Archive for December, 2009

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Before You Leave for the World Cup 2010

Monday, December 28th, 2009

Millions of football fans will descend on South Africa during the month of June in order to attend the world largest sporting event, having booked one of the many world cup packages that are currently on offer. The 2010 World Cup will take place between June11th and July 11th, spread among nine host cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth to name just a few. However there are a few things you need to know before you board your plane. First off, you will need a passport to enter South Africa. Unless you plan to stay for more than 90 days, you will not need a visa. Your passport must also remain valid for at least 30 days after you're due to leave South Africa.

 

Planning your trip early and using a reputable and registered travel agent will allow you get the best deals that you r money can buy. Locating these world cup packages will take a little patience and homework but it will be worth it in the end. In fact, with the World Cup it is better to book everything in advance to eliminate the hassle for when you get there. Booking well in advance allows you to able to enjoy all the festivities of the tournament stress free as well as danger free. The World Cup will play during South Africa's winter season, so it will be cool and rainy depending on which part of the country you will be in. Think weather that is the same as that found in California in America or in Southwestern Australia in the land down under.

 

Transportation between the nine host cities will be either by high speed rail, rapid transit bus, taxi or rental car. Rental cars should be booked in advance in order to guarantee one for when you need it. Ask your travel agent to make the reservation. Research the local driving regulations and insurance rules if you plan to drive. However, if you decide to use a taxi ask the concierge at your hotel which firm is trustworthy and licensed.Beware of getting tickets once on the ground because they may be invalid or counterfeit. Check any tickets with the official ticketing center to determine if your tickets are the proper or fake. The government of South Africa and FIFA have put into place a zero tolerance policy outlawing racism and xenophobia. Fans who are very intoxicated will not be allowed inside the stadiums or fan parks outside the stadiums.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The 2010 World Cup kicks off in Johannesburg

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

The opening ceremony for the 2010 World Cup will take place in Johannesburg South Africa for the first time ever. It is the first time an African country will play host to the World Cup. Johannesburg is one of nine host cities and will host ten of the group match games across its two stadiums. This city of nearly four million residents will also host one second round match and one quarterfinal match before hosting the finals on July 11th.  The tournament begins on June 11th, 2010 and takes place during the South African winter season. The Soccer City Stadium will seat 94,700 football fans and is the largest of all the stadiums in South Africa.

It is advisable to plan your travel as early as possible to take advantage of early bird and lower prices. You can put together a do it yourself package or you can look for all inclusive world cup packages to get tickets, transportation, travel, accommodations and sightseeing options all for one affordable price. Booking an all inclusive package will prove cheaper overall due to the discount on various travel options.

Johannesburg has a subtropical highland climate. Snow is rare during the winter but has been known to happen in June and sometimes in July, which is the winter season in Africa. Get your agent to tell you what clothing is required for a tour like this. World cup packages to Johannesburg are available from anywhere in the world, but you will need to reserve them early if you’re traveling on a budget. However, if money is not a problem then all you have to do is to contact a trustworthy and reliable World Cup package agent and simply tell them what you want to do, and leave them to craft the perfect holiday for you and your family and friends.Regardless of how much you want to spend, look for a travel agent who is qualified and can produce the package you want.

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3 Fundamental Exercises to Develop Your Vertical Leap

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Do you need to know which exercises to start with that will improve your vertical leap? There are many to pick from. Here are some fundamental ones that are an excellent place to begin your training. You must ensure that you follow them exactly. You can carry out the correct exercises, but if you don’t do them in the proper manner, you won’t obtain the results you desire. Add these three exercises to your vertical training and you will be well on your way to adding major inches to your vertical.

Many people erroneously suppose that it is only the leg muscles that need to be developed to increase your vertical jump. Your lower back and erector muscles need to be strong too. The erector muscles are the strongest muscles in the back and take on the most work. Your plan should include exercises for the back and waist areas as well. Which brings us to our opening exercise.

Dead Lifts

A good exercise to begin with is the dead lift. Arch your back, bend your knees while holding the weighted bar. Bring the barbell up until you are standing upright with the barbell hanging across your thighs. Gradually lower the weight back down. Complete three sets of 6-8 repetitions. To steer clear of injury, do not jerk the bar, but carry out the exercise quickly and steadily. Take a brief rest after these first 3 sets. Do one last set in a much slower way this time.

Leg Presses

A second exercise that can help improve your vertical jump is leg presses. Set the weight on the machine to a weight suitable for you. Position your feet about shoulder breadth apart. Let the weight to come down as far as you can and then, pretending like you are jumping, push the weight back up rapidly. You don’t jump in slow motion, so you don’t want to practice in slow motion. Your muscles act explosively when you are jumping, so you have to train them that way in your exercises as well. Repeat this exercise six times – and perform five sets. Take a brief pause between each set.

Medicine Ball

Lastly, utilize a heavy medicine ball in place of a basketball. Pretending that you are doing a dunk, grip the medicine ball and jump up as high as you can. Make sure to extend your reach and try to get the ball as high as you can. Practicing this exercise helps all the muscles necessary for this movement to become strong. Remember to push yourself to the max.

These three exercises are merely three of several that can help enhance your vertical jump and learn how to jump higher. Begin with these and as soon as you can do them well, you can progress to other exercises. Keep in mind that correct form is just as critical as the weight and the number of reps.

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Understanding Different Soccer Field Dimensions

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

related article: dimensions of a football field

 

Soccer field is a rectangular area split in half by a center line. A circle drawn in the middle of this line which is 10 yards in diameter. According by player ages, soccer field comes in a different dimensions. This was regulated by the first soccer organisation which is The Football Association, and then followed by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). They also standardized the soccer field dimensions that appropriate to all modern pitches.

The following are the different soccer field dimensions categorized by ages
read more: Different Dimensions of Soccer Fields

6-7 years old: The field is 20 yards in width by 30 yards in length. The touch line dimension is 18 feet, this is the distance between goal area boundary line and half way line. The distance from the goal line to the goal area boundary line is 27 feet. The center circle and the corner arc have a radius 9 feet and 3 feet respectively.

8 years old: The field is 25 yards in width by 35 yards in length. The touch line length is 23 feet. The distance between the goal line and the goal area boundary line is 31 feet and 6 inches. The center circle is 10 feet in radius and corner arc is uniform in 3 feet.

9 years old: The field is 30 yards in width by 45 yards in length. The length of the touch line is 24 feet. The distance between goal line and goal area boundary is fourty eight feet and six inches. The center circle has a radius of 12 feet. The corner arc radius is 3 feet.

10 years old: The field is 40 yards in width by 60 yards in length. The penalty arc and the circle radius is 24 feet. Corner arc is 3 feet. Penalty arc dimensions is seventy two by thirty six feet. Goal area is 36 by 12 feet and the penalty spot from mid-goal is 24 feet.

11 years old: The field is 50 yards in width by 80 yards in length. The circle and penalty arc radius is 30 feet. 3 feet would be the radius of corner arc. Penalty arc is 80 by 50 feet. Goal area is 52 by 18 feet and the penalty spot from mid-goal is 30 feet.

12 years old and above: The field is 70 yards in width by 100 yards in length. Penalty arc and the circle radius is 30 feet. Corner arc is 3 ft in radius. Penalty arc is 72 x 36 feet in dimensions. The goal area dimensions is 60 by 18 feet, while the distance from penalty spot to mid-goal is 36 feet.

The playing field is marked with lines which is called field markings. These lines are at least 4 inches (10.16 cm) in width nor exceed in 5 inches wide.

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Will Michael Owen Make The English Squad For The World Cup?

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Has Michael Owen lost his legs? Should Michael still be playing for the English national side? Has Michael Owens injuries affected him too much? Has Michael lost some of his passion to the play at the top level of the game? In this article I give my own opinion about these questions, I hope you enjoy the read.

Michael Owen burst onto the international football stage with what can only be described as a wonder goal against Argentina in the World Cup. He sure was fast at this stage of his career and could leave the majority of defenders for dead. The future was very exciting for his club, country and of course for himself.

I have to be truthful with you I am not and never have been involved with professional football. In my working life I am involved with stuttering, DVD duplication service and also offering advice on becoming a foster carer.

Going back to Owen, he played for Liverpool for many years and scored lots and lots and goals. A couple of years ago he moved clubs to Real Madrid. At Madrid he did not in my opinion seem to get much a chance, however his goals to games ratio was still very impressive. During this period Michael started to have a few problems with niggly injuries. For whatever reason this player has been unable to stay free from injury for any great length of time~For whatever reason this player has been unable to stay free from injury for any great length of time}. Last season he moved clubs again with a big money move to Newcastle United. He now had the chance to play again with his good friend and England national team mate Alan Shearer. Owen however has played only a handful of games for his new club due to his fitness levels.

It seems that Owen is now on his way back and think that Michael is way past his best, I think that due to the fact that he is not getting any younger and all of the injuries he has sustained, that he has without doubt lost some of his electric pace. He is one hell of a forward player and I have every confidence that he will remain so for many years to come.

Michael Owen has never in my opinion let England down. He always seems to pop up with a goal and has certainly been one the nations hero’s over the last eight years. I would prefer to see Michael come off the bench for say the last thirty-five minutes of matches instead of starting the games. I think England should have lanky Peter Crouch with another pacy striker such as Theo Walcott to really rough up and bruise the opposition. Michael could then come on when they are starting to become a bit weary.

I do not think Michael Owen has lost any of his passion or desire to play for club or country. In fact I think the opposite is true. He will be itching to get back to somewhere near his best and will be very determined to help his country to win the World Cup.

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