Athletics Books

This book helps teachers understand why it is important that all students should benefit from a Physical Education program- not just the natural athletes. It also gives concrete ideas on how to incorporate this philosophy into a lesson. Easy-to-understand lesson plans are given as well.

John Hichwa provides the physical education teacher with practical, ready to use activities in the areas of dance, problem solving activities and basic manipulative skills. He prefrences the book with appropriate theory which should be digested by the "new" as well as the "veteran" p.e. teacher. I highly recommend his book and attending a confrence where John presents his activities.

This is one of the best books ever written on running training. I'm a masters athlete racing mile, 5k and 10k and I think I've just about read them all -- Brad's is the clearest breakdown of what you need to do, and when, that I have ever read.

If you've struggled with Daniels and Noakes (great though they are), this is the book for you. I predict you will finally understand what you are doing!

What I loved about Brad's book is that he can explain thing so simply. In his system/no system he's got 12 most effective training methods and three - yes just 3 - basic types of training. I love it.

System/no system? Yes; the book's plan is kind of interactive. Brad insists that your schedule MUST be individualized. You need to read, absorb, plan, try stuff out -- and adjust according to the feedback you get, not just blindly follow tables of speed and distances. He gives all the tools you need to work things out.

Bear in mind, too, that Brad is not coming at this from an academic/theoretical point of view, but is a highly successful coach currently training Olympic-level runners.

Totally recommended. A caveat for fellow masters runners: the typeface is small and sans serif. It's a 278-page book that should probably be twice that size with a more readable typeface. It's the only book I've read for months for which I've had to dig out my reading glasses!

There are only a few great running books out there, and no doubt is this book included onto petite list. This book really help gives you a better understanding of his philosophy of 'Adaptive Running'. The book is filled with great knowledge touching topics such as Aerobic Support, Muscle Training, Specific-Endurance Training, and etc. But it doesn't just stop there. It even touches the elements of running economy, power, fatigue resistance, self-assessment, training execution and Adaptive Training plan. If you want to help propel yourself to the next level in either an athlete, or a coach. This is the book for you!

Buy it and you won't regret it.

While looking for the book Mysterious Persons In History by Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff at a bookstore, I happened upon Running Is For Me. This is another book by Fred Neff, who is a lawyer from Edina, Minnesota which I thought my niece might enjoy. This book on running sends all the right messages to the reader. It tells the story of a young boy and girl who are friends and practice running together. Their mentors are a grown man and woman. The four share their running adventures together. The theme and composition of this story by author Fred Neff is excellent. Here we see both genders getting along well as equals and sharing experiences as they grow in skill and friendship. It also shows how children and adults from different genders can share fun activities like running together. I really like the interplay between the characters of the story. This same wholesomeness is reminescent of what I have read in other books by attorney Fred Neff of Minnesota. This Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff adds a human touch to his books that shows great sensitivity. Reading many of author Fred Neff's books led me to want to find out more about him. Fred Neff, who is an attorney in Edina, Minnesota has written books that at times have a unique mix of humanism, logic, justice orientation, law, physical culture, philosopy and martial arts. It is true that sometimes an author reveals much about his own background in his writing; author Fred Neff has been a secondary teacher in a public school system in the twin cities of Minnesota and an instructor at a number of colleges such as the University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin, Hamline University and Inver Hills College. Later Fred Neff attorney acted as a prosecutor and then a criminal defense counsel. Fred Neff lawyer of Edina, Minnesota has handled discrimination and fraud cases. In addition, Fred Neff was on the board of directors of an insurance company. Edina Minnesota lawyer Fred Neff has experience in criminal and civil litigation. What I read about Fred Neff showed me that the breadth of his experience comes through in the humanism and desire for justice and fair play reflected in his writings. Gender equality and respect for others shines through in Running Is For Me and makes it a book that can be enjoyed by male and female readers. This book by Fred Neff is so good that I plan on buying another copy to give as a gift to my nephew.

In high school and in college I participated in running events. I have continued to run almost daily since graduating from college. Up until recently, neither my boy nor girl showed any interest in sports and refused to take a run with me. While rummaging through some books that were for sale, I happened upon two storybooks for children by Fred Neff. One was the story of a mother and daughter who shared an interest in running and the other is about a girl who takes Karate lessons. The storybook entitled Running Is For Me was intriguing. I bought that book for my children to see if it would make one or both of them willing to try running. They thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. I was delighted when at dinner they discussed taking a run with me. Since then, we take short runs as a family. My children liked the running book so much that I bought a copy of the other storybook called Karate Is For Me by the same writer. Again, they loved the book. I went on to get them other books by Fred Neff such as his Basic Karate Handbook and Lessons From the Japanese Masters. Both my children are now taking karate lessons and are active in other sports. Their involvment in karate has really built their self-confidence. I was able to locate another copy of Karate Is For Me and sent it to my niece as a present. The book similarly led to her involvment in karate as well. I love the story in Running Is For Me and the book's ability to spark children's interest in sports. It gets a platinum rating from me.

This book is awsome. If you are a Buckeye or college football fan this is a must have!

A fine book about a great man as written by a great man - Todd Skipton.

If you are a Minnesota sports fan, as I am, then Sid will give you great memories of all of the major pro and college sports teams. His years of expertise and great photos will bring back a lot nostalgia. Sid is the dean of Minnesota sports coverage. A great book at a great value through Amazon.

For someone who grew up through much of these events and missed many others this book is a must-have. It is a great way to look back at the memories and learn a thing or two in the process.

I don't even know if this book is in prin anymore but, if it is, any sports fan should read it. It is similar to Friday Night Lights, The Last Shot, The Right Kind of Heroes and several books that have been written following one high school team through one year of their season. This chronicles one inner city high school team from Oakalnd and their quest to win the city championship. It follows everything surrounding the players-the one being recruited by every major college football program in the country, the lone whote player in the entire league, the up and coming superstar, the thug hoping to get his life straightened out...this book has it all. It is amazing that the author was given the access to these obviously skeptical players lives that he was and the way he details it is captivating beyond words.

This book is a must read for any youth coach of any sport and for any parent thinking of sending a kid to a inner city public high school. Filled with facts and statistics of graduation rates, medium grade point averages and anecdotal stories of tough young lives. If you're at all interested in why the Afican American young male has so many chips stacked against him from day one then read this book.

This is an eye opening account of what the NCAA and universities within Louisiana did to try and stop segregation of college athletics (specifically basketball) in the 1960's and 1970's. Explains what the coaches and players from the University od Southwestern LA (USL), now University of Louisiana-Lafaytte, were put through during the time of the investigations

Buy this book and own a timeless portrait of a legend.

There was Lombardi in icy Lambeua Field, Auerbach in the Garden in Boston, Stengel pacing the dugout in pinstripes, the man with the houndstooth hat on the sidelines in Tuscaloosa and other legendary coaches.

None were greater men, greater coaches or better leaders of men than Coach Beryl Shipley at The University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette.

Had Shipley coached in a media center like Boston or New York, or headed a marquee program like Alabama football, he would have come alive in major daily sports pages the way he dominates the pages of this book - - his legend would have been established long ago.

One has the sense the if Beryl Shipley had been in the military, he would have refused any commission that would have taken him from his men on the battlefield.

His greatness looms large in this text, larger than the legends referenced above for his actions in intergrating a college basketball program in the deep south evidenced uncommon courage.

The exhaustively documented text details the pervasive racism that surrounded Shipley both in his own university and in the state athletic commission. Worse yet, were the incompetent, overzealous actions of the NCAA that brought about the death of Shipley's program, his dream, and the dreams of deserving young men, members of his team.

But there were those times . . . all those times when Shipley led his integrated charges onto the hardwood . . . at home in a cow palace packed to the rafters . . . on the road before angry jeering crowds . . . and into the highest echelons of the sport in NCAA playoff games played in far away venues.

Ron Gomez, the author, not only has known Shipley well since the coach's first day on the job, but he was also a close witness to the things he reports in this book. Though he was close, he manages to present an objective view of the debacle and a restrained view of this great man who is his friend.

It is all interesting reading, but the portrait of Coach Beryl Shipley is riveting for he is a man who was right and was punished for being right, yet maintained his personal dignity throughout.

You get the feeling that the Coach might have cussed some in private, but in public he remained composed, kept his head when those all around him were losing theirs.

Every great man deserves to have the record set straight, deserves a monument to himself, and in these pages both of those things are accomplished for Coach Shipley.

At times in reading this, you wish you had been a few inches taller, possessed more athletic skills, and had been fortunate enough to have your life touched by this great man.

Ray Mouton

I was a student at USL during the time the events in this book took place. Beryl Shipley was bigger than life then, and he's even bigger now. He made significant and positive history with respect to integrating sports in Louisiana. This book exposes the sham of back-room Louisiana politics and the pathetic actions of the NCAA and the University at that time in its history. Shipley deserves more recognition than he's received. Maybe this book will begin to show how much the man accomplished and how little the University deserved such a man. The NAACP should take a look at the events of this book and seriously consider honoring Beryl Shipley. We all knew he was a great coach, but few knew the battles he was fighting off the court with the University administration and Louisiana politicians. College sports fans need to read this book.

Williams book is an in depth look at sports related films. Although the theme of competitive sports is a consistent link throughout his list of 100 movies, the varied themes that intertwine these films tell the stories of their times as well as illuminate the universal experiences that we all share to some degree.
Williams provides the reader with a background in film history, a look at the creative process, and he also reveals the life affirming stories that are not always apparent on the field of play but play out in these films.
Besides the well thought out and illuminating text, there are many accompanying photos in this intelligently written reference to the greatest sports films.
I don't necessarily agree with all of his choices, I would think that the original version of Angels in the Outfield should have found a place somewhere in the top one hundred as well as the Dizzy Dean story, Pride of St. Louis. That being said, I discovered the film entitled This Sporting Life in Sports Cinema which I was not aware of, and found it to be a remarkable movie. I wish I could find Phar Lap as well.
If you are looking for an intelligent take on sports themed movies, this is a book worthy of your time, you won't be disappointed.

Ok, so I know that references 'On the Waterfront,' but I think this book could really be huge. Any time someone publishes a top 100 list, critics are sure to disagree. But whether you agree with him or not, Randy Williams did an excellent job of highlighting some of the best sports movies ever. Everything from 'College' to 'White Men Can't Jump' to 'Million Dollar Baby'...movies like 'Breaking Away' and 'Brian's Song' that my parents had me watch when I was little (I still love the music from Brian's Song) bring back the memories. Tons of pictures, a throrough yet brief synopsis for each flick, and some cool stuff at the back (actor's comments on their favorite sports movies, trivia, and an Academy award list) make this a great 'anytime' book. Wondering what to get the sports fanatic in your house for Christmas? Problem solved!!!

I have used many sports medicine books, including Arnheim and Booher, and this is the book that I continue to use the most. Includes thorough etiologies, pathologies, signs and symptoms along with management skills that every athletic trainer needs. Great illustrations and photographs. My copy is literally held together with trainer's tape because I and my students use it so much.There is an excellent study guide that accompanies this book and it would be great if Amazon could offer it. The ISBN number is 0-683-00176-0 if that helps anyone.

Years ago when I took my first athletic training course, I used Arnheim's book. It was all I had known until this book was published. I am currntly teaching an introductory athletic training class and am using this text book. I feel this book is much better organized and does a better job in the injury and rehabilitation explanations. It also makes very good use of anatomy illustrations, tables and figures. I would recommend this book over Arnheim in a heart beat.

This book is so helpful for parents who want to do the right thing for their child/athlete but have no guidance and must depend on the local coach/teacher. This book puts the child first and gives sound advice on getting the most out of the individual for the sake of that individual. This book is also helpful to the coach who needs positive backing with the written word. Often we may say and do the right things with our young athletes and their parents, but it is so helpful to have credible backing. If more parents/coaches/teachers had this book to follow years ago, we would not have a lot of the problems that we have from beginner to professional athlete. Our professional athletes are who they are because of early year coaching and mentoring. I wish that I could make coaches, parents and athletes young and old read this wealth of information. We are seeing an influx of older citizens taking up lifetime, competitive sports for the first time and there needs to be guidance for them also. I am going to ask that my academic dean allow this book to be used as a text for my teaching theory class at my community college. I am a tennis teaching professional/community college faculty member/men-women community college tennis coach/director of tennis at a public tennis facility/and still an avid competitor, and will refer to this book often in all of those entities. This text will be something that my students who are future coaches can use as a reference for years from now. Thank you for this opportunity to review. It's not often getting a chance to catapult such a positive, educational book.

This book just became required reading for the parents of my tournament players. Dr. Brown has done an excellent job with the interviews and research for this book. The tennis references are very impressive. Stella Sampras, Jim Loehr, and Dick Gould literally pack every paragraph with valuable information.

I started using the physical tests for my juniors this week, and I was surprised to see a few of them in the upper percentages. I've also added two of the tests to my lesson plan for new students.