I could not believe my ears when the ESPN sportscaster announced that Shaquille O\’Neal had been traded to the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. Two years removed from an NBA Championship, Shaq is being moved again. Yes, the Heat are a dismal 9-40, but those are pretty lofty standards - trading someone after winning the championship a mere two seasons earlier. That\’s kind of harsh. But then again, if the price is right, in this case Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, you gotta make the deal happen.

So, who is this deal good for? Well, it is good for both teams, but maybe not how you think:

Suns: For the Suns, this trade is a good thing for the immediate future. I think that D\’Antoni and Coangelo are thinking that Steve Nash only has a few more good years in him before he starts going south, and they want to win a championship before that happens. So, they bring in Shaq, who for the immediate future can help the Suns. Shaq still has a little left in that old, worn down body of his to contribute in the playoffs.

In order for Phoenix to finally compete with the big boys of the West, they really need a big, powerful center. Shaq is just that. Also, with the whole Shaq vs. Kobe drama rearing its ugly head again, Shaq may have an chip on his shoulder. A 7-foot, 350-lbs hall of famer with something to prove is a dangerous thing. If the Suns\’ sole goal is to win a championship this year or maybe the next, the trade was a good idea. However, as for the long-term, this trade was stupid. Shaq will be gone in a couple of years and now Marion is gone as well.

Heat: For the Heat, this was a very good trade. One that may salvage their season as Shawn Marion is sure to revitalize a very demoralized Miami team. Since their Championship, the Heat have gone down hill, to say the least. I don\’t think any team has ever fallen from grace as fast as the Heat have. Two years ago, they were the best team in basketball. Now, they are the worst, being beat out by the likes of the Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks. But now that Marion is in Miami, the Heat will be getting a full dose of what they have needed all season - energy and defense. Wade and company will be able to score enough points to win games. But the question is whether they can put up enough of a defensive effort to avoid being outscored every game.

Furthermore, not only will Marion help this season, but he is the type of player you can build a strong team around. With him, Haslem and Wade in Miami, the Heat will right the ship.

So, I\’d say for the short-run, the Suns made a pretty good trade. However, the Heat definitely got the best of this transaction as Marion and Banks will help in the short-run and long-run.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at RobbinsSports.com, an online resource for Baseball Uniforms, Track Uniforms and Stopwatches.

When choosing their equipment, women golfers have largely the same considerations to think about as men. Just as for men, we would advise starting with a club pack as your first set, with a combination of driver, fairway woods, hybrids to replace the long irons, irons from 5-SW and a putter. Most new golfers find that they rely on their 7-iron and pitching wedge at first, slowly gaining familiarity with the other clubs. Equally the same as for men, we would recommend cheaper cavity back, cast head on your clubs, as the more refined forged blades are really for the better player. And we\’d recommend a set of two or three wedges, to play all the chip shots, and probably a mallet putter as these are easiest to align, and weighted to help you achieve a square, balanced stroke.

Women\’s shafts are crucial to help you play your best

However, for the women\’s game, there are special options to consider. The shaft is the axle of the club, so the better the shaft, the better the club. As your game improves, it is very much worth considering investing in decent ladies\’ clubs, with ladies\’ flex.

Ladies\’ flex

Flex has a major effect on the feel of the club, and also makes a difference to the distance you will achieve. Most women struggle to really power down on the ball - when hitting a driver, they tend to achieve a swing speed of less than 60mph. This would give a carry distance of under 180 yards. If you use a driver with a ladies\’ flex, then you will be maximising the carry of the ball, whereas if you tried to hit a driver with a stiff shaft, designed for swing speeds of over 80mph, you would probably find it difficult to achieve the momentum you desire.

Ladies\’ loft

Loft angle has a major effect on distance off the tee, and generally the slower your swing speed, the higher loft you should choose, to really get the ball airborne so it can travel further. You should be looking at lofts of 13-15 degrees in a driver.

Graphite shafts

To help achieve a faster swing speed, women are also more likely to do well with graphite shafts in their woods, as these are more flexible and lighter than steel. You may also consider them for your irons, as you will probably find them easier to swing.

Get the length right

In terms of length, it is worth getting measured to make sure your clubs are right for your height. If they are too long, you will find your whole set-up is out of kilter and you are probably making lots of mis-hits. Do it yourself by taking a wrist-to-floor measurement from the crease of your left hand (for right-handed players) down to your feet and then making a simple calculation. For example, if you are between 5\’4″ and 5\’7″ in height, but your wrist-to-floor measurement is between 33 and 34″, then you will need shafts which are a quarter to half an inch shorter than standard. If however your wrist to floor measurement is 36 to 37 inches, you will need clubs half an inch longer.

Callaway and Ping both supply excellent ranges of clubs for women, with their Big Bertha ladies ranges (Callaway) and G5L (Ping). Wilson also has a substantial women\’s range, with their L6 series of irons, hybrids, woods and more.

Choose the right golf balls

For women as much as men balls can make a big difference to your game, the more complex multi-layer constructions will provide more feel and control, whilst the simple two-layer offerings will give you the distance you need before you start to think about finesse. But for women, balls such as the Srixon Soft Feel for Ladies (pic) are designed to give a higher launch trajectory for greater overall distance, performing best in tandem with women\’s slower swing speeds. They should also provide excellent feel around the greens.

Choosing the right golf shoes

There two different types are recommended for both men and women - a heavier-duty winter pair and a lighter summer one which allows the feet to breathe. For women, of course, style is all important, so why not consider something like FootJoy AquaLites which offer women golfers ultra-lightweight comfort with added stability. This performance waterproof golf shoe comes in a choice of styles, at affordable prices. Meanwhile, Hi-Tec has now brought out several shoes incorporating their excellent CDT (custom directional tracking) technology for women, for unbeatable stability.

Choosing the right golf bag

For women just as for men, golf bags have enjoyed a high-tech makeover in recent years with everything from lightweight parachute materials and graphite-friendly tops to \’club management systems\’ and mobile phone pockets revolutionizing the market. 2007 will see the bag scientists pushing the boundaries further, with ergonomic handles, adjustable dividers, elaborate trolley-fixing mechanisms, ingenious shoulder harnesses and more.

But for all that, your main options when choosing a bag are a sturdy cart bag (some are specifically designed for buggies, so be sure to check), a stand bag suitable for trolley or carrying; or the new generation of lightweight \’pencil\’ carry models for a quick nine holes. And when it comes to women\’s bags, the idea is to make them as light-weight and easy to handle as possible, as well as colour-coordinated to go with the rest of your equipment. Sun Mountain, Wilson and Yonex all have excellent women\’s bag ranges available.

Finally of course when it comes to clothing you want to look your best, and these days there are golf clothes that perform, keeping you cool in hot weather and dry in wet, without making you look like you\’ve been stranded in the 70s! All leading manufacturers provide women\’s options, from simple golf tops through to waterproofs, and there are even gloves, such as the Wilson Staff Grip Soft, which are designed for the shape of women\’s hands.

For more information on Ladies Golf Equipment read here.

With the 2008 baseball season upon us, the fantasy baseball season is about to begin. Here are some tips to creating a successful fantasy baseball team.

1) Be smart

When you are drafting your baseball team, don\’t take unnecessary risks. This year you shouldn\’t be taking Pedro Martinez (36 years old and diminishing health) or Chris Carpenter (might be out until All-Star break) in any of the early or middle rounds. You may not know every player in the MLB, but it isn\’t hard to use good judgement. Don\’t fall into the mentality that you need to get certain positions early in the draft, just because the rest of the league makes a run on a specific position. You cannot afford to take catchers, like Victor Martinez and Russell Martin, in front of other Top 40 players such as Aramis Ramirez, Magglio Ordonez, Alex Rios, and Curtis Granderson. Closers fall into this same type of category; there are plenty of good closers that will be available after the 8th round. Decide what is more important: having the best catcher and closer or getting more stats for your draft picks.

2) Make a plan and stick to it

Have a plan before the draft starts. Of all the fantasy baseball teams of mine that have been good, only one or two have been very balanced. More so than in other fantasy sports, such as football or basketball, you need to choose some categories that you want to dominate your league in. Whether that is good pitching (Wins, ERA, K\’s), power hitting (HR, RBI), or speed (SB, R), it doesn\’t really matter what it is, but pick something and stick with it.

3) Drafts cannot make a season, but they can break one

It\’s true that you need to research, know your stuff, and have a plan going into the draft, but don\’t put too much emphasis on the draft. The baseball season is six months long and you can\’t underestimate the value of staying on top of your league every day. Because of the length of the season, it is very easy to turn around a baseball league in the summer months by simply checking the free agents every day, watching what players get on hot streaks, and updating your daily lineup.

Most of what I submit to this website can be found at my blog http://sportsnationblog.blogspot.com
Please feel free to go check it out and take a visit. I love feedback from my readers so if you want to tell me something then email me at sportsnationblog@gmail.com

After last Saturday\’s surprise blowout of the San Antonio Spurs, 102-78, the New Orleans Hornets were on a roll and put together a nine game wining streak, before losing to the Golden State Warriors last Wednesday 103-116. Nevertheless the Hornets, who started out a solid 20-11, were an amazing 12-2 in the month of January and are 32-15 overall, tied for second in the Western Conference. This season the Hornets are 4-2 against Western Conference powers (San Antonio, Phoenix, and Dallas) and starting to prove to everyone that they too want to be in this elite category of teams.

Their starting point guard, Chris Paul, has been outstanding this season averaging 20.3 points per game and 10.8 assists per game while shooting 48% from the field. David West is also dominating at the power forward position averaging about 19 points and 9 rebounds per game; add a rejuvenated three-point shooting Peja Stojakovic and newly assertive big man play from center Tyson Chandler and you have a quality starting lineup. Chandler has been a long time disappointment because of the trade that he was involved in for Elton Brand, one of the best power forwards in the NBA since 1999.

Outlook & Predictions: I look for the New Orleans Hornets to cool down some the next few months, but come playoff time I think the veteran teams of the Western Conference will prevail, at least this year. With that said, if their core stays the same over the offseason, these Hornets could be good for the next few years. I think the Hornets end the season 55-27 as the Western Conference #4 Seed and take an early second round playoff exit.

Most of what I submit to this website can be found at my blog
http://sportsnationblog.blogspot.com
Please feel free to go check it out and take a visit. I love feedback from my readers so if you want to tell me something then email me at sportsnationblog@gmail.com

History:

The art of Ju-jitsu is interpreted as being the “science of softness”. Translated literally, ju means gentle or soft and jitsu means art. While referred to as “a gentle art”, some of the techniques are nevertheless extremely dynamic in their delivery and would appear to be anything but soft.

There are many stories regarding the origins of Ju-jitsu, dating as far back as the 8th century, with historical lines indicating roots even before the time of Christ. While some claim that Ju-jitsu originated in China, the ancient chronicles of Japan describe how, in AD 712, Tatemi Kazuchi threw Tatemi Nokami, like throwing a leaf. Reference is also made in the Nihon Sho-ki chronicles to the Emperor Shuinjin holding a martial arts tournament to celebrate the 7th year of his reign in 23 BC. One of the bouts resulted in the death of a participant, a Sumo wrestler, who was thrown to the ground and kicked by Nomino Sukume. These accounts provide evidence of early “empty hand” techniques in Japan. There is also reference to Ju-jitsu developing as an art from the work of a Buddhist monk, dating back to the 13th century. These ancient techniques were known as kumi-tachi (or yawara), which is described in the Konjaku-monogatari, a Buddhist work dating back to that time.

Philosophy:

The central philosophy behind Ju-jitsu is to conquer an opponent by any and all means – as long as only minimal force is used. Consequently, this precept demands from its followers a strict conformity to various disciplines – both mental and physical.

Physical fitness has been a fundamental prerequisite for practitioners of Ju-jitsu. A characteristic of this art involves strict moral and dietary regimes, which are seen as being necessary if one is to reach the highest level of perfection. It is therefore not surprising that, historically, many Ju-jitsu masters withdrew to religious institutions, such as Buddhist or Shinto shrines.

Although the basic principle behind modern Ju-jitsu as a self defence art is to conquer an opponent using minimal force, the older art of Ju-jitsu focused on literally annihilating the enemy, which led to the development of many dangerous and fatal techniques.

Ju-jitsu today:

The traditional art of Ju-jitsu is still carried on today by a minority of practitioners, who wish to keep alive the warrior spirit of the fatal fighting techniques of the art. They do not enter competitions and their only goal is the continuation of the mental, spiritual and physical aspects of the art.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Aikido in its present form is a relatively recent innovation within the martial arts tradition. It was developed in Japan in the early 20th century by Morihei Ueshiba (1883 - 1969), who was introduced to the classical martial arts as a boy by his father, Yoroku. He is known to have studied some martial arts, such as various styles of Ju-jitsu as well as Kenjutsu and the art of the spear.

Philosophy:

If we are attacked by a force and we apply force ourselves, a collision of energies ensues which results in disharmony. Thus, accordingly the stronger force wins. If, however, we meet the force with an absorbing movement and then exhaust it to the point of imbalance before applying a force of our own (the Aikido way), we are in fact restoring harmony or redressing an imbalance. This is the basic logic and underlying philosophy of Aikido.

Training:

Aikido is a discipline that seeks not to meet violence with violence, but instead looks towards harmonising with and restraining and opponent. Aikido is, in many ways, unique among the martial arts, in that the majority of techniques are based on the aggressor making the first move. Therefore, Aikido techniques are usually aimed at joint immobilisation and throws which utilise an opponent’s energy, momentum and aggression. Many body movements have been taken from Japanese sword and spear fighting arts, and the use of the bokken (a replica sword) and jo (a stick) is intended to build the practitioner’s understanding and skill.

Aikido teaches one-on-one and multiple attack defence. It incorporates knife-taking, sword-taking and stick-taking, and even defence from a kneeling position. Differences in size, weight, strength or age negated as we learn to use our inner ki (flow of energy). Weapon training with a bokken and jo indicates the ancestry of the discipline as well as helping to improve our body movements.

It should be emphasised that Aikido is a budo (literally a martial way). We practise each technique with total commitment, as if our life depended on its success, for only in this way is it possible to bring about the true spirit of budo. This is not to say that training has to be hard or violent. It is possible to be physically soft and still generate the power to control a confrontational encounter.

Styles of Aikido:

In reality, there are several major styles of Aikido today. As Ueshiba was continually refining and modifying the art he had created, some of his students at various stages left to pursue their own ideals. Thus, Master Gozo Shioda created the yoshinkan style, characterised by short and sharp movements and powerful joint applications; Kenji Tomiki developed sport Aikido, as it is widely known, characterised by competitions in which rubber knives are used; Minoru Mochizuki successfully amalgamated Aikido with other martial arts within the International Martial Arts Federation; and Koichi Tohei created shin-shin toitsu Aikido, which concentrates on the ki aspect of Aikido. All of these men trained with and listened to Ueshiba and yet each came away with a different idea of the discipline.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Shotokan is both a young and an ancient martial art. It is ancient because its roots are deeply entrenched in the past, and young because, as it is expressed today, it is an art that is less than a 100 years old. Shotokan is characterised by its long and low stances, its powerful techniques and its dynamic forms.

The founder of Shotokan, Gichin Funakoshi, was an Okinawan. He trained in the oldest of the Okinawan te (hand) systems as a young man and in the early 20th century brought what he had learned in the island of Okinawa to mainland Japan, where he demonstrated his art before the Emperor. He originally intended to return to Okinawa but was persuaded to to remain and continue teaching in Japan. Funakoshi’s pen name was Shoto (waving pines) and kan (hall). Hence Shotokan can be translated to mean “Shoto’s hall of the way of the empty hand”.

While Funakoshi was the originator of Shotokan, it was really his son, Yoshitaka Funakoshi, who developed it into the form we know today. It rapidly grew in popularity, supported, encouraged and regulated by the powerful Japan Karate Association. Before long, it was to be found all over the world.

Triads:

Shotokan is built on what are known as triads, which are both real organisations and metaphors for something much deeper within the human psyche. There exists the physical triad of kihon (basics), kumite (sparring) and kata (forms), which require dedicated training and the constant perfecting of technique. This is followed by the moral triad of justice, mercy and compassion and finally by the ethical triad of duty, honour and loyalty.

If we put all of the 9 triad principles together (9 symbolises perfection) we achieve the whole, rounded person. When these principles are practised in a martial art, they illustrate one of the fundamental concepts of Shotokan, as advocated by the founder, Gichin Funakoshi. His aim was to focus on the development of the human character as a whole being, rather than on winning and losing.

Significance:

While Shotokan is a wonderful form of relaxation or sport for many people, for those who practise it seriously it has a much deeper and wider significance. This deeper realisation, however, can only come after years of dedicated practice. While this is a dimension of the art that emerges rather slowly, Shotokan can still be enjoyed at all levels by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

History:

Hironori Ohtsuka (1892 - 1982) was the founder of the Wado Ryu system of Karate. He commenced training in shindo yoshin ryu jujitsu at the age of 6, and at the age of 30, he began training under the supervision of Gichin Funakoshi (the founder of Karate-do) before founding the Wado Ryu system in 1939. Wado Ryu is one of the 4 main Japanese styles of Karate that are taught around the world. In 1939, Ohtsuka organised the All Japan Karate Do Federation Wado Ki and the Worldwide Headquarters for the Wado Ryu System. In 1967, he was the first katateka to be awarded the 5th order of merit of the sacred treasure of the Emperor of Japan as an acknowledgement of his achievements. Following his death in 1982, Hironori Ohtsuka’s son, Jiro, became the chief instructor of the Wado Ryu system. Today, there are a number of senior, well-respected representatives of Wado Ryu in Japan, who are also leaders of their own federations or associations.

Characteristics of Wado Ryu:

To practitioners of Wado Ryu, the main philosophy is to better their attitude both within and outside the art. This is one of the main aims of the martial art which emphasises the development of respect, discipline and understanding in a mental as well as physical capacity. This aim affects our attitude towards ourselves and others in our home life, work and social activities. To show aggression outwardly, even during training sessions, is greatly discouraged. The name Wado Ryu, approximately translated, means “the peaceful way”.

Another characteristic of Wado Ryu is that unnecessarily large movements are kept to a minimum. Importance is placed on the speed and efficiency of movements with which each technique is performed, rather than the strength or physical effort outwardly shown. Exponents of Wado Ryu place great emphasis on the coordination of body movement with each particular technique. This principle is found in many other martial arts, such as ju-jitsu, aikido and kendo. This coordination is stressed at all stages of learning, from the execution of basic techniques to the application of advanced, free-fighting combinations.

- Thanaseelan, click on http://www.worthofwordplay.blogspot.com to view his main blog. Don’t forget to check out the categories on his blog.

To participate in the sport of rock climbing, you don’t have to be a super athlete. It is more a sport of grace and balance rather than one of strength. What is the allure of rock climbing anyway? You will usually come away from an encounter with ripped hands and various scabby body parts and there will be times where you will be scared out of your wits. For many people it is about exploring the natural world around you and finding the strength and perseverance buried deep inside of you.

How do you get started in the sport of rock climbing? You don’t need to be young or overly fit. Many people begin climbing later in life and there are excellent climbers of all ages. Climbing is not only about strength either. There have been many men who have been humbled, by a graceful female, and the apparent ease with which she clambers over the rocks. Rock climbing is mostly about balance and knowing your body, and how to reposition it in space. You have to be creative when you are rock climbing because you have to adapt to what the rock you are climbing has to offer you. Your legs and feet are your most important tools for getting you up, though your upper body gets a fairly good work out as well.

Rock climbing is about overcoming your fear of the unknown. It is about learning to trust your instincts and your body to help you get through some rough patches. Rock climbing can be a solo sport or a social sport. The bond that exists between climbing partners is quite strong because you have to trust that person with your life, without questions and no mistakes are allowed.

It takes years of practice to perfect the basic moves. Rock climbing comes in many styles. Some basic rock climbing includes bouldering, free rock climbing, traditional rock climbing, indoor climbing, ice climbing, and alpine climbing. You can learn the basics of rock climbing at an indoor climbing gym before you make the move to the great outdoors. The sport of rock climbing is a sport that will leave you breathless from the beauty that surrounds you and proud of yourself for getting to the top unscathed.

Want to learn more about Rock Climbing?, feel free to visit us at: http://www.rock-climbing-zone.info

There are many types of big game fishing that you can seek out.
Everything from Swordfish, Marlin to Sailfish can be caught
with the right boat and skipper to guide you.

One thing to bear in mind though, is that if you want to catch the
big game, this won’t happen quickly and won’t be very either. In
fact, you could be running into thousands per day if you want to
charter a large boat capable of landing a huge fish.

To catch big game, you need to spot them. This is different from normal
methods of fishing. You don’t just throw out your bait, sit back
and hope for the best. You actually need to stalk the fish, find
out where they are and then move in for the kill. Seeing small
bait fish on the surface moving rapidly is usually a good sign that
there is something lurking below chasing them.

If you are fortunate to hook a big game fish, you need to be prepared
for what is about to happen. You’ll almost certainly be strapped into
a chair by a harness and be prepared to play for fish for sometimes
a few hours. Yes, that’s hours! It will almost certainly be hot where
you are fishing too, so this will take a lot out of you. Drink plenty
of water and keep hydrated. This will prevent you from becoming too
tired and still be able to fight with the fish. The crew will play a
vital role for you. They will reel in the other rods and strap you
into the chair and do everything they can to help. So finding a good
skipper and crew is vital to your success in big game fishing.

Marlin and Sailfish will literally jump out of the water when they
are hooked. It’s sometimes quite unbelievable to see a huge fish
jumping hundreds of yards away that is actually attached to your
line! This is also a crucial part in the fight too, as this is when
many times they will shake the hook out of their mouths and then
the fight is over.

Catching a big game fish is one of the most exhilarating types of
fishing you can do. It’s hard work but well worth it once you get
to have your picture taken holding a monster fish in your arms.

You can discover more great tips about fishing and hiring a charter
fishing boat from my site -

http://www.charterfishingboat.net