Friday 9 May 2014

Game Cheat Programs

by: Omar Vega (credit)

When playing board games online, it is important to have the skills necessary to win. Learning the game often takes time, and can be tedious. However, there are interactive game cheat programs available that can help you.
One of the most popular game programs online is Play Buddy. Play Buddy is a type of interactive assistant which helps players become better at games by giving them tips and hints which help them. Play Buddy is available for many different types of games.
Play Buddy software is available for Chess, Pogo, iWin, and Yahoo. Each software will have specific things it does in order to assist the player in becoming better at their games. Play Buddy software will allow beginners to challenge veteran players.
When it comes to reliability, you want a tool that will give you the edge you need. You can enter tournaments using Play Buddy software without fear of being detected. The software is reliable, and you don't have to worry about it failing you when you need it the most.
Online games are becoming more popular everyday. Many people want to compete against others, but may not have the knowledge to do so. They are looking for an interactive way to learn how to play games. They want to be able to have fun while they learn.
Play Buddy offers the best means of learning how to play games. The software plots the best paths for you to take, and gives you hints on how to win. You will find yourself winning more games against superior opponents. You will begin to have confidence your abilities.
You will begin entering tournaments, and will be able play against the best of players. If you are looking for a game cheat program that will give you the skills to master a game, Play Buddy software is the right tool for you.
Many people are playing online games, and this means the competition among players will increase. You want to play online knowing you have the skills and knowledge to win. You will not be able to be detected when using Play Buddy. The software can be upgraded, and this will allow you to have the latest software available at all times.

About The Author

Omar Vega is the owner of the http://www.totalgamecheats.com Total Game Cheats Website. On this website you will be able to find a great viriety of cheat software for the most popular online games. You can try free most of the software before you decide if you want to buy.

10 Benefits Of Video Games

by: Timothy Rudon (credit)

Gaming both video and computer has become more than a fad, it is a part of life. First generation video game players have now become adult and carry their passion to adulthood. Parents and teachers worry about games having negative effects on children and a great deal has been written about games leading to violent behavior and addiction. However, all is not negative about gaming, studies by leading researchers have shown that video and computer games have many benefits:

1. Games help children who are ill or have injuries. Absorption in a game distracts the mind from pain and discomfort. Many hospitals are encouraging children and others undergoing painful treatments to play games.

2. Griffiths a professor at Nottingham University wrote in a medical journal that playing games could help children with attention deficit disorders. Research indicates that the children could gain social skills.

3. Many medical departments are using computer games as a form of physiotherapy. Games help people who are recovery from physical injuries gain motor skills and coordination too.

4. Video games and computer games are known to improve hand-eye co-ordination and help players gain many skills.

5. Games induce decision making and tech players to think on their feet.

6. Games create team players and hone social skills too.

7. Games are known to enhance creativity and inculcate a taste for graphics, design and technology.

8. Many games improve language and math skills as players have to move at a great speed along with the heroes of the game.

9. Video and computer games help children gain self confidence and many games are based on history, city building, and governance and so on. Such games indirectly teach children about aspects of life on earth.

10. Games teach players problem solving, motivation, and cognitive skills. Most games inspire players to strive and reach more difficult levels presenting challenges at each stage.

Gaming video or computers has positive as well as negative effects. Anything in moderation is not a problem. Parents and children need to be able to decide how much gaming is permissible and what kind of gaming. Parents must teach their children what is good and what is bad. Gaming is like any other activity in life, too much hamburger or pizza can be harmful too.

The world of gaming is constantly changing. The internet is replete with articles and tips written by experts on gaming, benefits, and disadvantages, it is important to be informed parents and game players. Read up on games and learn how to choose games that are beneficial. Know what your child is doing at all times. Place your trust in your child but ensure that he or she is able to gauge accurately right from wrong.


About The Author
Timothy Rudon is a writer for http://www.1888freeonlinegames.com , the premier website to find flash game, free flash game, flash games, online flash game, free online flash game, free flash game download, funny flash game, 2 flash games, play flash games, flash games to play and many more.

The Psyched Up Addict Of Online Gaming Technology

by: Jon Caldwell (credit)


As most know, a Casino's House Advantage is always very high in any casino gambling game and this includes Blackjack. There are, however, those players that step up against the house with strategies that will lower the house's edge and increase their own. The most common of these strategies is card counting and the player that can dominate this strategy is called an Advantage Blackjack player because they switch the advantage odds to favor themselves.

Traditional card counting is a very technical strategy that takes a lot of skill and discipline to master. Being able to keep track of a shoe of cards holding six, seven, eight deck of cards, sometimes even more, is something a person needs a keen mind for in order to succeed. These hard system players still know, however, that no matter how much skill a person can have, Lady Luck is not always on their side and rough times will come. The fact that they know this keeps them in control and prepared for the storm and enables them to ride it out. They know that if they hold themselves to their system, in the long run, they will come out on top. This makes them responsible gamblers that are prepared for every type of circumstance.

But, like everything that exists, the hard system has a similar "easy" system that mimics its tactics to give the player the upper hand without having to spend all the amount of time a regular advantage player would spend learning an elaborate card tracking system. These so called EZ systems instead offer something that can be taught and learned in a few hours. These EZ systems base their technique on the same card counting principle but focus only on the key cards of the game. Since the rest of the batch is not considered the system becomes significantly easier to master. This system can be a double edged sword, however, for the player that wishes to dominate it because it tricks people into thinking they are now as good as the semi-pros and that is just not so. Although this system does increase the player's advantage it will never be as good as the harder system that works more in the long run than the easy system does. Also, the EZ system fools people into thinking they can now start winning the fortunes and lead them to make foolish bets that would have otherwise not been made and therefore makes for irresponsible gambling if the person is not well prepared.

Online casino is booming rapidly these days. You can download the software and play online casino straight from your computer. But if you don�t want to do all that downloading stuff, there is always another option available for you. Welcome to the world of no-download-casino! This is the site where you can play online casinos without downloading any software. These online casino games offer authentic sound and very realistic graphical images and they were especially created for online casino players who prefer to play right there and then.

But not all no-download-casinos or commonly known as flash casinos are created with the same qualities. Here are some of the best online reviews of flash casinos that may help you choose which online game will suit you best.

Rushmore Casino is one of the best online sites where you can play flash casino. It has more than 26 no-download-games you can choose from. Those choices include almost all of the most popular online games such as video poker machines, blackjack and a great selection of slots. They offer a huge sign-up bonus and an outstanding customer service which you can contact 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. 

About The Author
Jon Caldwell is a game addict. Much of his compilations can be found at http://www.gamesresources.net/gamesresourcesnetcat/gamesresourcesnetlink.php

Online Games � The Evolution

 by: Susie Symonds (credit)

Now we see thousands of people playing online games such as tetris, ping pong, mario bros, super mario etc for free but despite its history dating back to 1970s, for most people online gaming began with the explosion of Internet in 1993 and with the advent of Doom and Warcraft sometime in 1994 or 1995. This got further boost with publishers starting to add Internet connectivity to computer games in 1994-95.

The media, in fact, have themselves been ignorant about online games history. As far as they are concerned, online gaming just coincidentally happened when their advertisers started producing Internet-capable games. But it isn�t so�

Early Years of development

In early 1950�s a college student created a game much like Tic-Tac-Toe for a class project to be played on dinosaur computers of those days complete with cathode ray tubes for the screen display. The 1960�s had MIT students programming a game called �Space war� that could be played with two people over a primitive network. The late 1960�s brought the first �real� video games like table tennis and shooter games.

The 70s � the game begins

Serious online gaming began with the first interactive online game called ADVENT. In fact networked gaming got conceptualized with ADVENT. Networked gaming had users playing against each other within an online fantasy world. The first networked game was called Mazewar, a game which involved networked players traveling through a maze and attempting to kill one another.

Next came the interpersonal interaction in a multi-player environment. The first such game was called DUNGEN. DUNGEN had players competing against one another to complete a series of quests. DUNGEN provided with new settings and players each time the user logged on.

The late 1970�s saw the start of video game craze with more and more households getting computer savvy. As a natural corollary, people started writing their own games for the home computers. These programming hobbyists traded and sold these home-grown games in local markets.

Other changes in the 1970�s were home gaming consoles which used game cartridges. That meant the people could collect games cartridges for one base unit instead of having bulky game console systems.

The 80s � some pause before the storm

1980�s saw growing craze for the video and computer game craze, but online gaming wasn�t on the horizon yet. New games with better sound and graphics were introduced and gained popularity. Pole Position and Pac-man were two that achieved big popularity. It was during 1980�s when Nintendo introduced its first gaming system.

The 90s � revolution begins

The 1990�s saw the phenomenal growth in both popularity and technology mostly because of the rise of 3-D and multimedia.

Myst, the intellectual adventure game introduced gaming on the CD-ROM format. Fancier 3-D graphics hardware made FPS (first person shooter) games such as Quake possible.

The late 1990�s saw the exponential growth of the Internet, MUDs (multi-user dungeons) which made online games wildly popular. New and improved graphical interfaces had people all over the world playing against each other not only in FPS games but also in real time strategy games (RTS games) as well as third person games like Grand Theft Auto.

This was also the period when websites started offering online games such as tetris, ping pong, mario bros, super Mario, and other free online flash games and non-flash based games free for playing after registering with them. This really pushed online gaming into the popular psyche.

The 21st Century � world is just a playground

Early years of the 21st century were dominated by the DVD-CD-ROM. It has changed the way online games are played. The latest gaming systems such as Sony�s play station and Microsoft�s X-box have networking capabilities to enable people play with each other in real time from all over the world. Exponentially growing broadband internet services have made playing these online games possible in true sense of the word.

The only drawback to the constantly evolving technology for online games is that what you buy today might become obsolete by the next year. Luckily, for the serious gamers, the resale industry for these online games is huge. This resale industry is just another element to the ever-changing history of online game.


About The Author
Susie is a game developer advocating to play online games free. Visit www.Play-Online-Games-Free.com to play tetris online for free.

Children and Online Games

by: Sarah Miller (credit)

In this time and age, many people use the Internet for many different things including communication, entertainment, research and so on. People are now continuously connected and giving in to this wired lifestyle. People of all ages whether old or young have been entranced into using such technology. But what effects does it really have, especially on kids?

There are many pros and cons when it comes to kids going online. With the Internet now such a big part of our lifestyle it is unavoidable that children are going to use the Internet. It may be a requirement in school, a fad among friends, and so on. But the main reason why kids use the Internet is because of the availability of free online games for kids. Aside from entertaining, these online games let kids create a virtual world as a form of escape from the real world. The huge number of young audiences taking part in these online games has contributed to the increase in the number of virtual world games for kids.

Although many reports have said that online games could cause addiction and other negative consequences, just like television, the usage of the Internet may be restricted through parental guidance.

Some kids� virtual worlds let parents monitor or keep track of their children�s online playtime. One such game is eKidnaworld.com an Australian-themed game that lets parents choose their children�s level of interaction with other users. It is a free virtual world for kids and through the use of award winning safe chat options ensures you know who your child is chatting to.

Aside from being safe and fun, this virtual pet world for kids may help develop children�s analytical prowess, improve children�s social relations, and acquire a competitive attitude.

Not all companies or industries aim solely to profit. There are those who also take into account the safety and benefits of consumers or people. One just needs to have an open mind and conduct a little research.

Follow eKidnaworld.com on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ekidnaworld, or like us on Facebook!


About The Author
eKidnaworld.com is a uniquely Australian-themed Internet game that lets kids of all ages register a free account, create a game character, explore exciting worlds, decorate and furnish a shack, play cool, smart and safe online games, and even connect with friends online.

========

eKidnaworld
http://www.ekidnaworld.com
PO Box 1269, Fortitude Valley 4006 QLD, Australia

How To Combine The Internet and Playing Games To Make Money

by: Dan Brown (credit)

 It is interesting when you look at all the different ways the Internet is used today. One of the most fun ways the Internet is used is to play games. This is being done from little kids, all the way up to senior citizens. One thing you may not thought out however, is it is possible to make money playing games and capitalize on this huge market. In this article we want to consider how you can make money playing games online. 1. First of all you need a business opportunity that allows you to not only play games, but to make money selling games. Because people are online 24 hours a day the Internet has made it possible to play games. How great would it be if you could make money with some of those people? 2. Another exciting enhancement in the world of Internet marketing is called blogging. Initially blogging started out where people would log their thoughts on the web. Now you're able to monetize your blog, allowing you to make money while interacting with other bloggers and your readers. 3. What has happened after websites and blogging has become known as Web 2.0. This has allowed blogging to move to the next level. Web 2.0 is when you allow your visitors to become part of the blogging process. This can be done through allowing people to make comments, to vote on polls, or to simply in this case, play games. When you blog and your visitors can be involved they will come back. This process is known as social networking. Playing games online is very easily done thanks to social networking, because you get to meet other people who want play to games as well. Social networking is really just meeting people online that have common interests as you. You are able to form communities, known as blog communities and social network communities. RSS feeds allow you to quickly keep in touch with each other. People can subscribe to your RSS feed and receive your blog updates as you post them. Another piece of all of this is internet chatting. This allows for instant contact with people almost anywhere in the world. When you start to consider the number of people playing games, the potential of blogging, social networking, RSS feeds, and combining Internet chatting, you begin to get the idea that to make money online playing games and selling a product that people will want play games is huge. So the answer is yes, you really can make money playing games online. You can make a lot of friends in the process as well. You just need to find the right opportunity to take advantage of what will offer the best profit and most fun for you.

About The Author
Dan Brown invites you to visit his make money playing games website to see this internet revolution and ultimate income opportunity. To learn how having fun, being entertained, and social networking can earn you money, please click here now: http://www.playgamesforpay.com/

Saturday 12 April 2014

Why Online Games Are More Popular Than Offline Games?

by: Jim Marks (credit)



� Decision Making- All the games you see it absorbs the sudden turns and decision making capability. Players can gain or they can improve their decision making skills.

� Creativity- Online games are the products of the human constitution and you know well about its designs and creativity.

� Elevates Thinking- As you see that a good game concentrating on the specific skill tests and it also figure out the game player according to it like planning thoroughly, reactions, sharper memory and the quick actions elevates the thinking of people one who plays on good mind.

� Escape from reality- You see that a lot of people have several reasons to why they play the online games. In this, the most pivotal part of it is an escape from reality that helps lonely to understand that why people want to play the online games.

� Entertainment- It is very simple to find a game that perfectly suits your interest because as you see there are a lot of options available online. Nowadays, these sorts of games are made user friendly. These games accommodate us with the right amount of entertainment you need in your life.

� Confidence- These online games access your confidence because of the feeling that you are in control of something. The acknowledged online gamer may feel a sense of achievement and fulfillment that he is able of accomplishing something. This is also a one way of practicing your communication and cooperation skills.

There is an explicit difference between online and offline games. The world of online gaming is fixed new too many nations in according to offline games. In offline games, the user will be asserting the artificial intelligence which has estimated into the game and in online games you see the players will be essentially challenging the other players.

Moreover, this is one of the comforts and this happens to be one of the initial reasons for online gaming being much elevated to offline gaming. In offline games, as you see firstly an individual have to download the game then only they can play that game but in the case of online you can go online and directly you can play the game of your choice. That's why online games are more pleasing and lovable than the offline games.


For more information visit: http://www.webgameawards.com/


About The Author

Jim Mark has been writing articles for webgameawards. Here you can play online shooting games, action games and fighting games. You need not to register here to play game just visit and play

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.webgameawards.com

Game Development - Story Bible Example

by: Sebastian Gross (credit)

The bible deals exclusively with story and its elements. While the design document guides the creation of the entire gaming experience, the bible controls the game's interactive screenplay.

Log Line

Let;s say we're working on a game titled �Hangnail,� the latest game inspired by Quake. Hangnail�s bible would include a �treatment� or synopsis of the game's story. That treatment should include one- or two-sentence reviews of the story�s beginning, middle, and end. In some cases, the treatment could go into greater detail, stretching from one page to 20 or more, if the designer or game writer chose to really flesh out the story in the design stage. If the game�s narrative is truly based on cinematic story construction, the story might include first, second, and third act reviews. Leave those bits to your writer�we waste hours worrying about that act-structure nonsense. At the very least, the synopsis should include a �log line,� or a brief review of the game�s story, like this:

Hangnail:

Synopsis: A big, tough guy with heaps of muscles and a heart of gold walks through mazes and kills lots of stuff to battle evil, find his boxed lunch, and save the future of humanity�at least until the sequel comes out.

Characters

The second portion of the bible would include character reviews. The most important component of any effective narrative, whether it�s in a game, a movie, a TV show, or a novel, is good characters. They should have well-rounded histories and solid motivations. Most importantly, they should be clearly drawn out so anyone who reads the bible or works on the game sees the same person in their minds. If a writer or designer creates a game revolving around a Schwarzenegger-type action hero and fail to describe his all-American, psychopathic personality, the artist or renderer could end up drawing Marv Albert. Here�s what our character bible would say about Hangnail�s protagonist:

Character Name: Dirk Squarejaw

Age: Late 20s

Appearance: Ruggedly handsome and in the kind of impossibly good shape that you�d need to spend 25 hours a day in a gym to achieve.

Equipment: Death Ray of Death, Grenade of Severe Owies, Swiss Army Knife of Animosity, Pulse Cannon of Mild Mood Swings.

Attributes: Wonderfully and relentlessly violent. With an overdeveloped sense of honor. Dedicated to saving all life on Earth, or at least all attractive women on Earth. He enjoys painting in splattered blood, rainy days, long walks on the beach, thermonuclear devices, and backgammon.

Background: Orphaned at birth and raised by wolves, Dirk was rescued by nuns at the age of 4. The nuns instilled in the young Dirk his sense of honor and his bizarre obsession with backgammon. When the evil villain, General Payne, destroyed the nuns� village to hijack all their dice, Dirk set out on his lifelong quest to end evil around the world. He will never rest until Payne is defeated, peace and justice restored, and double sixes rolled everywhere.

All the information in the character description above could be distilled into one long paragraph entry, if the designer chooses to limit the length or the scope of the bible. However, every character in the game (even supporting players) should be presented in this same detail.

Such enriching character sketches can provide inspiration when planning game maps or missions (depending on the game�s genre). For example, in Hangnail�s case, given Dirk�s devotion to backgammon, the designer could construct a maze or a level in which the objective is to slaughter all of General�s Payne�s agents to recover their ill-gotten dice.

Character description and background is one area where a story bible can really enrich an interactive game. If the bible can draw out a game�s central character with convincing depth and detail, the production can present an interesting and exciting person around which you can build a game and story.

In some cases, the player becomes that character. In other games, the player merely guides an already existing character. In either case, the story bible can outline what the main characters wants! That�s the key. The entire game story should be built around what the main character or hero wants and needs. Once that is pinpointed (be it the damsel in distress, a magic amulet, or the enemy capital), a designer can build an entire game around that quest. Battles in the cold reaches of space. Races through monster-filled mazes. Puzzle-solving through a haunted library. Anything that makes the game more entertaining can stand between the hero and the goal. But, the goal must be clear, ever-present, and motivated. The story bible can help a design team do that.

In another example, if Dirk was scared of water because his wolf parents couldn�t swim, the designer might wish to create an underwater level and cause Dirk�s air supply to disappear quickly because he hyperventilates too easily.

Using a methodology like this, in which you define the background, attributes, age, appearance, and equipment of a character, can help ensure truly motivated and enjoyable characters and gives the design team ideas for gameplay. A game�s characters need to be compelling. If the player becomes a hero in the game, that hero must be attractive enough that the player wants to assume that persona. A game villain should be rotten enough that the player generates genuine passion and satisfaction from defeating him or her.

An essential rule of thumb states that every character, even the most incredibly butch of heroes, needs to have weaknesses or shortcomings. If a character seems too omnipotent and has every skill imaginable down pat, no player will believe he or she could possibly lose or die. You don�t have to make your hero or heroine a simpering wimp, but don�t make them invulnerable. Even Superman has his kryptonite.

In the final document, Dirk�s bible entry might include an artist�s sketch (if created early in the game development process) or a 3D rendering (if created farther along in the development process) which might also be the actual avatar used in the game if the product makes it that far along. 

To digress for just a moment, I have approached the use of game bibles for story development solely from the perspective of the hero thus far. Lately, games such as Bullfrog�s Dungeon Keeper and LucasArts� Dark Forces II have made it possible for players to assume the role of the villain. However, that doesn�t turn the narrative rule on its ear�the same guidelines still apply. A villain also has wants and needs. In the best possible scenario, the bad guy wants exactly the same thing as the hero. In drama and writing courses, that�s called the �Law of Conflicting Need.� A good story (and therefore a good game, if it has story components) has a protagonist and an antagonist wanting the same thing for perfectly opposite reasons. We usually want the hero to get to that goal before the villain. However, in games where we become the villain, we assume the motivations of the villain. The bible should outline the history, personality, and motivation of the bad guy as well as the hero. That way, if we become the antagonist in gameplay, it works just as well if we had chosen the hero�s role.

Resource:
http://www.computer-game-design.com

About The Author
Sebastian Gross

An old computer technology student, working quite some time in computer game design industry. An expert in game design process, game development and also in web design and new technologies.

The Best Free Psp Games Accessible on the Internet

by: Jessie Moore (credit)

Finding a trusted Psp Games Download site is not an easy thing to do. The Sony PlayStation Portable is an awesome gaming console ever since it was first released. It is capable of supporting nearly every game that can be played in other gaming platforms like Wii, PC, Xbox, NES and in other gaming consoles as well. Due to its impressive versatility and portability of use, it was an instant in-demand market commodity. This gadget boasts versatility and portability at its best.

The PSP or Sony Playstation Portable is not only for gaming, you can use it for many attributes like playing movies and videos, playing music, saving wall papers and pictures, upgrading with various multimedia software, video recording and much more. It is also emulator capable. What is significant to take note is the fact that whenever games are released in other gaming consoles, it is almost always simultaneously released in PSP version as well.

If you are searching for websites or sources on how to download free games for the PSP, then you will not have to search any further. Instead of getting hooked or interested in websites that merely offer demo versions of the hottest games, go for those service providers that give more. Get full versions instantly and safely. Download safe content, be it games, wallpapers, movies, music, and more. Be aware that some websites are unsafe due to malware, Trojans and spyware! It is always a good measure to ask around and look for sites with good reviews from satisfied customers and gamers.

The hottest releases or most awaited games are expensive. Not everybody can easily manage to pay for every game that comes out. It is only logical that not every gamer can play every game ever created. Or is it possible? Sure it is! With the Internet a lot of things are possible! Why buy expensive games when you can download them instead? There is even better news for you. There is no need to pay for each game download! You can get unlimited downloads by subscribing to a one-time membership fee from chosen legitimate game providers!

Did you hear good news about those websites that offer free unlimited games before? Take note, Full versions of numerous PSP games and not just demo versions! The price for such a coveted membership is less than or equal to the price of just a single original PSP game disc! That is lifetime membership, just in case you're not sure. That is not all there is to it. Most sites also offer full time technical support and updates on various media content! Where else can a hardcore PSP user find a free-for-all choice when it comes to games on an unlimited basis?

Finding the best sources about how to Download Psp Games is still a challenge by itself. You have to use your best judgment when choosing a trusted site. Look for positive reviews and satisfied customer testimonials. The best ones in cyber space are those that develop a closed user group of PSP users. With the PSP's multimedia capability, you can download any software, movie, game, or content to your heart's content. There should also be high speed when it comes to downloading. Start downloading now.

bout The Author

Don't have to re-invent the wheel if you're after Downloadable Psp Games, let us help you. We have ready tips and information. Visit our site at Psp Games Download.

The author invites you to visit:
http://gmail.com

Fun and Exciting Baby Shower Games

by: Mary Simmons (credit)

 You'll need to keep all these excited guests busy while they celebrate your baby shower so take a look at some of these fun and simple ideas for Baby shower games. For most of them you wont need much more than some simple household items, so get stuck in and enjoy your baby Shower.

* Dirty Diaper Game - A fun way to start the event, handing out napkins to each guest wrapped up like a diaper, one napkin contains a kiss, make the guest who receives the Dirty Diaper (the one with a kiss in) do either a forfeit or wins a prize.

* Guess the Delivery Stats , Have fun guessing the delivery stats of newborn, straight forward although you will all have to wait for the results!

* Pin the Binky on the Baby , A fun rendition of a classic party game, see if your guests can pin the binky on the baby while blindfolded.

* Mommies and Babies , Do your guests know the correct names for animal babies? make a list of well known and some not so well known animals and guests have to answer the correct names of the animals infants.

* Baby shower games Word Scramble - Two teams battle to unscramble the baby words

* Baby Picture Guessing Game , Can your guests guess each others baby pictures? brilliant for a laugh

* Baby Shower Bingo , What would a girly get together be without a game of bingo!

Obviously these are just a few ideas to get you started, after all it's your bay shower and your the one having a baby so make it as fun as you want.

About The Author

If you would like to find more tips and advice for new moms, or if your just interested in more games for your baby shower games likeword scramble be sure to check out http://www.aboutmybaby.info

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.aboutmybaby.info

The Game Plan - Approach to Mental Preparation

by: Lloyd Irvin (credit)

It is never a good idea to enter into ring with the intention of �going with the flow of things.� You cannot walk into a game and expect it to flow in your favor. You have to give some thought to specifics in terms of how you want to play your game and manner in which you will handle your opponent. In the absence of a game plan, all your moves will be a reaction to your opponent�s moves. Do you want to merely react all the time or do you want to play your best moves? Your chances of winning a game increase when you plan moves and use those at which you are most skilled.

Here�s a likely scenario of what might happen if you don�t have a game plan for your grappling or combat-athletics bouts:

� Your opponent may have a good open guard, and you may have problems with it since you did not anticipate it at all

� Your opponent may launch an attack and try to dominate the game at a very early stage of the match

� You may or may not be able to think up a strategy on the spur of the moment to tackle your opponent�s holds until its too late and the round is almost over

� When you finally find your momentum and initiate a submission, time may be up!

A framework for developing the game plan is outlined next.

1. Size up your opponent and Develop a Strategy �

� Analyze the history of the opponent�s performance in terms of wins or losses and skills or weak-points displayed in previous matches

� Try to recall and bring to fore any tactics that your opponent uses, so that you can build a strategy to neutralize it

2. Develop Strategies

It is essential to develop an opposing strategy prior to a game. If you merely size up the opponent, then you are only half way there. Strategies define the manner in which you plan your line-of-attack and the tactics that you will employ to unsettle your opponent. Your strategies will differ in accord with your opponent as no one is alike.

Steps for developing the strategies

A. Issues

Play to your plus points

Your strategy should revolve around what you do best, your strengths and the plus points in your skills. Analyze the styles that you are good at and select those that you believe will be effective against your opponent.

Beware of your vulnerabilities

An honest appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses will put things in perspective in your own mind as to what you can do and cannot do on the mat. You should also put in more practice behind problem situations so that you don�t find yourself powerless in an actual encounter.

Know your opponent�s weak point

Strategize your counter moves or even initiate your moves based on what you know of your opponent.

Be flexible and develop alternative strategies

Every encounter is different and, even if you are playing the same opponent again, you must be able to change strategies to throw your opponent off balance. There are a couple of techniques for this:

1. �If Statements�

This is a problem-solution method. When you use �If Statements� you paint a picture of a circumstance or a problem that you may encounter in the ring and then arrive at different solutions to tackle it.

2. Modifying your approach � Revise or reframe

This technique requires you to evaluate your moves studying order to determine whether or not you can change your emphasis in any way; increase/decrease your emphasis on hand or leg or body movements in a way that makes the move more powerful.

B. Tactics � Plan tactics to make your strategy workable. When you plan your tactics, you get into the realm of mind games. You get in to details like:

� The pace at which you want to move

� The manner in which you plan to carry out

� The level of aggressiveness that is necessary at the start, in the middle, and toward the end of a bout

� When to use your most powerful move

This is the stuff that tactics are made of in a strategy.

C. Mental Preparation Techniques - The techniques that you can apply to practice your game and fine-tune your strategy are simulation, visualization, viewing video recordings, and computer simulation.

Simulation

Simulation is a technique in which you create a situation as close as possible to what you are likely to encounter in the ring. Simulation attempts to recreate the stresses under which you perform in a match. It is a method used in practice situations to imitate the real thing and hone your performance. It is a way to familiarize yourself with the experience in a real bout.

Simulation exercises

a) Get used to external sources of strain/stress

� Noise: The commentator�s voice and constant yelling and screaming from spectators, and in general, the racket at a grappling or combat-athletics event can be quite nerve-racking and downright distracting. To get to used to the noise level, use audio recordings of matches to simulate your game during practice. This will help you prepare for these sounds.

� Presence of spectators: Allow an audience into your practice area to get used to people being around the ring.

� Unknown Venue: The rings for grappling and combat athletics are different. So it helps to play at the actual venue during training to acclimatize yourself to the space, dimensions, and feel of the venue.

� Weather: Training in extreme weather conditions is a big help when you actually encounter it in a competition. There cab be days when the heat has gone through the roof s well as days when temperatures are at sub-zero levels. The temperature may not be regulated at all the venues in which you play. So you may be exposed to extremes at some of them. Often times, matches in brazil are held outside in extremely hot conditions.

b) Simulate physical stress:

Recreating a match situation also has another far-reaching advantage. You will be exposed to a certain amount of physical wear and tear akin to a real match. While playing out scenarios, you usually experience almost the same level of physical distress as in a real encounter. So you have the additional benefit of experiencing a real adrenaline rush as well and can use the feeling of strength and power (caused by the adrenaline) to learn how to defend yourself and counter-attack.

c) Deal with exhaustion:

Practice and push yourself to your limits when you are tired and feeling fatigued. This is exactly what will happen to you in an actual match. You have to learn to maintain your alertness and concentration even when you are exhausted and low on energy.

d) Play beyond the time limit:

Extending the time limit is another way to push the envelope and exert both your body and your mental faculties. Continue to fight for a longer period than strictly necessary. By practicing beyond the time limit, you will learn to operate at higher levels of stamina and mental energy.

Visualization

Visualization is a technique that uses mental images to recreate a game situation. Through visualization a grappler or combat athlete can create mental pictures of the moves he or she plans to make and also visualize responses to the opponent�s tactics. It builds imagery into your thought processes to recreate an entire scenario in your mind. It can be a potent tool that can be complement your practice sessions and simulation exercises. Through visualization you actually get to practice in your mind on your own time.

Developing your visualization skills

Visualization is really quite easy to understand and practice. It�s much like doing math in your head. You call images onto your mental screen � images of yourself playing an opponent, the styles that you plan to use, the manner in which you will break out of an opponent�s grip, and so on.

When you visualize, you get to see your moves before you actually perform them. Many writers make a distinction between visualization and imagery. The difference is actually very subtle. Imagery is considered to be a little more vivid than visualization, and a person who practices imagery is able to incorporate sound, smell and touch in the mental images.

Through mental visualization you are mentally getting acquainted with the form that the actual encounter may take. The pressure and trauma of the encounter is considerably reduced if your visualization conditions your mind on what to expect and this conditioning prevents going blank and freezing in tough situations.

View Video Recordings

When you are unable to visualize all moves, a good alternative is to view the many videos available. There are instructional videos as well as videos of matches played by legends in grappling. Watching the moves is a form of memorization of techniques and styles: it helps you immensely in your mental preparation, especially when you are in the process of thinking through and strategizing your game plan.

Computer Simulation

Video games are available that have a built-in computerized grappling/combat-athletics system that provides the various move options. This is not kid stuff, but an interesting way to gauge the styles that you will automatically use when you face a particular situation on the mat. In a way, it is a memory enhancer that tests your ability to call on the best moves relevant to a particular situation.

3. Focus

Focus is actually extremely crucial in maintaining good mental form and is of vital importance if you want your plan to work. Focus is multidimensional and encompasses several factors that go into the mental framework of the �complete� sports professional.

Focus is the ability to converge your mental processes into thoughts that further your chances in a game and diminish the unnecessary surface noise (irrelevant thoughts) that fills the mind. The mental processes that can help you with your game revolve around certain traits and behaviors. Everything from attitude to ego to motivation and discipline come under the purview of Focus.



About The Author

Lloyd Irvin is a martial arts coach, competitor and a businessman. He graduated from Bowie state university. He holds the rank of 7th degree black belt in Thai Jitsu, 2nd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, 5th degree black belt in combat sombo and 1st degree black belt in judo. He is a Multiple Time National Judo Champion, a Multiple Time National Sombo Champion and after coming out of a three-year retirement he recently became the 2005 Brazilian Jiu Jitsu World Champion. In 2002 he was named The United States Judo Federation International Coach of the year. Also in 2004 he was named the NAGA North American Grappling Associations Instructor of the Year as well as The Grapplers Quest 2004 Instructor of the Year. Lloyd's coaching experience includes having taught many different law enforcement and military agencies including the Secret Service, FBI, NAVY SEALS, DEA, SWAT and Bounty Hunters.

The author invites you to visit:
http://www.lloydirvin.com