Ankle Injuries - Should You Tape Your Ankle Or Use a Brace?

The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) completed an injury surveillance study in 1998 showing the injury trends in high school sports. The highest occurrence of injuries were to the ankle, 38.3% and 36% in boy's and girl's basketball, 30.2% and 30.5% in boy's and girl's soccer, and 35.6% in volleyball. It is important, especially in these sports, to take measures to protect the ankle. Besides preventative strengthening exercises, the ankle can be protected with either athletic tape or a functional brace to add additional support. There is a significant debate over whether ankle taping or bracing is more effective. Both have advantages and drawbacks.

Taping is a common practice in almost all colleges today, and in high school when necessary. Many studies have been done to show the effectiveness of ankle taping. In the studies where ankle taping was deemed to enhance ankle protection, the tape was applied in a pattern to combat a specific motion. If you decided to use ankle taping for support, you must also take into consideration the experience and knowledge of the person applying the tape and the quality of the tape itself. No matter how good the tape job is, athletic tape will begin to lose support as the ankle is moved throughout a practice or competition. Perspiration can also decrease the effectiveness of the tape job, which is why it is important to start with a strong tape job.

In general people tend to believe that because of the more rigid materials that ankle braces are made out of, that they are therefore more effective than tape. However they can lose support with activity just like ankle taping, and the strength of good athletic tape should not be underestimated. Ankle braces have been found to be not as effective as freshly applied tape. Nevertheless, it is more realistic to tighten or readjust a brace than re-tape an ankle during a practice or game.

Cost can also be an important factor to take into account when deciding between the two. You will need to purchase athletic tape plus the cost of pre-wrap, adhesive spray, heel and lace pads, and the need for a certified athletic trainer to apply the tape job. An ankle brace can cost anywhere from $20 to $60. Overall, it is really a matter of preference. Braces can be self applied and readjusted, and are most cost effective. Taping can be applied in specific patterns to prevent movement in certain directions, and is easily changed for personal comfort. Some type of support is definitely warranted; taping and bracing both have their positives and negatives.

By Teresa Smolinski
PressSearch.org

Vertical Jumping Strength - The Value of Squats

The full back squat has been deemed the "King of Lifts" for good reason. It is absolutely the best exercise for developing lower body strength. The squat works the largest muscle groups in the body, those of the thighs and core. Being large, these muscles have the greatest potential for growth. The target of a proper back squat is the posterior chain muscles, specifically the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back extensors. These muscles work together to perform hip extension, which is the most powerful joint movement your body performs, and thus the movement which needs to be trained the most.

Squats are the best exercise for training strong hip extension. They also require strong activation of the core muscles as the torso must support the weight that is sitting on the shoulders. The sheer difficulty of squats is a testament to their value; the most difficult things are often the most beneficial. Anyone with experience lifting can tell you how demanding a heavy squat is. In addition, since a large amount of the body's muscle is being stressed during squats, they cause a huge increase in testosterone production. Testosterone is the primary hormone associated with muscle building. This is why increases in squat strength are often accompanied by gains in other areas.

Many people have made claims about the risk of injury involved with squats and the knee problems that can be caused. These problems are caused by incorrect form. Any lift is dangerous if done incorrectly. On the contrary, doing correct full squats has proven to be effective at strengthening the knee and even eliminating previous pain. "King of Lifts" indeed.

By Daniel Back
PressSearch.org

Learning to Play the Washers Game

If you're looking for a new game to play with friends and family, you might want to consider the washers game. This is played very much like the cornhole game or bean bag toss, but there is no governing body for it, so the equipment sizes and types often vary from place to place and company to company. As long as you're enjoying the game, though, there isn't any reason to worry about the exactness of it. In this game pitching washers are used, and they are metal washers that are tossed or pitched toward the box or board that is used to score points. These are usually powder coated and they come in different colors. That's a great way to distinguish one team of players from another, too, so that there isn't any confusion about which person scored points or what team is in the lead.

For people who like to play the cornhole game it's quite likely that the washers game will be equally fun. With the exception that you're pitching washers instead of tossing bean bags the games are essentially identical. You do need to be careful with the washers, though, as they are much harder than corn toss bags and can much more easily harm someone. For that reason the washers game is best played by adults and children who are a little bit older, instead of letting very young and very small children play like many people do with the cornhole game. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Other than being a little more careful so that people don't get hurt, anyone can really play the washers game. The pitching washers are not that heavy, and they last a very long time. The only thing that you want to be careful of when it comes to taking care of the equipment for the game is the fact that the pitching washers can be damaged by things like asphalt and concrete. The powder coating or paint that they have on them can be scraped off and damaged by coming into contact with hard or rough surfaces in a repeated manner. It's better to play the game on grass, on sand, or on another type of surface where the washers won't get too scraped up, since you don't want to have to keep replacing the washers for your game.

You want to take good care of the game board or box and the pitching washers so that they're ready to play with any time that you and your family want to have an enjoyable afternoon with the washers game. Because it's so similar to the corn toss game, figuring out the rules shouldn't be a problem and you'll be playing the washers game and enjoying it in no time. There's a very little learning curve, other than getting a feel for the washers instead of the bean bags that are used with the cornhole game. If you've not played the bean bag game you won't have to adjust to that difference and can get right to using the pitching washers.

By Dave Threadcraft
PressSearch.org

Should You Make Your Own Cornhole Bags?

When some people decide that they want to play the Cornhole game, they also decide that they want to make their own Cornhole bags and board. Not everyone does this, but it's not so difficult that you can't do it if you want to. With that in mind, you can learn how to make your own corn hole bags with information on the Internet. Whether you should do that, though, depends on several things. First, how much skill do you have with sewing? If you are good at it - and you don't need a sewing machine to make corn toss bags - you might want to make your own bags. Sewing isn't the only issue, though. You need cloth that's durable and lightweight, and you also need something to stuff the corn toss bags with. In earlier times people would use dried corn or dried beans for the bags, but these usually aren't used anymore because they can mold if they get wet and small animals and insects like to eat them.

If you make your own Cornhole bags it's a good idea to find dried corn that you can use so you can get the weight and size right and can also keep your Cornhole bags in good condition and useable for a longer period of time. When all of that seems like too much trouble - and it generally does for most people - you can simply buy your corn toss bags. There are many places to get them but be sure to go with a reputable dealer, especially if you take the game seriously or are considering playing in tournaments. You'll want to practice with the right equipment in order to ensure that you're learning the game properly. Buying your corn hole bags lets you get different colors, and you can get them quickly without the hassle of making them.

By Jay Stueve
PressSearch.org

Increase Vertical Leap - Muscle Balance

In my searching of the internet, I have seen many attempts to identify the percentage of force generated in a jump that comes from different muscle groups. People conclude to train the muscles that contribute the most to jumping. Often times the quadriceps and calves are labeled as the most important. Regardless of the accuracy of these findings, I want to say that we can pretty much toss them out the window.

It is important to train every muscle group, because the human body requires balance. The muscle spindle and the golgi tendon organ are two mechanisms that the body uses to protect muscles, tendons, and joints from too high force or too fast motion. (more info on those mechanisms is in my free vertical jump training report) Basically, antagonist muscles always hold each other in check. For example, the quadriceps muscle cannot extend the knee so powerfully that the hamstring muscle cannot control the motion to prevent damage to the knee joint or the hamstring muscle-tendon complex.

You can have all the quad strength in the world, but you won't be able to utilize it in a high speed movement like a jump unless your hamstrings are both strong and flexible enough to control forceful knee extension. In the same way, hip flexors must be able to control powerful hip extension; many people neglect hip flexors in their workouts. Also, dorsiflexors of the ankle must be able to control strong plantar flexion. Few people spend time developing dorsiflexion strength. The imbalance between dorsiflexion and plantar flexion is what causes shin splints.

So go ahead and try to figure out what muscle contributes what percentage of the force in jumping; it's a nice little tidbit of information. But bottom line, you need to be strong everywhere to maximize your jumping ability.

By Daniel Back
PressSearch.org

Jump High and Dunk - Body Fat

One question I see asked fairly often about jump training is, "If I lose weight, will I be able to jump higher?" Common sense tells us yes. Which can you throw higher a bowling ball or a basketball? Obviously, a basketball because it's lighter. That being said, weight management for jumping is a little bit more complicated, because the object that you are trying to launch into the air (your body) is propelling itself using its own strength.

Instead of worrying about just your weight, what you need to keep track of is your strength:weight ratio. This is most commonly measured with a max squat. An athlete who squats 400 pounds and weighs 200 has a 2:1 strength to weight ratio. For improving jumping or sprinting or any kind of propulsion of the body, it is important to improve or at least maintain your strength:weight ratio.

So will losing weight make you jump higher? Yes, if you can maintain strength while you do it. On the other hand, if you lose 10 pounds of muscle, you are lighter, but you are also weaker. Also, you should not be afraid to add pounds of muscle if it is muscle that can contribute to your jumping ability. For example, a trainee of mine put on 5 pounds during his first month of training due to hypertrophic training in the weight room. He also added 35 pounds to his max squat, so his strength:weight ratio improved significantly. Generally, muscle weight increase will be easily surpassed by strength increase, assuming you are training lower body and core muscles. Adding 10 pounds to your arms will not help you jump higher.

Your goal should be to not have mass on your body that does not contribute to your athletic ability. The biggest culprit here is fat. You do need a certain amount of fat for health reasons, but you don't need more than 10% body fat. Anything above that is only weighing you down. Conveniently, jump training and all sports training is extremely metabolic, while you may not have to pay any special attention to losing fat. You will likely become leaner without even trying. You should also consider what your sport requires of your body and add or remove exercises from your training accordingly. Having huge biceps is not worth anything to a volleyball player, but a running back needs that strength to have an iron grip on the ball. A soccer player does not need a strong upper body, but a basketball player needs all around upper body strength for controlling the ball in all kinds of positions. In short, you do not want to have weight on your body that is not useful for your sport.

By Daniel Back
PressSearch.org

Plyometric Jump Training - Additional Benefits

Plyometric drills use a spring-like stretch-shortening cycle in the muscle-tendon complex, as well as activation of the stretch reflex in the muscle. In these ways, they train elastic, or reactive strength. This is why the form of exercise was created.

But plyometrics have a host of other benefits that are used for jumping and all athletic maneuvers. Body control, joint stability, and coordination are all in high demand during plyometric drills. For example, agility drills like foot fires are effective at increasing ankle stability by strengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that surround and control the joint. 1-leg box jumps are an example of an exercise that will contribute to knee stability. Hurdle hops and power skips are examples where body control is particularly important. And coordination is highly trained in double-leg bounding.

These additional benefits of plyometrics all have relevance in live sports action. If you want to dunk, the goal should be able to dunk in game situations, off a rebound, jump stop, or dribble drive. This requires far more athletic ability than throwing the ball up to yourself, running from the three-point line, and gathering all your strength to dunk. This ability has no practical use in sports.

This is the main reason why I scoff at people who suggest that anyone who wants a high vertical should just get really strong and do Olympic lifts to train explosiveness. Yes, world-class Olympic lifters often have standing verticals over 30 inches, but what can they do on the run or off a spin move or with someone leaning on them? Everything you do in a weight room is in a controlled, balanced, stationary position. You cannot develop the ability required to be effective on the playing field in the weight room. You can create a whole lot of potential for athletic ability, but to actually develop it, plyometrics are much more effective. Most important is time spent playing your desired sport, which will inherently be a plyometric activity. Sprinting, cutting, jumping, shuffling, all sports movements use plyometric muscle contraction and are faster than anything you do in the weight room.

By Daniel Back
PressSearch.org

Make Your Own Cornhole Game Set

When it comes to a Cornhole game set you have a couple of options. You can buy one, or you can make your own. A lot of people just choose to buy a Cornhole game set because they worry that they won't be capable of making one, but there are plenty of instructions that you can find online. These will let you create a corn toss set - both the boards and the bags - on your own or as a project with friends or family members. It can give you a huge sense of pride by doing something like this, and you'll be able to show off your corn toss set to all kinds of people who come to your own. Some people make their own just for enjoyment, and some people make them to sell to others or to use for practice so that they can get ready for a tournament.

With that in mind, you have to be sure that your Cornhole game set is accurate and complete. No matter whether you're using it for tournament practice or just to enjoy, a set can be fun to make and fun to use. You'll need some basic woodworking skills and simple tools, and you'll also want to have some basic sewing skills if you're going to make the bags yourself. A lot of people make the board and buy the bags, though, because the bags are smaller and more delicate to create.

They have to be made out of lightweight but durable cloth, and they have to be not only the right size but the right weight, too. If you don't get them right you'll have trouble playing the game, but you can take your time and make them with your corn toss game if you want to. The board is easier to create, but whether you make or buy any or all of it, your Cornhole game set can give you a lot of enjoyment for years to come.

By Jay Stueve
PressSearch.org

Cornhole Bags - The Great Corn Or Plastic Bean Debate

If you are not familiar with the game of cornhole then you most likely have been living under a rock. The game with it's midwest roots has become quite popular in recent years and game sets are showing up everywhere. Check out any backyard party, tailgate party at a sporting event, or even at your local outdoor pub. You are sure to see a cornhole game set with people more than happy to play on them. Like anything else, innovation changes how things progress. Remember the saying "they don't make things like they used to"? That is going on in the cornhole world too. The debate is over which cornhole bag media or filling is better... corn or plastic?

When the game of cornhole was originally created the only bag filling used was corn. Hence the name... "cornhole". For most people this is the only respectable bag filling that one should use. Most tournaments require corn filled bags and usually supply them. Most "old school" players swear by them. But, there is another option that is creeping into cornhole stores online and in retail outlets. It's cornhole bags with plastic beads or pellets. Most likely they are coming from China instead of being manufactured in the heartland of America. There are apparently importing issues with corn and thus the cheaper alternative is to use little plastic corn replacements. As with most products, large companies have a tendency to source lower price alternatives to hand made local products. This is not necessarily a bad thing (think TV's and Computers).

True fans and experienced cornhole players scoff at the idea of playing with plastic instead of corn. The light dusting that the bags develop, the feel and bag sliding characteristics just can not not be duplicated with plastic beads or pellets. For these players there is only one material for cornhole bags. If concerns of bag life make you think that plastic would be better, you may want to rethink that as well. Bags typically wear out by the threads popping out after repeated throws on blacktop or concrete. So the filling material is irrelevant in this case.

Ultimately the decision is yours. You can purchase whatever cornhole bag that you like. If you are one who believes that things should be enjoyed as they were created, then you may want to make sure your cornhole bags actually contain corn. There is no denying that the original cornhole bag plays extremely well. For those with no regard for keeping this wonderful American game intact and true to it's roots, you can buy the plastic filled bags. Maybe you could even start selling them and call the game plastichole... Or not.

By Jay Stueve
PressSearch.org

Federal Firearms License - How to Get Your FFL

A federal firearms license is more commonly called an (FFL) they are divided into a few different classifications of license. These three different tax classes will help to define if you are a dealer, manufacturer or importer of firearms.

If you'd like to be a gunsmith or gun dealer you're going to need to get an FFL. You will require the first type of license. If you're going to sell firearms or perform maintenance on firearms for people, you're going to want to get a type 1 title 1 dealer or gunsmith's license.

If you intend to deal in firearms or are thinking of becoming a pawnbroker to deal firearms, you will need the second type of FFL license. If you intend to be a pawnbrokers or pawnshop you're going to need a type 2 title I license.

If you want to collect antique firearms this would be the third reason why you need an FFL.

A Type 3 license is what you must obtain. You cannot sell to the general public with this license, but you are able to collect firearms for your collection with it.

The final reason is that you'd like to make ammunition or reload for retail sales. To do this you're going to require a federal firearms license type 6. Once you obtain this license you able to make your own ammunition legally, with the exception of armor piercing ammo.

Now that you have learned about the different types of licenses available, you're ready to make a decision. If you're serious about getting your Federal firearms license, it would be a good idea to get some help in obtaining it.

By Jackson K. Stone
PressSearch.org

Trivia Questions and Answers - Sports Trivia Questions

Looking for something fun to do at your next party or family event? Why not try trivia? It is entertaining, exciting and everyone can get involved. Age, sex and the number of people does not matter. Trivia is for everyone and it can be played anywhere.

Sports trivia is a great choice because almost everyone knows something about sports. You may not be a hockey fan, but what do you know about skating or sailing? Almost everyone has knowledge or information about some kind of sport. You do not have to be the world's biggest fan to enjoy sports trivia. You can print and enjoy these fifty questions that I have compiled about all different kinds of sports and sports figures. Test your knowledge or that of your friends. Enjoy!

1: Britain's Linford Christie was banned from competing for two years in which sport?
A: The 100m dash because he tested positive for drugs.

2: Which country's entire team was barred from competing at the Paralympics in Sydney?
A: Spain, they were caught entering non-handicapped athletes into the games.

3: Which sports figure holds the record for appearing the most times on the cover of Sports Illustrated?
A: Michael Jordan, he has been on the cover 47 times.

4: Who is the only man to play both a NFL game and a MLB game in a single day?
A: Deion Sanders

5: Which two countries have not missed one of the modern day Olympics?
A: Greece and Australia

6: Which goalie holds the record for the most wins in regular season play?
A: Patrick Roy

7: What is the maximum weight for a golf ball?
A: 1.6oz

8: In Olympic badminton how many feathers does the bird have?
A: 14

9: What professional sport did bank robber John Dillinger play?
A: Baseball

10: Who was the only person elected to both the football and the baseball hall of fame?
A: Cal Hubbard

11: Wayne Levi was the first golfer to win a PGA tournament using a colored ball. What color was the ball?
A: Orange

12: Which track and field event is banned in high schools in every state except Rhode Island?
A: The hammer throw

13: The world Cup of Soccer has only been won by three European countries. Who are they?
A: West Germany, England and Italy.

14: Which NHL team was once called the St. Patricks?
A: The Toronto Maple Leafs

15: What sport, other than baseball uses the word 'homerun'?
A: Cricket

16: What sport awards the Maurice Podoloff Trophy?
A: Basketball, it is awarded to the most valuable player

17: How many panels make up a soccer ball?
A: 32

18: How many stitches are there on a baseball?
A: 108

19: Who was the first female parachutist?
A: Jean Genvieve Granerin in 1799, she jumped from a hot air balloon.

20: What is the most watched sport in the world?
A: Soccer (football).

21: Which sport has the largest number of participants in the world?
A: Fishing.

22: In what year did boxing become a legal sport in the US?
A: 1901

23: What edible substance was found in golf balls?
A: Honey

24: Who holds baseball's record for the most stolen bases in a single season?
A: Rickey Henderson

25: Who holds the record for the longest hitting streak in baseball?
A: Joe DiMaggio, 56 games.

26: Who holds the record in basketball for the most career rebounds?
A: Wilt Chamberlain

27: Who holds the record in basketball for the most fouls?
A: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 4657.

28: Who holds the record in basketball for the most blocked shots?
A: Hakeem Olajuwon 3830.

29: In what year was the Ice Dancing included in the World Championship?
A: 1952, in Paris.

30: Who holds the record for the most homeruns in a single season?
A: Barry Bonds he set the record in 2001.

31: Which woman took silver in the men's World Figure Skating Championship in 1902?
A: Madge Syers-Cave, there was no women's events and no rule in the men's saying a woman could not compete.

32: Who was the first woman to win the woman' s World Figure Skating Championship?
A: Madge Syers-Cave, she won it in 1906

33: What is the name of the stadium where the Houston Astros play?
A: Minute Maid Park

34: What sport do the Houston Astros play?
A: Baseball

35: Which country won the gold medal in men's beach volleyball at the 2008 Summer Olympics?
A: USA, the team of Rogers/Dalhausser defeated the Team from Brazil to win the gold.

36: Who holds the record for the most goals in the NHL?
A: Wayne Gretzky, he scored 894.

37: In which sport would you use the terms reefing and furling?
A: Sailing

38: Which sport awards the Ryder Cup?
A: Golf

39: Who holds the records for the most goals in one season in the NHL.
A: Wayne Gretzky, in the 81-82 season he scored 92 goals.

40: How many players are on the field for each team in American football?
A: 11 there are 12 in Canadian football.

41: James Naismith is credited with inventing which sport?
A: Basketball. When the game was first played there were only 13 rules.

42: Which sport has a three in the key rule?
A: Basketball, it was introduced in 1936 to cut down on contact between players.

43: In basketball how far is the free throw line from the net?
A: 15 feet or 4.6m.

44: How long is a football game?
A: 60 minutes.

45: In which sport might you find a dagger and a trapeze?
A: Sailing.

46: Which country held the 2008 Olympics.
A: The Olympics were in Beijing China.

47: Which sport awards the Winston Cup?
A: NASCAR

48: In which sport did Sonny Liston participate?
A: Boxing, he was a heavy weight.

49: Affirmed, won the triple crown in 1978, who was his regular jockey?
A: Steve Cauthen and he was the youngest jockey ever to win the triple crown.

50: Who eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics?
A: Michael Phelps in swimming.

By Jane P. Long
PressSearch.org

Corn Hole Bags - Tips on Buying Them

The game of corn hole is very popular throughout the U.S. right now. The reason is simple, it's easy to play, challenging enough to not get old, and fun for all ages. Just like golf balls need replaced periodically so do corn hole bags. The question is... What makes a good corn hole bag? Where do I buy replacement bags? Let's look at these questions and a few more and try and come up with some good answers.

The corn hole bag is typically very similar to a bean bag. It is a six inch by six inch square bag made of duck cloth filled with sixteen ounces of corn. At least that is what they were originally. Buyer beware, that is not always what you are going to find when purchasing your bags. There are bags sold at the nations largest retailer that are not made with corn and do not weigh one pound each. They have plastic pellets in them and they weigh around twelve ounces or about twenty five percent less than the rules say they should. These bags are also sold all over the internet.

So what can you do to be sure you are getting a quality corn hole bag? It's simple. Before you throw down your hard earned cash take the time to read all the specs on either the box or in the description online. If a supplier isn't coming clean with the truth about their bags then I would avoid them. If there is no phone number for you to call prior to ordering online to get information I would not buy them. The supplier should have all the information about their bags weight, material, and filling right there in plain english for you to read. If it is not there, I would look somewhere else.

Something else you should consider when making your bag purchase is wether or not the supplier provides a warranty or guarantee on their products. If a supplier can't guarantee their product that is the same thing as saying that they do not believe in their product and that in all likely hood it's junk and will fail to provide the durability that one seeks and desires.

Take your time with your corn hole bag purchase. The best price is not always the best choice. In the case of corn hole bags the best materials, the best stitching, and the best warranty, should come before price. There is a reason avid golfers don't buy their golf balls at a discount store. The same should apply to corn hole bag players.

By Jay Stueve
PressSearch.org

Plyometric Strength For Jumping - Lebron James

Lebron James is an example of a highly explosive, highly reactive athlete. For one, he is a 1-foot jumper. 1-foot jumping uses more reactive, or plyometric, ability and less strength than 2-foot.

On top of that though, Lebron is no ordinary 1-foot jumper. He can get an extremely high jump off a high speed approach, indicating that he can store a lot of energy during the stretch-shortening cycle in the muscle-tendon complex. And he can do it at lightning speed. He can generate so much force in a small fraction of a second that he barely has to slow down to propel his body 40+ inches in the air.

This ability to maintain horizontal speed through his takeoff is what allows Lebron to dunk from so far away from the hoop. Let's say Lebron is moving toward the basket at a high speed on an open fast break. When he plants his foot to jump, his body is moving fast, so his foot can only stay there for a very short time. In that short time he has to generate enough force to launch high into the air.

A less explosive, less reactive person would have to slow down to allow the foot to be planted longer, giving more time for force production. Slowing down would mean sacrificing horizontal distance on the jump.

Watch this video of Lebron's fast break dunk. Lebron free throw dunk Note how fast his takeoff is. His plant leg just attacks the ground. It also looks pretty effortless, that's because much of the force in a fast stretch-shortening cycle comes from the recoil of the tendons, which is involuntary. You can see an obvious difference between Lebron and a typical athlete, or even Lebron James is an incredibly gifted athlete.

By Daniel Back
PressSearch.org

Rent a Jet Ski This Summer! Affordable Family Fun!

Now that it's finally Summer, people are planning their vacations and looking for fun, affordable activities that their whole family or all their friends can enjoy. One great option is taking the family out for a jet ski rental adventure. Renting jet skis, also known as wave runners, personal watercraft or PWC, is a very safe and affordable way for the whole family to experience an exciting day out on the water. If you've been looking for a great, family-friendly day trip or a day of fun with good friends but don't know much about using or renting wave runners, here's a crash course in what they are and how to enjoy them!

First, a little background: personal watercraft are essentially motorized vehicles that a person rides on top of (or through) water - usually lakes, rivers, oceans and bays. They sort of resemble motorcycles or snowmobiles that are used on water instead of land or snow. Think of a personal sized boat...a fair comparison would be that a motorcycle is to a car what a jet ski is to a boat (at least "sort of"). While the technical name for these vehicles is "personal watercraft," many refer to them as jet skis or wave runners. Both "Jet Ski" and "Wave Runner" are actually brand names, but each phrase is now commonly used to refer to the vehicle itself rather than the manufacturer of the vehicle. All three phrases (wave runner, jet ski, and personal watercraft) can be used interchangeably to refer to these vehicles.

While many people worry that these vehicles are dangerous, the truth is that they are extremely safe, provided that you are trained in their use and follow all federal and local rules and regulations governing them. Most people won't want to spend their vacations reading up on federal/local rules and regulations, but if you select a reputable jetski rental business, the staff will be able and willing to teach you the basic information you need to know. Many places that rent jet skis require that visitors take a short tutorial prior to embarking on their water adventure. Each locale may have different rules concerning wave runner use, so it is strongly recommended that even experienced riders review jetski safety rules and local regulations before riding.

When considering jet ski rentals, you should keep the following in mind:

• Does the jetski rental business offer training and safety lessons to new customers, and is the staff willing to answer all questions you have regarding the use and safety of the waverunners?
• What is the facility's location relative to the bodies of water you intend to visit, and do they have a means for you to transport your jet ski rentals to/from the water? If so, is there an additional fee?
• If you are planning to rent a wave runner as a day trip on part of a larger vacation, are there places to rent waverunners within a reasonable driving distance of your destination?

For example, there are facilities that provide personal watercraft rentals within a convenient driving distance from Las Vegas, Nevada, that very popular and fun tourist destination. There are places to ride jet skis in the greater Las Vegas area, including the Colorado River, Lake Mead, and Lake Havasu, Arizona (just a short drive outside of Las Vegas and Laughlin, NV, and Bullhead City, AZ). In fact, Lake Havasu has been hosting the IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) World Finals every October since 1982!So if you are looking for a new and exciting adventure for your family vacation this year in and around Las Vegas or Laughlin NV or in Bullhead City NV for jet ski rentals, consider renting a jet ski - it's guaranteed to be an awesome experience your family will love!

By Roger Laurendeau
PressSearch.org

What is Badminton?

Badminton is best played indoors. Badminton is also played outdoors as a casual recreational activity, often as a garden or beach game. Badminton is not only fun but is extremely beneficial to your health. Participating in badminton gives a huge number of health benefits and promotes a long, healthy life. Playing badminton keeps you feeling well, strong and motivated. It can help in coping with anxiety and stress and offers a release from the pressures of everyday life.

It is fairly easy to learn and suits all ages and physiques, so anyone can take up the sport. Since badminton is a non-contact sport, it is also relatively safe, although it is not completely free from injuries. One of the most common injuries is falling or twisting, which can result in knee and ankle sprains. Overstretching the arms during play can also strain the shoulder muscles. These injuries usually take time to heal, and can cost a lot if you have no insurance. Poor traction can add to the risk of injury, so wear proper shoes and make sure the floors are not too rough or slippery. Warm up before playing and cool down afterwards, and wear knee pads and wrist and ankle guards.

Since 1992, badminton has been an: men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and mixed doubles, in which each pair is a man and a woman. At high levels of play, the sport demands excellent fitness: players require aerobic stamina, agility, strength, speed and precision. It is also requiring a good technical sport and the development of sophisticated racquet movements.

Badminton features one player opposing another or competing pairs. The game is played on a surface called a court. The size of the court is 44 feet long X 17 feet wide for a single's match and 4 feet long X 20 feet wide for a double's match. The net is supposed to be 5 feet 1 inch on the edges and 5 feet in the centre. The object is to hit the bird or shuttlecock past the opponent so it lands on the court, or to get the opposition to make a mistake and hit the shuttlecock into the net or outside the court. A match is the best of three games, played to 21 points.

Badminton is the fastest-racquet sport and is also considered to be the world's #2 most played sport behind soccer. There are regional tournaments and leagues throughout much of Asia and Europe, as well as countless people playing in schools, gyms, or clubs.

Professional badminton, although thought by many to be non-existent, has all the characteristics that make a sport popular. The stereotype that badminton is an unbearably slow sport with little action could not be more wrong. Badminton is in fact the world's fastest racket sport, even more so than the most popular racket sport, tennis.

By Fredy Siswanto
PressSearch.org

Golf Ball Reviews You Can Trust

Whenever a new golf ball is launched on the market, most golfers will not really know how well the ball will perform and whether it is worth buying. As people are used to reading reviews nowadays before buying products, it makes sense to first of all read a golf ball review to find out the pros and cons of the ball before buying.

Manufacturers and Varieties

Today, there are so many golf ball manufacturers, which means that the competition between them is very fierce. Also, there are as many varieties of balls from each manufacturer. You will need to know about the many different features, such as the construction type, softness, feel, and spin rate.

Brands

Reading a review will help inform you about the different brands that are available. In the case of newly launched balls this information can be useful to find out if that particular ball will be right for your game. Whether you want to buy a Nike ball or any other top brand ball, you should first read some reviews about the brand to find out what others are saying about it.

Features

Most golf ball reviews will provide you with the details regarding a ball's features and capabilities. One of the most important aspects of a ball is its construction type; whether the ball is two-piece, three-piece or four-piece. There are balls that are suitable only for low handicap golfers and others that are good for beginners

Which Review to Believe?

You should of course, not take the word of the author of the golf ball review as being gospel; you need to read several reviews before determining the reliability of opinions expressed. Before buying your ball, by being well informed, you will at least stand a better chance of buying the right golf ball for your game.

The Best Reviews

The best golf ball reviews are the ones that are submitted by actual users of the balls. Many golfers that have used balls and are either happy or unhappy with them, like to leave a review of their experiences. Golfers are like that; they have opinions about the golf equipment they use and they like to voice their opinions.

User generated reviews of balls can give you a more balanced picture of which balls are more worthwhile for you. The reviewer can usually rate the ball as well as leave a constructive comment - better yet if they note their handicap. That way, when you visit a website that has golf ball reviews, you can study the ones you were thinking of buying to see if they will be good for you.

By Mick Euan Tait
PressSearch.org