sports culture

Here it is the most important game of the hockey season. This is it, time to make it or break it in the Kelly Cup finals. As a netminder, aka the goalie, you have quite a few jobs. Of course, as we both know, it is important to keep the puck out of the net and away from the goal crease. While you are not frantically skating up and down the ice, checking, or shooting the puck, you have perhaps the most important role on the hockey team, watching the puck, preventing the other team from scoring, communicating with your team and the number one personal role, your own safety and protection.

When the opposing team is barreling down the ice, directly towards you they have only one task in mind, scoring a goal. That means at some point, very soon you will have a puck flying right at you, which might be traveling at extremely high speeds. Therefore, it is of highest importance that you have the best and highest quality of goalie protection available. What do you need? You need a high quality goalie helmet, a blocker, and a catcher.

Does this mean you should run out and buy the first helmet you see? Absolutely not! The helmet must be a goalie helmet. The helmet has to be specific for goalies. There are several reasons for this, the first reason being that the goalie helmet has to be light in weight. You have to move quickly and a heavy helmet will weigh you down. Another feature of a goalie helmet is that it is shock resistant, with all the spills, hits, and tumbles a goalie must endure, you want to make sure your head is protected. Some other features include a comfort foam lining, sweatbands to absorb the sweat, and face protection by way of a wire net. This wire net provides protection for all areas of your face, ensuring safety from a flying puck or another player.

Of course, as you know the blocker and catcher are two very important pieces of equipment for a goalie too. In fact, they differ from any other type of hockey gloves. As a goalie, you will have to catch fast moving pucks and you spend a lot of time on the ice. This means you must have protection for your hands against the speed of the puck, as well as the blades of other player's skates. When it comes to the blocker and catcher, the catcher is placed on one hand, the blocker on the other. Of course, this will depend on what hand you use the most.

The blocker is a sturdy glove, placed on the hand that holds the stick. This glove works to deflect high shots on goal and provides your hand with a massive amount of protection against the elements of hockey. A catcher is designed very similar to that of baseball catchers. It comes with a deep pocket for handling the puck, it is important when choosing a catcher that you choose one that works well with your needs and abilities. With a catcher, you can catch the puck, cover a puck, or deflect a puck, without damaging your hand.

Of course, there are other elements of protection that a goalie must have, but the goalie helmet, blocker, and catcher, are three of the essential elements of playing
sports

PR: wait... I: wait... L: wait... Cached: wait... LD: wait... I: wait... wait... C: wait... SD: wait...

Do you want a rewarding career that also lets you work with a lot of people? Do you enjoy sports and physical activity? Do you want to be a doctor? If you answered yes to any of these then you may be interested in a career in sports medicine. A career in sports medicine has many advantages for you. Not only is it an excellent career, but people educated in sports medicine are always needed. You know you will always have a job in the field of sports medicine.

Sports medicine has two fields of expertise. Sports medicine first focuses on injury treatment and injury prevention for athletes. The second focus of sports medicine is to provide an athlete or athletes with performance enhancement. This can be for any type of athlete. In sports medicine you can treat: runners, bicyclists, football players, soccer players, hockey players, baseball players, and many other types of athletes. Sports medicine is open to many fields. The goal of a person who works in sports medicine is to make sure the athletes he or she treats achieve top performance and optimal health at all times.

There are many careers in sports medicine. One is called a sports medicine physician. A sports medicine physician goes through medical school first and then gets educated in sports medicine. This is when they learn to diagnose and treat sport related injuries that athletes have incurred. A second career in sports medicine is called a sports medicine physical therapist. A sports medicine physical therapist works with athletes to rehabilitate them from sports related injuries, muscle problems, joint problems, etc. For A career as a sports medicine physical therapist you will need to get certified as a physical therapist after your initial medical school training.

Many college campuses offer courses in sports medicine. Some even have job placement for people that wish to start a career in the field of sports medicine. One great school to look into is The American College of Sports Medicine. They offer certification in this field and are world renowned. For more information about sports medicine you can check out a book called The American Journal of Sports Medicine. It has details on sports medicine education and articles about sports medicine.

This career is an excellent choice for many of you out there. It's great to know when you are the one that helps an athlete perform his or her best. If you are really good at it you may even get to treat the athletes that are in the Olympics! Perhaps you will get to treat some of the world famous basketball stars or football players! Then you too can world famous!

Choosing a place to stay during Vancouver 2010 Olympics might be a challenge, but in Vancouver there is a perfect spot for everybody.
So you’ve made the decision to be in the Best Place on Earth at the best time possible. Then, my friend, welcome to Vancouver during 2010 Olympics!
No one would argue that Vancouver is beautiful and everyone can find their own home here. But how do you find that unique place, which would be just right and personal for you in such a diverse and large city? How about finding that perfect place if you’ve never been to Vancouver before?
I was in your shoes not so long ago, and during last few years I’ve walked (and biked, and rollerbladed – you name it …) the streets of Vancouver from East to West, North to South and never stopped wondering "Is there a more beautiful place to live in?" So if you are trying to figure out which part of the city to stay at during 2010 Olympics, here are few things you should consider before deciding on a location:
1. How important is the proximity to the Olympic Venues? And if being close to the Olympic venue is a priority for you, which competition are you planning to attend?
2. How will you get around? Will you be renting a car? Or will you be taking public transportation (which is, frankly speaking, quite good, compared to other North American cities)? Vancouver offers not only buses and trolleybuses, but it also features a fully automated Skytrain and scenic rides on Seabus. To learn more about public transit options available in Vancouver and the area, to get maps, schedules or simply to plan your trips within Vancouver check Translink website.
3. How important is a neighborhood for you? Would you enjoy lively and glittery downtown or would you rather keep yourself warm near a fireplace in a secluded home?
4. What about your neighbors? Or do you want any? Obviously, a stay at a hotel comes with a certain package of neighbors, behind not so sound proof walls… But what about having a house of your own for a few days? If you are one of those people that like feeling at home even when they travel, there are several websites that offer private rentals ranging from a room in a house to multi-bedroom mansions for rent in Vancouver area during 2010 Olympics.

The most important and the hardest decision you will most likely need to make from the start, is to choose between staying in Vancouver area or Whistler. For some this will be based on the interest in particular Olympic sports, for some it will depend on transportation and accommodation. Just to give you an overall idea, Whistler is located approximately 130 km (80 miles) from Vancouver. Drive on the "Sea-to-Sky" highway is very picturesque, however, might seem a bit challenging for those not used to windy roads. With normal road conditions it would take about two hours to travel between Vancouver and Whistler. However, here comes the big question: how long will it take to get to Whistler during 2010 Olympics? Since there is only one road from Vancouver to Whistler, I wouldn’t dare to give any estimates at all.
If your accommodation for 2010 Olympics is purely based on proximity to the location of the competition, you want to be in Whistler for: Bobsleigh, Luge, Skeleton, Alpine Skiing, Alpine Skiing (Paralympic), Biathlon, Biathlon (Paralympic), Cross Country Skiing, Cross Country Skiing (Paralympic), Nordic Combined, Ski Jumping.

Golf is one of the greatest games in the world to play however it can also be one of the most difficult to learn and master. It is also perhaps one of the most mentally demanding games out there since you are in full control of when you decide to hit the ball. Here are some simple tips to help you learn the game more quickly and easily:

Tip 1: Learn how to putt first

Putting is a game within a game and learning this part of golf first can really help you to become a better and improve more quickly. The first step is to learn a particular mechanical approach to putting. You will notice if you watch the professionals on television that they use a number of different styles and techniques.

It is important to decide on a specific putting style and stick with it. Take a lesson or two from a local golf professional and decide that you will stick with one putting technique. You can make minor adjustments to the style you are using and refine it to make it better. People that are continuously making big changes to their putting styles are susceptible to getting the yips and never developing the level of consistency they are capable of.

Tip 2: Chipping and wedge play are very important

Learning how to chip is very important and can make a big difference to your scores. Be sure to spend some practice time around the greens from all kinds of different lies learning how to hit these short chip shots. With most chip shots you will want the ball to be slightly back in your stance lined up with your right foot and you also want an open stance which means your feet point to the left of the target if you are a right handed player.

Tip 3: Master the mental game

The mental game of golf can really help you to become a better player fast. Most players tend to think too much when they are over the ball so it is important to learn to silence your mind as you are about to make the shot. Developing a solid routine is an important part of a good mental game. There are two aspects to the golf routine and they are the mental routine and the physical routine.

The physical routine can vary and it is a good idea to allow flexibility in the routine, for instance if you have an awkward lie then you may want to take more time and more practice swings until you feel confident you can hit a good shot. The mental routine is perhaps the most important aspect of the golf routine and this part involves reading the greens or picking the right clubs, judging the wind and thinking properly before you pull the trigger. The biggest key is to make sure you believe you can execute the shot and then simply look and react to the targets. Try some of these tips to help you play better golf and shoot lower scores faster.

Some sports teams epitomize excellence. For instance, the Boston Celtics are the New York Yankees of the NBA. In fact, the Celtics have been victorious in 17 NBA championship games, which is more than any other team in the history of the league! Their first championship was during the 1956-1957 season, and their most recent one was during the 2007-2008 season. In fact, the Celtics even won a record eight NBA championships in a row, from 1959-1966.

Throughout their history, key Celtics players have helped to maintain the squad’s winning tradition. Here are some players whose jerseys the team has retired:

Larry Bird #33 (number retired in February, 1993)

Bird was indeed one of the “best of the best” in the Celtics history. The Celtics won three NBA championships with Bird (1981, 1984, and 1986). Bird became renowned throughout his career, for his consistency and work ethic. He became the Most Valuable Player of the NBA, from 1984 to 1986. In addition, the NBA named Bird as the league’s “Rookie of the Year,” in 1980. Bird achieved several successes with the Celtics, including the top Free Throw Percentage (.886), the second most career points (21,791), and the third most career assists (5,695).

Bob Cousey #14 (number retired in October, 1963)

Cousey became renowned for his passing and playmaking in the NBA. Nicknamed “The Houdini of the Hardwood,” Cousey played each of his 13 NBA seasons with the Boston Celtics. Bob Cousey became the MVP of the Celtics in 1957, and the NBA named him to 13 All-Star Squads. Of the total 17 NBA Championships that the Celtics have earned in their history, Cousey played on six championship teams (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, and 1963). With 6,945 career assists, Cousey holds the Celtics record.

K.C. Jones #25 (number retired in February, 1967)

Before he coached to Celtics to two NBA championships (1984, 1986), K.C. Jones was an outstanding Celtics player. He played on Celtics teams that won an incredible eight consecutive NBA championships (1959-1967). Furthermore, Jones led his team in assists, during three back-to-back-to-back seasons. In 1989, K.C. Jones became a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Kevin McHale #32 (number retired January, 1994)

McHale won three NBA championships with the Boston Celtics. He was an NBA All-Star in seven seasons, and has played the third most games as a Celtics player (971).

Bill Russell #6 (number retired in March, 1972)

Experts universally consider Bill Russell to be one of the greatest basketball players throughout the history of the sport. Nine teams that he played on won NBA championships. The NBA chose Russell as the MVP for five years (1958, 1961, 1962, 1963, and 1965). In addition, Russell played in 12 All-Star games. Russell also coached the Celtics to two NBA championships (1968, and 1969), and earned a winning percentage of .661.

Several Celtics players have proved that there is no “I” in “team.” Today, Boston Celtics merchandise allows you to cheer on the team as its players continue to make their own luck.

The Boston Celtics have become one of the most successful teams in NBA history. Several outstanding players have helped them to achieve their 17 NBA championships

The Indianapolis Colts are aiming high this season and are a team meant foe the play offs.

Peyton Manning is making the difference for Colts and in the past three games he has achieved seven touchdowns and no interceptions.

We've been expecting it all season and it finally came, the Indianapolis Colts efforts have paid in a good way, as they have overcome errors and the three in a row winning streak looks like a future play-off prediction.

As it was meant to be, it only took Peyton Manning one half of the game to decode the Houston defense and in the final two quarters he decided to wrap it up. Manning the two-time NFL MVP, led Indianapolis to wipe out the two Houston leads and gave the Colts a needed 33-27 victory this past Sunday November 16th.

Within minutes of finishing the second quarter, the Texans were praying for the game to be over, most of their players had bloody noses and black eyes just before the half time break. Many will agree with me that after a 13-1 all-time record against them, the Texans should have known better that the Indianapolis Colts is not a team to be trusted, especially with Peyton Manning who is no longer under pressure in close games and killed the myth of age over experience.

The Colts offense shined with armor, as Manning's 30 completed passes of 46 attempts contributed with the 320 yards, plus two touchdowns during second half; he was unstoppable. Peyton's rhythm was so good he even made the past performances of rookies Steve Slanton and linebacker Xavier Adibi look as if the Texans were in need of new contracts.

There seemed to be no way for the Texans to stop Peyton Manning, which was probably their main problem, to base their strategy around this single player; because if you run the ball more to avoid less interceptions, it doesn't matter Manning will be there to ruin your play.

Yes, the Texans defense was as bad as it could get in the second half, but they still had the best opportunity to win and with almost 9 minutes for the final, Ahman Green's 2 yard touchdown pulled the Texans 27 points. The team had good timing and all they had to do was take it to the 40-yard line. Unfortunately for the Texans, the game was over when Colts defender Melvin Bullitt intercepted Houston's Sage Rosenfels play, on the last minute attempt to drive.

The Houston Texans made many errors, but the one that cost them big time was that with two minutes to make a play against Peyton Manning; never ever play the "hurry-up" strategy against him, Manning has an answer for everything, especially when it comes to finishing a game.

With a 0-5 out of home this season, the Houston Texans need to start focusing on a different tactical review based on the defense, especially with 3 straight loses.

The Indianapolis Colts have had the best offensive presentations during the whole campaign that allowed them to achieve the winning streak (6-4) they have been looking. Plus Peyton Manning could finally accomplish what most QBs in the NFL dream for: trust and confidence from your defense.

Come December 6 in Las Vegas, Oscar De La Hoya vs Manny Pacquiao will likely be the biggest pay-per-view boxing event in the history of the sport. Both fighters are legends in the sport and the fight will be an absolute classic.

Manny Pacquiao
Born: December 17th, 1978
Place: Kibawe, Bukidnon, Philippines

Manny Pacquiao is widely regarded by pundits and online betting sharps to be the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has tore up any boxer in his path including a complete destruction of a who's who in Mexican boxing history. But his upcoming fight on December 6th figures to be his most difficult challenge to date: Oscar De La Hoya serves as a big step up in weight for Pacquiao as the fight will be at the 147-pound weight class.

For Pacquiao, this is a step up in two weight classes and a lot of people who bet on sports aren't sure that he'll be able to handle that. For his weight class, Pacquiao has an uncanny combination of power and speed but both of those might not factor since he's fighting a bigger fighter with more weight. Sports book odds list Pacquiao as a huge underdog for that reason. If he can make the adjustment, though, he should be to defeat De La Hoya, who is past his prime.

Oscar De La Hoya
Born: February 4th, 1973
Place: East Los Angeles, California

Oscar De La Hoya is a favorite for this fight according to sports book odds, which is considered to be the fight of the year by many. At one point in his career, De La Hoya was considered among the best fighters in the world and he'll still likely be a Hall of Famer, but he has been stumbling and bumbling of late. De La Hoya is just 3-3 in his last six fights with decision losses to Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosely, and a knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins. His three wins were against scrubs like Ricardo Mayorga, Steve Forbes and Felix Sturm.

De La Hoya isn't as fast as he used to be and he has two things have to work in his favor for him to win this fight. For starters, his size means that he should have the advantage in punching power and he should be able to take any of Pacquiao's power shots. And secondly, he still has to be as fast as Pacquiao - or comparably close - because Pacquiao is gaining lots of weight for this fight. If De La Hoya can win in both of those areas, he should be able to win the fight.