Fantasy Basketball and Fantasy Football - Preparing For the Playoffs

In fantasy sports, the idea is to win a championship. Getting to the playoffs is the first step and a good draft gets you more mileage than anything else towards that end. However, winning the fantasy playoffs may come down to your ability to plan ahead even more so than your ability to spot talent.

There are several factors that should be taken into account as the playoffs approach. A few of them are listed in this article.

1) We will start with the obvious. Review your team. Do you have any "sleepers" that just have not performed as well as you had hoped they might? Do not carry sleepers into the playoffs unless there are extenuating circumstances - replace the player with an average player rather than take a chance on getting nothing. A circumstance I might keep an underperforming sleeper on my team is if the player is on a professional team that will be "investing time in their younger players" due to the professional team's own inability to make the playoffs.

2) Is your league a "keeper" league or maybe a long-term contract league? If yes, then you can probably trade some of your pretty good players who are eligible to be kept for next year. Maybe even one of those up and coming sleepers would be a good candidate. Why would you do that? Well, you want to trade them for players that are GREAT TODAY to give you an edge. You can trade with a team that will not make the playoffs this year and who is not going to be able to keep their great player anyway. It's is a win / win. They rebuild for the future and you increase your chances of winning it all this year.

3) If your league is not a "keeper" or long-term contract league then you can basketball try trading up. Sometimes a team has too many players at one position or too many players on the same team. You might be able to work a win / win trade in that situation as well. They might take a lesser, but still good player, in order to spread out their players across more professional teams.

4) How does the schedule look for your players during the fantasy playoffs? This one is a little more basketball related than football. Knowing how many games each player plays during a given week can give you an idea about whether you would be better served to exchange some players. As a rule, if two players are close to providing the same fantasy value per game, then you want the one that plays the most games - no matter the difference in game number. For example, you might have a player that averages 10 fantpts (Player A) per game and will play 11 total games in the playoffs. There might be a player that can be picked up off of waivers who averages only 9 fantpts (Player B), but will play 14 games. All else being equal Player A will contribute 110 fantpts while Player B will contribute 126 fantpts. The difference they could give you will actually probably be larger because Player B will have more opportunities to fill a gap for you than Player A. There are websites that have tables already createdwith thistype of fantasy sports gameschedule density information.

Hint: 14 games is the most played for any NBA team over the last 3 fantasy weeks of the current 2008-2009 season. Which teams play 14 games? Philadelphia is the only team that does so. 10 games is the least played during that same time period. That honor goes to the Houston Rockets.
Winning the regular season in fantasy sports is often all about the draft and early free agency. Winning the playoffs typically takes a little more craft. Follow the above simple guidelines and you will be well prepared for the playoffs when the time comes.

About the Author:

Josh Ahlstrom is the creator of SignAndTrade.com, a fantasy sports community and game hosting website.

SignAndTrade.com offers customizable fantasy sports leagues fit for those serious about their fantasy sports, but user friendly and intuitive enough for novice fantasy GMs. Besides the ultimate in fantasy basketball SignAndTrade.com includes a messageboard where uses can discuss anything and everything related to fantasy sports.

SignAndTrade.com also has a blog where you will find fresh information and opinions relating to basketball, football, and more. We hope that information basketball and a spirit of community involvement will abound. Please feel free to check out more of our fantasy sports games and information as well as our consolidated nba player information by using the fantasy basketball link previously provided.

Wheelchair Basketball Rules Vs. Regular Basketball Rules

Wheelchair sports are becoming more and more popular every year. Being confined basketball a wheelchair no longer inhibits an individual's ability to participate in recreational activities. Much like normal sports leagues, there are different levels of competitiveness for wheelchair sports enthusiasts.

If you're considering joining a wheelchair team or league - there are a few rule changes you should be aware of. While basketball rules for most sports remain the same, there are a few key changes to some sports. For the purpose of this article, we've decided to focus specifically on wheelchair basketball.

Here are some of the rules you'll see change when watching or playing wheelchair basketball vs. regular basketball:

Traveling

Regular Basketball: When it comes to regular basketball no travelling is probably the most important rule to remember. A player who moves both feet while the basketball is in his/her hands is guilty of traveling.

Double-Dribbling

Regular Basketball: Similarly, double-dribbling is a commonly broken rule, whereby the player dribbles the ball, holds the ball and then begins dribbling again.

Traveling and Double-Dribbling in Wheelchair Basketball: When it comes to wheelchair basketball, the rules are easy. If a player touches his/her wheels more than two times after he/she received or dribbled the ball they are guilty of travelling/double-dribbling in the sport of wheelchair basketball.

Travelling and double dribbling are the most noticeable differences when it comes to regular basketball and wheelchair basketball. For the most part, the two sports are very similar and, if you've learned the rules to one, it will be very easy to adapt to the other.

Since 1973 the IWBF (International Wheelchair Basketball Federation) has been overseeing this increasingly popular sport. Wheelchair basketball, along with other sports like wheelchair tennis or wheelchair hockey, has become an extremely popular event in the Paralympic Games.

Whether you decide to participate in the sport for competitive purposes or recreational purposes, there's a lot of fun to be had with this sport. So stop waiting and join in.

To learn more about the sport, visit the official site for the Paralympic Games.

Rhonda Splinter is a huge fan of wheelchair sports. She is particularly interested in wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis.

What Snowmobile Racing Entails

Snowmobiles are great fun for anyone looking to have fun with speed and snow. Some snowmobiles have been modified and equipped to take on this terrain in a different way. Snowmobile racing. Different snowmobiles are equipped to drive at high speeds. You find that these snowmobiles have modified engines with increased horsepower.

The participants of these races don't have it easy. They courses they are given are short and difficult to navigate. They might have to drive over shoulder high snow, snow covered hills, soft snow banks and sometimes ice covered river sides. To be able to appreciate snowmobile racing, snowmobiles have to have enough maneuverability and engine power.

Your local snowmobile association should have all information about any races in your area and your surrounding area. They also have the information you need in case you want to take up racing. You can also access this information from the internet.

The best in snowmobile racing is found with the basketball events. These events are divided into two sections, the National and Regional events. basketball the regional level, if you are a member of a racing group recognized by the official Snowcross Association, you are allowed to take part in the races. These are again categorized from beginner to expert.

These competitions give snowmobilers the chance to practice their racing and how to maneuver their snowmobiles. They also learn how to perform stunts for example mid air steering skills. The professional snowmobile racers get to compete on the international level, and here they show off their mastery of skills, their snowmobiles, the snow and gravity!

Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Snowmobiles. For More Information On snowmobile racing, Visit His Site At SNOWMOBILE RACING You Can Also Post Your Views About snowmobile racing On My Blog HereSNOWMOBILE RACING

They Used to Laugh at Me Until I Learned the Fundamentals of Dribbling a Basketball - You Can Too

The ability to dribble a basketball is a valuable skill to have as a basketball player, especially if you plan on being a point guard. However, the dribble is only of value in certain situations. Do not dribble the ball, if you can do anything else to advance the offense.

The dribble is a valuable individual maneuver when used properly. When used incorrectly it works against the purpose of the offensive.

When to dribble the ball:

1) It should be used to get the ball in the clear in the back court;

2) To bring the ball from back court to front court if the defense is already in position;

3) On short drives to the basket; and,

4) To get away from a pressing defense, or to pull defensive men away from the basket.

In general, observe these principles when dribbling the ball:

1) Use the dribble to get the ball out of congested areas.

2) Use the dribble to score from close range.

3) Use the dribble to carry the attack from the back court to the defense in the front court.

4) Use the dribble when it is the only sensible maneuver possible. Don't forsake the pass.

How to Dribble a basketball.

It takes a certain amount of skill to dribble a basketball correctly. Skill, of course, it based on proper technique:

1) When bouncing a basketball, you should keep your fingers loosely spread.

2) The ball should be under control ofyourfingertips. A downward motion of the wrist and arm and pressure from your fingers drives the ball toward the floor.

3) As the ball comes back to your hand,yourfingers and wrist should "give" slightly before being pressed down again.

When dribbling the ball, you should run with your feet wider apart than normal. Your knees should be bent, the trunk of your body inclined forward at the waist; your head should be up and eyes looking forward. The forearm of your dribbling hand should be parallel with the floor.

When advancing the ball, you should bounce itaway from youat an angle. In effect, you want to catch up to the ball as it comes off the floor.

The bounces should be short and low.

When you change direction while dribbling the basketball, alternate your hands (right hand for a sharp left drive; left hand for a sharp right drive).

When you are being guarded closely, you should use the hand that is farthest from your opponent to dribble the ball.

Remember that once you have stopped your dribble, you are stuck. You cannot move again until you have taken a shot at the basket or passed to a teammate. Save the dribble until you need it.

The Fake and the Drive

Consider this scenario:Imagine for a momentthat you have just caught a pass in the front court, and only one man stands between you and the basket. What should you?

Should you stand still and wait for help from your four other teammates? Of course not. If you wait for your teammates, they will be bringing their defensive men with them. Instead of two men in the front court, you will have 10.

Instead, you want to keep the offense going. To do so, you will have to choose one of several alternatives. If the defensive man is playing you loose (several steps away), you might draw him out by dribbling directly toward him and, at the proper moment, take a jump shot. At medium range, you might take a deliberate set shot and then run hard towards the offensive basket and "fight" for a possible rebound.

On the other hand, if the defensive man is guarding you very closely, you have got to fake and drive around him.

A good defensive playerwill be standing directly between you and the basket. To move him, you must make him think that you are going in one direction, while you will actually be going in the opposite direction.

Here is the basic move:

Hold the ball as you would to make a chest pass. Take a sharp, diagonal step left with your left foot. Thrust the ball, your head and your shoulders over that foot, just as though you were going to start a dribble in that direction. You have now establishedyour right foot as your pivot foot.

After your left foothits the floor, twist your body to the right.

To start the drive and dribble to the right, momentarily pull your weight back on your pivot foot. Now, take a long step diagonally right and forward withyour left foot, pushing hard off the right. As you take this stride to the right, bring the ball to the right side of your body and take the first (and successive) dribble with the right hand. In this way, you will put your body between the defensive man and the ball.

The right hand continues the dribble after the initial bounce of the basketball and the drive should be directly toward the basket. Here is the breakdown again, starting with the foot movements:

Step diagonally and sharply left with the left foot.

Asyour left foot strikes the floor, pivot to the right.

Momentarily pullyour weight back to the right foot.

If possible, swing your left foot to the left and rear of the defensive man's left foot.

As for the ball, the first bounce is made with the right hand. In effect, you shift the ball from one side of your body to the other, then continue forward.

Reverse all these moves when faking right and going left.

Naturally, if the defensive man does not fall for thefake, keep going in that direction. Try to make this fake and drive as soon as you catch the pass and before the defensive man has time to think about what you are going to do.

If you are not sure of whether you can shoot over the man or go around, fake a set shot as a way of getting your opponent to commit himself. If the defensive man leaves his feet to block your "shot", you can go around him easily while he is still in the air and before he hits the floor. If he charges you, use the fake and drive.

In the event that you cannot move the player guarding you and do not feel confident about shooting over him, keep possession of the ball until you can make a pass.

Whenever you are drivingto the basket or dribbling the ball down court, get to the "inside" of your man; do not help him by staying to the "outside" of him where you can be guarded easily.

You can find more FREE, exclusive basketball resources basketball FREE basketball videos on how to improve your basketball skills by visiting http://www.basketball-drills-and-tips.com

Volleyball - A Popular Sport

Volleyball originated in United States and is more than hundred years old. Volleyball is an extremely popular sport in United States and has gained popularity in various other parts of the world. It is estimated that 46 million Americans play volleyball and there are around 800 million players of volleyball worldwide. In the year 1895, William G. Morgan, thought to mix the elements of baseball, basketball, tennis and handball into one game. He thus created a game called mintonette, which was later called volleyball. basketball first game of volleyball was played in the year 1896. Earlier, the ball of basketball was used for playing volleyball. In the year 1900, a special ball was designed for the sport. The ball of volleyball now weighs between 9 and 10 ounces and the ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6 pounds

Volleyball is one of the most energetic sports. In volleyball there are typically six players in one team. There are two teams playing against each other. Each team has three players in the front and three players at the back of the court. In between the two teams there are high nets to separate them. The teams use their hands and arms to hit the ball back and forth over the net. The ball should not fall on the ground.

Volleyball can be played indoors as well as outdoors on a rectangular court. The field is divided into two equal half-courts. The rules of volleyball are fairly simple. There are six players on each side. The server of the ball should serve from a line on the court called the restraining line basketball the end line. It is necessary that the ball is clearly visible to the opponents before the serve. The ball may be served overhand or underhand. The served ball may graze the net and fall to the other side for a point. The maximum hits allowed per side are three. A single player cannot hit the ball twice in succession. If so, it is considered to be a foul. The ball may be played off the net throughout a volley and on serve. A permissible hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and together with the waist, which does not permit the ball to perceptibly come to a rest. If two or more players contact the ball concurrently, it is considered one play and the players concerned may not partake in the next play. A player must not attack a serve. Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players and that also after the serve.

The scoring of the game is also quite simple. Rally scoring is used in volleyball. The game of volleyball is typically played to twenty five points. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball. Scores will count on a defence miss or out of bounds hit. Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.

Mark Clayson is a professional, home business entrepreneur, mentor and speaker. Visit Start Work at Home for more information on starting or developing a home business or his official site to find out more.

3 Powerful Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Is basketball jump training an important basketball in the overall development of a basketball player? The answer is a definite "Yes". If you are a basketball player or coach, then you understand how important the vertical jump is in the game of basketball.

Having an explosive vertical jump is a critical part of a players' ability to rebound, block shots and shoot a jump shot. Basketball players that have an explosive vertical jump are able to perform these skills more effectively and efficiently.

There are three basketball jump training exercises that athletes can perform to help increase their vertical jump - the squat, lunge and step up. These vertical jump exercises are all compound exercises working both the knee and hip joints. These exercises are simple and effective, yet produce incredible results for the basketball player.

Basketball Jump Training Exercises

Squat

The squat is the most effective exercise to increase vertical jump...if performed correctly.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an athletic stance.
• The bar should be placed across the upper back - not the neck.
• The chest should be out. The back should be tight with a slight forward lean.
• The knees should remain directly above the feet.
• Squat to a parallel position, keeping your weight on the heels.
• Concentrate on technique to insure your safety.

Lunges

Lunges are done in one of two ways...Holding dumbbells or with a bar across the upper back.

Key points to remember...

• Start and remain in an upright position.
• Step forward as far as possible without leaning forward with your upper body.
• Step until your front knee is at a 90 degree angle.
• Step back to starting position in one step.
• Perform 10 lunges with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Step Ups

To perform step ups you need dumbbells and a bench or step-up box. The bench or box should be 16-18 inches high.

Key points to remember...

• Start in an upright position with a dumbbell in each hand.
• Step up on the box or bench with one basketball so that your knee is in a 90 degree angle.
• Step up with the other foot so that both feet are on the box or bench.
• Step back down one foot at a time.
• Perform 10 step ups with one leg, and then repeat with the other.

Performing these basketball jump training exercises on a consistent basis will help players dramatically improve their vertical jump.

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

Elevate your game today at http://www.ultimate-youth-basketball-guide.com