Americans love basketball. Be it high school, college or professional; basketball is a great game to watch with friends and family. The fast pace of basketball will keep everyone entertained, so all you’ll need to do is keep them well-fed. That will be easy with this basketball-themed menu.

At your basketball party, foods should be easy to grab and go. Make up some Air Jordan Wings, NCAA Nachos and Backcourt Bacon Snacks. Top off the post-game with a Slam Dunk Sundae Bar, complete with a variety of fruit, nuts and candies for toppings. Serve everything up on basketball themed plates and napkins, or alternately on party ware emblazoned with your team’s logo. With the advent of internet party stores and large wholesale party stores, finding these materials, as well as banners, table cloths, color coordinated plastic utensils and centerpieces is easier than ever.

To make Backcourt Bacon Snacks for your basketball menu, start with one large package of Lil’ Smokies or similar party franks. Open two packages of bacon and slice each package crosswise. Wrap each Lil’ Smokie in a bacon slice and secure the overlapping ends with a toothpick. Do not use colored toothpicks as the color will bleed out of the toothpick. Place the wrapped Smokies in a 9X13 baking dish and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

This sporty basketball menu will have all the fans at your basketball party hoping the game goes into overtime.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Basketball party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Basketball Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or “just because” parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

Pretty much every player wants to know how to jump higher to dunk. Actually, pretty much everyone who has ever watched a game of basketball has wanted to be able to dunk the basketball. Frankly, it’s just cool.

Most of us don’t give our jumping ability a whole lot of thought, beyond wishing that you could jump higher. But pretty much everyone can jump higher than they do right now. Virtually no one is at their genetic limit for their vertical leap. In fact, most people can add a foot or more.

Which is what you need to dunk. You don’t need to be tall, although it sure does help. You don’t even need to be especially ripped, as your average weightlifter can do it, although being lighter helps. What you need is to know how to jump higher to dunk.

What this basically means is that you need a training program that focuses on maximizing your vertical leap. With my athletes, I basically work on three areas: strength, quickness and nutrition. Yes, nutrition is factor in

how high you can jump.

If you want to improve your jump, you need to work on strengthen the powerhouse muscles of the body: the legs and back. Most of the thrust for a jump comes from your butt and lower back, so you need to emphasize exercises that focus on that.

You also need to make sure that you’re training for quickness. If you can’t explode fast enough, no amount of strength is going to have you dunking on people. So plyos and sprint training are key.

Nutrition is the final peg in the how to jump higher to dunk equation. You need to get in sufficient calories to have maximum energy and build muscle, but you also need to try and keep your body fat as low as possible.

Click here to watch videos on how to jump higher to dunk and see how to put it all together. The program I talk about there is the same program I use with my athletes and I don’t have single player who can’t dunk.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=LaShawn_Jackson

Technorati Tags: dunk low

Your rec basketball league has probably already started up. If you are in the market for new shoes, take a look below of the top 5 rated Nike brand basketball shoes, according to Nike.com

1. Kobe IV Men’s Basketball Shoe – Seize the day, if not the moment, in the special edition Kobe IV Men’s Basketball Shoe, inspired by the champion’s carpe diem style of play with the best in cushioning and support.

- Flywire upper for ultra-lightweight support and comfort

- Synthetic leather with injected TPU external heel counter for optimal support

- Phylon midsole for lightweight cushioning

- Nike Zoom unit in heel for low-profile, super-responsive cushioning

- Lunar Foam puddled in forefoot for lightweight cushioning

- Flex grooves throughout outsole for high volume traction and flexibility

2. Nike Air Team Trust II Men’s Basketball Shoe – A true team player, the Nike Air Team Trust II Men’s Basketball Shoe has optimal traction and maximum support to make the most out of your footwork.

- Leather and synthetic combination upper for overall support with breathable mesh

- Phylon midsole with Nike-flex technology for maximum flexibility

- Nike Air unit at heel for a comfortable ride

- Herringbone outsole for superior traction

3. Nike Zoom MVP Men’s Basketball Shoe – Go beyond the ordinary in the Nike Zoom MVP Men’s Shoe, with a design inspired by one of the greats, Steve Nash, creating a supportive shoe that falls in between a low-top and high-top.

- Synthetic and leather upper with reinforced stitching

- Mid-foot saddle houses molded forefoot eyestay inspired by Air Max 95

- Dual-density optimal motion midsole with lightweight injected Phylon

- Nike Zoom forefoot unit for low-profile, super-responsive cushioning

- Rubber outsole with herringbone pattern for traction and durability

- Engineered surfacing for higher force deflection

- Free-inspired forefoot

4. Dwyane Wade Team Signature United We Rise Men’s Basketball Shoe – This product is limited to one pair per customer and is excluded from all promotional discounts.

- Rise up for your own medal-winning turn on the hardwoods in the Dwyane Wade Team Signature (USAB) Men’s Basketball Shoe, sporting a red, white and blue color scheme with Beijing-inspired tattoo print.

- Full-grain leather upper with micro-perforations for breathability

- Synthetic overlays with United We Rise tattoo print

- United We Rise emblem on the tongue top

- Double-lasted internal midsole and second lightweight EVA external midsole for stability and shock absorption

- Multi-directional tread pattern for optimal traction on the hardwoods

5. Nike Air Flight Skool Men’s Quickstrike Basketball Shoe – Have your game take off like Kevin Durant’s in the Nike Air Flight Skool Men’s Shoe, a high performance shoe with a lightweight profile for soaring loft and maximum Air-Sole cushioning for a soft landing.

- Breathable, perforated leather upper with toe covering for added durability

- Lightweight Phylon midsole with maximum volume Air-Sole unit in the heel for enhanced comfort

- Rubber outsole is engineered to provide ultimate traction with cored out areas for lighter weight

Evan Pfaff is co-owner of Who’s In First.

Who’s In First is an online league management system for leagues of all sizes and sports. Our state-of-the-art software enables league managers the ability to quickly create and deploy schedules and standings over the Internet.

Visit Who’s In First, http://www.whosinfirst.com, today for a free demonstration and to learn why Who’s In First is the best choice for your league.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Evan_Pfaff

Technorati Tags: dunk low

1fe4

The Women’s Dunk High SB Christmas Edition is one of Nike Dunks products for women, other similar products being the likes of the highly popular Women’s Dunk High Asia St. Patrick’s Day, the Women’s Size Nike Dunks Liberty Fabric Pack, the Women Size High Premium Santa, among others. In spite of my having some skepticism as to what my experience with it would be like when I first purchased it some time ago, the Women’s Dunk High SB Christmas Edition has turned out to one of the most enchanting Dunks that I have gotten to use, in the process earning itself a place as my best casual wear shoe.

Although officially a ‘high’ dunk product, the Womens High SB Christmas Edition is not a particular tall dunk, which makes it a suitable wear for you even if you are not a fan of very ‘high’ dunks. For starters, the sole on the Womens Dunk High SB Christmas Edition is not particularly elevated/thick, which makes it a highly ‘practical’ shoe that one can ‘rush around with.’ The upper body of the shoe, too, start off quite low, with the region where the toes are made to go in on the Womens Dunk High SB Christmas Edition being more or less flat, though the region traversed by the shoe’s tongue, generally the central region of the shoe, does acquire some albeit gentle gradient, qualifying the Womens Dunk for its classification as a ‘high’ Nike dunk.

At least three colors can be spotted on my particular pair of the Women SB Christmas Edition: these being black (which, quite befittingly, colors the lower region of the sole which is in contact with the ground), then white, which colors the upper region of the sole which connects its to the shoe’s body, and which also makes an appearance on a patch between the back end of the shoe and the tip of its tongue. To make it a Woman’s shoe, naturally, some hue of pink is employed on the patch where the Nike tick on the Womens Dunk High SB Christmas Edition starts off, and yet again on the shoelaces for Womens Dunk High SB Christmas Edition which by default come in that hue of pink. The Nike tick on this shoe is itself black colored, as is the shoe’s tongue and some rather prominent regions on the shoe’s main body.

As befits a shoe of its size, the Womens Christmas Edition comes with an 18-hole shoe-threading mechanism, though of course one has an option of leaving some of these shoe-lace holes unthreaded.

For the health conscious, there is the rather attractive fact about the Womens Dunk High SB Christmas Edition, namely that it is a well ventilated shoe, with a lot of ventilation holes on the front section of it where the toes are meant to go in, and a back-end design which leaves quite some room for entry of fresh air into the shoe.

Be sure to visit Nike Dunks website nike-kicks.com. You will find this pair of Nike Dunk and plenty of other nike dunks shoes there.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jamie_Gram

Technorati Tags: dunk low

The Nike dunk was introduced by Nike in 1985 as a brother shoe to the Nike Terminator, which differed from the dunk by its large logo on the side. It was not until the Dunk shoes reintroduction in 1998 that it became a fashionable show with skaters, sports stars, hipsters, and teenagers. When reintroduced the Dunk began to be released as both low and high top, with the high tops being more expensive. Prices on dunk sneakers range from 65 to 150, unless they are a limited release sneaker. Released in numerous colors, the dunk has turned form a shoe with few color designs for specific colleges and universities, to a shoe that can be found with anyone’s favorite colors.

The Dunks shoes were originally designed as a new basketball sneaker, with a high top, good ankle support with strong side paneling to help during quick turns and jumps, and a lower profile sole than Nike’s other basketball shoes. These changes caused the shoe to be very lightweight, while still protecting the athlete from injury. The shoes from 1998 until 2000 were sold with arch support and a nylon tongue.

The weight and strength of the shoe made them a popular shoe for skaters the wear; Nike started the SB Dunk line of sneakers, to sell specifically to this crowd. The SB dunk has become very popular with the fashion world also because the SB dunk is sold in limited quantities, and often have a lot of hype surrounding their release which raises the price. SB dunk shoes are occasionally made in collaboration with an artists, who designs the colors on the outside.

Because of the high demand many fakes are being made in Asia, which often sell for less than the real sneakers, so be careful when a pair of rare shoes seems like too good of a deal.

Find out more about the Nike Dunk and browse our large selection of Dunks at http://www.hi-topsneaker.com/nike/dunksneakers

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Hendrix

Technorati Tags: dunk low

Are you a basketball player who wants to be able to slam dunk? I was in your shoes in my high school years. I lived and breathed basketball and I had a deep desire to dunk. I wasn’t exactly a naturally gifted athlete so I had to work hard for years to be able to finally dunk. Though theoretically not everyone can slam dunk, everyone can dramatically increase their vertical jump. These exercises that I am going to explain can increase the explosiveness of your lower body in order to increase your vertical leap and maybe even to slam dunk.

Bounding

1. Start jogging to gain momentum

2. Push off with your left foot and bring that leg forward while driving your right arm forward.

3. Repeat step 2 with your other leg and arm

*This exercise basically exaggerates the running motion. You want to stress the push off of your foot and your airtime.

Lateral Hurdle Jumps

1. Stand beside an object to be jumped over. The object can be a box, small chair, etc.

2. Bring your knees up and jump vertically and laterally over the object.

3. Land on the other side of the object and immediately jump back to your starting position.

*Try to keep the pauses in between jump to a minimal.

Box Drills with Rings

1. This exercise requires rings that both your feet can fit inside. You can find these rings at your local sports equipment retailer. Place the four rings in the shape of a square with the rings on each of the four corners. Stand with your feet slightly further than shoulder width apart and start out inside the lower right ring.

2. Hop forward with both feet and land in the first ring (top right).

3. Hop to the left and land in the ring to the side.

4. Jump backwards to land in the right behind you.

5. Finish by landing in the ring you started in

*Try to keep the pauses in between jump to a minimal.

These are just 3 of the many exercises. But you can Use these specific exercises to slam dunk. It will take time but if you do these exercises consistently and correctly you will see results. I would definitely recommend finding a vertical jump program that uses tips to most effectively train.

The program that has shown the best results to its users is The Vertical Jump Development Bible. It has received, time and time again, the best reviews for both its price and quality of program. This program is not a gimmick – the man that has made it spent a large part of his life researching this and the development of increasing your vertical. You can effectively use his program’s Plyometric Exercises To Slam Dunk. For its low cost and the fact that you hardly need equipment to start, I would definitely recommend this product.

Are you reaching your vertical potential? Most aren’t because they don’t have the right program that suits them. Click here to read our unbiased reviews of the most popular vertical development programs to get you on the path to dunking.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Balbin

Technorati Tags: dunk low

The Nike dunk was introduced in 1985 as a basketball shoe that came in colors for many major colleges and universities and in both high-top and low-top form. The dunk is different from Nike’s previous basketball shoes by its lower profile sole and its lighter weight. The paneling on the shoe was designed for more support with pivoting.

In 1998 the Dunk was reintroduced by Nike and has been transformed from a basketball shoe into a fashion statement with many different colors and designs while still function as a basketball shoe. This time the dunk was introduced in many non college team colors, and often released in two versions, one version having reversed color of the other.

Because the dunks had a lower profile and increased stability from the paneling, they became very popular with skateboarders. To capitalize on this Nike created the SB Dunk line, specifically for skateboarders, which featured a thick, padded tongue and Nike’s Zoom Air Insoles. The SB dunk has become very popular because of the comfort and the diversity of designs the Nike has released the SB dunk in.

Rare Nike SB dunks include almost all SB dunks ever made. Nike releases the SB Dunks in semi-limited to very limited quantities and has become very trendy to sneaker enthusiast across the world. The rarest and most expensive to buy, if not purchased in the original run, are the SB dunks which an artists designed in cooperation with Nike. Often these artists are street artists. Long lines have been known to form when a particularly rare SB dunk is released. SB Dunks in the original run have are recommended retail price between 65 and 99 dollars. However due to limited quantities and their popularity, with skaters, trendy people, and sneakerheads they can often cost more because of the high demand. Internet hype can often be the cause of this popularity and rise in cost.

Read more about Nike SB Dunks as well as view models of all colors and sizes at http://www.hi-topsneaker.com/nikedunk/raresbdunks

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Hendrix

Technorati Tags: dunk low

The vertical jump is an important indicator in how explosive an athlete is. Add inches to your high jump and you’ll become more explosive, quicker and generally more athletic. This can benefit you in a whole array of sports: basketball, volleyball, football,… Being a basketball player myself this article is geared a bit more towards basketball, however the basic principles apply to any sport.

Genetics play a big part in how high people jump. So-called “natural jumpers” usually can dunk a basketball with ease without any specific training. Most people however aren’t blessed with that ability. This shouldn’t discourage you. With the right training methods and if you keep in mind some principles (regarding recovery, diet, which polymetrics to use, interval training,…) almost anybody can learn to dunk in a matter of weeks. The question appears: “But why are so few people actually doing it?”

The reason is simple: very few people know the right methods. A lot of athletes spend a lot of time and money on programs and exercises that don’t give optimal results, or even worse: they can lead to injury. Even when they know a couple of exercises that will benefit them, 90% of people end up doing them the wrong way. This article will give you some basic ideas how you can start.

First of all it is important to warm up before any kind of exercise. Some jogging or light movements for five to ten minutes should do the trick. The increased blood flow to your muscles and tendons will make sure they are ready for action and this will dramatically decrease your chance of injury.

A second important factor is stretching. This should be done after the warmup when your muscles are warmed up and ready for it. This is good for injury-prevention, but also to keep your body flexible. Especially the hamstrings should be kept flexible. This way your whole jump will become more fluid and you’ll add inches to your vertical leap.

For those who want to learn how to jump, frequency is important. You should train often, but overtraining will actually decrease your results. Your muscles should have just enough time to recover from the previous training session. Luckily, with some basic food choices you can improve your recovery rate by 150%.

A strong core is important for jumping. Resistance training (squats, lunges) will help tremendously. A low number of repititions with a high weight will give you more explosive power, but a higher amount of reps will give you more endurance and quickness. Plyometric training is another essential aspect of training. Basically you are loading and then contracting your muscles in a rapid sequence. This is highly effective, but can lead to injury when not done the correct way. It is important that you research how you should alter your training plans for optimal results.

If you improve your vertical leap, your whole game will advance naturally. Furthermore you’ll be able to stun the crowd with your dunks. If you would like more information on plyometrics, increasing your vertical and overall jump training, click on the link below. This will help you avoid spending time and energy.

Go to this website and get a free Spanish course to help you get started quickly: Fast Free Spanish Course. This site contains a lot of tips about learning Spanish and great information about Spain as well.

For more information on plyometric exercises and how you can use them to jump higher, check out: Increase Vertical Jump Click and read the testimonials, or just use the free tips and to improve your vertical leap and dominate the basketball court.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Goos

Technorati Tags: dunk low

Air Force I was the first sneaker released in 1982 and designed by Bruce Kilgore.

Air Jordan brand is normally associated with shoes. Most people are unaware that they also manufacture apparels for sports and casual dressing.

Air Jordan VII is somewhat similar to Jordan true flight (used for basketball) but the latter is a superior product because of its comfort, herringbone pattern and superior traction. It is one of the best sneakers of all times and has encouraged many imitators to make one.

Window shopping at any footwear shop would definitely tempt any parent to buy cute shoes for their kids. Kids’ shoes are available in all sizes and brands. Shoes are fun for kids as they like to match their shoes with their outfits. Air Jordan also makes the kids Air Jordan range of shoes. They come in different colors and a range of sizes for children. Jordan shoes for kids come in several colors like blue, pink, red, black, etc. These sparkling colors work well for all seasons and children are captivated by the vibrant colors that the Jordan shoes come in. But make sure you look for bargains in order to buy air Jordans cheap.

The new “Halloween” pack looks great on kids who roam about the street filling their bags with cookies. This pack comes with Dunk high, Dunk Mid, Dunk low and Vandal designs. So, of you intend to buy air Jordans for your kid, check out the Halloween kids air Jordan collection for sure.

George Wynn is a sneaker fanatic and has followed the urban sneaker trend for the last 10 years. Check George’s resources for Jordan shoes to buy Jordans.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Wynn

Technorati Tags: dunk low

Since I was in second grade I have been playing basketball, I instantly felt a strong bond between me and the game. Maybe it was because I was a foot taller than everyone else on the court, but I knew this was the right game for me. Since then I grew into quite a nice low post player. Here are seven little tips that have helped me become a good low post player.

1. Positioning- The first step to becoming a dominate low post player is to establish position on the low block. You need to get yourself to the low block and do everything you can that is legal to remain there. Don’t let yourself get pushed off the block. A big man is not going to do much if he is floating around the three point line.

2. Be Physical- Don’t be afraid to give someone a little knee to the back or turn around with your elbows out and hit them in the head. You need to be physical to keep your position down on the block. When a person is cutting through the lane give him a solid arm bar to slow him down. Plus, if you’re physical enough they will think twice about coming around your area again.

3. Keep Contact- Always keep contact with the player you’re guarding or being covered by. When you’re on defense always have a hand on his back when he is on the block. Make sure your hand is in the middle of his back so he doesn’t know which way you are playing him. When you are on offense on the block you want to be able to feel where he is when you have the ball to plan out your move.

4. Court Awareness- Make sure you always know where you are on the court. You can do this by either looking back at the other hoop and determine where you are or when you play a lot you can just tell where you are at all times.

5. Don’t be Afraid of Fouls- Don’t be afraid to get a foul called on you. You have five of them, if you don’t use at least four of your fouls you’re not playing hard enough. If you are going to foul someone make sure the foul really counts. Go in there and make sure they think twice about meeting you again.

6. Don’t Duplicate You’re Move- Never use your move more than twice in a row. It makes the life of the defender harder if he never knows what you are going to do next. Change from your drop step to a nice little jump hook in the lane. Always keep him guessing.

7. Have a Signature Move- I know it sounds funny but you should have a move that will work 90 percent of the time. If you have you signature move you know you always have a go to move. You can bust it out when you aren’t shooting good and know that you will at least score and help your team. If they over play you to your signature move you can just pass it out and find the open man. If you have a signature move your whole team will become a better team.

Zach Sayward

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zachary_Sayward

Technorati Tags: dunk low

Playing in the post can be rough and physical. If you play the forward or center position and want to excel you have to be able to score while you get bumped around in the lane. This article covers three very effective drills that will prepare you for the physical play in the post and help you become an effective scorer down low.

2 Man Rebound & Post-Up Drill

Posting up is the term used when an offensive player tries to solidify position close to the basket. A great drill that practices this fundamental is the 2 man rebound & post-up drill. It takes two players starting out side by side on the dotted line near the center of the basket. A player will take a shot from either wing that is intentionally missed. As the shot goes up both players will fight for positioning. Whoever gets the rebound will immediately make a solid outlet pass to the wing player who shot the ball and then post-up near the basket. The ball is then passed to that player where he attempts to score. This drill is very physical and demanding. Have the two posts rotate out to rest and try not to pit the same ones up against each other consecutively. When this happens it gets more and more physical and less productive.

Roll and Finish

Big players tend to draw a lot of attention down low and are often yelled at to “go strong”. What does that mean? First let’s cover what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean to float up a shot or a runner at the basket. It doesn’t mean to shoot a fade-away or to shy away from contact. It means to get the ball, gather yourself and then go right up for the lay-up. In college, we all did a drill called roll and finish or roll and flush for the players who could dunk. We would form two lines at the top of the key on either side and roll the ball down the key toward the basket. Each of us would go after the ball very hard and once we got it we would maintain a nice low base and then explode up for a power lay-up or dunk. Each of us would run through the drill once alone before the next person in line would follow us down the lane to contest the shot. They weren’t trying to block the shot, but to only be the defensive presence. The drill can be modified if you want by adding a pump fake or a quick drop-step. The drill will teach players to finish strong around the basket, maintain a nice solid base, not shy away from contact and how to finish when someone does come in contact with you. It is a great drill if it is performed correctly.

Jungle in the Paint

This is a drill that I love to instill when I think my players aren’t being tough or aggressive in the post. It involves 3 players. It can be any 3 players and doesn’t have to be only post players. Have the 3 players form a half-circle surrounding the hoop and shoot the ball. Players get 1 point for a rebound and 2 points if they are able to put the ball back in to the hoop. First one to 11 wins. I love this drill because it is very physical and guys will get hammered. The good thing is, they will get comfortable with that feeling. They will learn how to finish strong around the basket and how to make shots while being fouled. I don’t allow dribbling but I’ve seen other coaches allow one dribble. The reason I don’t is because I believe that big players that dribble by the basket are asking for trouble. Players should be able to gather themselves without having to dribble to do it. Don’t let the defense foul like crazy but allow some physical play and don’t let offense call fouls.

Andy Louder is the President and owner of HoopSkills.com. Brian Schofield is a former division I college basketball player and sr. writer for the website. Visit the site for more basketball training tips and articles.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brian_Schofield

Technorati Tags: dunk low