Category Archives: Australian Rollers

As most basketball players and supporters know, having a good vertical leap is extremely beneficial when playing ball. It is useful when shooting, rebounding, and defending, as it gives you an edge over shorter players or ones who are not able to jump as high. Something you may not have known is that your vertical leap is directly related to your power, strength, and muscular endurance. It is very related to sprinting and quick acceleration: the basic principle behind having a good jump is leaving the ground as quickly and explosively as possible.

How Do You Measure Your Current Vertical Jump?

Although most basketballers probably already know how to do this, if you don’t, then follow the simple steps below to measure your vertical leap:

  1. Holding a piece of tape or chalk in one hand, stand next to a high wall with your feet flat on the ground and mark the highest point that you can reach.
  2. To measure your jump height, stand comprar tobogan acuatico hinchable baratos next to the wall again and jump as high as you can, marking the wall at the highest point. Repeat this a couple of times, keeping the highest mark you make.
  3. Measure the difference between your high mark and low mark with a measuring tape to determine your vertical jump height.

Many studies show that your vertical jump is directly related to your athletic ability and the effectiveness of your training program. Measure your jump every two or three weeks so that you can monitor your improvement and make changes to your training if necessary. Note that for a few days after a heavy leg session your vertical jump will naturally be less, which means that you should try and measure it when you are fresh.

How Should You Improve Your Vertical Leap?

As with every skill and aspect of fitness, your vertical jump can be improved through a vigorous, specific training session. The first step is to improve your physical attributes. Boosting your leg strength will go a long way towards boosting your maximal leap. If your leg muscles are weak, then you won’t be able to jump high – no matter how fast you can use them. Improve your leg strength using basic excercises such as squats and deadlifts, while also completing some sprinting and long distance running.

The second physical attribute that you need to work on is acceleration. The higher your acceleration is, the more power you will be able to put into your jump, and the higher your vertical leap will be. The best way to improve your acceleration is through high speed, instant power activities. Complete a range of activities like 20 meter sprints, agility tests, and other fast, high powered things. Once your acceleration improves, then you will be sure to see a difference in your vertical jump.

Although it is not important when testing maximal jump height, muscular endurance can be vital during a game of basketball. Let’s say that you have an amazing vertical leap for your first three jumps, but no muscular endurance. If we translate this to a game of basketball, the you might take the first few rebounds, or block the first few shots that you are defending, but will tire quickly. Once you have tired out, then you will not be able to perform to at the level that you know that you can. You can improve your muscular endurance in a number of ways, namely by performing repetitions of strenuous activities – including things like squats and/or deadlifts.

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Improving the Technical Side of Your Vertical Leap:

Having the right physical attributes is only half of achieving your maximum vertical leap. If you have incredible power and acceleration, but are unable to coordinate your muscles to work together, then you won’t be able to jump very high. You must be efficient and technically sound to achieve maximal performance. You can learn the proper jumping technique through a coach, by watching online videos, or ideally, through the self-teaching process below:

  • Find a video camera or phone, and have a friend film you completing a vertical leap.
  • Compare this to a resource which accurately outlines the techniques and steps needed to perform a quality jump, and note the areas that you need to improve.
  • Practice, practice, practice, while continuing to film yourself and identify potential areas of improvement.

The above method works especially well with skilled sportspeople who already have some knowledge of biomechanics and training methods, and who are able to accurately critique themselves.

Drills and Exercises to Improve Your Vertical Leap:

There are a huge range of different exercises and training drills which you can do to improve your vertical jump. According to a number of research papers produced by various institutions, one of the keys to improving your vertical jump is bodyweight plyometrics – explosive exercises which focus on either specific muscle groups of general fitness. Some of the best plyometrics exercise include:

  • Squats
  • Jumping Rope
  • Calf Raises
  • Box Jumps
  • Hurdles

Final Tips For Maximum Improvement:

If you stick to the exercises and principles outlined earlier, then you will be able to dramatically improve your vertical jump – this is almost guaranteed. However, there are some small things which you can do to further push your improvement and make yourself a better all round sportsperson:

  1. Get a massage from a physio, and ask them to focus on getting the knots out of your legs – it is incredible how much difference this will make.
  2. Practice depth jumps – which involve stepping off a box and immediately exploding upwards into a vertical leap – to decrease your reaction time and help your muscles activate in sync.

Read this article well and practice the exercises in it, and you will become one of the best vertical leapers on your team. Don’t trust what I say though, do your own research and verify the facts, and remember, practice, practice, practice.

A disappointing finish to their Rio campaign saw Australia finish the 2016 Paralympics in sixth place.The world champions went into the tournament with high hopes, and looked in the running for gold following an impressive start to the tournament.The opening game saw a dominant display from Australia in a crushing 70-50 win over the Netherlands.A comeback victory over Turkey followed, with the Rollers overcoming a six-point deficit in the final period to eventually salute 62-60.

Reigning Paralympic champions Canada were next to fall victim to what was shaping as an Australian juggernaut,
the Rollers maintaining their perfect start with a hard-fought 78-53 victory in a bruising affair against the
North Americans.
It was mostly downhill from there, however, as comprar carrera obstaculos hinchables baratos Ben Ettridge’s men lost their momentum at the tail end of a
grueling schedule.
Just 16 hours after accounting for the Canadians, Australia had to back up against eventual
silver medalists Spain in a match where fatigue clearly played a part, the Spaniards too
good in a 75-64 win.
Normal order looked to have been restored in the next match as Australia bounced back to
defeat Japan 68-55, rounding out the group stage with a 4-1 record.

That put Ettridge’s side into a quarter-final clash against Great Britain, which looked to be going
according to plan as the Australians bounced their way to two-point lead at half-time.

But the tables were turned after the main break, a 45-20 demolition job from the Brits saw them race
away 74-51 winners to end Australia’s gold medal hopes.

Psychology Today has revealed that ‘when NBA players touch teammates more, they win more’ . High fives, fist bumps, chest bumps, leaping shoulder bumps, head slaps and grabs and team huddles have all been shown to help a player achieve success in performing a key move, such as a rebound, point, block or steal, during a game.

In short, the article tells us that you can use psychology to increase performance. There is evidence to demonstrate that touching and body contact during a match can improve your team’s chances of winning the game.

So how does this work?

Basically, touching-behaviours, such as high fives, group huddles, and half or full hugs increase the levels of trust and cooperation within your team. Engaging in these behaviours increases both your own performance as well as the overall performance of your team.

Psychology Today’s article is based on a study called ‘Tactile Communication, Cooperation and Performance: an Ethological Study of the NBA,” published in Emotion journal by Michael W Kraus, Cassy Huang and Dacher Keltner. The study utilises a comprar inflables baratos complicated measure of performance that doesn’t just include winning and losing, but also other factors such as scoring efficiency. The study eliminates factors that contribute towards a win such as early season performance, expert predictions and player salaries, to demonstrate a clear correlation between touching-behaviours and performance.

How can you use this information to improve your performance?

By carrying out the following actions, you can use psychology to improve your chances of winning a game:

1. Huddle before games, during and after games
2. Try to touch your teammates – by using fist-pumps, high fives, head grabs – or whatever feels comfortable for you, as often as possible.
3. Talk and gesture to your teammates throughout the game.
4. Pass the basketball to your teammates who are less closely defended.
5. Help your teammates on defence.
6. Help your teammates when they tying to escape defensive pressure.

All of the above tips have been taken directly from the Psychology Today article, which tells us that any behaviour where you need to rely on your teammates for help will help increase trust and cooperation within your team, and ultimately, help your team to win.

Now that there is some direct evidence in the touching-cooperation-performance link, you might as well use this to your advantage. Touching is not only socially acceptable, but beneficial. This research is only the tip of the iceberg of the benefits of using psychology tactics to win a game. Stay tuned for more tips in upcoming articles.

All university and college graduates are confronted with one big question upon graduation: where to from here? It is a moment often tainted with a glimmer of uncertainty – will you succeed in the real world? Nowhere does this ring more true than for the aspiring professional basketball player.

So you have finished college or university, either in the US or on home turf in Australia. You were good enough to get into your college or university on a basketball scholarship, and you’ve improved your skills over the past three of four years. But, where to from here?

Michael Oakes, Australian athlete manager and accredited FIBA agent, asserts that it is important to objectively and realistically assess your talent. Only a small number of college graduates make it in the professional arena: only 2-3 rookie spots are offered each year in the NBL and WNBL, and only 60 players are drafted each year for the NBA and WNBA. So what steps can you take to assure that you have the best chance possible of success?

1. If you are eligible for dual citizenship anywhere within the European Union, apply now. There are restrictions on the number of imports that a team comprar carpa hinchable baratos can take, plus, your position on the team as an import is always volatile. Playing as a European Citizen has benefits in terms of your job security, pay and competitive edge.
2. The NBL and WNBL are often the launch pad of a career in the NBA/WNBA or in Europe. Landing a position in the NBL/WNBL provides you with the opportunity for intensive training, and puts you in the spotlight for a future position in the USA or Europe. Prior to landing a spot in the NBL/WNBL, consider joining a senior state league and competing in SEABL. Although the training is not as intensive, and these leagues often to do not strength and conditioning training programs, it may provide you with a springboard into an NBL/WNBL position.
3. The NBA and WNBA are renowned as the best leagues in the world, and boast an international array of players. If this is your end-goal, training in an intensive draft prep camp, or summer development program, can increase your chances of being drafted for a team. Similarly, obtaining a position in the NBL/WNBL or a European team will increase your recognition within the US market.

Regardless of where you want to end up as a professional basketball player, whether it be as a player for the NBL/WNBL, NBA/WNBA or Europe, it is important to strategically plan your next move, straight from college or university. Stay focused, keep your goal in mind and grasp onto every opportunity within reach, on an international and national level. If you truly believe you have what it takes, then push to go pro after your basketball college career.

Basketball is a game that involves a variety of skills, conflicting personalities and constant exposure to scrutiny of the millions of fans following the on court and off court action of their favorite NBA teams and players. These conditions can pretty much cause anyone to lose their marbles, let alone some of the world’s most recognised basketball players. From constantly griping about calls or just point-blank jackass behaviour, here are some of the most memorable tantrums and outbursts in basketball history.

1. Bad Boy Bill Laimbeer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9ZzF88xKkY

Bill Laimbeer has a pretty bad rep: he has punched people, clotheslined people and body-slammed people. The video compilation above attests to his very physical nature and ‘bad boy’ label. It a pity that Laimbeer’s borderline assaults often overshadow comprar parque acuatico hinchable baratos the fact that he had 13,790 points and 10,400 rebounds in his career.

2. Dennis Rodman headbutts in rage

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPsx8a2iqVA

Dennis Rodman was ejected during a game in March of 1996 and didn’t exactly take kindly to it. Instead of leaving the court compliantly, Rodman threw a fit and stomped around for a few seconds before headbutting the referee – and he wasn’t done. When escorted off the court by Luc Longley, the angry basketballer took off his jersey on the sidelines, threw it back onto the court, and in one last move before he was suspended for six games without pay, Rodman shoved the water cooler over and stormed off.

3. Rasheed Wallace and his hatred for towels

Rasheed Wallace is admired as a great defensive player, but he is also a man who threw more temper tantrums than anyone else in NBA history. Though, it appears that he had a particular attraction towards throwing towels. The video above and this scene serve as proof.

4. The near fatal punch of Kermit Washington

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI8nVJLHDMo

One of the most notorious cheap shots in NBA history is when Kermit Washington attempted a near-fatal punch at Rudy Tomjanovich. The incident was so scandalous that author John Feinstein penned a novel around it entitled “The Punch: One Night, Two Lives, and the Fight that Changed Basketball Forever.”

5. ‘Malice at the palace’

This is arguably the ugliest incident in sports history as both players AND fans traded punches. Infamously known as ‘The Malice At The Palace,’ the melee happened on November 19th, 2004, at the end of a blowout between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons. It all started with Vernon Maxwell charging into the stands to punch a cup-hurling fan, David Stern, who was taunting him. In all, nine players from both teams were suspended for a total of 146 games.