Monthly Archives: April 2011

Youth Football Canadian Style – Yes They Do Love American Football in Canada

Posted on April 14, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

Canadian Football – Hands On

While the Canadians love their Hockey, in many areas of Canada, football is very popular. I had the pleasure of conducting a coaches clinic near Vancouver last week and then had the privilege of running a practice for a group of 5-6th graders the following evening.

It all started a few years ago when a coach by the name of Terry Hamilton brought the Single Wing Offense to British Columbia and the Vancouver area. Terry’s team went 16-0 that season and won the coveted Provincial Championship. Others took notice of Terry’s success and the following year there were about 25 Canadian coaches at my Seattle coaches clinic. The following seasonTerry’s team again went undefeated and won the Provincial Championship, winning the title game 72-14. The real surprise that season were the Chilliwack Giants, who shocked everyone by rolling through the playoffs to their first ever Provincial Title at 5-6th grade. Chilliwack is the team that came down to Nebraska and played us last season, Single Wing versus Single Wing.

Lawrence Smith, the Chilliwack organizer for that trip graciously invited my family up to stay with them, put on a coaches clinic and spend time with his family in the unbelievable beauty and friendliness that is British Columbia. They seem to almost take for granted the beautiful snow covered mountain views you can see from their backyard. Same goes for a huge breathtaking waterfall and state park complete with signs to watch out for the bears just 5 minutes from their home. Another 10 minutes away we spent time at a quaint mountain village with a public swimming area and great local dairy and ice cream. More on that later, let’s talk about some nuances and changes that make sense for Canadian youth football.

The Canadians play on a larger field, the Canadian field of play is 110 yards long by 65 yards wide, rather than 100 yards long by 53รข…” yards wide as in American football. The Canadian endzones are 10 yards deeper than the American ones as well. The Canadians are allowed just 3 downs to make a first down and the defense must align at least 1 yard off the line of scrimmage.

Chilliwack offensive coordinator Lawrence Smith pointed out this difference and then asked why we drop stepped when we pull. We drop step to both create space for the pulling lineman to pull, but also to open his hips in the direction he is running, while keeping the shoulders parallel to the line of scrimmage in order that the puller can spy the Linebacker he is attempting to block. Since there is a full yard between the offensive and defensive linemen, there really isn’t a need to create space and the footwork for the pull may have to be rethought. In American football, we have our linemen recessed a bit and we consistently are able to play on the defenses side of the ball due to superior technique and the painstaking work we put into getting our first 2 steps down faster than our opponents. But with a full yard of space, does a drop step still make sense? I’m still debating that one.

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Why The Most Useful Waterproof Bags Have Shoulder Straps

Posted on April 9, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

The traditional, most common design for waterproof bags is for them to have a roll seal which doubles as a handle to carry the bag with, with no other straps or other method to carry it. Whilst this design may ensure the bag is as minimalist as possible, it really limits the amount of use you can get out of it. There are four reasons why the best and most useful waterproof dry bags have a shoulder strap to carry it with:

  1. You can do much more with them.
  2. They can be secured to things more easily.
  3. They make life easier.
  4. You get the best of both worlds.

Let’s look at each in turn and explain why the next waterproof bag you purchase should definitely have a shoulder strap.

1. You can do more with them

When you have a shoulder strap and your waterproof dry bag is on your back, your hands are free. This means your bag can accompany you on any activity where your hands are needed, and your gear needs to be kept dry. This opens up a whole world of uses for waterproof bags that versions without a shoulder strap can’t be used for.

Some of these uses include

    • Surfing and SUP: Whether carving the wave or taking your SUP down an estuary, you now don’t have to worry about burying your keys in the sand and wondering where you left them. Plus, if you are taking your SUP for a flat water cruise, you can take your phone, wallet and keys, hey, maybe even a cool beer or two with you. Put your gear in your waterproof bag, sling it over your shoulder and away you go.

    • Cycling: There’s nothing worse than riding to or from work with your gear in a backpack, only for it to get soaked but a sudden down pour. Put it in your waterproof bag instead and you’re laughing. You might get wet, but your gear won’t.

    • Jet skiing: Sure, laps along the one stretch of water may be fun, but there’s nothing quite like taking your jet ski further afield and doing a little exploring. With your bag over your shoulder, you can take the necessary gear with you on the jet ski for a nice little trip. It may just be a few extra clothes, but may be you’ll get a little romantic and pack a picnic.

    • Caving: Yep, it’s just what you think it is, exploring caves. Apparently caving can get quite wet and muddy – just the sort of place a waterproof bag would come in handy. But one that you need your hands to carry is no good, your hand are busy getting you through the caves. That’s why cavers need a waterproof bag with a shoulder strap.

  • Kite surfing: Like surfers, or jet skiers, kite surfers will benefit from a waterproof dry bag with a shoulder strap as they’ll be able to go with the wind for as long as they want, and still take their mobile phone with them in case the wind stops and they need a lift home!

There’s no end to the things you can use a waterproof bag with shoulder straps for – you’ll be surprised at the number of uses you’ll find.

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Bear Pepper Spray – What You Need To Know

Posted on April 2, 2011 by cintaduapuluh

It is that time of year again when Americans by the millions will be heading to the high country for camping, hiking and fishing activities. Much has been written about bears and bear pepper spray and how to defend against bear attacks. Some of it to be honest is a little bit confusing. Here’s some information about bear attacks and what you need to know.

Bears are naturally curious animals, but are not normally aggressive. They get a little bit more aggressive when they’re hungry. Some people say they’re hungry all the time and that may be more true than not. But in the fall before they hibernate and in the spring time when they come out of hibernation they can be particularly hungry and particularly aggressive.

Up in the high country where they live the condition of their natural habitat determines to some extent how hungry they are and how aggressive they are. So for example if it’s particularly dry and much of their natural food is nonexistent they may turn more aggressively towards other sources of food at lower elevations and campgrounds.

If you see a bear and a bear sees you at the same time the best thing you can do is speak softly to the bear, never turn your back and back away slowly. Never run away from a bear.

If a bear sees you and starts advancing towards you try to make yourself appear as large as you can. That may startle the bear and scare him away. If it doesn’t scare him away curl up in a ball and offer no resistance.

Many people think that a handgun is effective against bears. The fact of the matter is in studies done by fish and wildlife experts show that if you are attacked by a bear and use bear pepper spray chances are 90% in your favor that you will win that battle.

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