Extreme Sports Aren't Any Fun Without Proof and Bragging Rights

Are there more people participating in extreme sports, or are there just more video cameras out there at a low enough price that anyone can afford? The reason I dare to ask this question is as I go online I am amazed at all the crazy activities that human beings get themselves into, and all the trouble and injuries that occur when they fall on their butts. Now then to answer this question I'd like to propose a hypothesis, it goes something like this;
1.) Yes, humans are doing more extreme activities when it comes to sports
2.) One thing that motivates them is the fact that they can get it all on video, so they do
It is for these two reasons that we are seeing more YouTube videos of people doing extreme things, as well as watching the "agony of defeat" when they make a mistake, get in over their head, or crash and burn. There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal had an interesting article published on June 20, 2013 titled; "Extreme Sports Get a Camera - Surfer, Seeking a Way to Film His Outrageous Stunts, Realizes He Has to Invent It," by Lizette Chapman.
The article didn't surprise me much because I did do some research on this in 2004 with regards to the future virtual reality in your holographic living room and how the computer gaming industry would grab hold of all of these videos and allow individuals to experience a simulation of some of these most fantastic extreme sporting maneuvers and activities. Soon you will be able to download someone's B.A.S.E. jump and have a near experience in your own living room, perhaps enough to get your heart really pumping and a perfect venue for adrenaline junkies.
Imagine being inside of your holographic living room where everything appears real, and stepping forward one step and feeling a rush of speed as the visual effects make you feel as if you are falling, and then you reach back behind and pull on a lever which allows the shoot to open, and if you don't, the ground comes up really fast, and there's a big crashing sound of broken bones and a thud from the base speakers in your living room.
This perhaps will be the future of extreme sports simulation, and it will give money for those extreme daredevils who do the stunts. They can sell their experiences to computer gamers and couch potatoes. Please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow has launched a new provocative series of eBooks on Future Concepts. Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank; http://www.worldthinktank.net

5 Baseball Workout Tips To Maximize Your Performance

If you are training to be a better baseball player you can't just walk into the gym and wing it.
You need to have a plan.
Better yet, you need to have a baseball-specific plan.
That's because your strength training for baseball should do more than just give you bigger, stronger muscles.
It should also focus on evening out the muscle imbalances that are caused with doing the same movements (throwing and batting) thousands of times each season. Your strength training should help loosen up tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles so that your technique is maximized.
As a Sports Performance Specialist, I have had great results building better baseball players by adhering to these following principles when strength training:

• Get the Posterior Chain Strong The posterior chain is a group of muscles on the back of your body that are comprised of the mid back, low back, glutes, hips and hamstrings. This group of muscles work together to give you power when batting and throwing. The general rule when setting up workouts for baseball players is to include a lower body compound exercise such as a Trap Bar Deadlift or a Safety Bar Squat (The Safety Bar is awesome for baseball players because it doesn't put stress on the shoulders), a 1-leg exercise that focuses on the quadriceps, a hip dominant exercise and a rotational core exercise.
• Use a Foam Roller This is my secret weapon for getting baseball players loose and ready to play. It also helps your overall strength gains throughout the year because when you get more blood flow to your muscles you recover better from strength training. In turn, you develop more absolute strength. Baseball players should foam roll the Piriformis (glute area muscle that helps you step into a pitch) and your Ilio-Tibial (IT) Band. Basically, it means you need to foam roll the hips, glute and outside of the thigh. Baseball players should also foam roll the Thoracic area of the back as well as the posterior deltoids (back of shoulders).
• Train the Brachialis Muscle Baseball players are notorious for developing elbow injuries. This is especially true for pitchers who repeatedly throw high velocity pitches and breaking pitches, which cause torque on the elbows. This is why so many baseball pitchers wind up having a Tommy John surgery, which replaces the medial ligament in the elbow with a tendon from somewhere else in the body. The good news is you can avoid elbow throwing injuries by getting the Brachialis (forearm muscle) strong. The best way to do this is with some sort of Hammer Curl. A Hammer Curl is any type of unilateral curl that allows you to keep your thumb up as you curl the weight.
• The Medicine Ball is Your Friend I always have my baseball players perform medicine ball exercises during the preseason so that they can increase explosive power for throwing, running and batting. To do this, I have them perform various lying, kneeling and standing exercises with a medicine ball. Two of the best exercises for baseball players are Soccer Throws and Sideways Wall Throws. These two exercises give a fantastic explosive core workout and train the Internal Obliques muscle group that is so important to overall power as an athlete. BUT... the preseason is best done for only 6-8 weeks prior to the start of the season. In other words, Medicine Ball and other power training exercises are best done for short periods of time... not year round. The bulk of the time should focus on building a foundation of strength from which you build speed and power around.
• Train Over Your Head One of the silliest things we've dealt with when training new baseball athletes at our gym is their coaches instructions that they are NOT to do any exercises that involve their arms overhead. They mistakenly believe that the players will get hurt by training any exercises over their heads. Listen, here's the truth... The only exercises that you may want to avoid overhead are the Snatch and the Clean and Jerk. These Olympic style lifts can lead to torque and injuries in the shoulders... especially when attempted by individuals who aren't properly trained nor experienced enough. Personally, I think Olympic lifts are useless for baseball players and won't use them with my players. Instead, exercises such as strict standing shoulder presses, overhead triceps extensions, and a Pullover machine are amazingly effective for creating a balanced group of muscles for throwing and batting.

There are a ton more things you can to maximize your baseball performance through your baseball-specific workouts. Give these 5 tips a consideration when designing your baseball-specific workouts so that you avoid injuries as well as improve your game.

Steve Preston is a Sports Performance Specialist in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has over 20 years of experience training athletes and is a PE Specialist with the Virginia Beach School System. If you'd like to get a ton of free tips to maximize your baseball performance, grab your copy of Steve's "101 Strength, Conditioning and Nutrition Tips for Baseball Players" ebook here: http://ultimatebaseballstrength.com/tips/

Motocross Clothing for the Extreme Athlete

Extreme sports enthusiasts can all agree that the thrill of motocross is a sight to be seen as dirt bikers do what they love and spectators get the excitement of watching this sport. Nothing gives a bigger adrenaline rush than riding the bounces and bumps of motocross and motocross clothing is absolutely necessary to keep a dirt biker completely protected. While the crowd can 'ohh' and 'ahh' at all of the excitement of motocross, there is much more to it when consider action sportswear for motocross.
Though most extreme athletes often opt for something fashionable to show off their own personal style, there are some necessary garment pieces that are absolutely needed when riding a dirt bike. Of course, a motocross rider wants to look cool and stand out amongst their competition so that they are more recognizable to their fans.
There are several leading brands of motocross clothing that offers garments with really cool logos on their action sportswear. The logos of these brands have even extended to the point where enthusiasts of motocross often sport the clothing too.
One of the most needed pieces of motocross clothing of action sportswear is a helmet. There are all types of helmets available for riders. They each have different colors and designs so they are one of the most recognizable pieces of active sportswear for a rider to have on. However, it is also the most imperative pieces of motocross clothing.
Helmets obviously protect the head. The styles of these helmets fit snugly atop the head and just over the top of the vertebrate of the neck so to protect a rider in case he or she were to take a spill. The helmets also offer padding inside for comfort for when a rider hits various bumps so that their head does not jiggle around. If a helmet is too lose, it can become a distraction for a motocross rider and they could have the possibility of losing control of their bike. The vast majority of these helmets offer shields to cover the eyes and to protect from the sun and dust. Some of the motocross clothing helmets offer temperature control because they are actually made of materials that are lightweight and comfortable for the rider.
Motocross clothing also consists of colorful jerseys. These are made for comfort and style and many are designed with the utmost in technology to keep the rider safe but also cool in the heat or warm in the cold depending on the riding conditions. Some jerseys may even have mesh openings to help let unwanted heat escape, allowing the rider to control their body temperature. These active sportswear garments for motocross also typically have tails so that the jerseys stay tucked in to the rider's pants.
Motocross clothing for action sportswear usually consists of race pants too. Many of these are made of material that gives allowing the rider to be able to move their legs, knees and backs. It is necessary for these types of motocross clothing to fit properly to ensure that the rider's safety is in the best interest.

Erika L. Rich is an Extreme Sports fan, Blogger, Social Media and Internet Marketer. If you are looking for a new and upcoming extreme sports designer with clothes that are made in the USA and are comfortable, check out http://FrithCoShop.com which is home of Frithco Extreme Sports Fashions based in Southern California and designed by Zach Lurie.

Baseball Pitching Tips: Fourteen Ways To Turn A .300 Hitter Into A .210 Hitter

Baseball pitchers at every level are always looking for an edge over the hitters that they compete against. This is true in little league baseball, high school baseball, college baseball, in the minor leagues and in the major leagues.
Here are a few tips that can help pitchers to throw more strikes in those big games.
1. Pitchers can benefit from utilizing records, data and video from previous games with hitters so that they can understand how best to pitch to certain batters. For instance, if the hitter likes to extend on the ball, it makes sense to pitch him inside. Similarly, if a hitter has trouble with a fast ball, the pitcher may want to rely on this basic pitch.
2. Pitchers can benefit from developing four or five pitches. While this is not a physically easy task, having a variety of pitches can keep batters guessing and consequently, off balance.
3. Throwing strikes is very important. In addition, focusing on throwing strikes can help to remove mental clutter from the pitcher's mind and can help to simplify the task at hand for many pitchers.
4. In fact, according to Carlton Chin, an expert in sports, math and statistics, at the major league level, staying ahead of the hitter can actually turn at .300 hitter into a .210 hitter. This ninety point swing can be a huge advantage for the hurler. Pitchers need to have an appreciation of this simple mathematical fact.
5. Pitchers need to have a good working relationship with their pitching coach, their head coach and their catcher.
6. Pitchers need to know what kind of self talk allow them to "enter the zone" when they are on the mound. As one pitcher told the author, "It is all about how you communicate with yourself."
7. Some pitchers benefit from knowing how to empty their minds of all distractions before each and every pitch. This empty mind helps them to allow their athleticism and years of training to take over when they are on the pitching mound.
8. Some pitchers think in terms of hitting the catcher's mitt. Others try to hit portions of the plate. Pitchers need to choose a target which gives them the right amount of focus but which does not create too much anxiety for them. The right target can very from pitcher too pitcher.
9. While location of pitches is very important, pitchers need to remember that good pitching is also about disrupting the hitter's timing. Varying speeds can be a very useful skill for baseball hurlers.
10. Some pitchers put too much pressure on themselves by forgetting that they have teammates on the field who can help them to win games. A ground out or fly out is as good as strikeout much of the time in baseball.
11. Some baseball hurlers do well by focusing on one simple part of their mechanics. (Follow through, use your legs, easy does it, transfer your weight.)
12. Having a consistent pre-pitch routing helps many pitchers to perform well.
13. Knowing the pace that you like to pitch at is also important. Some pitchers like to work rapidly. Others need more time between each pitch. Pitchers who are struggling may want to adjust their pace of pitching accordingly. Experiment with less time or more time and see what works best.
14. Pitchers can benefit from mental toughness training which shows them how to be relaxed, confident, focused and resilient when the pressure is on. Hypnosis, visualization and meditation can help pitchers to maintain the right mindset in the dugout, in the bullpen and on the mound.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a Psychotherapist, Author and the Founder of http://www.StayInTheZone.com. He has been featured in many major media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Dr. Granat is available for coaching and for seminars. He can be reached at info@stayinthezone.com or at 888 580-ZONE. He has recently developed a program for baseball pitchers How To Throw More Strikes With Sport Psychology And Self-Hypnosis. Here is the link to get this program. http://stayinthezone.com/shop/how-to-throw-more-strikes-with-sport-psychology-self-hypnosis/

Basic Stretching for Increasing Vertical Jump Performance

When we talk about the process of maximizing explosion performance in athletics, we are always going to be talking about numerous internal body factors working together to produce the whole result.
In relation to the actual training process this will inevitably mean that training will be like a puzzle. All the pieces must be properly accounted for to help create that important total whole outcome.
The process of reaching our maximum vertical explosion potential includes factors like strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, quick twitch muscle development, proper nutrition, correct rest (to allow the muscles to rebuild), and flexibility through proper stretching. The bottom line with regard to that last puzzle piece of stretching is that it is the one which is least understood out of the entire list.
I frankly don't know one male elite athlete who has acquired the correct knowledge regarding what is what is proper stretching without the aid of a paid trainer. The obvious problem is these trainers cost money. So what about the rest of us who might want to know how to jump higher but aren't going to be able to pay a trainer? How do we learn proper stretching principles and techniques for our maximum jump height? We will look at the basics below with a vital joint and muscle group for jumping higher: the hip flexor.
--What is the hip flexor?
The hip flexor is actually a group of front muscles constituting the upper thigh from the hip to the knee. They are important in jump higher because they are primary working muscles in any full body explosion movement. To effectively stretch all the muscles making up the hip flexors of each leg you must concentrate on movements which are more pull and move, rather than grab and hold.
--Two simple dynamic stretch moves which are tailored to maximizing the flexibility of the hip flexor.
Again, when attacking the hip flexor you are wanting to think in terms of stretches which are done in a moving fashion rather than the more traditional hold or static form.
In stretch one you will want to get on your side and gently pull the leg back using your hand grabbing on your ankle. Go back as far as you can then release the hold and let your leg snap back forward slowly lifting as high as you can with the knee. Think about how high your knee would go up if you were standing and marching. Do this 10 or 15 times with each leg. This is an easy and powerful stretch which many athletes have never done.
Stretch two is also simple but powerful. Get on one knee with your other leg bent in front of you and the foot flat to the ground. Pull your shoulders back so your chest sort of sticks out in an exaggerated fashion. Roll forward with the upper body for a two count and back for a two count. 10 or 15 times is also a good number for this stretch. Remember with both basic stretches to be constantly moving but slow and controlled.

John Volk is founder of http://jumphigherexperts.com which he started after finding the resources to help him reach the goal of dunking a basketball at an advanced age. Join the fun at the website and at the Facebook fan page address: http://www.facebook.com/jumphigherexperts

Action Sportswear for BMX Riders

When it comes to BMX riding, it is hard core and it is necessary to have the right action sportswear not only to ensure that the rider is safe and protected but to also show style. Action sportswear is a form of active wear that is designed entirely for the use of athletic and sporting events.
Many designers create action sportswear exclusively as BMX apparel to make sure that the riders are safe as they take on the rush of adrenaline by doing flips and aerials while riding on their dirty path or ramps. In many cases, BMX riders have a style all of their own. With the popularity of the sport, some professional BMX riders even endorse certain designers as a form of commercialism. This helps the rider not only stay safe in the action sportswear but to also create a branding technique.
Some of the top riders in the world wear certain BMX apparel that has been given to them for the purpose of showing off the designer brand. Action apparel also helps a rider to create their own identity. Take for example, if a rider is wearing BMX apparel such as lime green shoes, they might be come to known to spectators that this is a certain rider and they should pay close attention to the high energy and expertise of the rider. It becomes a part of their signature look.
Fashion alone is not the only reason that BMX apparel is necessary for riders. The extreme sports pros must follow a specific dress code with action sportswear so that they are safe while they are riding their BMX bikes for fun and competition. It is necessary for a BMX rider to choose action sportswear that is comfortable yet functional. They must fit properly and not be loose fitting or otherwise the rider has risk of the clothing to get caught in the mechanics of their cycle which could cause a major accident and serves as quite a risk.
Some of the most common BMX apparel and action sportswear consists not only of a t-shirt and pants but also includes protective gear. BMX riders should wear shin and elbow guards in case they were to fall off the bike, protecting them from serious injury. Many times, BMX apparel will also consist of long sleeve jerseys. These can be found at a great value that includes graphics, cuffs that are made of elastic to avoid slippage on the arms and even a lightweight construction. That makes these jerseys useful in all types of weather.
There are also certain pants that BMX riders have available to choose from which are action sportswear called race pants. Many of these types of pants are designed with nylon for the best in construction and durability. The lightweight material allows a BMX athlete to ride in comfort without weighing a rider down or overheating them. These are also designed for flexibility so that added protective gear can be worn underneath the action sportswear.

Erika L. Rich is an Extreme Sports fan, Blogger, Social Media and Internet Marketer. If you are looking for a new and upcoming extreme sports designer with clothes that are made in the USA and are comfortable, check out http://FrithCoShop.com which is home of Frithco Extreme Sports Fashions based in Southern California and designed by Zach Lurie.

Basketball Skills

Basketball is one of the most complex sports there is. To master this sport it takes a combination of hand eye coordination, speed, power, agility, and most importantly the power of will. For the amateur this sport can be very difficult to play, especially against mildly difficult competition. I have played basketball since age four, and have also played at the collegiate level. I have a few tips on the basic skills of the game that the amateur can use to enhance their game.
1. Dribbling
Most amateurs want to be able to handle the ball like Allen Iverson and "shake and bake" their opponent at will, but this skill can be overrated. Basic dribbling skills are all that is required to be a sufficient player. Being able to handle the ball with both hands without it bouncing out of your control is the minimum you need for this category of the game. Some of the greatest players in the history of basketball, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, were not the best ball handlers.
2. Shooting
The object of the game of basketball is to put the ball in the hoop. In my eyes this is the most important physical skill on the court. The greatest players in the history of this game have had the ability to shoot the basketball, and at a very high level. While Ray Allen was not a great ball handler he made up for that in his ability to shoot the ball better than anybody ever has; he holds the three point shooting record in the NBA. This skill can be taught and perfected due to it being somewhat mechanical in nature. While someone may not be a good shooter the skill can be acquired overtime with repetition.
3. Defense
Maybe the easiest skill to perform in a game of basketball. No matter your skill level in the other categories, this particular category can make up for your other inefficiencies. This skill requires good footwork and mobility to stay in front of your opponent as well as jumping ability to block and alter shots. Mastery of this skill will almost guarantee you a spot on somebody's team during a pickup game, everybody loves the person that loves to play defense.
4. Passing
Possibly the most underrated skill in the game today. Passing requires knowledge of where your teammates are on the court and intuition of where they will be once you make your pass. This is a tough skill to master, many basketball experts say either you were born a great passer or you were not. Magic Johnson, regarded as the greatest passer of the basketball, had a ken sense of where ever person was on the court and knew the exact spot to give them the basketball in order for that person to achieve optimal success.
5. Mental Toughness
By far the most important skill you absolutely need to have before stepping onto any basketball court. Basketball can be a game of trash talking, dirty plays from opponents, and tightly played games. A strong minded mentality is needed to endure these intangibles. The trash talking in basketball games is quite intense and sometimes many opponents can cross the line while doing so, the reason the do this is to get you to react and lose you composure. I'm guilty of trash talking my opponents on numerous occasions, it is the easiest way to make your opponent give up and retreat from competition. By having this mental toughness there is nothing on the court that you can not overcome.
By achieving a greater level of skill than you currently have in each of these categories, you can become a better player and enjoy this great game even more.