And now, the Long awaited answers that have been eating away at you for...nearly 48 hours!
1. As in the Galapagos, several species are endemic to Cocos Island (found nowhere else in the world); one of them is the Cocos Cukoo.
2. Who was the first westerner in Costa Rica and is commonly credited (probably incorrectly) with dubbing the land “The Rich Coast”? Christopher Columbus
3. You can see the Costa Rican glass frog’s heart beating through its abdomen.
4. Several thousand tough stabilizing roots up to 20 meters (66 feet) long wind through the loose sand from the base of coconut (Coco, Cocotero, Cocos nucifera) trees which are rarely toppled even by the strongest hurricanes.
5. Las Hornillas in Northern Costa Rica has boiling mudpots, steam vents, and small geysers.
6. Costa Rica imports about half-a-million dollars worth of beer every year. Seventy-five percent from Mexico and the remainder from the U.S. and Europe.
7. Green Sea Turtles are named after the color of the layer of fat on their meat, not the color of their shell.
8. Costa Rica has the cheapest, most convenient and reliable phone system in Latin America
9. Several species of bees search miles from home to find the Bejuco de Pan (Dalechampia scandens) vines that produce a waterproof, moldable resin they use in nest construction.
10. Tarantulas (Matacaballos) can grow to over 10” (25 cm) and some can make a snakelike hiss by rubbing the hairs of their legs together.
11. Each female leatherback will nest as many as 12 times a season, every 10 days or so (usually at night to avoid dehydration).”
12. Consistent winds across Lake Arenal make it one of the premier windsurfing sites in the world.
13. Cebia or Kapok (Cebia petandra) trees are best known for producing fibers used in life preservers and furniture cushions, but their name comes from the Caribbean word for the canoes (cebia) that were carved from its long, straight, soft trunks.
14. The official term for a citizen of Costa Rica is Costariquense, but you will probably never hear it. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos and Ticas.
15. Chirripo peak in Costa Rica is home to the northernmost occurrence of the high altitude Paramo ecosystem
Special thanks to Costa-Rica-Guide.com for all of its amazing trivia questions and answers!!!
How did you do??
This is the last post for Costa Rica. We hope you learned a lot and enjoyed it as much as we did! Stay tuned for a new country of the month, Dubai!!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
STICK IT!
Expounding on earlier posts about the STICK CONCEPT, more examples of Y Stick being utilized (mainly just posting video examples). If I get more time in the next few weeks, I'll provide more detail to my favorite 3-step concept.
This 3-step quick game consists of an immediate read of "Stick - to - Arrow" (then check down), with the Y working off the inside number of the hole defender (typically the MLB or SLB). The conflict created by the inside stem of the Y and the back expanding to the perimeter becomes too much to account for with underneath defenders.
1-BACK
2-BACK
2-BACK
3x1
EMPTY
This 3-step quick game consists of an immediate read of "Stick - to - Arrow" (then check down), with the Y working off the inside number of the hole defender (typically the MLB or SLB). The conflict created by the inside stem of the Y and the back expanding to the perimeter becomes too much to account for with underneath defenders.
The Y challenges the hole player with an inside-vertical stem, then sticks at 6 yards to pinball off of the response of this defender. He will work away from wherever this defender has leveraged himself.
The quarterback delivers the ball AWAY from the leveraged defender (to the opposite shoulder of where the 'danger player' is at), to allow the Y to work away from the hole defender and TOWARDs open grass. This is the epitome of the settle & noose drill.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Friends*
My best friend Kendra Rae got married two months ago and it just occurred to me that I haven't posted any of the cute pictures she has of us. I LOVE these pictures. The Ceremony was perfect and the Reception turned out adorable, Her day was perfect and I'm SO glad I was able to be apart of it. Every time I look at these pictures I drool over her dress, it's more gorgeous than any dress I've ever seen, ohhh I loved it!
I was reading some old journal entries a few days ago and I came across a few things I had written about our friend Natalie's wedding day back in January of 2008 .. also a beautiful wedding .. I wrote that it was my hope and prayer that Kendra would follow the example that Nat and I had set and would marry in the temple. Long story short, I was ecstatic when K told me she was marrying Matthew and in the Logan Temple, I might have cried.
We've always joked that Nat would get married first, I'd get married last - but only after Kendra found someone who could take her sarcasm and strong opinion .. so I'd be lucky if I ever got my turn. Nat would have kids first, me last and Kendra very stubbornly in between the two of us.
We've had lots of late nights, many inappropriate laughs, tons of awkward moments, several uncomfortable situations, a million laughs, a billion smiles, some tears, a few fears, months apart, lunch dates, dinner dates, more memories than we can count and even pictures we promised never to reveal but through it all we've loved each other not matter what.
So here we are .. Nat got married first (kind of) I guess since I'm going for round two she can win that one. Ken found someone who adores her and loves every piece of her so now it's my turn. The best part about getting married last .. Advice from good sources and their families get to be apart of our day.
Natalie Jo is pregnant with her first baby and we can't wait meet little Riley in February, Kendra will be close behind .. I'm sure of it. And me well ... Don't put any money on any little kiddos in the next 4 or so years for us. I think we'll just enjoy the spoiled grand babies that my siblings are blessing us with for a while.
I love these two girls and I laugh every single time I think about the memories we've made, I hope that even as we continue to grow up and go our separate ways we'll always stay close and be able to be apart of big days in each others lives.
I look up to these girls so much. I'm so thankful for their examples of love and trust and I'm excited to have the kind of marriages that they do. Have I already mentioned that I love these girls??
I was reading some old journal entries a few days ago and I came across a few things I had written about our friend Natalie's wedding day back in January of 2008 .. also a beautiful wedding .. I wrote that it was my hope and prayer that Kendra would follow the example that Nat and I had set and would marry in the temple. Long story short, I was ecstatic when K told me she was marrying Matthew and in the Logan Temple, I might have cried.
We've always joked that Nat would get married first, I'd get married last - but only after Kendra found someone who could take her sarcasm and strong opinion .. so I'd be lucky if I ever got my turn. Nat would have kids first, me last and Kendra very stubbornly in between the two of us.
We've had lots of late nights, many inappropriate laughs, tons of awkward moments, several uncomfortable situations, a million laughs, a billion smiles, some tears, a few fears, months apart, lunch dates, dinner dates, more memories than we can count and even pictures we promised never to reveal but through it all we've loved each other not matter what.
So here we are .. Nat got married first (kind of) I guess since I'm going for round two she can win that one. Ken found someone who adores her and loves every piece of her so now it's my turn. The best part about getting married last .. Advice from good sources and their families get to be apart of our day.
Natalie Jo is pregnant with her first baby and we can't wait meet little Riley in February, Kendra will be close behind .. I'm sure of it. And me well ... Don't put any money on any little kiddos in the next 4 or so years for us. I think we'll just enjoy the spoiled grand babies that my siblings are blessing us with for a while.
I love these two girls and I laugh every single time I think about the memories we've made, I hope that even as we continue to grow up and go our separate ways we'll always stay close and be able to be apart of big days in each others lives.
Natalie, Kendra, Me .. I LOVE this picture!
I look up to these girls so much. I'm so thankful for their examples of love and trust and I'm excited to have the kind of marriages that they do. Have I already mentioned that I love these girls??
Kendra & Matthew
Natalie and Case
Costa Rica : Comida tipica
Costa Rican cuisine is simple but heavy on oil and some spices. Comida tipica or native dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of many Costa Rican meals. Home-style cooking predominates. But meals are generally wholesome and reasonably priced. Gallo Pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans is particularly served as a breakfast. Food staples include beef, chicken, fish and despite of the 1.000+ kilometers of coastline, seafood like shrimp or lobster, is expensive because Costa Rica exports most of its seafood.Eating in Costa Rica doesn't present the health problems that plague the unwary traveler elsewhere in Central America, but you need to be aware that some of the pesticides used in Costa Rica are forbidden elsewhere. Something I should say is that you may eat where the locals eat, usually that means tasty and trustworthy food. Beware of black beans and chicharrones, which might prove to be too much for some foreign stomachs.
Costa Rica has no national drink, but very popular in the cultural tradition of drinks are
Horchata (pictured right), a cinnamon flavored cornmeal drink, Chan, a slimy drink made of seeds, Linaza, which is popularly used to cure indigestion, and Fresco de Frutas, which is basically a fruit salad floating on a base of kola and water, delicious!! And, of course, guaro, the campesino’s nearly-tasteless yet potent alcoholic drink of choice. And coffee of course, Costa Rica’s grain of gold. Most of the best coffee is exported, so don't expect the best coffee everywhere you go. Coffee is traditionally served very strong and mixed with hot milk.What are you most looking forward to eating and drinking when you go to Costa Rica?
Thanks to infocostarica.com for their contribution to this post.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Make-Over.
Last Thursday we had a baby shower for my aunt Jenny and I totally slacked with the picture taking but ... you already knew that! I don't know why I have such a nice camera sometimes, I don't use it nearly enough. Jen and Lucy got lots of great stuff and she'll be well dressed for quite a while.
Everyone was starting to head out when my cousin Marley asked if she could give me a make-over. I could have been offended but instead I took her up on the offer and hoped for the best. She had me wear a good portion of my jewelery and threw in my black studded belt but informed me I didn't need any high heels, Thanks Mar.
After she let everyone see her hard work it was her turn, as we headed back to my jewelery box she told me she had made me into a 'Pop Star'. Nice!
I let her wear all my stuff and she picked out an incredibly random pair of heels and begged me to let her take them home. She made me promise to keep them until she was a teenager which is apparently the age you have to be to wear them. 14 years is kind of a long time Mar but I'll sure try.
Everyone was starting to head out when my cousin Marley asked if she could give me a make-over. I could have been offended but instead I took her up on the offer and hoped for the best. She had me wear a good portion of my jewelery and threw in my black studded belt but informed me I didn't need any high heels, Thanks Mar.
After she let everyone see her hard work it was her turn, as we headed back to my jewelery box she told me she had made me into a 'Pop Star'. Nice!
I let her wear all my stuff and she picked out an incredibly random pair of heels and begged me to let her take them home. She made me promise to keep them until she was a teenager which is apparently the age you have to be to wear them. 14 years is kind of a long time Mar but I'll sure try.
Me and Marley
Oh goodness!
Isn't she the cutest thing? And she's absolutely hilarious!
Let’s see how good your knowledge is of all things Costa Rica…
1. As in the Galapagos, several species are endemic to Cocos Island (found nowhere else in the world); one of them is the ________________.
2. Who was the first westerner in Costa Rica and is commonly credited (probably incorrectly) with dubbing the land “The Rich Coast”?
3. You can see the Costa Rican glass frog’s _________ beating through its abdomen.
4. Several thousand tough stabilizing roots up to 20 meters (66 feet) long wind through the loose sand from the base of coconut (Coco, Cocotero, Cocos nucifera) trees which are rarely toppled even by the strongest ________________.
5. ____________ in Northern Costa Rica has boiling mudpots, steam vents, and small geysers.
6. Costa Rica imports about half-a-million dollars worth of ___________ every year. Seventy-five percent from Mexico and the remainder from the U.S. and Europe.
7. ____________ are named after the color of the layer of fat on their meat, not the color of their shell.
8. Costa Rica has the cheapest, most convenient and reliable ______________ in Latin America
9. Several species of ___________ search miles from home to find the Bejuco de Pan (Dalechampia scandens) vines that produce a waterproof, moldable resin they use in nest construction.
10. Tarantulas (Matacaballos) can grow to over 10” (25 cm) and some can make a snakelike hiss by rubbing the hairs of their _________ together.
11. Each female leatherback will nest as many as 12 times a season, every ________ days or so (usually at night to avoid dehydration).”
12. Consistent winds across Lake ________ make it one of the premier windsurfing sites in the world.
13. Cebia or Kapok (Cebia petandra) trees are best known for producing __________ used in life preservers and furniture cushions, but their name comes from the Caribbean word for the canoes (cebia) that were carved from its long, straight, soft trunks.
14. The official term for a citizen of Costa Rica is ____________, but you will probably never hear it. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos and Ticas.
15. __________ peak in Costa Rica is home to the northernmost occurrence of the high altitude Paramo ecosystem
Expect the answers in a later post this week… is the suspense killing you??
We will thank our source in the next post… we don’t want to encourage cheating ☺
1. As in the Galapagos, several species are endemic to Cocos Island (found nowhere else in the world); one of them is the ________________.
2. Who was the first westerner in Costa Rica and is commonly credited (probably incorrectly) with dubbing the land “The Rich Coast”?
3. You can see the Costa Rican glass frog’s _________ beating through its abdomen.
4. Several thousand tough stabilizing roots up to 20 meters (66 feet) long wind through the loose sand from the base of coconut (Coco, Cocotero, Cocos nucifera) trees which are rarely toppled even by the strongest ________________.
5. ____________ in Northern Costa Rica has boiling mudpots, steam vents, and small geysers.
6. Costa Rica imports about half-a-million dollars worth of ___________ every year. Seventy-five percent from Mexico and the remainder from the U.S. and Europe.
7. ____________ are named after the color of the layer of fat on their meat, not the color of their shell.
8. Costa Rica has the cheapest, most convenient and reliable ______________ in Latin America
9. Several species of ___________ search miles from home to find the Bejuco de Pan (Dalechampia scandens) vines that produce a waterproof, moldable resin they use in nest construction.
10. Tarantulas (Matacaballos) can grow to over 10” (25 cm) and some can make a snakelike hiss by rubbing the hairs of their _________ together.
11. Each female leatherback will nest as many as 12 times a season, every ________ days or so (usually at night to avoid dehydration).”
12. Consistent winds across Lake ________ make it one of the premier windsurfing sites in the world.
13. Cebia or Kapok (Cebia petandra) trees are best known for producing __________ used in life preservers and furniture cushions, but their name comes from the Caribbean word for the canoes (cebia) that were carved from its long, straight, soft trunks.
14. The official term for a citizen of Costa Rica is ____________, but you will probably never hear it. Costa Ricans refer to themselves as Ticos and Ticas.
15. __________ peak in Costa Rica is home to the northernmost occurrence of the high altitude Paramo ecosystem
Expect the answers in a later post this week… is the suspense killing you??
We will thank our source in the next post… we don’t want to encourage cheating ☺
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Great Ways To Destroy Your Players
While no one wants to destroy or hinder their own players (counter productive to coaching), often times we do. What are some of the things you've witnessed, done, or have heard about that directly diminish a player's drive to succeed?
Sometimes the best things to learn are the things NOT to do.....
We mean well, but there may be times when we unknowingly sap production from our team via the words we say, the way we treat people, or how we 'coach'
A few off the top of my head are;
Talking about how much a player sucks: not challenging or pressuring a kid to get better, but just berating his abilities in off-hand comments, that his team mates buy into (the real issue). The player will find himself alienating himself from the staff and his team mates (see the third example) in a vicious-cycle of defeatest attitude.
Best player excuse :here directly avoiding challenging a player to develop past himself or accepting flaws simply because he's just better than everyone else (therefore, even with mistakes, the kid is better than whats behind him). This emotional coddling inhibits self-pressure and growth.
Deliver all emotion, and no substance : hyping up a drill or responsibility through emotional transference (yelling and screaming), but not providing a clear direction in which to do accomplish what you want. "Throw Harder" / "Block somebody" come to mind.....telling the kid to improve his performance but not explaining HOW he can go about doing it, causing him to further doubt himself and begin sharing your frustration with him (only causing more errors for the player).
Demanding immediate production with no investment: prodding a kid into loading up the bar with plates, but does not have the motor skills developed to perform a squat. Sure, its pussified to have anything less than 225lbs on the rack, but if we haven't taught how to breathe, stand, sit, and explode (contract)....we end up cultivating an unsurmountable fear and trepidation to a major building block of success. You have to crawl before you can walk, and many times we will put kids in positions to have to be masters of 4-5 different skill sets, without affording them the time to gain mastery in one.
More feedback here;
http://coachhuey.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=33652&page=1
Sometimes the best things to learn are the things NOT to do.....
We mean well, but there may be times when we unknowingly sap production from our team via the words we say, the way we treat people, or how we 'coach'
A few off the top of my head are;
Talking about how much a player sucks: not challenging or pressuring a kid to get better, but just berating his abilities in off-hand comments, that his team mates buy into (the real issue). The player will find himself alienating himself from the staff and his team mates (see the third example) in a vicious-cycle of defeatest attitude.
Best player excuse :here directly avoiding challenging a player to develop past himself or accepting flaws simply because he's just better than everyone else (therefore, even with mistakes, the kid is better than whats behind him). This emotional coddling inhibits self-pressure and growth.
Deliver all emotion, and no substance : hyping up a drill or responsibility through emotional transference (yelling and screaming), but not providing a clear direction in which to do accomplish what you want. "Throw Harder" / "Block somebody" come to mind.....telling the kid to improve his performance but not explaining HOW he can go about doing it, causing him to further doubt himself and begin sharing your frustration with him (only causing more errors for the player).
Demanding immediate production with no investment: prodding a kid into loading up the bar with plates, but does not have the motor skills developed to perform a squat. Sure, its pussified to have anything less than 225lbs on the rack, but if we haven't taught how to breathe, stand, sit, and explode (contract)....we end up cultivating an unsurmountable fear and trepidation to a major building block of success. You have to crawl before you can walk, and many times we will put kids in positions to have to be masters of 4-5 different skill sets, without affording them the time to gain mastery in one.
More feedback here;
http://coachhuey.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=33652&page=1
Costa Rica: Know Before You Go!
Q- What is the difference between the rain forest and the cloud forest?
A- Mainly the altitude and the temperature. The rain forests are very hot and humid while the cloud forest are humid and moist. The species of flora and fauna are significantly different.
Q- Do I need an electric adapter for a hair drier?
A- That depends on the voltage in your home country. Outlets here are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs (or three prong if grounded). Your hair blower, curling iron and all other appliances will work fine. Those of you from Europe will need the adapters, impossible to find easily in Costa Rica. Bring yours!
Q- If I decide to stay longer, can I get a visa while I am there?
A-When you enter Costa Rica, your passport will be stamped and that is your visa to be here. The length of time depends on your country of origin. Your visa CAN be renewed if you leave the country for 72 hours. This cannot be done forever, but 2-3 times is probably not a problem. Short trips to Panama, Nicaragua, or San Andres are cheap and available. When you return, your visa will be renewed automatically for 90 more days if you are from the USA. If you are not from the USA or Canada, check here as the rules are different for other countries.
Q-Is there and exit or departure tax in Costa Rica? If so, how much is it?
A- Departure tax is $26, can be paid in US Dollars, colones or with a Visa card. This must be paid at the point of exit. See Entry to Costa Rica.
Q- Are credit cards accepted in Costa Rica?
A- In the major tourist areas, yes. However, many locations do not accept credit cards, especially those great places where you actually see the artist creating something. Also, if ANYTHING is priced in dollars, you are VERY likely over paying! Carry some colones and use any you have left over to pay your Departure Tax.
A- Mainly the altitude and the temperature. The rain forests are very hot and humid while the cloud forest are humid and moist. The species of flora and fauna are significantly different.
Q- Do I need an electric adapter for a hair drier?
A- That depends on the voltage in your home country. Outlets here are 110 V, with standard US two prong plugs (or three prong if grounded). Your hair blower, curling iron and all other appliances will work fine. Those of you from Europe will need the adapters, impossible to find easily in Costa Rica. Bring yours!
Q- If I decide to stay longer, can I get a visa while I am there?
A-When you enter Costa Rica, your passport will be stamped and that is your visa to be here. The length of time depends on your country of origin. Your visa CAN be renewed if you leave the country for 72 hours. This cannot be done forever, but 2-3 times is probably not a problem. Short trips to Panama, Nicaragua, or San Andres are cheap and available. When you return, your visa will be renewed automatically for 90 more days if you are from the USA. If you are not from the USA or Canada, check here as the rules are different for other countries.
Q-Is there and exit or departure tax in Costa Rica? If so, how much is it?
A- Departure tax is $26, can be paid in US Dollars, colones or with a Visa card. This must be paid at the point of exit. See Entry to Costa Rica.
Q- Are credit cards accepted in Costa Rica?
A- In the major tourist areas, yes. However, many locations do not accept credit cards, especially those great places where you actually see the artist creating something. Also, if ANYTHING is priced in dollars, you are VERY likely over paying! Carry some colones and use any you have left over to pay your Departure Tax.
Thank you to therealcostarica.com for their contribution to this post. What other questions do you have about Costa Rica? Did you find the above questions and answers useful?
Monday, October 26, 2009
How about this sidewiki!
Just testing out the commenting capability of sidewiki. Pretty neat!!
Download the google toolbar and you can add comments to ANY webpage! you can also automatically post it to your blog!
Please leave a comment!
Breaking Opera-Mini (v5)
Having fun trying out the new Opera mini browser (v5.0) still in beta testing.
Some great tips are found here
1 – Context Menu
2 – Scroll Up
4 – Scroll Left
5 – Zoom
6 – Scroll Right
8 – Scroll Down
# then 1 Enter URL
# then 2 - Search the Web
# then 3 - Find in Page
# then 4 - Start Page
# then 5 - Bookmarks
# then 6 - History
# then 8 - Settings
# then 9 - Saved Pages
# then # - Forward
* then 1-9 - Launch Speed Dial URLs 1-9
* then 0 - Reload Page
* then # - Toggle Landscape
* then * - Toggle Full Screen
* then Up - Open a new tab
* then Down - Close current tab
* then Right - Next tab
* then Left - Previous tab
Some great tips are found here
1 – Context Menu
2 – Scroll Up
4 – Scroll Left
5 – Zoom
6 – Scroll Right
8 – Scroll Down
# then 1 Enter URL
# then 2 - Search the Web
# then 3 - Find in Page
# then 4 - Start Page
# then 5 - Bookmarks
# then 6 - History
# then 8 - Settings
# then 9 - Saved Pages
# then # - Forward
* then 1-9 - Launch Speed Dial URLs 1-9
* then 0 - Reload Page
* then # - Toggle Landscape
* then * - Toggle Full Screen
* then Up - Open a new tab
* then Down - Close current tab
* then Right - Next tab
* then Left - Previous tab
Week 8: Slipping Past Northwood
After slidding around the field on Friday, we pulled out a win on the 2 yard line in the final 4 seconds of the game, finally being able to stop their flexbone offense.
Much respect to Northwood's Jamarcus Johnson (#6) and Mike Williams (#30) who dominated the night with competitive play and leadership.
Defense 10/23 @ Yahoo! Video
Much respect to Northwood's Jamarcus Johnson (#6) and Mike Williams (#30) who dominated the night with competitive play and leadership.
Defense 10/23 @ Yahoo! Video
Geaux Hawkeyes: Outside Zone
Their teaching progression for gaining leverage is as follows;
- Get underneath and inside
- Eyes on Target
- Flat Back
- Pad under chin
- Elbows in
- Hands Under
- Knees under chest
They stress the Olinemen to attack low-to-high, deliver an initial punch and then get the defender on his toes.
Once locked on to the target, if the defender tries to get away, they should accelerate their knees (and run over him). When the defender attempts to run away, that’s when guys get flattened because the inertia and combo blocking is too much to overcome.
The first step of the Olineman is a tight reach to the defenders' playside number. It doesn’t really matter if it is 3” or 6”, it all is relative to the athlete’s ability. The second step should be placed to put the lineman’s knee in the crotch (center of balance) and get vertical by driving his feet. From there, leverage is something they fight for with every step, looking to overtake the defender with movement.
Hawk Run Game @ Yahoo! Video
hawk stretch @ Yahoo! Video
and of course, the exciting last minute play (just basic 3-step slant-shoot concept) in the final 2 seconds is worth seeing again....
10/24/09 Hawk @ Yahoo! Video
Having coached one, and also against five Hawkeye starters, I don't feel so bad about my situation now.
Helmet to Helmet
Watching the Hawks battle the Spartans this weekend, there were quite a few vicious hits taking place. Two of which took out two phenomenal players (whom I've had the displeasure of trying to defend in the MAC), Brett Greenwood (#30) and Colin Sandeman (#22).
In the clip below, Sandeman gets blindsided with what would appear to be an other wise innocuous hit, but the neurological impact can be clearly seen. In light of the recent research of brain trauma and the long-term degenerative impact, this may amp up how these injuries are dealt with by training staffs.
But more importantly (for coaches), as Head Coach Mark Dantonio protests, defensive back, Jeremy Ware, was flagged for a 15 yard penalty of unnecessary roughness. From how we coach form tackling, Ware was in textbook position and presented his chest as the tackling surface.
shoots @ Yahoo! Video
eye opener @ Yahoo! Video
It just so happened that his helmet made contact with Sandeman's helmet. From a technique standpoint, I am unsure what Ware could have done to consciously prevent the injury (as his head naturally dips in anticipation of the hit as the chest makes contact).
See Malcolm Gladwell on Brain Injuries in Football , Brain Injuries and the NFL , Concussions Management in Sports
Further commentary here;
http://coachhuey.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=33694
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The Search for Montezuma!
In early 2009, Passport Health's good friend, Chas, took a fabulous trip to Costa Rica to escape the winter months in the northeast U.S. and explore the incredible adventures the world has to offer. He so KINDLY agreed to share the story of his adventure to Montezuma...
Costa Rica has become one of the top tourist destinations for the western world for good reason. Few countries boast as excellent a combination of pleasant weather, friendly indigenous (“Ticos”), and tourist attractions. I recently escaped the winter months in the northeast United States to explore Costa Rica. I wholeheartedly recommend viewing the active Arenal Volcano, hiking the rainforests of Corcovado National Park, and white-water rafting down the Pacuare River; however, some of the most fulfilling experiences in C.R. will be found in lesser known areas, such as Montezuma.
Montezuma is a tiny town sitting on the Pacific Ocean on the Nicoya Peninsula. It typically is overlooked as a must-see due to its remote nature. In fact, I actually had to motorboat over to Montezuma from Jaco, C.R. Montezuma is and will remain an intriguing stopover for the more adventurous traveler for the same reasons why it is not for everyone- there are no banks, post-offices, major hotels, and chain-restaurants (or chains of any kind). If you are traveling to embrace hostels (or tents, which line the forests adjacent to the pristine Montezuma beaches), hippies, and happy residents, Montezuma offers more than any other place in Central America.
After boating or bussing into Montezuma, the first thing to do is grab a room. Accommodations
range from single rooms complete with an overhead fan for about $20 per night to renting out an abandoned school bus whose seats have been removed in favor of mattresses. Seriously. You can grab a mattress for about $5 a night and try and figure out how the owner of this “hostel” managed to convert the driver’s seat into a toilet. The bus had no vacancy during my visit, so I opted for Hostel Lucy, known for opening its doors to younger travelers for $10-12 a night.
Throw your backpack down in your room, bus, or tent and head down the only street in town to
find the only information kiosk in town. Ask how to hike to Montezuma Falls and head out. A half-hour hike through the forest (watch out for monkeys!) will lead you to a series of three waterfalls. You might see some tourists jumping off the top two falls. My buddy, Django, and I braved the shorter of the two, which was about 25 feet high. Recommendation: hold onto your eye glasses- Django’s are currently residing at the bottom of the basin of the Montezuma Falls.
After your leap of faith, go relax. There is a string of beaches right past “downtown” Montezuma which host the bright blue Nicoya Golf. A steady rip-tide will prevent all but the most determined surfers from hitting the blue, so swimming is ideal. Want some privacy? The beaches stretch miles and miles down the coast. About an hour of sandy hiking will put you on your very own, personal beach.
Although this is far from a traditional party town, it’s definitely worth going out at night. This little town is one of the top places in the world to learn and exhibit your mastery of “poi.” Fire poi is basically dancing and doing tricks with elongated nunchucks lit on fire on both ends. It’s beautiful, exciting, and dangerous if you have no idea what you are doing (trust me)! Experienced performers will be having a fire-show every night in the town square. It’s easy to watch the show and make friends with your hostel-mates- I guarantee you they are hanging out and having an Imperial beer at the one bar in town.
Thanks for your awesome post on Costa Rica, Chas!
Costa Rica has become one of the top tourist destinations for the western world for good reason. Few countries boast as excellent a combination of pleasant weather, friendly indigenous (“Ticos”), and tourist attractions. I recently escaped the winter months in the northeast United States to explore Costa Rica. I wholeheartedly recommend viewing the active Arenal Volcano, hiking the rainforests of Corcovado National Park, and white-water rafting down the Pacuare River; however, some of the most fulfilling experiences in C.R. will be found in lesser known areas, such as Montezuma.
Montezuma is a tiny town sitting on the Pacific Ocean on the Nicoya Peninsula. It typically is overlooked as a must-see due to its remote nature. In fact, I actually had to motorboat over to Montezuma from Jaco, C.R. Montezuma is and will remain an intriguing stopover for the more adventurous traveler for the same reasons why it is not for everyone- there are no banks, post-offices, major hotels, and chain-restaurants (or chains of any kind). If you are traveling to embrace hostels (or tents, which line the forests adjacent to the pristine Montezuma beaches), hippies, and happy residents, Montezuma offers more than any other place in Central America.
After boating or bussing into Montezuma, the first thing to do is grab a room. Accommodations
range from single rooms complete with an overhead fan for about $20 per night to renting out an abandoned school bus whose seats have been removed in favor of mattresses. Seriously. You can grab a mattress for about $5 a night and try and figure out how the owner of this “hostel” managed to convert the driver’s seat into a toilet. The bus had no vacancy during my visit, so I opted for Hostel Lucy, known for opening its doors to younger travelers for $10-12 a night.Throw your backpack down in your room, bus, or tent and head down the only street in town to
find the only information kiosk in town. Ask how to hike to Montezuma Falls and head out. A half-hour hike through the forest (watch out for monkeys!) will lead you to a series of three waterfalls. You might see some tourists jumping off the top two falls. My buddy, Django, and I braved the shorter of the two, which was about 25 feet high. Recommendation: hold onto your eye glasses- Django’s are currently residing at the bottom of the basin of the Montezuma Falls.After your leap of faith, go relax. There is a string of beaches right past “downtown” Montezuma which host the bright blue Nicoya Golf. A steady rip-tide will prevent all but the most determined surfers from hitting the blue, so swimming is ideal. Want some privacy? The beaches stretch miles and miles down the coast. About an hour of sandy hiking will put you on your very own, personal beach.
Although this is far from a traditional party town, it’s definitely worth going out at night. This little town is one of the top places in the world to learn and exhibit your mastery of “poi.” Fire poi is basically dancing and doing tricks with elongated nunchucks lit on fire on both ends. It’s beautiful, exciting, and dangerous if you have no idea what you are doing (trust me)! Experienced performers will be having a fire-show every night in the town square. It’s easy to watch the show and make friends with your hostel-mates- I guarantee you they are hanging out and having an Imperial beer at the one bar in town.
Thanks for your awesome post on Costa Rica, Chas!
Costa Rica: Holiday Feature- El Tope Nacionalis
The Tope Nacionalis a Costa Rican tradition, and San Jose's parade of horses is the country's largest and most popular. With both horses and riders elaborately decorated, the parade moves along the Paseo Colon to Avenida.
An important event that inaugurates the Festejos Populares is the “Tope Nacional”. A Tope is a horse parade, which is a typical tradition in all local fiestas. The San Jose Tope is the most famous and largest in Costa Rica. Thousands of riders come from all over the country to show off their beautiful horses, riding skills, fancy steps, and specially designed cowboy outfits. It is widely known as the biggest people-watching event of the year.
The tradition began in colonial times as a horse race to commence the Fiestas de San Juan, a horse-racing and bullfighting event. It was customary for everyone to come out to see who the best jockeys and the fastest horses were.
The Tope is the National Day of the Horseman and, on December 26th, the Festejos Populares is inaugurated with this traditional event. Horse owners, farm workers, and farm owners come to the capital from all over the country to bring their best animals to the best horseman show of them all. Instead of racing, the horses are trained to take special steps, almost dancing for the spectators that line the streets. You will also see many of the typical “carretas”, hand-painted ox carts created by famous local craftsmen. The Tico riders dress to impress. The girls are all made up, wearing their flashy cowgirl outfits, and the men are right behind. The event is all about how good you look while riding your horse and how many fancy steps your horse can maneuver to impress the crowd.
Check out the dancing horses below
An important event that inaugurates the Festejos Populares is the “Tope Nacional”. A Tope is a horse parade, which is a typical tradition in all local fiestas. The San Jose Tope is the most famous and largest in Costa Rica. Thousands of riders come from all over the country to show off their beautiful horses, riding skills, fancy steps, and specially designed cowboy outfits. It is widely known as the biggest people-watching event of the year.
The tradition began in colonial times as a horse race to commence the Fiestas de San Juan, a horse-racing and bullfighting event. It was customary for everyone to come out to see who the best jockeys and the fastest horses were.
The Tope is the National Day of the Horseman and, on December 26th, the Festejos Populares is inaugurated with this traditional event. Horse owners, farm workers, and farm owners come to the capital from all over the country to bring their best animals to the best horseman show of them all. Instead of racing, the horses are trained to take special steps, almost dancing for the spectators that line the streets. You will also see many of the typical “carretas”, hand-painted ox carts created by famous local craftsmen. The Tico riders dress to impress. The girls are all made up, wearing their flashy cowgirl outfits, and the men are right behind. The event is all about how good you look while riding your horse and how many fancy steps your horse can maneuver to impress the crowd.
Check out the dancing horses below
Monday, October 19, 2009
Costa Rica- Hotels and Hostels
Costa Rica attracts many travelers due to all that its vast climate and geography have to offer. Below are some great hotels and hostels in popular cities which are home to white sandy beaches, volcanoes and the rainforest. Let’s go!
Puntarenas:
Barcelo Tambor Beach Resort: This is an all-inclusive resort which includes a casino, fitness room, spa, tennis court and outdoor pool with swim-up bar. The resort can accommodate mini golfers, volleyball, basketball, surfing and horse riding on-site. Many other activities including golf can be accommodated by nearby facilities. The resort hosts 3 restaurants and received rave reviews by travelers for its location and excellent views.
Punta Leona: This is also an all-inclusive resort. It hosts private, white sand beaches, a tropical/rainforest environment, restaurants on-site and a luxury pool. Travelers appreciated the excellent staff service and cleanliness of the resort.
Adventure Park Hostel: This hostel goes beyond the norm offering horse riding, hiking trails/tours, ATV tours, a high ropes courses and 25 cables running through 11 waterfalls. It also includes pay per view TV, breakfast and a pool. There are restaurants on-site and a laundry facility. Prices range from $20/night to $50/night depending on the season. Traveling on a budget never looked so good!
La Fortuna/Arenal:
Tree House Hotel: A unique idea for a hotel in Costa Rica which incorporates fun and nature. This hotel is comprised of little houses/cabanas set in actual trees! The true meaning of a tree house, these bungalows are the perfect way to experience the rainforest and lush vegetation as it is located in the trees. Monkeys and the resident sloth have been known to pass by! Although there is no internet or kitchen, (what did you expect in a tree?) breakfast is included and is raved about by all reviewers as hummingbirds surround the breakfast area at arms length. Mark and Lucy are the owners and received many compliments by their guests. At an average of $95/night, why not live your childhood fantasies?
El Silencio del Campo: Located across from the Arenal Volcano, this reasonably priced hotel boasts excellent reviews. The rooms are detached cabanas which make it feel like a resort without all the touristy frills of being a resort. Bike rentals are offered as well as horse riding and hot springs on location. The friendly staff can also book tours for you!
Arenal Backpackers Resort: At $14/night, you can afford to travel on a budget! Travelers who stayed here gave it great reviews and especially appreciated the location, clean rooms and friendly/accommodating staff. There is a barbeque area if you want to cook for yourself or you can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant. Internet access and linens are included. This hostel also has a pool.
Montezuma (revenge on the side):
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort: Located on 20 acres of white sandy beaches surrounded by lush, tropical gardens, this resort is a mini oasis. Private baths and mini fridges are located in every room. There is a pool, restaurant and game room on-site. Zip lining is also offered by the hotel.
Nature Lodge Finca Los Caballos: The hotel restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine while a private pool on-site is offered as a way to relax. There is a spa on-site as well as horse riding. Each room has a private bath and a mini fridge. The island of Tortuga is just off the coast, easy to get to, and snorkeling and hiking trips can be planned by the staff. One site described the resort’s location as: “…the hotel is located perched on a hill, somewhere between heaven and the sea…”
Las Palmeras Delicias: Owned by an English/Irish family, this hostel is comprised of little cabins among lush/tropical gardens with a private pool. Each room is equipped with hot water and private bathrooms. A kitchen facility is available to guests. At only $8/night you can enjoy a tropical, relaxing environment with just the necessities.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, might be another interesting city to visit as it is loaded with cultural activities. Costa Rica has almost anything you could hope for in a vacation: romance, adventure, volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, tree houses, beaches, islands and more. This might be one trip you won’t want to pass up. Bring a camera…
Did you have a tree house growing up? Was it in an actual tree? What are your thoughts regarding the Tree House hotel?
Puntarenas:
Barcelo Tambor Beach Resort: This is an all-inclusive resort which includes a casino, fitness room, spa, tennis court and outdoor pool with swim-up bar. The resort can accommodate mini golfers, volleyball, basketball, surfing and horse riding on-site. Many other activities including golf can be accommodated by nearby facilities. The resort hosts 3 restaurants and received rave reviews by travelers for its location and excellent views.
Punta Leona: This is also an all-inclusive resort. It hosts private, white sand beaches, a tropical/rainforest environment, restaurants on-site and a luxury pool. Travelers appreciated the excellent staff service and cleanliness of the resort.
Adventure Park Hostel: This hostel goes beyond the norm offering horse riding, hiking trails/tours, ATV tours, a high ropes courses and 25 cables running through 11 waterfalls. It also includes pay per view TV, breakfast and a pool. There are restaurants on-site and a laundry facility. Prices range from $20/night to $50/night depending on the season. Traveling on a budget never looked so good!
La Fortuna/Arenal:
Tree House Hotel: A unique idea for a hotel in Costa Rica which incorporates fun and nature. This hotel is comprised of little houses/cabanas set in actual trees! The true meaning of a tree house, these bungalows are the perfect way to experience the rainforest and lush vegetation as it is located in the trees. Monkeys and the resident sloth have been known to pass by! Although there is no internet or kitchen, (what did you expect in a tree?) breakfast is included and is raved about by all reviewers as hummingbirds surround the breakfast area at arms length. Mark and Lucy are the owners and received many compliments by their guests. At an average of $95/night, why not live your childhood fantasies?
El Silencio del Campo: Located across from the Arenal Volcano, this reasonably priced hotel boasts excellent reviews. The rooms are detached cabanas which make it feel like a resort without all the touristy frills of being a resort. Bike rentals are offered as well as horse riding and hot springs on location. The friendly staff can also book tours for you!
Arenal Backpackers Resort: At $14/night, you can afford to travel on a budget! Travelers who stayed here gave it great reviews and especially appreciated the location, clean rooms and friendly/accommodating staff. There is a barbeque area if you want to cook for yourself or you can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant. Internet access and linens are included. This hostel also has a pool.
Montezuma (revenge on the side):
Ylang Ylang Beach Resort: Located on 20 acres of white sandy beaches surrounded by lush, tropical gardens, this resort is a mini oasis. Private baths and mini fridges are located in every room. There is a pool, restaurant and game room on-site. Zip lining is also offered by the hotel.
Nature Lodge Finca Los Caballos: The hotel restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine while a private pool on-site is offered as a way to relax. There is a spa on-site as well as horse riding. Each room has a private bath and a mini fridge. The island of Tortuga is just off the coast, easy to get to, and snorkeling and hiking trips can be planned by the staff. One site described the resort’s location as: “…the hotel is located perched on a hill, somewhere between heaven and the sea…”
Las Palmeras Delicias: Owned by an English/Irish family, this hostel is comprised of little cabins among lush/tropical gardens with a private pool. Each room is equipped with hot water and private bathrooms. A kitchen facility is available to guests. At only $8/night you can enjoy a tropical, relaxing environment with just the necessities.
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, might be another interesting city to visit as it is loaded with cultural activities. Costa Rica has almost anything you could hope for in a vacation: romance, adventure, volcanoes, rainforests, waterfalls, tree houses, beaches, islands and more. This might be one trip you won’t want to pass up. Bring a camera…
Did you have a tree house growing up? Was it in an actual tree? What are your thoughts regarding the Tree House hotel?
Rivalry Week
No, not a real rivalry....just ribbing a New York Giant fan in Louisiana.
All last week, I had the pleasure of torturously antagonizing a co worker as the NFC battle of unbeatens approached this Sunday.
Below are pics of that ritualistic abuse;
Transforming Giants Stadium into the Superdome;
All last week, I had the pleasure of torturously antagonizing a co worker as the NFC battle of unbeatens approached this Sunday.
Below are pics of that ritualistic abuse;
Transforming Giants Stadium into the Superdome;
Saturday, October 17, 2009
in case you didn't know ..
Every single day the thought of moving to California crosses my mind, and it's all because of this
and this ...
and this ...
Oh how I miss these cute faces!
and this ...
and this ...
Oh how I miss these cute faces!Friday, October 16, 2009
Costa Rica vs US soccer ends in tie
Nearly eighteen months of qualifying games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa came to an end Wednesday night at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC for the United States and Costa Rica. After nearly scoring a goal on the stroke of 9 minutes in what would have been argued as divine intervention, the Americans went down 2-0 in the first half before staging a dramatic late comeback to draw the match 2-2.
"The freezing cold temperatures and rain didn't dampen the spirits of international soccer fans, " comments Passport Health's own National Sales Director, Guillermo Giraldo who was in attendance at that game. "The stadium was filled with cheer and excitement. It was a devastating blow to the Costa Ricans when the US scored in the final minutes of injury time diminishing their hopes of a world cup birth."
The tie that felt like a win simultaneously threatened, if not crushed, the dreams of one nation and answered the prayers of another. It forced Costa Rica to a 2-game playoff against Uruguay for a seat at the World Cup table and clinched the first appearance in 28 years for the same Honduran team they defeated on foreign soil just four days prior.
Going into the match, the circumstances for the two teams could hardly have been different. The US team, having already qualified for their sixth straight World Cup, would have had every excuse in the world to take their foot off the gas, and rest their regulars. The Costa Rican ‘Ticos’ on the other hand, just one point ahead of Honduras in the six-team standings in third place, knew that the Honduran opponent on the same night would not be as tough and that a win against the US would likely be required.
The 'Ticos' have a tough fight ahead of them. Do you think they can pull through or will Uruguay beat them out for the chance at World Cup glory in South Africa next year?
"The freezing cold temperatures and rain didn't dampen the spirits of international soccer fans, " comments Passport Health's own National Sales Director, Guillermo Giraldo who was in attendance at that game. "The stadium was filled with cheer and excitement. It was a devastating blow to the Costa Ricans when the US scored in the final minutes of injury time diminishing their hopes of a world cup birth."
The tie that felt like a win simultaneously threatened, if not crushed, the dreams of one nation and answered the prayers of another. It forced Costa Rica to a 2-game playoff against Uruguay for a seat at the World Cup table and clinched the first appearance in 28 years for the same Honduran team they defeated on foreign soil just four days prior.
Going into the match, the circumstances for the two teams could hardly have been different. The US team, having already qualified for their sixth straight World Cup, would have had every excuse in the world to take their foot off the gas, and rest their regulars. The Costa Rican ‘Ticos’ on the other hand, just one point ahead of Honduras in the six-team standings in third place, knew that the Honduran opponent on the same night would not be as tough and that a win against the US would likely be required.
The 'Ticos' have a tough fight ahead of them. Do you think they can pull through or will Uruguay beat them out for the chance at World Cup glory in South Africa next year?
Get Back to Fundamentals: Escape!
Getting OFF of blocks is not exactly intuitive, especially at lower levels.
The get-off, separation, and escape have to be conditioned into defenders as the rhythm in which they operate....if they are STILL ENGAGED with blockers after the 5th step, you have problems. Those offensive linemen / blockers don't have the ball!
There shouldn't be any thinking involved in this equation at all though. The WAY they are supposed to be playing the position should require very little mental processing, because it should be the same every snap;
Escape requires no more thinking than a hand strike block in Karate.....that's all this is....muscle-memory response
Also, we should be conditioning them to accomplish each movement in coordinated footsteps. This isn't unmetered "free time", it is a choreographed dance they need to be working with. They should be making contact on the first step, seperating/leveraging on the 2nd step, etc....just teaching get-offs on air has really no game time application. Getting them from the coiled hips (stance), to contact, to extension (seperation) is what is going to determine the line's success on game day
Just be sure the DL is gaining separation from the Oline at the snap. Getting off and into Olinemen is not what you want. Once they have uncoiled their hips (after get off) they are already beat (there is no way to work an escape if the hips are not coiled). If they do this, then it just becomes a wresting match of fatties (common at lower levels). Dline should keep their hips away from the oline at all times, and only close that distance when they are working an escape (and then push their hips tight past the Olineman's hips).
The get-off, separation, and escape have to be conditioned into defenders as the rhythm in which they operate....if they are STILL ENGAGED with blockers after the 5th step, you have problems. Those offensive linemen / blockers don't have the ball!
There shouldn't be any thinking involved in this equation at all though. The WAY they are supposed to be playing the position should require very little mental processing, because it should be the same every snap;
- Align
- Stance
- Get-off
- Punch / separation
- Leverage
- Escape
Escape requires no more thinking than a hand strike block in Karate.....that's all this is....muscle-memory response
Also, we should be conditioning them to accomplish each movement in coordinated footsteps. This isn't unmetered "free time", it is a choreographed dance they need to be working with. They should be making contact on the first step, seperating/leveraging on the 2nd step, etc....just teaching get-offs on air has really no game time application. Getting them from the coiled hips (stance), to contact, to extension (seperation) is what is going to determine the line's success on game day
Just be sure the DL is gaining separation from the Oline at the snap. Getting off and into Olinemen is not what you want. Once they have uncoiled their hips (after get off) they are already beat (there is no way to work an escape if the hips are not coiled). If they do this, then it just becomes a wresting match of fatties (common at lower levels). Dline should keep their hips away from the oline at all times, and only close that distance when they are working an escape (and then push their hips tight past the Olineman's hips).
Week 7: Falling to Haughton
Probably the most crucial game of the year for us last night ended in a 35-28 last minute loss to Haughton. There were some good moments and some moments of questionable competitiveness as we continue to mature towards a better team.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Bo Pelini: Defensive Philosophy
As the Huskers press on to an inspiring turn around season, one can appreciate the hustle and determination Pelini instills in his players. Today's offering is Pelini speaking of his approach to building and coordinating defensive units (showcased here at the peak of his tenure at LSU).
( located at http://sitekreator.com/brophyfootball2/main_page.html )
Audio of the lecture
( located at http://sitekreator.com/brophyfootball/main_page.html )
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