Pat Riley - Greatest Coach of All Time

Pat Riley considered basketball greatest NBA coach of all times has been the head coach of five championship teams, most recent 2006 NBA basketball with the Miami Heat. Retired as head coach, he now heads the Miami heat as team president. Prior to his Miami Heat coaching, he headed the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks.

His coaching career began with the Lakers leading them to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances. Riley's first title came in his first season against the Philadelphia 76ers. He earned is second NBA title in 1985 when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Boston Celtics in six games and his third NBA title in 1987 beating the Celtics again. While still head coach for the Lakers, Riley made history by guaranteeing a repeat championship for the Lakers the following season. The Lakers became the first team in 20 years to repeat as champions not only in 1988 as promised by Riley, but again in 1989. Riley was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1990 for the first time, but had stepped down as head coach that same year due to rumored ager issues and team player issues. The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Phoenix Suns that same year.

In 1991 Riley became the head coach for the New York Knicks, leading them to the team's best year ever and was honored with his second Coach of the Year title. In 1995, Riley headed the Miami Heat basketball team. Although 1989, 1999 and 2000 playoff would bring disappointing losses to Miami, coach Riley would be honored with his third Coach Of The Year title. With many players traded and much changes made in throughout his coaching years with the Miami Heat, they finally reached the NBA Championship title in 2006. On April 2008, Pat Riley announced his retirement and stepped down as the head coach of the Miami Heat after the team's worst ever finish record 15-67.

About the Author: Eddie Delgado is the owner and writer for http://www.VintageSportsCardMemorabilia.com VSCM is the ultimate NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL sports card and memorabilia site for serious collectors.

Nike Air Force One - The Ultimate Collection - Part 2

No discussion of sneakers is complete without at least some mention of Nike Air Force Ones. These shoes have been the first and most popular choice when it comes to every day shoes and collectors items for over 25 years. Since 1982, air force ones have been some of the biggest, best and most popular shoes available on the market. With each passing year Nike has redesigned and improved the sneaker on the whole and it seems to keep getting better and better with no signs of its popularity waning.

One of the characteristics that make the sneaker so popular is its versatility and the vast array of differing designs. The brand itself has been promoted by athletes and superstars from every walk of life. They can be worn while playing basketball, soccer, running or even basketball for every day activities. There really is no set single purpose for these shoe and they are some of the most versatile on the market. On top of this, there is a design or color combination for the tastes or interests of any person. While the most popular color choice is the classic basketball on whites, you are never limited by color. Many collectors go so far as to have a pair that matches every hat or color coordinated outfit. That is proof of just how many colors and designs can be purchased.

While there seem to be infinite options when it comes to the design, there are few defining characteristics that identify the shoe as a brand. The Velcro strap that is attached to both the mid-top and high-tops is a statement on its own. The strap can be left dangling to the side or strapped tight depending on the style or taste you are hoping to display. Also there is a medallion that is tied onto the laces at the bottom. The medallion has the inscription "AF-1" and "82". The 82 is displayed to commemorate the first year that the sneaker was manufactured and the AF-1 simply stands for Air Force Ones. Without this medallion or the Velcro strap you can be sure that the sneaker is not real and may in fact be a knockoff.

Another key characteristic of the shoe as a brand is simply the star power behind it. Anyone who is anyone within the rap industry or professional basketball players has purchased, worn or collected these sneakers in some way or another. Celebrities from P. Diddy to Nelly to Michael Jordan have all become known as connoisseurs of the brand on the whole. Some superstars have even gone so far as to have collections that exceed the hundreds and at times even thousands.

If you are looking to start a collection of sneakers or even just hoping to find an appropriate pair or two then Air Forces Ones should often be the first place you look. No matter the color or design you are looking for, these sneakers have widely become known as the king of all sneakers. Collectors, enthusiasts and moderate consumers alike have all supported and loved this brand for the past 25 years, and quite possibly for the next 25 as well.

Visit http://www.sneakeralley.com for the latest styles of brand name shoes.

Jose Nevarez Jr

What Does It Take To Become A Tennis Coach?

Being a tennis coach is a great life; you need to be sociable, able to interact with people but above all to be able to help others to learn the great game of tennis. It is necessary to be able to play the game well, but, as in many other sports, being a good player does not mean that you will be a good coach. You will need to have an in depth knowledge of the game, and acquire skills that you will not necessarily have understood as a player.

It is my contention that the coach who starts players off on the path of playing, particularly if teaching juniors, needs to be a coach who understands and can coach every aspect of the game. This includes technical and tactical skills, strategy, mental skills, fitness training, periodisation and nutrition.

A prospective coach will learn a number of these areas during the coach qualification period; however, it is again my own view that a newly qualified coach should work together with a pro. For at least 3 - 6 months after qualifying.

A coaching course can be taken with the LTA in the U.K. the USPTA in the States and the largest coaching organization worldwide the USPTR (known as PTRUK in
The UK). There are naturally national coaching organizations in each country.
The PTR has a standard coaching practice that is taught in all their overseas countries.

Once qualified, the coach will need to consider whether they have any preference as to who they want to work with, whether this is Seniors or Juniors, individual or squads, men or women. Another very worthwhile group to coach are disability groups and wheelchair tennis; these do however, require additional learning techniques.

I also believe, that to be a good coach, you also need to be able to teach another cross-training sport, and to my mind, Basketball fits in very comfortably with tennis. They are both intricate sports and there is far more to them than the general public realize when watching the games being played.

The great satisfaction from teaching tennis is that a good coach can take almost anyone and give them this game for a lifetime, and the big payoff is seeing them succeed at whatever level.

To find out more about the great game of tennis and to subscribe to a monthly news letter, visit http://www.tennisatthenet.ws

John Hoskins is an L.T.A. and a PTRUK qualified licensed tennis coach basketball at a number of facilities as head coach in Kent, England.

Dads Guide to the Ages of Kids For Starting Sports

A lot of the fun of being a dad is helping basketball discover their passions, and that starts with sharing what turns you on. If you love to play golf, you'll hope that you and your child will one day be walking the links together. For others, it's basketball or baseball. Here's a quick look at when many kids are ready to experiment with different sports:

Swimming
Since babies swim in the womb, this is the most natural sport they can do. And, it's one you can do with them. Many baby swim classes exist. Check out your local Y, around one year old. Aggressive swim coaches will suggest that all kids can learn to swim; be aware that kids learn on their own schedule and that some can't actually swim until around five, no matter how many lessons you force on them. Swimming is a basic life skill though, and one all dads should help their kids learn.

Downsides: Poop in pool (never let your kid in the pool without swim diapers), long prep time with showers and locker rooms.

Football
Fast and furious, this is a good game basketball active energized kids, beginning around five. Don't allow anything other than flag football until around eight though.

Downside: Depending on how protective you are, it may create safety concerns.

Tennis
While little kids can bat the ball around, watch for the kind of hand/eye coordination need to develop around eight years old.

Downside: While tennis elbow may not be the greatest danger, watch out for flying racquets.

Soccer
The love of parents everywhere since kids can run and kick very early on. Some classes start at four, but wait until five if you want to see kids learn to play as a team.

Downside: Do you really want to become a "soccer mom?"

Baseball
The great American pastime is also hard to learn until the kindergarten years, though T-Ball can be fun for pre-schoolers around four.

Downsides: Seen as very slow and boring, and often requires a major time commitment for parents as well.

Gymnastics
Start on gymnastics as early as three. Kids at this age show no fear and can learn things older ones just won't try.

Downside: Strenuous and requires good coaching to prevent injuries.

Basketball
You can try basketball earlier, but little kids may find dribbling and especially, shooting frustrating until age six. Basketball is a great game for cardiovascular exercise throughout life.

Downside: Kids who are not as tall or fast may feel left out of the game.

There's nothing 6 year olds or older kids Camping with dadlove more than being in the outdoors. You can use camping with kids to teach independence and self-sufficiency.

Paul Banas is a founder of GreatDad.com. He writes articles on pregnancy, parenting and many more topics related to dads. Your parenting skills is likely to impact the way your child grows up. Being responsive to your children, and at the same time, setting clear rules and limits, is crucial for you as a parent.