Step One:
Use a lined piece of paper or a computer screen in column mode and write the visiting team on the left and the home team on the right.

Step Two:
This is one of the most important steps. Prior to looking at the lines for the week write down your own line. For Example if Tennessee is playing at Carolina, you would just from your general knowledge come up with what you think the line should be. (IMPORTANT: do not write down what you think the line will be, write down what you think the line should be, in other words if you were setting the lines in Tennessee at Carolina, what would you make the line be). You must do this before you look at the actual lines. So for our example, lets say we think that Tennessee should be favored by 4 points, we would write down next to Tennessee -4 and next to Carolina +4. (Note you can do the same thing for the Over/Under).

Step Three:
Without Looking at the actual line, underneath Tennessee write down AT LEAST three reasons (preferably six) why you think Tennessee will win by four or more points, some examples are:
*OLT for Carolina is out: matchup favors Tennessee DL
*Carolina will not be able to run well against Tennesse DL
*QB for Carolina is dinged up and listed as probable
*Carolina has not rushed for more than 100 yards against worse defenses

Step Four:
Without looking at the actual line, underneath Carolina write down AT LEAST three reasons why Carolina will cover the line (lose by 3 or less or win straight up):
*Carolina is at home and Tennessee is 5-0 at home but 1-3 on the road
*RCB of Tennessee is doubtful and backup is rookie
*Carolina has a considerably better special teams than Tennessee

Step Five:
Consider the date, location and time of the game:
*If it is a west coast team traveling to an EST location and playing at 1pm EST, then the West Coast team is likely to lose straight up
*Who is the home team on a prime-time game. Road Favorites do not do well in prime-time games, in particular if the line is more than 7 points. If one or both teams are on a short week or off a bye, make a note of this. Remember that if both teams are on a short week and one team is coming off the road and is on the road in this game, the situation favors the home team. Look for three straight home games or three straight road games. If a team lost the first two of three straight home games, look for them to win the third, or if a team won the first two of three straight road games, look for them to lose the third. Write down all the notes regarding each team.

Step Six:
Review the injury report (Note you may have to wait until Thursday for the injury report). You should always note that when a star player is injured it usually over-effects the line. For example if the starting QB for Carolina is out and the rookie QB is starting, that factor should have been considered in you creating the line and it will have already affected the actual line (which you still have not looked at). You are looking for important injuries to the Starting OL or DL. The old adage that the game is won in the trenches is true. Write down important information under the team name.

Step Seven:
Review the previous games of the teams. This step is often overrated by most cappers. A football season is really 5 little seasons comprised of 3 or 4 games. Nothing is more frustrating than a 0-4 team playing a 4-0 team and the 0-4 team blowing out the 4-0 team. There is a way to account for this. If you have looked at the last 3 or 4 games you may have seen the improvement, you may have seen why the 0-4 team started 0-4 (3 of the 4 on the road against really good teams and the starting MLB was on a drug suspension). In Week 12, the information from weeks 1-8 are not that helpful. The starting defense could be as much as 6 different players. Write down important information under the team name.

Step Eight:
Review Trends. This step is also overrated by many cappers. The fact that the New York Giants are 0-7 against the AFC East in the last 7 meetings is meaningless. There are 4 teams in the AFC East and this trend is more of a coincidence than anything else. However, the fact that the NYG had not scored more than 17 points in the last 4 meeting against the Dallas Cowboys has some value. NYG plays Dallas 2 times per season, thus the data is fresh. The NYG do not play AFC teams once but every 4 years (with some exceptions). Write down important information under the team name. Nfl Football Lines

Step Nine:
Now that you have reviewed the pertinent data and have sifted out what you think is important, re-examine the line that you came up with in step 1. We had written down Tennessee -4. However, after examining our information we decide either (1) we were right; (2) Tennessee should be favored by more or (3) Tennessee should be favored by less or should be the underdog. Now adjust your line by writing a comma or slash next to the “-4″ you had written down before and write the adjusted line. This would look like one of the following:

Tennessee -4/-4 (no change)

Tennessee -4/-1 (our “handicapping” made use adjust our line down)

Tennessee -4/-7 (our “handicapping” convinced use to favor Tennessee even more)

Step Ten:
Review the actual line. (You may want to skip the injury step (from step 6 above) and review the line earlier in the week and make an adjustment after thursday). The following situations develop:

(1) Tennessee -4/-4 – Actual Line Carolina -7
This is the ideal situation. You think Tennessee should be giving 4 points, but you are getting 7, this is 11 points in your favor.
(2) Tennessee -4/-4 – Actual Line Carolina+4 (or Tennessee -4)
You should stay away from this game. You have agreed with the oddsmakers and you have no advantage.
(3) Tennessee -4/-4 – Actual line Tennessee -7. This is a good situation, but not perfect. You think Tennessee should win by 4 and you convinced yourself that this was correct. However, Tennessee is better in the oddsmakers eyes than yours. You should probably stay away from this game. However, according to your handicapping you would take Carolina +7 (because you think Tennessee will win by 4)
(4) Tennessee -4/-1 – Actual Line Carolina -7.
Again this is the Ideal Situation, Take Tennessee with the points.
(5) Tennessee -4/-1 – Actual Line Carolina +1 or +2 or +3 or 4
You stay away from this game, you are thinking like the oddsmakers and you have no advantage.
(6) Tennessee -4/-1 – Actual Line Tennesse -7. You would take Carolina. Your gut said Tennesee -4, but you realized that was too high, now you can get a 6 point swing with Carolina
(7) Tennessee -4/-7 – Actual Line Carolina -7. Again the IDEAL situation.
(8) Tennessee -4/-7 – Actual Line Carolina +1, +2, +3, +4. Good situation take Tennessee minus the points.
(9) Tennessee -4/-7 – Actual line Tennessee -7. Stay away from the game.

Step Ten:

You would proceed to do this same process which each of the 10 to 16 games of the week until you have handicapped every game. It is best to do as much as you can on Sunday Night and Monday Night while the previous games are still in your head. Once the games end on Sunday (this is the key to handicapping). Pull out your documents and write the scores down next to the team names, so that the top of your paper would look like this:
“Tennessee -4/-4 Actual Line: -7 (31) Carolina +4/+4 Actual Line +7 (34)”
Thus you now that Carolina beat Tennessee by 3 at home. Your line was -4, you presumably played on Carolina because the line was too high. If so you properly handicapped the game. If you played on Carolina and Carolina lost: 31 to 10. You need to read articles about the game to determine why Carolina did not cover. When you find out the reason you will know if you properly handicapped the game, here are some examples:
(1) In the first quarter, two OL went down and did not return – there is nothing you could have done about this.
(2) It was 14-10 in the third quarter, when a fluke fumble occurred and Tennesee returned it for a touchdown. Carolina then turned to the pass being down 21-10 and Tennessee knew what was coming. You could have accounted for turnovers but you did not.
(3) Carolina could not pass against the Tennessee defense and could not stop the Tennessee passing game.

Write down your three conclusions of the game (it is better if you watch the game and come up with your own conclusions). Using this information review your notes and see where your capping went wrong. Sometimes it is easily found (you thought Tennessee would not be able to run the ball, but they ran for 200 yards) sometimes there is nothing you could have done (you had Carolina +3 and with 1 minute left the score is 21-20 and Carolina fumbles and Tennessee returns the fumble for a touchdown – you properly handicapped the game, but a fluke play messed it up).

The following week you will then do the same process. As you go through the process you will come up with what you know and do not know about each team and you will hone in on what mistakes you are making. You will also develop your own techniques as to what really works for you. You will also find the teams that you are not familiar with and have to learn more about them or just not bet on their games. Nfl Football Lines

Free throws are an important part of playing basketball. I believe everyone can become a good shooter. To be a good free throw shooter, you have to make sure that you’ve mastered certain techniques with correct instruction on the fundamentals of basketball shooting, combined with drills and practice. This page will discuss the fundamentals of good basketball shooting form and instruct you in the best methods to sink your free throw. The principles are discussed below should be used as guidelines and may be helpful in correcting a player who is struggling with his/her basketball shooting, or is just learning to shoot.

1. Stance: Have your feet about shoulder width apart. Your knees should be bent a little as your thigh muscles will provide power for your shot. If you shoot right-handed, your right foot should be slightly forward. Your shoulders and body should be square to the hoop or find out which is most comfortable for you. Probably the important thing here is that when you jump to shoot, jump straight up but not sideways or backwards. Stay balanced.

2. Holding the ball: Use both hands to hold the ball, but only your basketball shooting hand which will actually propel the ball forward. Don’t shoot two-handed. Your shooting hand is the platform and should be underneath the ball with your wrist cocked back. Your other hand helps support or balance the ball, but does not enter into the actual shooting of the ball. Your non-basketball shooting hand should actually come off the ball just before you release the ball, so that you are shooting with one hand. Use your fingertips, not palms, to hold and release the ball.

3. Set Point: The set point is where you position the ball just prior to releasing the shot. If you are right-handed and shoot with your shoulders and feet square to the hoop, have the ball to the right of your face, a little toward the right shoulder. Don’t line the ball up in the center of your face, as this may result in your basketball shooting elbow flying away from your body, and could actually cause your wrist to turn sideways when you release the ball, imparting a side-spin. On the other hand, if you are more comfortable shooting with your body turned in toward the basketball shooting side, and then the set point can be more in front of your face. You will have to find which method works best for you. Also, it is best that the ball is as high as your forehead, or even higher in order to keep your basketball shooting from being blocked.

4. Upward Force: Most of the power in your shot should come from the upward force of your jump or the upward force from your thighs moving upward. You should not try to power up longer shots with your arm. Let the big muscles in the legs do the work. Release your shot on the upward force of the jump, not on the way down.

5. Aiming the ball: Pick out a spot to aim at either the back of the rim, or just over the front of the rim, or the backboard. Concentrate on this spot, and don’t look at the ball, or the flight of the ball.

6. Releasing the ball: Take the deep breath, and shoot. Use the shoulder as a “hinge”. Your basketball shooting arm extends forward toward the hoop, the elbow extends and then you release the ball with a snap of the wrist, with the ball rolling off your fingertips. This will impart backspin that all good shooters have. Backspin makes the ball land softly on the rim, and often creates a favorable “shooter’s” bounce, resulting in a score even though the shot was not perfect.

7. Follow Through: Make sure to follow through with your shot! This will help you get arc, rotation, and consistency. Keep looking at the basket and hold your basketball shooting hand in the “gooseneck”, follow-through position until the ball goes through the net.

This is important in getting the proper rotation (back spin) on the ball. Your fingers should be pointing toward the hoop, and your wrist bent forward, in a “goose neck” fashion. Hold this release after your shot until the ball hits the rim. You will notice that with a proper follow-through, the palm of your hand will be facing downward toward the floor. If it is turned sideways with the back of the hand facing outward, then you are incorrectly twisting your wrist during the release. Remember to keep your eye on the target… don’t watch the flight of the ball.

Tips

1. It is important for you to concentrate. Block out all the factors and just focus on your technique and making the shot.
2. Get into a routine. Take a few dribbles or take a deep breath- whatever makes you feel comfortable before you take the shot. Make sure to stick to the same routine every time. A routine helps program your body and mind and that will help with your consistency.
3. Don’t think too much. Even if you are in a slump, approach the line with the same routine and believing that you will make the shot.
4. Practice makes perfect! Repetition is the key to success in basketball shooting free throws. The more you shoot the more comfortable and confident you will become!

The first thing you will want to train anybody who culture the basics of dribbling is where to set all their dilution. Many beginners will try to use their palms when they are creations to drool. Instead, you will want to focus on credo how to use and strengthen the fingertips for better dribbling. The wrist would then be able to monitor the faction of the fingers, generous more possibilities for controlling the globe. You will also want to edify beginners how to slaver an inferior globe, bountiful them, the ability to plan through guard with more options. While they are dribbling inferior, you will want to make trusty that they are able to keep their hint up and away from the sphere so they can make their next move.

After you have the basics of dribbling down, then you can add very techniques into the bounce. The first of these is wisdom how to spin while dribbling. When you are doing prime dribbles, your feet will be hip width apart and your knees will be bent. When you revolve while dribbling a basketball, you will be able to focus your body while you are dribbling into a completely different stand, generous you more lead way to get older cover and make a basket. Another scheme that you can do will intermix base work with the trickle. For example, you can fake pitiful one way, then twirl to move the other, generous you an open shot at a basket. You can do this same thing by feinting, value that you trickle the sphere enough to move the cover out of your way, giving an apparent shot to the basket.

Dribbling afar the basics is learning how to coalesce footwork with the way that the sphere is pathetic. When you open to edify others how to move with the ball and how to blend different actions of progress with the amusement, you will can give options for poignant past the other band and into the basket you want to make.

The first thing you will want to teach anyone who is learning the basics of dribbling is where to set all of their strength. Many beginners will try to use their palms when they are beginning to dribble. Instead, you will want to focus on teaching how to use and strengthen the fingertips for better dribbling. The wrist will then be able to control the movement of the fingers, giving more possibilities for controlling the ball. You will also want to teach beginners how to dribble a lower ball, giving them the ability to maneuver through defense with more options. While they are dribbling lower, you will want to make sure that they are able to keep their head up and away from the ball so they can make their next move.  

After you have the basics of dribbling down, then you can add extra techniques into the bounce.  The first of these is learning how to pivot while dribbling. When you are doing basic dribbles, your feet will be hip width apart and your knees will be bent. When you pivot while dribbling a basketball, you will be able to turn your body while you are dribbling into a completely different position, giving you more lead way to get past defense and make a basket. Another maneuver that you can do will combine foot work with the dribble. For example, you can fake moving one way, then turn to move the other, giving you an open shot at a basket. You can do this same thing by feinting, meaning that you dribble the ball enough to move the defense out of your way, giving a clear shot to the basket.  

Dribbling beyond the basics is learning how to combine footwork with the way that the ball is moving. When you begin to teach others how to move with the ball and how to combine different actions of movement with the game, you will have the ability to give options for moving past the other team and into the basket you want to make.

With any catcher, they will want to make sure that they are about five to ten feet from the home base line. Whether someone is up to bat, or whether they are running from third base, staying this far will help the catcher. It will first give them the ability to stay safely away from the person who is running or from the ball hitting them at a faster speed. It will also give them the ability to use the space and time to see exactly where the ball is going to hit.  

When you are standing and waiting for the ball, you will want to make sure that you are in a position that allows your body to maneuver the best. This will first mean keeping the feet in one position that allows you to move your glove forward or backward. This will also help you to see exactly where the ball is coming from. You will also want to be slightly bent in order to catch the ball more effectively. If the ball is coming up higher, it will be easier to move your glove to catch it. If the ball is lower, you can move to your knees in order to scoop it up at a quicker pace.  

By following these two techniques, you can then learn how to catch different types of balls more effectively. For example, if the ball is a low pitch, you will want to make sure to catch it before it hits the ground. This means that you will have to extend your glove in order to more effectively catch the ball. If it is a receiving ball, you will want to use a slightly different technique. Usually, you won’t have to move your glove, but simply maneuver your body in order to ensure that the ball is caught and is defined as a strike.  

Even though you are behind home base, the responsibilities for the catcher are just as important as anyone else, and can make a difference in winning or losing a game. If you are learning to play the position of catcher, then finding out what the basic techniques and the different possibilities for each play are can help you to get the ball exactly when you want it.