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aherberg

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  1. aherberg

    The Trenches: Why Linemen are Vital on Both Sides of the Football

    By aherberg,


    Youth Sports - Football - Articles
    Football is a game that captivates millions of fans around the world. From the thrilling touchdowns to the bone-crushing tackles, every aspect of the game is crucial. However, there is one group of players who often go unnoticed but play a vital role in every play - the linemen. Whether it's on offense or defense, these unsung heroes battle in the trenches, making football the intense and strategic game that it is.
    On the offensive side of the ball, linemen are the backbone of any successful team. They form a protective barrier, known as the offensive line, giving the quarterback the necessary time to make accurate throws and allowing the running backs to find gaps in the defense. Without the linemen, the offense would crumble, and the skilled players would be unable to showcase their talents.
    In youth sports, linemen are often overlooked as coaches and parents focus more on flashy positions like quarterback or wide receiver. However, teaching young athletes the importance of linemen is crucial for their development and understanding of the game. By emphasizing the significance of the offensive line, coaches can instill a sense of teamwork and selflessness in their players, making them more well-rounded athletes.
    Moreover, linemen play a vital role on the defensive side of the ball as well. The defensive line is responsible for disrupting the opposing team's offense, pressuring the quarterback, and stopping the run game. Their ability to penetrate the offensive line and disrupt plays is often the difference between a successful defensive stand and a big gain for the opposing team.
    When it comes to the goal line, linemen take on an even more critical role. In these high-stakes situations, every inch counts, and it's the linemen who determine whether the offense can punch the ball into the end zone or if the defense can hold strong. The battle in the trenches becomes even more intense as linemen use their strength and technique to gain leverage and create openings for their team.
    In youth football, teaching linemen the fundamentals of goal-line play is essential. By emphasizing the importance of technique, footwork, and leverage, coaches can instill a sense of responsibility and determination in these young athletes. Teaching proper goal-line strategies can make a significant impact on a team's success, as well as the individual development of each player.
    In conclusion, linemen are the unsung heroes of the football field. Whether on offense or defense, their contributions cannot be underestimated. From protecting the quarterback to disrupting the opposing team's offense, linemen are the backbone of any successful team. In youth sports, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of linemen, teaching young athletes the value of teamwork, selflessness, and the vital role they play in the game. So, the next time you watch a football game, take a moment to appreciate the battles fought in the trenches, for without the linemen, the game would not be the same.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  2. aherberg
    If you have never heard of the sport of pickleball, let us fill you in on one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Pickleball is a sport similar to tennis with smaller paddles, a harder ball, and less movement overall. The average age group of pickleball players is fifty five years and older. This is because many older citizens turn towards the sport for their daily exercise and a fun way to keep themselves moving. Whether you are male or female, a young or old player, it doesn't really matter which is what helps make pickleball a great sport.
    The History of Pickleball
    Pickleball was invented in 1965, so in the grand scheme of things it is a relatively new sport. It was actually invented by three fathers in Washington state who were looking to give their children something to do. With a badminton net in hand, a few wooden paddles and a plastic ball the sport was made and grew from there. Although it is difficult to determine exactly how fast the sport grew from there or the story of how it became famous nationally and internationally, the sport has certainly sparked interest amongst the public in recent years.
    Pickleball by the Numbers
    According to the United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA), the sport has had a 650% increase in numbers in the past six years. Could you think of any other sport that has grown that popular in such a short amount of time? The USAPA gives some credit for the popularity growth to senior citizens from the southern states of America for playing the game avidly at RV communities and retirement homes.
    The Ever Growing Popularity of Pickleball
    Since 2009 when the Pickleball boom first began, many different parks and recreation centers have introduced Pickleball into their communities. Since tennis courts can be used for Pickleball quite easily it makes for a seamless transition and allows for both sports to be played on the same court without any additional construction. It has become so popular in some towns that leagues have been formed that play multiple different times a week.
    Pickleball on an International Scale
    Not only has Pickleball become a sport popular amongst people here in the United States, but it has also become an international phenomena. This is mostly due to the fact that Pickleball has a low cost to enter the sport. Just as soccer, basketball, or football only requires a ball or possibly a net, Pickleball only requires a ball net and paddles. 
    Pickleball has grown immensely (650% to be exact) within the past few years on both a national and international scale. In fact there have become Pickleball restaurants that feature indoor and outdoor courts for your pleasure prior to eating dinner. The worldwide pandemic has also contributed to the growth of the sport. Additionally Pickleball is also healthy for your body and your mind meeting new people while getting a workout in the process. Look for Pickleball to continue growing in the years to come as this is still a new sport and it is a whole lot of fun.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  3. aherberg
    Pickleball is one of the newest and most fun sports to play. It may seem confusing to begin with, but it is quite easy to learn. What makes this sport fun is that you can play it on any surface as long as you have the right equipment. With its growing popularity, now is a great time for you and your child to learn how to play. Let’s take a look at the different ways to learn how to play Pickleball. No matter how you learn best, there are many options: trial-and-error, learning as you go, watching YouTube videos and more. Pick what works for you and get started. 
    YouTube is one of the greatest resources around as it allows people across the world to learn anything simply by watching videos. So it is no surprise there are Pickleball videos out there. We suggest this method for the basics of any sport; however, it is especially helpful when learning the game of Pickleball, including the rules and etiquette of the game. 
    When it comes to Pickleball, it involves physical repetitions which working with your child is a great option. Pickleball is not a sport that you can play alone, you need a partner at your local club or community center. One can also learn by playing with friends and family who already know and love the game. It can be beneficial to sit back and watch or be your child’s partner while they learn the game.
    There is always the option to buy private lessons with a Pickleball professional who knows how to mentor and teach your child the sport. Although there is a financial commitment, it is a quick way to improve your child’s Pickleball skills. Your child will learn quickly because the lessons are specific to what your child needs. 
    We suggest three options to help your child learn the new sport of Pickleball. YouTube videos, learning the game together, or working with a professional are all ways to enjoy the up and coming game of Pickleball.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  4. aherberg
    In today’s article I will be teaching you everything there is to know about smashing a badminton. No matter what, just follow our advice here and you will be well on your way to smashing a badminton!
    Within this article you will find a multistep process to smash a badminton. Keep reading to learn exactly what these steps are!
    Method  1: Forehand Smash
    Step 1: Approach the Shuttlecock with a Forehand Grip
    Step 2: Assume a Surefooted Stance
    Step 3: Raise Your Arms and Prepare to Strike
    Step 4: Strike the Shuttlecock
    Step 5: Follow Through With Your Swing and Recover for the Next Rally
    These may seem like simple steps at first, but there is a lot more information behind these steps than originally meets the eye. Starting with step 1, this is often called an “injection of pace” which really means that you add some speed to your strike.
    Moving onto step 3 of this method, think of the angle that the shuttle will follow. To have the best smash possible, you will need this angle to be as downward as possible.
    With step 4 power is a very important part of the process, but you must remember to hit the shuttle in the middle of the racket. Once you feel the shuttle you are going to need to snap your wrist downward.
    Method  2: Jumping Smash
    Step 1: Get Under and Behind the Shuttlecock Quickly
    Step 2: Prepare to Jump
    Step 3: Jump to Intercept the Shuttle at the Highest Point You Can Reach
    Step 4: Smash the Shuttle Over the Net
    Step 5: Follow Through and Stick the Landing
    A jumping smash has a very similar motion to the forehand smash, besides the jump of course. It is a risk reward move though, because it will allow you to hit the shuttle with greater force but there is also a greater room for error.
    Speaking of the jump, step 4, timing is the most important part here! You want to be at the highest point of your jump whenever you smash the shuttle. 
    Again the angle is important here, but landing correctly is even more important. You want to make sure that you stick the landing so you don’t injure yourself with this move.
    Method  3: Backhand Smash
    Step 1: Choose Your Moment Carefully
    Step 2: Position Yourself to Backhand Smash
    Step 3: Crush the Shuttle and Get Ready for the Return
    Last but not least, the backhand smash, which is the hardest way to smash a badminton. 
    For this smash you actually want your arm to be as close to your body as possible. With your non smashing arm, you want to maintain your balance in a solid position.
    We hope you have found this article helpful and go try to smash a badminton today!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  5. aherberg

    Nature Bound: Essential Items for Camping with Kids

    By aherberg,


    Camping & Nature Articles
    With camping there are so many things that you can bring, but today we are highlighting the MUST HAVES for camping with kids. Besides the typical things to bring on a camping trip, above all else BRING WATER. If you feel like we have mentioned this with every article then you would be right, but that does not make it any less important. The importance of water isn’t going away anytime soon, so make sure to get it into your head and always drink water.
    In fact, bring buckets and jugs of water with you, not just little water bottles. Water will be difficult to come by once you get out on your trip, and keep in mind that it is likely a multiple day trek. You are going to need water for multiple days before you begin your journey in the first place, so invest in some large water jugs to bring with you on your journey.
    Besides the emphasis on water, you will still need to bring the normal camping gear on your trip. This includes an extra pair of clothes for starters, but make sure that it is a pair of clothes that you are willing to get dirty. You should also bring a windbreaker or rain jacket along with you in case bad weather does roll in. With many camping spots out in the wilderness you must have hiking boots with you. This will allow you to climb all over the rocks or water so you can have a fun camping trip.
    On top of water, you are also going to need to bring sunscreen along, because the last thing you want to happen is to get sun poisoning or cancer on top of your possible dehydration. You must have sun gear with you, not only sunscreen but also other items like a hat or sun sleeves. By sun sleeves I mean long sleeves, usually white, that only go on your arms and are used to block the sun from direct contact with your skin. 
    As I have noted in many other articles, being beaten down by the sun is one of the easiest ways to cut your camping trip short. It will make you feel much more tired than you actually are and will have you sitting in the shade and resting all day.
    Another item that you may find helpful is a spray fan. If you do not know what this is then we highly recommend you google it real quick. Essentially it serves as a hand held battery powered fan, which can squirt out sprays of water to also keep you cool. On top of this cooling tool, a nice bucket hat is certainly worth bringing along on this trip as well.
    So to summarize, you MUST HAVE water, sun gear, and a spray fan would be helpful too. If I seem repetitive, it’s because these things are essential to emphasize. Without these items your camping trip will not be very fun and you may even have to cut it short. Don’t do that, just bring these items on your trip and you’ll be good to go!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  6. aherberg

    Hitting the Trails: How to Start Hiking for Families

    By aherberg,


    Camping & Nature Articles
    Today we will walk you through everything that you need to know in order to start hiking with no previous experience. Hiking is one of the best things you can do for free to get out of your house, get active, and get some alone time in the process. You certainly shouldn’t be worried about others when starting your journey, especially since you won’t see many other people out on the trail depending on where you hike. Sit back and relax as we'll explain how to get started on your first hiking journeys.
    How to Get Your Foot on a Trail
     To get started down the path of hiking you should first do research of hiking routes in your area. It helps to simply type in hikes near me on the internet to find the best hikes in your area. A reliable website that I like to use often is called alltrails.com, and if you are ever in Colorado and looking for a challenge then you should check out 14ers.com. No matter which website you land on, starting with online research is a great way to get your foot on the right path towards a fun hike.
    Talk to Your Friends for Advice
    When in doubt, talk to some friends to figure out where to hike or how to get started. Odds are you are not going to be the first person to hike in your friend group, so don’t be afraid to ask around for advice. They will likely have more reliable suggestions then any website might have. If you ask them for advice they might also be willing to help you start your journey by either hiking with you or giving you some gear to get started. Friends are always a great option to lean back on in times of need, and in this case the start of your hiking journey.
    Get Out and Start Walking
    Sometimes the best way to learn and start hiking for beginners is to simply get out of the house and start walking. Enough with the online research, just head towards your local park, find a trail sign and go. There’s no need to sit all day and pick a special trail debating about which one is the best, you could’ve done them both! When in doubt, just get up and start walking, although you need to tell someone else where you are going first before you head out.
    Go Have Some Fun and Start Hiking Today!
    After reading this article we hope that you learned a lot of helpful information to get started on your hiking journey. From the hiking essentials to how to get started on your research, there was a lot to learn from this article. If you are still confused, read it over a second time, and if in doubt, remember you can always ask a friend! We hope you had a fun time reading this article and go have more fun times out on the trail today!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  7. aherberg

    Camping with Care: Building Safe Campfires for Kids

    By aherberg,


    Camping & Nature Articles
    One of the things that is important to any campout is a campfire, especially when you are learning as a kid. Lucky for you there are many different types of campfires that you can build! Through all of my experiences I can say that I have built every single type of campfire on this list, but it is certainly not all of the campfires possible. Today we have narrowed it down to five different ways to make a successful & safe campfire. So whether you are trying to make a campfire right now or are looking to make one on your next outing, enjoy this article!
    Teepee
    It begins with a wide circular base and it decreases in radius as it goes up. This is also pretty easy to set up, because you can simply lean the sticks up against each other as the name suggests. Now one of the drawbacks of this kind of campfire is that the wood will burn quickly and it requires constant maintenance because of this. So this way of building a campfire is best for a quick start, not a night long event.
    Log Cabin
    Up next we have the log cabin setup which is also setup like the name suggests. This option is a little different because you can set it up easily, but it burns for much longer than the teepee option. As long as you make the lower base with thick logs that will burn for a while, this way will last you hours and hours. If you are looking for a longer lasting campfire then check this one out!
    Platform (Upside-Down Pyramid)
    This way is one of the most complex and it also has the most specific purpose. It is designed to cook food, and not much else. It is best to think of it as the upside-down pyramid, but as you can imagine that is difficult to set up. Although the top down setup is great for cooking, because it can be used as a platform to hold the cooking equipment. Unless you are cooking, I don’t really recommend this option.
    Star
    Similar to the teepee campfire, the star fire comes from Native American heritage. They invented this type of campfire based on their low supplies of wood, because it burns the wood bit by bit. This conserves the most wood possible, because the ends of the woods are what is burned in this case. What also makes this method great is that you shouldn’t have to cut the logs at all since you are only burning the ends!
    Lean-To
    The lean-to is the simplest campfire possible, because all that you need is one large log and then other smaller sticks to lean onto it. This will also help maintain a low level of wood required, but also burns for a long time. This method is really the best of both worlds and is what we recommend above all else.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  8. aherberg

    The Hole Story: The Evolution of Mini Golf Courses

    By aherberg,


    Youth Sports - Golf - Articles
    As you most likely already know, golf was a sport that was invented centuries ago. Although what you might not know is that mini golf was not far behind the invention of regula golf. Miniature golf as we know it today was first shown in a London newspaper back on June 8th, 1912. It did not take long for this new idea to be incorporated in the United States, where it first came into play in 1916. The golf course that hosted this new miniature course was none other than the famous Pinehurst that nearly everyone knows today!
    This was difficult to maintain at first, because it was the grass and greens of a normal golf course. It was not until 1922, ten years later, that an artificial green was created. After this huge step in the evolution of mini golf courses, a man named John Garnet Carter really evolved this miniature sport. He patented the game and helped take it around the country in 1927. In the Great Depression, mini golf courses around the nation were put to a halt.
    It was not until 1954 that mini golf courses took another large leap forward with the foundation of the Putt-Putt corporation. The corporation helped standardize mini golf  while still allowing for each course to be unique in its own way. It was also around this time that people began to introduce wacky obstacles onto the course like pipes and windmills. These still make for some of the most fun mini golf courses to play today!
    A lot has happened since 1954 with one major step coming into play that has made mini golf courses even more popular. Besides them being a popular tourist attraction, one major evolution that has arguably come off the golf courses, is the introduction of miniature golf competitions and tournaments. 
    Mini golf tournaments have been around since 1930, but they are much more common now. They are so popular that there is actually a professional mini golf league within the United States that travels around the country and hosts tournaments. The prizes are so large that you could win over one hundred dollars just by playing mini golf. Just like real golf tournaments they have purses with the money being split amongst the competitors. 
    Not only is there a professional mini golf league in the United States, but there is also a World Minigolf Federation. While these are not necessarily the evolution of the mini golf courses themselves, it does affect the courses in a secondary way. By this we mean that the quality of mini golf courses have increased over time to either host a professional tournament, or simply grab tourists' attention.
    After reading this article we hope that you have a newfound appreciation for mini golf courses. The history and evolution of these courses start back further than even we had in mind. Again we hope you had as much fun reading this article as we did writing it and stay tuned for more articles like this coming your way soon!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  9. aherberg

    Follow Through: Holding a Golf Club the Right Way

    By aherberg,


    Youth Sports - Golf - Articles
    With the golf grip being one of the most important parts to any player’s swing, we felt like it was a very important topic to cover in this article. There are so many different ways that people hold a golf club, especially when putting, but today we are just going to cover a few of the basic golf grips. Even if you are an expert that has been playing the game for years, you will still learn something from this article. We also recommend that you grab a club while reading this so you can get started on the grip right away. 
    To be clear, this golf grip will be explained as if you are a right handed golfer. This is due to a vast majority of golfers being right handed, so we apologize in advance if you are a left handed golfer. Enjoy!
    Step By Step: How to Hold a Golf Club Correctly
    Hold the club at your waist with a square face on the ground
    Grab the club with your left hand first, and it will rest towards the top of the club. 
    Stretch your fingers down the club shaft and place your palm so that “it makes a straight line diagonally across your fingers”
    Close your left hand, feeling the top of the handle rub against your palm
    Then place your right hand on top of your left thumb, covering your left thumb completely
    Proceed to interlock your right pinky (or little) finger with your left index finger
    Start Swinging!
    That specifically is known as the interlocking grip and is arguably the most common golf grip known to man. There are many other ways to hold the golf club, but that is the best one that we have found and it is the most common one after all. Don’t worry, we will still talk to you about some other grips if you would like to try those instead. This grip will most likely feel really weird when you start out, especially if you were a baseball player growing up. It is the interlocking of the pinky finger and index finger that will likely throw you off the most.
    Ten Finger Grip
    Another extremely common grip, especially amongst beginners, is the ten finger grip. This is pretty simple and is very comparable to a baseball grip, for those who have played the sport. The steps are essentially the same as shown above, besides the interlocking of the pinky and index finger. This is the most common grip, because it is exactly how you hold almost every other object in your life. This grip can also add a little extra power, because all of your fingers are now on the club. People with small hands may also find this grip helpful!
    As you can see, there are so many different ways that you can hold a golf club correctly. The overlapping, interlock, and ten finger grip are the most common grips in the sport with the interlock grip being my personal favorite. Don’t forget to use either the ten finger grip or claw grip for putting though! Either way just try out the different grips and feel what works best for you!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  10. aherberg

    Drive it Home: Finding Local Golf Lessons for Youth Players

    By aherberg,


    Youth Sports - Golf - Articles
    If you are looking to get your child started in golf, this article has some tips to help you. Golf is a lifelong sport and a great one for your children to learn at a young age. Golf promotes overall physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, discipline, a love of the outdoors and it encourages quiet time. The very nature of golf encourages friendships because the pace is easy and allows for conversation.
    One option is to speak with an employee of a sporting goods store. Many have separate departments dedicated to golf. Although they may not be tour pros themselves, they can point you in the right direction. They will have brochures that give you more specifics and have a variety of options. They may also suggest YouTube channels that focus on beginner golf.
    Another option is to find a golf store. The staff here will be more knowledgeable than a general sporting goods store. The staff here will fit your child for the best clubs and may offer one-on-one lessons. Many golf stores also have a simulator which can be helpful for young golfers. Staff here can also direct you to golf professionals who offer group and individual lessons.
    One other option is to speak with other golfers. Whether friends or golfers you regularly see on the course, it is a great place to start. They offer tips and guidance to your child. They may know someone who gives lessons. Golfers are a friendly group of people who have a passion for the game and want to see it grow. 
    Finally, a simple internet search can help you find people who offer lessons. Be sure to read the reviews and be diligent when searching. No matter where you look for golf lessons for your child, it is important to ask questions. Think of the price you pay as an investment in a lifelong activity.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  11. aherberg
    For most golfers out there you have been accustomed to wearing your golf shoes during every round. Although if you are new to the sport then you might be confused as to why people wear certain shoes just to golf. Well you are in the perfect spot today as we will talk you through everything there is to know about golf shoes and why people wear them.
    So, why wear golf shoes?
    To attack the main question head on, we begin the article by answering this simple question. Despite the initial question being a simple one, the answer to it is not so simple. The first reason is simply to add grip to the bottom of your feet. By reading this article you have most likely golfed before and have also likely slipped while swinging. We don’t mean you do a 360 and fall over, but even a small backfoot slide can make for a bad swing.
    Well to combat that problem golf shoes were invented! There are two different kinds, shoes with spikes and then spike-less shoes. We will get to these differences soon enough. The second main reason why people wear golf shoes is for extra power. When it comes to added grip you can afford to put more of your weight into the ground and not be worried about falling over when doing so. Therefore, adding grip in turn adds power to your swing which is another great reason why you should invest in some golf shoes today.
    Now getting back to the different types of golf shoes, again we have shoes with spikes and spike-less golf shoes. We have tried both ourselves and have found that the spike-less golf shoes actually seem to give more of a grip than that with spikes. Although if we are being honest, the spike-less shoes are brand new, so of course they seem perfect now.
    The main difference between the two shoes outside of the spikes themselves would be the cost. For whatever reason shoes with spikes seem to consistently cost more than spike-less golf shoes. Besides the cost, the materials are typically the same in both types of shoes and most golf brands now make both kinds. So even if you are set on one brand, you can still have the option to choose between golf shoes with spikes or spike-less shoes. 
    After using golf shoes for a while you will start to notice that you will be uncomfortable without wearing them. For us, we definitely feel a little off when not wearing our golf shoes. In the end, it doesn’t really affect your game that much, but it will affect your confidence, so pick your poison there. Whether you want to wear golf shoes or not is really up to you as well, but again once you start wearing them it will be hard to stop.
    We hope you found this article helpful and have learned about the importance of golf shoes!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
     
  12. aherberg
    Whether you know it or not, video games have been around for a long, long time. Video games go back further than you may have imagined with the first video games being invented in the early 1960s. This may blow your mind, but video games have basically existed since computers existed. Now these games were not found in homes, that did not begin until the 1970s. This is when Atari became very popular with games such as Pong and Computer Space. The video game Pong is really what made video games popular in homes, but this was basically the only game that existed at the time. 
    Now video games were not full of a steady increase as there was a large fall off in the industry in 1983. This was caused by a lot of faulty games and video game companies that made for many options, but none of them were very good. Although this is when Nintendo stepped in and took over the American markets which they arguably still have a hold in today. This was in 1985 as well as going into the early 1990s. Not only was Nintendo making video games for home consoles but they also created some of the first handheld consoles with their launch of the Game Boy in the 1990s. At this time Sega also joined the market within the United States and competed with Nintendo in homes across America. 
    Going into the late 1990s and early 2000s this is when the companies we more popularly know today joined the market. It was at this time that PlayStation and Xbox came into the market with their first versions of their now popular home consoles. Starting with the simple PlayStation 1 and Xbox consoles they were large steps in the right direction when it came to video games in the homes of America. 
    Following these booms, Nintendo stepped up their game to create the Wii console which was one of the first ones that relied on motion sensing and getting people more active in their homes. Both PlayStation and Xbox tried to recreate this technology, but it was safe to say that Wii dominated the market in this niche. 
    Now video games have started to move towards cell phones since they can be played anywhere and many games are free to play. You can be anywhere in the world now and play your favorite games! Nintendo has still tried to compete in this spectrum in recent years with the new Nintendo Switch. It does cost players a price but it is very versatile and is a lot of fun to play. 
    Recently both PlayStation and Xbox have come out with brand new versions of their consoles which seem to be the future of video games. These consoles are centered around extra fast loading time and near picture perfect graphics. They have only come out within the past year or so, so the potential is still high with these consoles. We look forward to seeing what the future of gaming holds. To demonstrate the rise of popularity of video games throughout history we have included a data chart below.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  13. aherberg
    If you have ever heard your child complain about lag, then this is exactly what they are talking about. They may not know the official terminology or what causes the issues, but unfortunately it occurs more often than you think and more often than anyone would like. In today’s article we will walk you through everything you need to know about latency, but more importantly tell you how to fix it as well. Enjoy!
    The term latency specifically means the time that it takes for the signal from your game, device, etc. to travel from that device to a receiver. This receiver is often the internet router in your home or if you are on the go then they are cell phone towers nearby. Either way latency is something that is always ongoing, but since it is completely virtual we do not see it or interact with it physically. Now when it comes to gaming, latency plays a big part in both your connection speed and your download speed. Although we want to clarify something in gaming that many people get confused about.
    You most likely have heard of ping before, but this is not actually related to latency at all. Now ping is simply centered around sound and a sound pulse and then its reflection when this pulse hits an object. Now latency is a measurement of how long it takes for this ping to return to your device after it hits the network, but the ping speed itself has nothing to do with your internet speed. So next time you are watching your ping or blaming your lag on the ping speed, this is really not the case.
    High latency or “lagging” is typically caused by a high volume of traffic on your network. This is often why you may hear people in your house yelling at one another to get off their devices so the internet stops lagging. The latency also typically depends on the equipment that your network consists of, and typically the older the equipment the worse lagging can be. Do not be afraid! This is the part of the article where we tell you exactly how to prevent these problems from happening to you.
    Now the quickest way to stop high latency is what we hinted at earlier, simply getting devices off of the network. Unfortunately, this may not always be the easiest option so if it is important to you, then we suggest you buy a more advanced internet router. If you do not want to go that far, then you could simply buy an ethernet cable to hook up to your internet router directly rather than relying on the wireless internet. Besides that, we simply suggest that you routinely update the software on your internet router and install malware to protect it as well.
    We hope you found this article helpful and go fix your high latency problems today! A data chart has been shown below to help you further understand what latency is.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  14. aherberg
    Today we are pleased to provide you with everything that you need to know about esports apps. In our list of the top 4 best esports apps, you will find everything there is to know about mobile esports and esports games, which even includes some of our favorite games too. With so many games to talk about, let's get right into all of the best esports apps!
    1 - Clash Royale
    Starting off with one of our favorite games on the list we have Clash Royale, which is arguably the best esports app. You will often find people streaming this game on the twitch mobile app. What is ironic about this game is the fact that it is actually a sequel in a series of games. The original game here was Clash of Clans which is just as popular, but is not an esports app.
    2 - PUBG
    Even though this game may be a lot more popular amongst your friends than Clash Royale, it is actually only second on our list. It is up there with Fortnite, which actually came after this game was invented, but don't worry, we'll get there. This is often another game that you will find on the twitch app, with streamers playing it since it is one of the best battle royale games around. It just also happens to be one of the oldest ones, so fans are more accustomed to it.
    3 - Fortnite
    A game that needs little to no introduction at all, Fortnite. This game has captivated players around the world within the last year and has led to record amounts of views from competition to competition. It has also held host to some of the largest esports tournaments that have ever occurred. The biggest one included a Fortnite world championship in which a sixteen year old boy won three million dollars from winning the event.
    What also makes this game great is that you can play it on both your PC and your phone if you would like. You can even do both if you want to play with multiple people at the same time! There have been plenty of times where my family and I have all sat down in the living room and teamed up on this game to take down the world as a squad. Even though I am nowhere near as good as a professional Fortnite player, it is still a ton of fun.
    4 - Mobile Legends
    As the name suggests this is another mobile app that is popular in the esports world. What makes this game special is its five versus five battles that are similar to other games such as League of Legends. This gives players a fun way to play, especially since it is a quick mobile game rather than a PC game that takes hours to play. What also makes this game a great fit is the fact that it falls under a genre that is perfect for esports. It is a fast paced game with lots of fighting, so what is there not to love, right?
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  15. aherberg
    Let's face it:
    Training is interesting; nutrition is not. On the one hand, you have a deeply-engaging activity that pushes you hard, helps you get better, and makes you feel on top of the world. On the other hand, there it is: that plate full of broccoli, rice, and chicken.
    And who could blame you that you find nutrition boring? It's not the most exciting of topics.
    One possible way to make it more engaging would be to illustrate the importance of nutrition and why not paying attention will always hinder your athletic efforts.
    Let's see…
    The Car Analogy
    If you're a youth athlete, you might find it challenging to understand the comparison, but allow me to try:
    Think of the family car for a moment. Unless it's an all-electric Tesla, it needs fossil fuel to run, so your parents probably visit a gas station once or twice per week. If you've ever witnessed one of these fill-ups, you've probably noticed there are multiple types of fuel, each with a unique price.
    In most cases, the expensive fuel is also of higher quality. For most cars to run well and last serious mileage, their owners need to get the more expensive fuel. This allows the engine and every other component of the vehicle to run smoothly and last longer. In contrast, putting low-quality fuel in the car prevents the engine from working optimally and makes the car wear out quicker.
    And the same goes for the human body. The food we eat is the fuel for the body, and its quality greatly determines how we feel, how well we can perform, and how healthy we can be in the long run.
    The Critical Importance of Good Nutrition
    I get it. You still might find nutrition boring. I probably felt the same way back in the day. But do you know what? I wish someone had sat me down and explained the importance of good nutrition back then. 
    The foods you eat contribute to your current and future self. This is because your body is in a constant state of breakdown and build-up. Billions of old and worn-out cells get replaced with new ones each day. For this to happen, the body needs good nutrition and a wide range of essential nutrients. 
    But here is where things get even more interesting:
    Just as your body needs a wide range of nutrients to function optimally, it also requires good nutrition for you to excel in your sport. Good food allows you to feel well, perform at your best, recover more quickly, and be at the top of your game.
    Good nutrition also allows you to develop and grow well. Research finds that malnutrition can slow down children's growth and prevent them from developing fully before they reach adulthood. 
    And finally, developing good nutrition habits while you are young is incredibly beneficial for later in life. Too many people never think twice about their nutrition and only start doing so after they are well into their adult years. By that point, they've ingrained their habits too deeply, and changing them is much more difficult. 
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  16. aherberg
    A crucial trait for any aspiring athlete is to learn how to engage the right muscles. Strength training is essential because it helps them build a foundation and gain superior neuromuscular efficiency.
    Before ever thinking about specialized training, every young athlete needs to have a firm foundation they can build upon.
    Specifically, young athletes need to work on mastering four movement patterns that will get them stronger, more balanced, and less likely to get injured.
    But is Strength Training Even Safe For The Youth?
    As a coach or parent, you’ve probably heard that weight training stunts growth in children. This idea first came from Japan back in the 1960s. A team of researchers noted that children who performed manual labor tended to be shorter than their peers.
    Over the following decades, scientists proposed that excessive loading could damage growth plates and hinder development. But, that was also said to occur from fractures, which are more common in contact sports.
    A study from the National Library of Medicine, titled "How does exercise affect bone development during growth?" in 2006 refutes this and suggests the opposite:
    Not only is physical activity not a cause of stunted growth, but it can also allow children to achieve peak bone mineral density and volume as they grow up.
    Plus, we also need to consider that correlation does not imply causation. Besides doing hard physical labor, these children could have also been underfed, which is far more detrimental for growth.
    Four Strength Activities For Young Athletes
    1. The Squat
    The squat is one of the most natural and important movement patterns every athlete needs to master. The movement helps strengthen the entire lower body and improve whole-body balance. It also teaches young athletes how to explode from the feet up.
    The best part is, you can pick from countless variations to keep the engagement high. For instance, jump squats are fun and help build tons of lower body power.
    2. Push
    Pushing, such as the classic push-up, is extremely valuable for athletes, especially in sports where upper body strength plays a role. Examples include baseball, basketball, volleyball, and tennis.
    Pushing activities strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps while also improving core stability and making young athletes more balanced.
    3. Pull
    Pulling, such as row exercises, is particularly engaging for young athletes, and most find it easy to learn. The best part is, rowing motions strengthen the entire back musculature and help further develop the core. For instance, resistance band rows are non-threatening and an excellent way for youth athletes to get started.
    4. Hip Hinge
    The hip hinge is by far one of the most challenging movement patterns to teach, but one that plays a huge role in a young athlete’s development.
    This hip-dominant pattern requires good body awareness and an ability to maintain a proper spinal position while loading the posterior chain musculature.
    Once an athlete masters this movement, they can better emphasize their back, glutes, and hamstrings to produce power on the field. Specifically, the hip hinge translates to superior lateral movement, acceleration, and deceleration.
    The most notable movement emphasizing the hip hinge is the deadlift. But, many strength and conditioning coaches begin by teaching bodyweight hip hinge with a stick on the athlete’s back.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  17. aherberg
    Are you a young athlete that just lost a close game? Or are you getting tired of the sport you once loved? Are you discouraged because you feel like your hard work isn’t paying off? Well believe us when we say, we know exactly how you feel. Playing sports can be tough, especially at a young age when it is so important to you and you are working your hardest to excel. What you need to know is that even college and professional athletes struggle on a daily basis. Even the pros have bad games or lose big moments, but what makes them different is that with their determination and perseverance they keep pushing forward.
    Even before they became professional athletes they were in your shoes at one point, believe it or not. You know, there is a great story about perseverance and it is about Michael Jordan himself. You most likely know him as one of the best basketball players of all time, but he was not always that good. In fact, for most of his life he believed his older brother was the best basketball player in the world, but that is a different story. This story is centered around one of the most important times that Michael Jordan failed and how it changed his life forever.
    A lot of high schools host tryouts for their sports, or at least high schools used to back in the day. Well of course Michael Jordan had to try out for the basketball team too and he did in ninth grade. The only problem was that he didn’t make the team! That’s right, Michael Jordan didn’t even make it on his high school basketball team on his first try. Although he didn’t quit and used it as fuel to make him even better and he practiced all summer. This is where his determination, work ethic, and perseverance come into play.
    Starting with determination, even after working hard for his tryouts he still didn’t make it. Although he was determined and sought out on playing basketball which is where his work ethic came into play too. I imagine that you are just as determined and have a high ethic which is why you are still reading this. Well believe us, you can do it! Do not let this one failure or feeling stop you from pursuing your dreams. Always keep the end goal in mind and remember that your workouts and practices are only helping you get to that destination. Now you should still do your best to enjoy the journey along the way, but never lose sight of your end goal.
    With perseverance you can accomplish anything! Never stop working hard, rely on your determination and work ethic when things get tough. Read this all again if it helps you and gets you motivated. Do whatever healthy things you need to, to get yourself working towards your goals and succeed. Even though we do not know you, we believe in you and are rooting for you no matter what! Go crush your goals!
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  18. aherberg
    Are you an aspiring young athlete? Perhaps you dribble and shoot hoops? Or maybe you enjoy track running, kicking a ball, or striking it with a bat? You might also enjoy a much different activity and aspire to make a career out of it.
    Whatever your case, one thing is clear:
    You're young, eager, and want to prove yourself. More importantly, you want people to notice your talent, hard work, and determination. You're the hardest worker in your team, and you often feel like you're doing the majority of the work on the track or field.
    But you struggle. Despite your best efforts, things rarely go your way, and you can't seem to do well with others.
    Let's see what we can do about that.
    The Importance of Team Play
    Michael Jordan once famously said, "Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships." As a person with six NBA championship wins, it's safe to assume his words hold a lot of truth. He is arguably one of the greatest basketball players, but even he couldn't win games or championships alone.
    Individual displays of ability are important, and each team member should work hard to give their best performance on the field. But teamwork allows collections of people to create synergy and achieve things they would never be able to do on their own.
    Good teamwork occurs when emotion, intuitiveness, shared goals, and sheer athletic efforts work together in perfect harmony. It's when one plus one equals three, sometimes four. It's when the team creates a dynamic of belief, motivation, and enthusiasm for winning, even when the odds are against them.
    How to Become a Good Team Player In Three Simple Steps
    1. Respect Others
    The first step to becoming a good team player is to realize that each team member has value and can offer something unique. To get invested in team play, you need to respect others and believe in their ability to play their role and help your team win.
    Without respect for others and a belief in their abilities, you will always struggle to be selfless on the field and do what's best for the team.
    Think about it this way:
    Why would you risk an opportunity to score a point when you don't believe that passing the ball to another teammate can lead to a win?
    2. Realize That Unity Creates Strength
    We all have our limits, strengths, and weaknesses. Becoming a team player is about recognizing that, as individuals, we all have our weaknesses. But, by pooling our talents, strengths, and efforts together, we create synergy. We become strong, and we can achieve a lot more than we imagine.
    3. Know That You Can't Do It All Yourself
    In business, there is a state of mind known as the superhero syndrome. Aspiring entrepreneurs believe they should do everything alone, so they try. But, this approach often leads to burnout and loss of motivation. The same goes for team sports.
    Maturity is about recognizing that you can't do it all yourself and that you should let other team members handle some of the load. This will help you focus on what you're great at, perform as best as possible, avoid burnout and injuries, and give your team members a chance to contribute and grow.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
  19. aherberg
    There are many reasons why your child should play sports and we will be outlining them for you today. It helps them improve both their physical and mental health as well as build lifelong friendships with their teammates. We understand that not all children will go on to be superstar athletes, but there is so much more to youth sports than just that. 
    One of the first reasons why your child should play sports is much more obvious and that is that it keeps them in good physical shape. With nearly all sports today they are either running around on the field or using the quick parts of their body right for activities like wrestling or sprinting. It will certainly increase your child's cardiovascular strength by simply getting them out of the house and up and moving instead. Now it is time to look at the mental health benefits of playing sports as well.
    Sports can be used to teach your children a lot of things such as teamwork and integrity. Assuming that your child is playing a team sport as many do, teamwork certainly plays a big part in the sport. It will often be one of the first times that your child realizes that it is not all about them but rather the betterment of the team Instead. These life lessons go way further than sports themselves, as for the majority of jobs they will likely be working on a team for the rest of their life as well. So sports certainly serve as a good way to get them to start working on a team and shifting their mindset without any real punishment.
    As for integrity, every single sport has a set of rules and most sports come with umpires or referees to call out any rule violations. It is safe to say though that children play these sports a lot of the time by themselves with friends rather than strictly in organized leagues. This means that it is up to the children to be honest and call out the rules, even if it includes calling themselves out or their teammates for breaking the rules. Again this teaches them an important value that will matter for the rest of their lives without any major consequences. 
    Last but not least, youth will form bonds through sports that can last a lifetime. Even if the friendship is only when they are on the team together, it is still great to get children to interact with each other and have fun with someone their own age. Especially in high school sports, some of the best friendships come between players on the same sports team.
    To conclude, your child should play sports for reasons such as improved physical and mental health as well as intangible things like morals and friendships. Sports really do have the possibility to play a big part in your child’s life and you should give them that privilege to explore this healthy activity.
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    This content was created for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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