Youth Sports at Its Best - Compete AND Have Fun

Sports are enjoyable...

Sports are fun...

Sports are exciting....

All positive sentiments, aren't they? Well, in theory, that is what they should be. We have all heard how positive, in so many different regards, that sport can and should be in a participant's life. Individuals start playing youth sports as early as four years old and continue playing well into their social security years. (We have a few of those guys playing in our adult rec hockey league!)

Sports are supposed to be all of those things. After all, it is a GAME that is played, right? You spend time with friends, make new ones, have a snack or two and have stories to tell for the rest of your life. We especially like to think these sentiments are true when kids are playing.

Unfortunately, some kids are not enjoying their sports experiences as much as we think, or hope. A survey done by i9 Sports suggests that are some issues that we need to be aware of when it comes to kids enjoying their athletic experiences.

Of 300 children surveyed (8 - 14 years old), 84 percent said that they wish they had more fun playing sports. 84 percent also said that they wanted to quit at one time because of a variety of reasons; lack of enjoyment, conflicts with teammates, too many practices. Close to one third said that they would rather not have their parents watch their games.

There is such a negative connotation with parents and their involvement in their kids' sports that some youth sports leagues have made rules, or at least highly suggest that the parents coming to games not do any cheering at all. Some feel that silencing parents will ease the pressure some of their comments put on the kids.

The study also showed that 42 percent of kids would rather play video games than play sports. The following are more than startling numbers to me; 20 percent said that they have seen a physical fight between players, 59 percent had seen a verbal fight between players, and 36 percent had seen a verbal fight between parents.

Some tough numbers to swallow, for sure and can help explain why some kids do not enjoy their sports experience as they should.

I believe kids can enjoy being involved in a youth soccer, youth football, youth baseball, youth hockey, etc. league, but there needs to be a complete commitment from the entire sports community. So, what are some things that can contribute to a positive youth sports experience?

First, the negativity needs to be put to a halt. That comes from both parents and coaches. .

As parents, we just need to think a little bit before we say what we want to say to our kids. You are toughest on your own and it is hard not to be right to the point when talking to your son or daughter about their sports experience. After they have struck out three times with the bases loaded, your own frustration might come out when talking to that player after the game.

"You left a ton of guys on base tonight" might add more fuel to an already smoldering fire of frustration and disappointment that your child is already feeling. How about commenting on their 'at bats', instead? Were they swinging and missing? If so, perhaps comment on the fact that they were up there trying to get a hit and maybe just faced a tough pitcher.

Even better, ask open ended questions. Have the child tell you how they felt about their performance. Try and be as matter of fact as possible when asking, too. Your child comprehends what a poor performance is and what is not.

If he or she offers up some part of their game that is lacking, offer to try and help in some way. "Boy, that guy was throwing so fast tonight. I just couldn't get my bat around fast enough." Maybe, jump in with an offer to throw batting practice, or take him or her to a local batting cage and turn up the speed to get them used to faster pitches.

I'm a parent and a coach. I get caught up in some of this, as well. You feel like your child, or a player that you are coaching, can do better. In the heat of the moment out comes "What kind of a play was that?", rather than being calm and thinking of a 'teaching' moment you can bring to that situation. That might be after the inning is over, the game is over or the next practice.

My daughter struggled on the community swim team when she swam competitively for a few years. She started swimming late, by competitive standards, and was not a natural swimmer. My goal was to think before I spoke and find some ways to be positive, encouraging and also to try and help her want to get better. It was a lot of fun for her. She gained some great friends and had a good sports experience. It wasn't all me, either. She had coaches who worked with her and other parents who were constant streams of support for her, as well.

She has gained an interest in tennis now, at age 13, in hopes of trying to play competitively in the next couple of years. I love my daughter dearly but she's not the most gifted athlete.

After squirming in my chair and rubbing my forehead a number of times as I saw her swing and miss at multiple balls tossed to her in drills, I took a deep breath and a moment before talking to her about her first session. That especially hit home as I saw her walking off of the court with a big smile on her face. Instead of hammering her on how timid she seemed or on how she wasn't focusing on the ball hitting the racket (after the fifth mis-hit in a row), I took another approach.

After seeing that smile, I realized she had fun, so I asked her if she indeed enjoyed herself. When she emphatically said "Yes!" I threw in a couple of open ended questions. I asked her first what she thought were her strengths and then what she thought she needed to work on for the next session. This gave her an opportunity to express herself objectively and reinforcing to herself the good and the challenging aspects of her game.

I am convinced that you can be a positive influence on your kids and a sense of encouragement without quashing their ability to improve and compete. I do not think that those two concepts are mutually exclusive. However, I believe that those harsh streaks can be hard to overcome, but as anything, if it is something you work on consistently that mindset can be changed for the better.

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Circuit Karting: The Options

Circuit karting is a brilliant form of entry level motor racing. All the thrills and excitement of F1, but at an accessible level. Of course, some people take their karting very seriously and spend years honing their skills. It's even become a popular proving ground for future stars of F1; Ayerton Senna and Louis Hamilton both began their careers in circuit karting. But it's not just as simple as jumping in your kart and racing off. There are karting circuits all around the UK and each offers a selection of different racing options.

Track Drive Experience

Perhaps you're new to the world of karting and just want to try it out for fun. Track drive experience does what it says on the tin; it allows up to 10 karts to go out on the track for no other reason than to drive. No racing, no trophies, no competition. If you do have a bit more experience behind the wheel, then track drive experience sessions are a great opportunity to get some practice in without having to worry about your position or form.

Track Race Experience

The next step up. Track race experience makes for a short, sharp race with a limited number of competitors (generally around 10 karts). They're the perfect place for novice drivers to begin, whilst more experienced karting enthusiasts will enjoy the more intense driving experience they offer. Don't worry if you lack confidence, each race only lasts for around 15 minutes - that's 40 laps plus a 10 lap qualifying session. Trophies go the three top placed drivers and every competitor gets a precise printout of their lap times.

Endurance Circuit Karting

The Le Mans of the karting world - in fact, an annual 24 hour endurance race is held at Le Mans every year. For those of us booking a place at our local karting circuit, however, the average endurance race is unlikely to last quite that long.

Endurance circuit karting races are available in both solo and team configurations. Solo races will generally last somewhere between 40 and 100 laps with an additional 10 lap practice session to get your grid positions. The scoring is simple; the first three finishers get the trophies. Team endurance circuit karting sessions will be longer, around 60-120 laps (or 1-2 hours). Here, team mates will hot seat in relay fashion, driving the same car in an effort to secure the best times. In team circuit karting, the aim isn't necessarily to finish first, but to complete the most circuits in the time allowed. Just like Le Mans. Most karting circuits will offer a range of race lengths and will likely have a minimum age requirement.

So, whether you're a novice or an expert, you'll find the circuit karting experience to suit you. Find your nearest local karting circuit and book your first (or seventy-ninth) race today.

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Some Things to Think About Before Buying a Themed Chess Set

We are all familiar with the pieces of a standard chess set - the kings and queens, the bishops, the knights, the rooks and of course, the pawns. But have you ever seen a chess set where the king and queen are the spitting images of Homer and Marge Simpson, and the pawns are miniature versions of Bart?

A Simpson-themed chess set is just one of many novelty sets that you can choose from these days. Although standard chess sets remain to be the bestsellers, themed chess sets have definitely increased in popularity over the years, and it's not difficult to see why. After all, who wouldn't be delighted to see their favorite characters come alive in an exciting game of chess?

Attractive though they may be, one needs to take some time before deciding on buying a themed chess set. These are merchandise that you don't simply buy on a whim. In order to avoid buying something that would turn out to be not what you wanted at all, it would help to take a few important things into careful consideration first.

Price

Many themed sets can be rather expensive, particularly the ones that are available in limited editions. There are some sets that are reasonably priced but there are also others that cost several thousands of dollars.

Even if you have already decided on which particular set to buy, it is advisable to do some comparison shopping first before you make the actual purchase. You can do this both online and in traditional stores - the more outlets you check, the better your chances of finding the best deal.

Longevity

The novelty of a themed chess set can quickly wear off. For example, you may be pretty stoked about getting a Hello Kitty chess set today but you may feel quite silly playing with it a few years down the road when your interest in the cute beribboned cat has diminished. You may even be too embarrassed to let people know that you have it and so instead of taking it out to play with when you have company, you'll just keep it buried underneath a pile of junk in the attic or the deepest recesses of your closet.

Of course, this does not happen all the time. In fact, there are some classic themed sets that just get even better as they age. The point is to try and think of how you would feel personally about your themed chess set, say, ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now. You just definitely wouldn't want to buy something that you will want to get rid of in a few years time.

Material

Some people buy chess sets to play with while others buy them to use as decorations in the house. Themed chess sets, in particular, are more frequently used as decor because they not only look very interesting but they also make for excellent conversation pieces for your visitors.

Before you buy a themed chess set, you first need to decide whether you are going to use it primarily as a display or if you are actually going to use it in actual games. Your decision will determine a number of different factors regarding the set, such as the type of material that the pieces can be made of. Fragile materials like glass and some kinds of wood would be perfect for a display piece but not so much for a set that would be played with on a daily basis.

If you expect your chess set to be used frequently, then it should ideally be made of a sturdy material that is not easily prone to breaking or scratching. Many themed sets are made of wood, but there are also ones that are made of plastic, which are ideal for younger players.

Aside from these considerations, you would also have to realize that playing with a themed chess set can be rather confusing, especially if you are used to using a regular chess set. With some sets, it can be pretty hard to distinguish between the different pieces. Before making each move, you may have to look closely to determine which is which, and this added task can certainly distract you from the actual game.

If you are not really that eager to have a themed set and are only interested in getting one for the purpose of novelty, then you may want to think twice before making the purchase. Furthermore, if you are a serious chess player, there are many classic sets that would probably suit you better.

On the other hand, if you are truly interested in getting a themed set, either for purposes of display or gifting to a special person, there are several great options that you can choose from. Just make sure to take your pick carefully so that you can be sure to get your money's worth.

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Games Bring The Family Together

These days, many families don't get nearly enough quality time together. For those who would like to get their family together and engaged in a healthy activity, outdoor games can be a great option. These family games get everyone together in an enjoyable activity that boasts the added bonus of providing exercise, which is another thing that many families want more of. There are many great outdoor games to choose from. Below are some suggestions for people who want ideas for family games to try out.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a great game to get the family outdoors playing together. Unlike many games that require piles of equipment to play, for this one you only need a net and ball. Divide everyone up into even teams and pick a side of the net. You earn points by grounding the ball on the other team's side of the net. This simply means making them miss the ball so it lands on the ground.

Corn Hole

This is a fun game that even the youngest members of the family can participate in. Boards with holes in them called cornhole platforms are propped up, and small sacks filled with corn are tossed into the holes to score points. If the bag lands on the platform it scores one point, and a bag that makes it in the hole scores three. The corn hole game goes until a player makes it to 21 points.

Washer Toss

This game is similar to corn hole, but has a slightly different set up. Instead of corn bags washer toss uses standard metal washers, and the boards have three holes instead of one. The closest hole is worth one point, the next three, and finally the farthest is worth five. This game is also played to a final score of 21 points. It is most often played with two teams of two people.

Croquet

Croquet is a sport that has been adapted to a lawn game for recreational play. Players use a mallet to hit balls through hoops called wickets. There are many versions of croquet, each with their own rules, but the main goal, in all of them, is to get your ball through all the hoops before the other team does. Games can be played with two teams of either two or three players each.

Tetherball

Tetherball is a game played with a volleyball hung from a stationary pole by a length of rope. It is played between two competitors, who each try to hit the ball counterclockwise from their position. A player wins when they manage to hit the ball enough times to get the rope wrapped completely around the pole with no slack left. They must do this without the ball bouncing back and partially unwrapping or the game keeps going.

Any of these games are a great way to get your family out of the house spending quality time together, and getting a healthy amount of exercise. So the next time you have some free time together as a family, turn off the television set and head outdoors to engage in one of these great team games.

For a great selection of games and backyard sports for the whole family please visit our store http://www.kandyvines.com/ There's no better time than the present to get things started. Indoor and outdoor family games are one of the least expensive ways to create family togetherness.

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The Features of The Gobi Arabian Flex2 Saddle

The Gobi Arabian Flex2 Saddle is jam packed with great features for Arabian horses as well as any horse with a shorter back. The saddle has a shorter skirt to accommodate the shape of the arabian and, additionally, features three distinct inskirt riggings which let you choose the position which is most suitable for your specific horse. This customization is a key feature that provides more comfort for the horse and more control for the rider. All of this comes in a compact, lightweight package that weighs a mere 28 pounds. It is comprised of Gunmetal hardware and the special flex2 technology. Flex2 refers to the flexible tree design of the saddle as well as the shock absorbing neoprene that fills its core.

Benefits of Master Design

The skirt on the Gobi Arabian Flex2 Saddle is fourteen and a half inches deep by twenty six inches long. Any Arabian horse lover will tell you that this is the perfect size for horses from the region and a necessary buy for any horse with a shorter back. However, aside from the breed specific benefits, the saddle contains many marks of master craftsmanship that reveal a love of horses. The tunnel skirt design allows for an even distribution of pressure on the horse so that much of the pressure that is usually focused on the spine is dispersed. For the rider, the Circle Y Softee reduces the strain that is put on the rider's joints over the course of a normal ride.

How A Good Saddle Offers Freedom

You'll love how the Gobi Arabian Flex2 Saddle feels when you ride. The tree on the saddle allows for a greater range of motion through the shoulder area on your horse so that movement is effortless and unrestricted. This also offers a feeling of close contact for the rider that increases rider confidence and potentially control. Feeling this close contact connection is a great way to grow the bond between you and your horse.

Recommendation

Simply put, a regular saddle won't do if your horse has a short back or is an Arabian. With imprecise saddling the rider loses precision control, but also, a great deal of harm can be inflicted upon the horse as well as the joints of the rider. A Gobi Arabian Flex2 is a great investment in years of safe and comfortable riding. Thankfully, the saddle is known for its durability so you won't have to give it up. Even through long rides and extreme weather, the saddle holds together and the master craftsmanship shines through. Whether you are a dedicated rider or someone who casually rides the trails, this saddle is a great pick for your special Arabian horse. A great saddle offers much more than comfort for you and your horse. Namely, through comfort and a precision fit less material gets between the rider and the horse. This natural feeling allows for the fostering of a stronger bond between horse and rider which is perhaps the most satisfying thing about trail riding.

Are you in the market for Circle Y Saddles? At Horse Saddle Comparison, we do in-depth reviews of the top horse riding saddles on the market so you can make an informed investment. Read our circle y horse saddle reviews before buying a saddle.

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What Is Paracord? And How Do You Tell The Real Stuff From The Fake Stuff?

What does the term 550 paracord mean? What is it used for?

The term paracord itself comes from the cord used on the parachutes in WWII. The term 550 simply meant that it had a breaking strength of 550 pounds. Giving it it's full name of 550 paracord or 550 cord. When soldiers landed in the battle fields they would cut the paracord off their parachutes and pack it up for later use. This particular cord would come in handy for the soldiers during battle. Whether it was used to strap gear to humvees, help build a shelter, or lowering gear down ledges, the cord could be used in endless ways.

What types of 550 cord are there?

Commercial: Ever since paracord started becoming popular amongst civilians, there has been plenty of knock off types of paracord made. This particular type of paracord can be called "commercial 550 paracord".

Genuine MIL-C-5040 Type III: This particular 550 cord is the real deal, and there are only a handful of companies that make it for the government. One well known company, is E.L. Wood Braiding Company. They make a number of cords and ropes for the government which are used for a number of things throughout the military.

What's the difference?

Well the difference is pretty slim. Commercial 550 cord has the same breaking strength, and is the same diameter as well, so you must be careful when purchasing as there are many fakes out on the market that claim to be the real deal. The US military has a number of parameters and specifications which the MIL-C-5040 Type III paracord must pass before it's ready for use. The commercial 550 cord does not have to pass these same parameters, making it different in another way.

How do you tell the two apart? Well the only way to actually tell the two types of 550 cord apart is by cutting it in half and looking at the inside "guts". The "guts" or the inner strands of the paracord are different in commercial paracord then they are in the genuine Type III cord. Most commercial paracord will have 7 or 8 inner strands each consisting of 2 inner strands of themselves. While the genuine military issued cord has always been made with 7 inner strands, each consisting of 3 inner strands of themselves. In addition to this, one of the 7 strands is yellow and black in color, and all the other strands are white.

When buying paracord be sure to watch out for what you are buying. If you want the genuine stuff, make sure it follows all the parameters listed in the article above.

Visit http://www.paravival.com/ for all your paracord, paracord supplies, and paracord products.

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STX Proton Power Lacrosse Head Review

The Proton Power lacrosse head from STX is without doubt one of the most popular lacrosse heads in the sport. The lacrosse head has an excellent shape for maximum ball control with deadly accuracy when catching and shooting the ball. The lacrosse head is molded with an aerodynamic and streamlined style that guarantees the head stays light-weight and strong and provides greater performance in the game. The best part about this lacrosse head is that it is constructed with STX Forward Cant for straightforward ball release, faster passing and faster shooting. This lax head is highly recommended for attack players and is NFHS certified.

Good features

Firm fit with STX shafts

As a general rule, I've found that the STX lacrosse heads attach more tightly on lacrosse handles than heads from other brands. It barely attached to a STX handle, and I could hardly fit it on a Maverik handle. The Maverik shaft was slightly larger. The rule of thumb is that all lacrosse heads fit on all shafts, but more brute force or tape may be required when you mix the brand of head and shaft.

Mid and high pocket, ideal for shooting

I strung up a mid-pocket which was more or less straight forward. The ball felt very nice and it was extremely smooth when transitioning from cradling to winding up for a shot on the cage. The pinch is fairly nice and made for even better ball retention. A shooters pocket would also function pretty well too. Don't insult this lacrosse head by stringing a low pocket. This lacrosse head was designed to shoot, go a high or mid pocket.

The scoop is sort of bendy, but this is to provide the shooting flex. This, along with the STX Forward Cant, means you get great hold and you feel the "whip" while cranking.

Accurate passes from a great channel

You only need to look at the face of the head to see it isn't NCAA certified. The lax head does not include the longer parallel side walls extending from the throat. The steadily diverging catching area performs well and the mid-pocket I had strung up was awesome. All of my feeds and shoots were very accurate.

The tip of the Proton Power scoop results in a nice combination of being ground ball friendly and precise. Some lacrosse heads have a really pointy tip which leads to a great pocket channel but you are not able to grab a ground ball. While others are designed with a tip like a spade, making ground balls a breeze, your feeds do not have the accuracy you'd like. This head is pretty decent, but if the scoop were less curved I don't think the pocket would be as accurate.

Great for ground balls

The back side of the scoop is sleek enough so that there is no lip to elevate the top of the lacrosse head off the ground when getting ground balls. The face is broad enough which provides you a greater area to scoop up the ball with. You can get some bend if you go strongly for a ground ball.

Made for attackers

The Proton Power lacrosse head is created for shooting and feeding and for that reason is highly recommended for midfielders and forwards. If you're not generally a finisher, there are better midfield heads available in the market.

A fantastic choice for faceoff

If you take the odd face-off here and there, this head should hold up well. The streamlined sidewalls sit near to the ground, which surely is a benefit. The low amount of rigidity means you won't be able to take the most intense faceoff, but slicker face off maneuvers ought to be fine. The head can hardly hold its shape for too long in a faceoff, but the lacrosse head is quite easily forced back into shape, if it won't revert naturally.

Things for STX to work on

Relatively easy to string, but difficult to string legally

My first try at stringing this head ended up being illegal. The ball wasn't able to roll out of the throat when held upright and tilted forward. I had to change the side-wall laces near the throat to make sure they didn't hinder the ball and also restring the bottom laces to be certain the ball couldn't get trapped behind the ball stop. These were minor modifications, but with the likelihood of further pinching from the expected wear and tear this may well end up being something you will have to address on a consistent basis. Stringing up a low pocket isn't highly recommended.

For lovers of traditional stringing, you'll be a little bit annoyed to discover that you have only two openings at the bottom. You will have to put two leathers through each hole or devise another option. The stringing holes are quite tight so you really have to work to get the string through most of them. If you are melting the lace ends you must ensure that they're narrow because if you make a fat knob it won't fit in the slots. But when your pocket is set and the nylons are tied off, they're fixed for good.

What's the idea with the ball stop?

I'm not quite sure exactly what the actual aim of the island ball-stop is. I haven't been able to find any kind of real gain. The brand say it's intended to make this lacrosse head more lightweight, but it'd be only one or two grams at most.

Keep an eye on the pinch

As a rule with heads that feature a defined pinch, you'll want to ensure that it won't pinch excessively, resulting in it being illegal. You can put a bit of wood just a bit wider than a lax ball between your side walls around where they pinch to keep it compliant. Field hockey balls work just as well.

Not necessarily the sturdiest head going around

The Proton Power head from STX is not the strongest head going around. The scoop has actually been designed to bend, so if a somewhat inflexible lax head is what you feel will suit, this may not be the lax head for you.

Not really ideal for defense

This lacrosse head is simply too flexible for defense. You get no real effect from a poke check, aside from the top hourglassing right out. But it's not created for defense so I don't see this being an issue.

Summary

So if you are an attacker, how can you not absolutely love this lacrosse head? There certainly are various other heads stronger, lighter, stiffer and that of the like. But the Proton Power lacrosse head from STX symbolizes everything that lacrosse is about. This lax head is a goal-scoring weapon of mass destruction.

This lax head is not built with All Climate Performance so be aware in case you are playing in the heat or cold. The heat mainly, as the head currently flexes quite a lot. The lightweight factor and the extra flex might have an effect on its longevity, but still this is a super lacrosse head.

For more information about the best lacrosse heads, visit our website for the latest lacrosse gear reviews.

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