Articles by Rod Townsend on ArticleSnatch.com

How To Pick A Volleyball Club Team

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:42:06 -0400

If you are going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price. --Bud Wilkinson Club season is almost here--time to start looking for the best team for your skill level. Although club is time-consuming and expensive, it is well-worth the effort in the long-run. However, before selecting a club, consider the following advice. If you are not sure which club you are going to play for, here are a few things you can do to ensure a successful and enjoyable club season. In selecting a coach, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the following. 1. Ask friends who have played for the coach about him/her. Be sure to inquire about the factors that are important to you such as ability to teach, whether they play just the best girls or they play everybody, and most importantly, if your friend would like to be coached again by that person. 2. If you already have an idea of which club coaches that you might consider playing for next year, go to one of their mathtches and watching the coach on the sideline. Does he/she coach possess the coaching style that you seek in that would benefit you? 3. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

64 Ways Volleyball Players Know They Are Addicted

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:41:48 -0400

"You know you play volleyball when..." --Any volleyball player. This is a compilation of various sources regarding when you know you play volleyball. YOU KNOW YOU PLAY VOLLEYBALL WHEN... 1. You think everyone should have to wear spandex. 2. When someone says "shag" the first thing you think of is volleyball. 3. When you're taller than most of your class. Or when you're not, and people wonder how you play volleyball when you're not 6'11. 4. When the words "outside," "middle," and "right/weak side" mean the world to you. 5. When you realize your thighs no longer fit in your jeans. 6. You could probably beat anyone in wall sits. 7. When a ball is hurled at your face, you set, pass, or hit it. Or you flail your arms spastically. 8. You know what a libero is/does. 9. You have more than one pair of knee pads. 10. You get angry when someone says volleyball isn't a hard sport. 11. You own at least one shirt that has the word "volleyball," "hit," or a drawing of a volleyball on it. 12. You know how to tape yourself. 13. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

Playing Volleyball in College: College Volleyball Scholarship Tips

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:10:45 -0400

"My advice to anyone is to let your life live you. You don't have to rule yourself with an iron hand, because if you let it, the divine plan of your life will direct you. Anything is possible if you can think it clearly and hold it passionately. "Anything unrealized is not important; what is important is the quality of each step that you take along the way. Everything you do is important, even if it doesn't seem so at the time. If you apply your full attention, everything will always be just as it should be." --Mary Jo Peppler For any of you who don't know, Mary Jo Peppler is the original Misty May of volleyball. She is a four-time USVBA National Open Tournament Most Valuable Player. She won a gold medal on the 1967 U.S. Pan American Team, and was also named to All Tournament Team. At the 1970 World Championships, she was named the tournament's most outstanding player. The list goes on and on. So what does Peppler have to say about college recruiting? 1. Be sure you are registered with the NCAA clearinghouse 2. Contact a minimum of 100 colleges, preferably around 200-300. **End Summary** Topics: Volleyball]]> Volleyball Games]]> Volleyball Coach]]> Volleyball Scholarship]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

How to Lead a Volleyball Team

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:53:34 -0400

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." --John Maxwell. Some people think being a leader is easy. They think all it involves is telling people what to do and when to do it. The fact of the matter is that being a leader isn't a fun job, especially on the volleyball court. I stepped out onto the court as the starting varsity setter my sophomore year in high school. I had other leaders around me, some I could learn from, and some I could learn what not to do. Even with this year of experience, I cannot say that I was fully prepared to lead when my junior year rolled around. Looking at a leader from the outside, either as a follower or as a parent, is nothing close to what it is actually to have the full experience. The weight of every single game rests on your shoulders, and especially so if you're the setter. (The general rule of thumb is that if a game is lost, it's the setter's fault. If it's won, it's the hitter's actions. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

How to Make a Weighted Volleyball Setter's Ball

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:52:43 -0400

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." --Louis Pasteur Pasteur is correct. To some, tenacity is staying out on the field longer than anyone else and working out harder than the rest of your team. However, let's be realistic. No one has all the time in the world to work out a few extra hours a day and no one has an unlimited supply of energy. So what can one do? Work-out more efficiently. But how? Simple... fill an old volleyball with sand. One of the most important things in volleyball is wrist strength. Hitters need it for snapping on the ball, setters to set, passers to overhand pass, and blockers to block high balls. Every position needs wrist strength. So... why the sand-filled volleyball? First, this was not my idea. I was working out the SCVA high performance team and the father of one of my team mates, Lisa Weintraub, told me about this. Second, it is better than a medicine ball because it is the exact same size as a volleyball, with the same touch and feel. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

The Lucky Side of a Volleyball Court

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:51:32 -0400

Luck isn't something that I rely on when playing volleyball. Homer Simpson, one of my favorite cartoon characters, once said: "If it wasn't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all." However, I learned from my high school coach, Dexter Harvey, that there is truly a "lucky" side to the court. I am practical; if there are two sides to a coin, the chance of getting either is going to be 50/50, no matter how many times you flip it. So, who cares what side of the court you get, right? Wrong. It was game five after an intense four-game battle between my high school, San Dieguito Academy, and our conference rivals, Santa Fe Christian (who were state champs the previous two years in their division). We won the first game, they won the second, we won the third, and they took the fourth. Notice a pattern? Every time someone won, it was on one side of the court. For the fifth game, Dexter told the team captain to pick that side that everyone had won on and so she did. We won the fifth game and the match on their court. **End Summary** Topics: Volleyball]]> Volleyball Games]]> Volleyball Coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

Volleyball Team Building Exercises

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:42:25 -0400

"Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships." --Michael Jordan Teamwork comes from having a cohesive team, and in any team sport, getting along with those on your team is essential. On my club team yesterday, we had an entire practice dedicated to team-building. The first activity involved the team sitting around in a circle. There was a small bowl of M&M's in the center, and everyone took as many as they thought they "needed." When each teammate had their candies in hand, for as many M&M's they had, they said something about themselves not related to the sport. For example, one of my teammates said that she loved butterflies and that her room was coated with posters and paintings of them. Another teammate said that she and her grandmother were born exactly 50 years apart. The second activity involved each member getting a blank paper volleyball. In the middle panel, you write your name. On the top panel, you write what you as an individual can bring to the team. On the bottom panel, you write what your role on the team will be. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]> team building]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

Improve Your Indoor Volleyball Game By Going Outside: Play Beach Volleyball

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:25:30 -0400

"People think we have coasted the last four years. We fought, we had a lot of battles. ... We've always had to battle." --Kerri Walsh, Olympic Gold Medalist If you want to improve your indoor volleyball game, play beach volleyball. It makes you dig, set or hit during every volley. And, with just two players, you get a tremendous number of repetitions which will make you a much better player. The reason why you will improve, greatly, is that you will have to do two of the key elements of volleyball - dig, set or spike - every time the volleyball is on your side of the court. This means if you are a setter, you will become a better spiker and digger, and if you are a middle blocker you will become better at setting and passing the volleyball. It has been said, that for every 1,000 repetitions of a volleyball skill, you get 3% better. **End Summary** Topics: volleyball]]> volleyball games]]> volleyball coach]]> volleyball video]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has plays volleyball. If you play, you will know why. YouTube video is available at the site online volleyball , and volleyball videos So, whether you dig, set or spike, come and visit for awhile.

16 Things You Need If You Are Stopped for a DUI or DWI, Or While DWS (Driving While Stupid)

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 16:15:17 -0400

Getting pulled over for anything is no fun, unless it by the hot girl in red convertible Mustang (but I was younger then) but when you're pulled over for a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) or DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), things get even more worrisome. Here are 16 things you need if you are stopped for a DUI or DWI. And... a few things you shouldn't do while DWS (Driving While Stupid). If you're being pulled over by the police and you've been drinking, here are a few things you need in order to make everyone happy, umm, I mean to make the police officer happy, because that is whose vote counts. * A basic review of driving skills - Now, I know you now this, but if you have been drinking you may have forgotten a few of these key and basic items. **End Summary** Topics: DUI]]> DWI]]> Driving Under the Influence]]> Driving While Intoxicated]]> DWI attorney]]> DUI attorney]]> DWI lawyer]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has an informative site on Driving While Intoxicated , that can help you when you hit those little bumps in the road. Drive safe, carefully and drink responsibly. So if you need a DUI lawyer or DWI attorney , come over for a visit.

11 Things Business Owners Should Know About Flood Insurance - Before It Rains

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:40:46 -0400

When Noah built his ark he was planning ahead, before it rained. Now, Noah may have lived a long time ago, but it still pays to plan ahead. Give some thought to whether you need flood insurance before the next hurricane or major flooding event. 1. What Are The Limits Of Flood Insurance Coverage? Flood coverage limits for a standard flood policy are as follows: Coverage Type Coverage Limit Business structure $500,000 Business contents $500,000 For non-business One to four-family structure $250,000 One to four-family home contents $100,000 Other residential structures $250,000 Other residential contents $100,000 Renter contents $100,000 2. What is the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) with Business Flood Insurance? Preferred Risk Policies are available for residential or nonresidential buildings also located in these flood zones, and that meet eligibility requirements based on the building's entire flood loss history. The Preferred Risk Policy offers multiple coverage combinations for both buildings and contents (or contents-only, for renters) that are located in low-to-moderate risk areas (B, C, and X Zones). 3. What Flood Damage Is Covered In My Basement or Storage Area? **End Summary** Topics: Flood Insurance]]> Commercial Flood Insurance]]> Business Flood Insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has an informative site on flood insurance , that can help you when you hit those little rainstorms in life. It pays to plan ahead, so, plan ahead. If you need flood insurance infomration , come over for a visit. Thanks.

16 Healthy Reasons To Buy A Treadmill Desk And Lose Weight

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:33:33 -0400

Treadmill desk exercises are good for you for many health reasons, including: Keeps you off the couch (but not your psychiatrists couch, or the casting director's couch), and you can still watch TV or work on your computer while exercising. Makes you a real smarty pants - like you aren't already. Any neurologist moron (Wu CW, Chen YC, Yu L, Chen HI, Jen CJ, Huang AM, Tsai HJ, Chang YT, Kuo YM. Treadmill exercise counteracts the suppressive effects of peripheral lipopolysaccharide on hippocampal neurogenesis and learning and memory. J Neurochem. 2007 Dec;103(6):2471-81. Epub 2007 Oct 22.) knows that exercise stimulates the formation of neurons... like, duh, who doesn't that? But, did you know that those little connections, yeah synapses, get stronger when you work out. It is also increases, umm, what do you call it, umm, umm, oh yeah, memory. Works for me... Better sex life - healthy body = healthy libido. Yeah, I am now up to once a year, (well, in a good year that is). What a stud I be... and I owe it all to the 17.3 hours a day I spend on my treadmill desk. **End Summary** Topics: treadmill desk]]> treadmill]]> lose weight]]> weight loss]]> treadmill]]> exercise]]> walk]]> jog]]> run]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has a treadmill desk , and most days, the treadmill desk and Rod are good friends. Rod even takes the time to log his mileage documenting the fun they share. YouTube video is available at their treadmill desk site. So, bring your treadmill desk curiosity over and walk, jog or run for a while.

Executives - How To Work Out At Work While Working - 16 Healthy Reasons To Buy A Treadmill Desk

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:17:45 -0400

Improve yourself, and you will improve your business. I know, I know, your business doesn't give you time to work out. Don't believe that? Umm, just look at the most current notch on your belt. Here is how you work out at your office, while working! Get a treadmill desk. Hey, it is your business. What do you care what your staff thinks. You have worked hard to get where you are and if you want to live long enough to see your heirs fight over who gets to be CEO, then this is for you. Treadmill decks are good for you, and your business, for many health reasons, including: Keeps you off the couch (but not your psychiatrists couch), and you can still watch your stock prices or work on your computer while exercising. Makes you a real smarty pants - like your staff doesn't think you aren't already. Any neurologist moron (Wu CW, Chen YC, Yu L, Chen HI, Jen CJ, Huang AM, Tsai HJ, Chang YT, Kuo YM. Treadmill exercise counteracts the suppressive effects of peripheral lipopolysaccharide on hippocampal neurogenesis and learning and memory. J Neurochem. 2007 Dec;103(6):2471-81. Epub 2007 Oct 22. **End Summary** Topics: treadmill desk]]> treadmill]]> lose weight]]> weight loss]]> treadmill]]> exercise]]> walk]]> jog]]> run]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has a treadmill desk , and most days, the treadmill desk and Rod are good friends. Rod even takes the time to log his mileage documenting the fun they share. YouTube video is available at their treadmill desk site. So, bring your treadmill desk curiosity over and walk, jog or run for a while.

11 Things Homeowners Need To Know About Flood Insurance - Before It Rains

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:45:50 -0400

You already plan ahead for major rain events by taking an umbrella. When it rains hard and you have forgotten your umbrella, you get very wet. You need the same planning for your home - before it rains - when thinking about buying flood insurance. Here are 11 things to consider when buying homeowners flood insurance: 1. What Are The Limits Of Flood Insurance Coverage? Flood coverage limits for a standard flood policy are as follows: Coverage Type Coverage Limit One to four-family structure $250,000 One to four-family home contents $100,000 Other residential structures $250,000 Other residential contents $100,000 Business structure $500,000 Business contents $500,000 Renter contents $100,000 2. What is the Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) with Flood Insurance? Preferred Risk Policies are available for residential or nonresidential buildings also located in these flood zones, and that meet eligibility requirements based on the building's entire flood loss history. The Preferred Risk Policy offers multiple coverage combinations for both buildings and contents (or contents-only, for renters) that are located in low-to-moderate risk areas (B, C, and X Zones). 3. What Flood Damage Is Covered In My Basement? **End Summary** Topics: Flood Insurance]]> Homeowners Flood Insurance]]> Home Flood Insurance]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Rod Townsend has an informative site on flood insurance , that can help you when you hit those little rainstorms in life. It pays to plan ahead, so, plan ahead. If you need a flood insurance infomration , come over for a visit. Thanks.