All About Recreation and Sports

Tyler Hansbrough was a highly recruited college basketball prospect as a high school student from the state of Missouri of who won two boys basketball state championships. After considering basketball scholarship offers from numerous storied basketball programs such as Duke University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Kentucky Tyler ultimately decided to play hoops for the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels.

When Tyler arrived on the Chapel Hill, North Carolina campus he was greeted by famed head coach Roy Williams. Coach Williams made a name for himself as a long time respected head basketball coach at the University of Kansas before returning to his alma mater in 2003 as the head coach at UNC. Shortly after returning to the college that he graduated from in 1972 Roy Williams won his first national championship with the Tar Heels in 2005. Over the course of the four years that Tyler spent at UNC Hansbrough and Roy Williams formed a bond about as close any athlete and coach can have. When Hansbrough had his jersey retired in February of 2010 before a UNC vs. Duke rivalry game the ceremony brought tears to the eyes of Coach Williams.

As a freshmen on the UNC Tar Heels basketball team Tyler made an immediate impact. The first year star finished the season as the second leading scorer in the Atlantic Coach Conference (ACC) when he trailed only J.J. Redick of Duke, a player that would set the all-time record for points scored in the ACC in 2006 before Hansbrough would later break it in 2009. For his efforts Tyler was not only chosen as the conference freshmen of the year but also became the first player ever to be selected as a unanimous choice for first team All ACC as a freshman. The Sporting News even made Tyler a first team All-American after his first season.

Tyler would play three more seasons and be named to first team All-American lists for each of his four years. Despite being recognized after his junior season in 2007-2008 as the national player of the year Tyler decided to forego the NBA Draft and come back for his senior season in hopes to winning an elusive national championship with Coach Roy Williams. On April 6, 2009 Tyler Hansbrough and Roy Williams achieved their goal by winning a national championship together when they defeated Michigan State University in a game played in Detroit, Michigan.

Jeff, the author of this piece, imagines that even though Tyler now lives in Indianapolis as a member of the Indiana Pacers of the NBA that he still finds time to get together with Roy Williams. Perhaps the two play golf together. If they do it’s likely that Roy has a Carolina blue UNC golf bag and Tyler probably has his own University of North Carolina golf bag.

Every basketball coach wants their team to have all the essential skills for the game. Therefore, basketball fitness training is vital. Training is needed in all areas, especially agility. It is the ability to move one’s body position accurately and quickly without losing balance.

Basketball Fitness and Agility Training

Basketball agility drills improve coordination, speed, quickness, and most of all, the ability to change the direction without any deceleration. This drill, together with a speed training program – super shuttle drill, has great benefits during the game.

Set up a square near the basket and mark the corners with a tape. Mark ‘A’ at the bottom right corner, ‘B’ at the top right corner, ‘C’ at the lower left, and ‘D’ at the top left. Start the team under the basket with their backs facing the square and the court. Then, have the players scuffle backwards with hands in a defensive position until they reach point A. Next, sprint backwards from point A to B, and minimize the time taken to change direction.

Next, have them face the court. With the hands still in defensive position, sidestep from point B to the starting point. Jump to touch the backboard or the net, and repeat back shuffle from starting point to point C. Sprint forward from point C to D. With their backs facing the court, sidestep to the start position. Jump to touch the backboard or the net. Do this about 6 to 8 times with about 60 to 90 seconds breaks in between.

Weaving in and out is great for basketball fitness agility training. Place 4 markers about 3 yards apart, in a straight line. More markers are to be placed in between the first set 3 yards to the left. Spring to the first marker and sidestep to the second one at a time, leading with the left leg. Next, side shuffle to the next marker with the right leg. Repeat until finish. They are moving in a zigzag manner in this basketball fitness training exercise. Repeat this 8 times.

The above training helps the players to take control of the game. Agility is very important, and these exercises help to condition the players for that important game.

Shirley has been writing articles professionally, both online and offline, since 4 years ago. This author is not only writing in the subject of health, but also in dieting, fat loss, fitness and many other more. Check out her latest website in Droll Yankee which discuss and review about Suet Feeders.

Basketball is a popular sport and has taken the worlds by storm because of its athletic nature. Everyone can hoop against a wall and practice alone or with a small group of friends.

Basketball was originally invented by Canadian coach named Dr James Naismith. He was asked to create an activity to entertain trainees the YMCA Training College during winter.

Inspiration for the game came from a childhood game called ‘duck on a rock’ which was played by throwing a rock at another rock on top of which was an object.

The first basketball game was played in 1892 played with a soccer ball and two peach baskets suspended from walls of YMCA gym. After ten years, the open ended basket was designed. YMCA in Springfield Massachusetts is the home if basketball and was through it that basketball spread across the US.

In 1929, the ball was redesigned to give it more ounce than a soccer ball. It was also made lighter and bigger. National Basketball Association was formed in 1949 when the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League were merged.

The most famous team in the history of basketball is the one that does not compete, the team called Harlem Globetrotters is a showcase team which entertain spectators with their skills.

College basketball really attracted the most interest in the middle of 20th century and made it possible for pro-basketball to develop into franchise it is today.

Basketball had become very popular after World War II and the FIBA World Championship was created in 1950. It was originally created with 10 national teams grew to 26 in 2009 and is expected to grow further. Argentina won the World Championship and USA finally won the coveted trophy in 2002.

Korfball and Netball are derived from Basketball although the rules are changed in case of male and female or mixed teams.

Also learn history of Basketball and who invented Basketball.