Monday, December 29, 2008

Tips For Basketball Memorabilia

Wouldn't it be nice to buy a rare basketball item at a discount rate and sell it more much more? Before you can do that realize that basketball memorabilia is expansive but a well preserved piece can fetch a lot more. Consider the 100 point basketball and baskets used in the earlier era's can be sold for thousands of dollars. Remember that the condition of a memorabilia determines the final price. According to eBay and Beckett sources, an authentic Chicago Bulls Jersey signed by Michael Jordan is worth between $1500 and may claim a price of one Grand. Here are just a few tips to get you started on a journey that may keep you busy for times to come:

If you ever get lucky to get a basketball memorabilia signed by an NBA player, make sure to take a picture. It is so because unauthenticated items sell at almost less than half the prices demanded by the authenticated basketball memorabilia. One of the best techniques to get your item signed by an NBA star is to visit the websites of different retailers and check the schedules of celebrity appearance. Visit these shows and you will have a chance to get the item signed.

Similarly, you can also check the price of one of your basketball cards from a reputable online memorabilia website. The basketball card collections and memorabilia is new and smaller than baseball and football souvenir industry but rare pieces commands much more than its counterparts, in the open market. The official Beckett guide is the bible of basketball memorabilia which enlist the average prices for most collections.

For basketball, it is often hard o locate a ball in pristine condition due to the constant drubbing. Therefore, it is prudent to visit an auction where rare basketballs in excellent conditions are sold by the owners who are themselves avid collectors. You can also contact the Basketball organizations and ask them to assist you in signing with the retired NBA players.



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Using Statistics to Effectively Evaluate Your Team

Statistics are a valuable tool for coaches in all sports. A common fault is to keep general statistics that illustrate only part of the true picture of your team. To properly glean specific information from statistics you must first decide what you hope to learn from them. This article provides guidelines on how to effectively use statistics to improve your team on a daily basis.

Recently I received an email from a coach asking for advice on keeping offensive statistics for his team. Here is my response to his questions.

1. I challenged him to first decide what specific statistics he wanted to effectively evaluate his team.

2. Offensive options include shot selection, shot chart, turnovers, post touches, penetration, number of passes, set play effectiveness, and use of inside out components.

3. Defensive options include defensive transition, easy baskets, defensive block outs, contested shots, help and recover, defensive rules, and fouling.

3. Once you decide what specific items you want to see from your team you can then devise a specific statistics strategy.

4. Your staff size will determine how many different statistics you can chart during practice or games.

5. Limit your scope to one or two things on offense and defense.

6. OER is a valuable offensive measurement tool but takes time to keep and analyze.

Once you determine what specific statistics to chart you must decide how to use them.

1. Use them with your staff only to make decisions on playing time and making adjustments in practice.

2. Share with your players to help them understand exactly what you want from them.

3. Help crystallize your own coaching philsophy and develop your own Top 3!

If used properly, statistics can be very beneficial to your coaching effectiveness and your team's ultimate success. Use these ideas to begin developing your own system of evaluation using statistics for games and practices.

Randy Brown has passion for the game of basketball. He works as a basketball consultant and mentor for coaches. Visit him at http://www.coachrb.com for free resources, Q & A, newsletter, and coaching programs. A speaker and writer, he has authored 75 articles on coaching and is nationally published. His 18 years in college basketball highlights a successful 23-year career. Mentored by Basketball Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson at Arizona. Resume includes positions at Arizona, Iowa State, Marquette, Drake, and Miami of Ohio, 5 Conference Championships and 5 NCAA appearances. His efforts have helped develop 12 NBA players including Steve Kerr, Sean Elliott, and Jaamal Tinsley. To contact Randy, email him at rb@coachrb.com

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Dimensions of a Basketball Court - Valuable Tips & Info!

The dimensions of a basketball court vary depending on the level of competition. In order for basketball players to be successful, it is important that they play on a regulation-size basketball court appropriate for their age.

The dimensions listed below apply to youth basketball and H.S. basketball. It is important to note that middle school basketball courts vary in size - some will use youth basketball dimensions, while others will use H.S. basketball dimensions.

Knowing the dimensions of a basketball court is critically important for all basketball players, coaches and even parents. Below you will find the key basketball court dimensions.

Dimensions Of A Basketball Court

* High school basketball dimensions are 84' long by 50' wide.
* Youth basketball dimensions are 74' long by 42' wide.
* Basketball lines are 2 inches thick.
* The center circle measures 12' in diameter.
* The free throw line is 13' from the front of the rim, 15' from the backboard and 19' from the baseline.
* The free throw lane is 12' wide.
* The basket is placed 4 - 6' from the baseline.
* The basket measures 10' from the ground.
* The basket measures 18 inches in diameter and is positioned 6 inches from the backboard.
* The backboard usually measures 6' wide by 3.5 - 4' high.
* The box on the backboard is 24 inches wide by 18 inches high.
* The high school three-point line is 19' 9" from the basket.
* The line of the three-point arc straightens out 5' from the baseline.

Free Basketball Court Diagrams, Printable Basketball Diagrams and more



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