Top 5 Athletes of All Time

Even though the list of talented athletes is endless we have attempted to group together who we think are the best athletes of all time, we initially thought 10 was a good even number but after great thought we decided to be brutal and whittle it down to a meager 5 names!

We should point out that these names are in no particular order; they are all as great as each other.

Muhammad Ali, born in 1942 Ali is a three time world heavyweight champion and the only boxer to have won the linear heavyweight championship three times, in his 20 year career basketball fought in a massive 61 fights, 56 of which he won and for a magnificent ten years he remained undefeated.
His deserved place in our top five sporting champs is only illustrated by the fact that he has been awarded 'Sportsman of the century' by both Sports Illustrated and the BBC.

Pele, playing national football at the tender age of 16, Edison Arantes do Nascimento has been a top athlete from a very young age. FIFA recognises that Pele has scored 1281 goals across his entire career, however for many of his time playing in Brazil goal scoring was not recognised therefore this number is no doubt significantly higher, either way FIFA consider this figure as the highest number of goals achieved by any one player.

Golfer Tiger Woods, deserves a place in the top athletes for the fact that he has won 65 official PGA Tour events, an additional 22 individual professional titles, owns two team titles in the two-man World Golf Championships-World Cup, and won the inaugural FedEx Cup playoffs. In 2008 he became the first golfer to win four PGA Tour events five or more times and is the first person to win a PGA Tour basketball on the same course seven times, and the first person to win two tournaments at the same golf course in the same season.

Lance Armstrong, this cyclist deserves a place on this list not only for being the only person to win the Tour De France seven times but for also being a survivor of cancer. He developed testicular cancer in 1995 which then spread to his stomach, lungs and brain, after extensive hospital care he made a full recovery after which he went on to win the prestigious tournament a total of seven times. His dedication and bravery has been recognised by the over 50 accolades and awards he has received since.

Michael Jordan, noted as being one of the greatest basketball players of all time and a global icon for the NBA around the world. He holds the NBA record for highest career regular season scoring average with 30.12 points per game, as well as averaging a record 33.4 points per game in the playoffs. In 1999, he was named the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century by ESPN, and was second to Babe Ruth on the Associated Press's list of athletes of the century. He will be eligible for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

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Top 5 Ways to Improve Your Basketball Post Moves

In basketball, the big man sometimes gets lost in a game basketball quickness, flash and finesse. We often forget about the importance of having a strong post presence basketball run your offense through. This may be because nowadays big men want to play small. What's the fun in that? Embrace your big frames and use it to your advantage. The following are five top ways to improve your offensive inside game.

Physicality is essential if you want to be a quality post player, so get mean. This will create space for you to work, putting defenders at your mercy. Make sure to keep contact with your defender. Learn to go from soft to strong to soft. When you first receive the ball you want to display soft hands by using your finger tips to embrace the impact from the ball. Then secure the ball with two hands and place the ball under your chin (this is the strong part). Gain leverage and make sure you have a solid foundation to push back your defender. Finally, when shooting, the ball should roll of the tip of your fingers. A nice touch around rim goes a long way.

Big man footwork is one of the hardest things to teach. So the basics must be stressed when learning proper footwork. Start out in triple threat with your back to the basketball in a slightly squatting position. Most of your moves should be very decisive, always keeping you pivot foot on the ground. Start off using the drop step and the power dribble move as it is a powerful but easy to learn move. The hook shot is great to gain separation (Antawn Jamison is the prototype for the mini-hook). The up and under is a powerful tool for a more advanced post player.

Learning patience and not forcing anything that is not there is essential to a big man's success. Just because you get the ball at the block doesn't mean you should automatically throw the ball up. Recognize what the defense is giving you and take it! If a double comes, someone is open. If a shorter player is guarding you, a simple drop step will clear some room (rotate and take a big step with your non-pivot foot towards the hoop). Most importantly, be patient with your development process. Taller players have more body to control, so body control takes a little more time to develop then with shorter players.

Understanding that Positioning is Everything, is everything. Get low with a wide base to gain leverage. Elbows should be out to maintain ground and not allow your defender to move around your body freely. Ideally you would like to be posting up with your back to the basket in the middle of vertical free throw lines on either side of the basket. This allows you to be out of the center where help and congestion may be and still use the backboard to your advantage. You can utilize your hook shot, power moves, fade away, almost any move from this position. One thing that may seem counter intuitive is to take what your defender is giving you. If he is playing you high side (he is closer to the passer allowing you to be closer to the basket) roll off toward the rim or push him towards you passer so you can receive a lob pass underneath. If your defender is pushing you far out, square up and face the basket. If you are at the elbow or closer to the base line give him a quick jab step and go the other way. Always understand where you are in relation to the basket and passer!

Understand the importance of post play and be assertive! Understand that a major key to any teams offensive success is working the ball in and out of the post. Call for the ball constantly and fight hard for position. First, getting the ball near the basket is one of the first steps to getting the ball in the basket. Second, after you establish a presence down low, you will create opportunity for other players. From clearing out the lane for dribble penetration or kicking out to jump shooters you are the foundation for a properly ran offense.

Never forget the importance of big time post game. If you have size, embrace it. There are way too many big players trying to be smaller. It's basketball and the hoops are ten feet tall, be happy with your height. However, do not step onto the basketball court without the proper tools.

Brenton Gieser is a contributing blogger to http://www.BlackTopHoops.com/blog, the ultimate blog for street, recreation and pick up basketball. On Blacktop Hoops you will find articles on: improving your game, the newest basketball kicks and gear, the best leagues, tournaments and courts to play at and much more!

For more tips on how to improve your basketball game for the blacktop or the hardwood visit BlacktopHoops.com and subscribe to our free feeds.

8 Explosive Vertical Jump Drills

Here are 8 simple, yet highly effective vertical jump drills. If you consistently follow the vertical jumping drills and tips listed below you will see a tremendous increase in your jumping ability.

Vertical Jump Drills

• Every workout should begin with a warm up and leg stretching routine. It's important to properly prepare the leg muscles for the explosive exercises you will perform.
• Jumping rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise and will contribute to your vertical jumping results.
• Sprinting exercises help build leg muscles - which help increase your vertical Basketball1010pwjj@netscape
• Running stairs on your toes. Follow this sequence for the best results: Run up a flight of stairs - one step at a time. Walk down and then run back up - two steps at a time. Repeat this process as many times as possible.
• Elevated jumps should be performed using a bench, jumping box or platform. Jump up onto and down off of a bench for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
• Explosive jumps should be performed in the following manner: Start by facing a secure platform and place your right foot on it. Explode off the right leg and jump as high as you can. Scissor your legs in the air, then land with your left foot on the platform and your right foot on the floor. Upon landing, regroup and then jump off the left foot repeating the process. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
• Double jumps are performed by jumping as high as possible with both feet from a stationary position. Once you land, immediately jump again. Perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
• Rest. You should rest your legs at least two days per week. This is an important aspect of any training program as it allows your body and muscles Basketball1010pwjj@netscape to recover from the explosive exercises.

As you can see, these vertical jump drills are simple to perform. When done on a consistent basis, these jumping drills will enable you to develop an explosive vertical jump that will make you more effective at your chosen sport.

Want to fly with the big boys with a 40" + vertical leap

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College Sports Are Better on Satellite TV

College basketball season is exciting not only for college students and alumni, but teenagers looking forward to college are paying attention as well. Sometimes, getting your son or daughter interested in college can start with sports. For example, turn on the TV in March...what's going on? March Madness! It's all about the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments. If you have satellite TV, you have the pleasure of watching the MEGA MARCH MADNESS channel. What better way to get the family together, than by sitting around the TV cheering for a favorite college basketball team? Pick opposite teams, make it exciting - just get everyone involved. You'll Basketball1010pwjj@netscape there is more than entertainment value behind the monthly satellite bill, the Basketball1010pwjj@netscape time of being together is priceless.

As you're all watching the games and tracking who will be playing who, this is the time to get your high school son or daughter over to the computer to look up information on the teams. While you're sharing the sports aspect of the college together, find a way to steer toward whatever interests them. If the two of you get so involved with researching a colleges, you forget to watch a game, the MEGA MARCH MADNESS package will take care of you! If the game is on and the satellite subscriber is away, the DVR system will record everything in High-Definition watched later. If someone in the household insists on watching different channel while a game is on, the DVR will still be able to record MEGA MARCH MADNESS.

Since this particular type of sports package is not covered year round, your satellite provider will probably have some sort of month-to-month billing available. In fact, most sports aren't year round, so satellite TV doesn't nail you into contracts with the sports packages. Family time watching sports like the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments can become an annual event in your house. Perhaps, something your son and daughter can come home to share with you, once they've gone off to college.

Direct TV is the nation's leading provider of satellite television services. For the best in sports programming, movies, and high-definition entertainment, check out the latest Direct TV deals.

3 Girls Basketball Shooting Drills You Can Do at Home

How can you basketball a better shooter? You have to practice. Here are 3 drills you can use at home to help you practice.

Drill 1: Wave Bye

1. The arm should be held in front of the face, with upper arm parallel to the floor and lower arm perpendicular to the upper arm, forming an L shape.
2. Hold your hand in a cocked position where there is a wrinkle behind the wrist.
3. Wave your hand forward and hold the position after the wave. The wrist should be straight in line with the lower and upper arm, and the arm should be extended forward. This is the follow-through position.
4. Repeat.

Drill 2: Form Flip

1. Hold a ball in your shooting hand only.
2. The lower arms are perpendicular to the upper arms, and the upper arms are parallel to the floor.
3. The wrist is cocked with the ball in the shooting hand. The ball should be slightly to the shooting hand side of the face.
4. Flip the ball very lightly in the air and catch it with only the shooting hand when it returns.
5. Repeat.

Drill 3: Basic Line

1. Straddle a section of a line.
2. basketball through your shooting motion, releasing the ball and seeing where the ball lands in relation to the line you are straddling.
3. If the ball lands on the line or close to it, your shooting motion is generally accurate.

Practicing on your shooting is the only way to become a better shooter. Challenge yourself by consistently working on your shooting form and technique.

Visit http://www.girlsbasketballdrills.com to get your copy of 20 Free Girls Basketball Drills!