’t want your basketball system to take up any room in your driveway, your best choice will probably be a garage roof mounted basketball goal. These systems don’t require a pole or a base at all.

They just attach directly to your roof with a bracket. On higher end roof-mount basketball hoops, the bracket is typically included with the system. However, on cheaper models, such as those that cost less than three hundred dollars, you typically have the purchase the basketball bracket separately.

Once you settle on what kind of basketball system you want, the next thing you have to decide is what kind of backboard material best suits your needs and budget.

Buy in-ground basketball goal hoops.

Determine which basketball backboard is best including details on the differences between acrylic backboards and tempered glass backboards.

The more you know about basketball hoops, the more money you can save. Learn all the up to date info about in-ground adjustable basketball hoops at Pro Dunk Hoops.

Author: Keith Tate
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are a lot of people who make basketball goals out there, so how exactly do you know when you are going to get the best one for you? A good place to start is by taking a look at the major basketball brands on the market, and learning about what kind of hoops they offer.

Lifetime – Lifetime Basketball Hoops is probably one of the largest manufacturer of residential quality in ground and portable basketball goals. They make a variety of basketball hoops, ranging in price from under two hundred dollars to over six hundred. These are fantastic hoops if you are just looking for something affordable to shot around on in your driveway.

Spalding – Spalding basketball hoops are another great option for the residential player. One nice advantage that Spalding basketball hoops have over lifetime is that generally their adjustment systems are easier to use, which can be helpful if you plan on adjusting the basketball hoop quite often.

In addition to their residential quality systems, Spalding also makes a line of pro quality basketball hoops. Their “Arena View” and “H frame” line of basketball hoops are some of the best you can find anywhere, if you are willing to spend for that level of quality.

Goalrilla – If you have been looking around for higher quality basketball goals, you have probably come across the name Goalrilla. Goalrilla basketball goals are fanatasic because they offer really pro worthy systems at a reasonable price. They come in either fifty four inch, sixty inch, or seventy two inch backboards, and they install fairly easily with the “anchor bolt” mounting method. This actually allows you to bolt the Goalrilla basketball hoop to a bolt plate cemented in the ground. So if you ever want to move, you can always just remove the pole and install it in your new location.

Mammoth – Mammoth brand basketball hoops are the biggest competitor to Goalrilla for the high end residential hoop market. If you are looking for something a lot like a Gorilla, but a little bit cheaper, Mammoth is a smart way to go. Some of the major differences between Mammoth and Goalrilla is the fact that Mammoth has a pneumatic adjustment system as opposed to a crank adjust adjustment system. Many find the crank adjust to be a little easier to use, but this is mostly a matter of personal preference.

First Team – First team is another major basketball brand that is probably most famous for making very high quality institutional systems, but they are fantastic for anyone who wants to have a super high quality basketball hoop in their driveway. First team is also remarkable because they are the last basketball goal brand that makes all of their systems in the USA, and they even offer a few basketball hoop systems that have warranties that cover damage due to dunking, something that you just can’t find anywhere else.

The more you know about basketball hoops, the more money you can save. Learn all the up to date info about the best basketball hoop deals at http://www.basketballhoopbuyingguide.com

Author: Keith Tate
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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