THE GAME in Video: Phil Mickelson Goes Long and Overshoots His Receiver

Phil Mickelson may have not hit the million dollar shot, but he did win $50,000 for his charity and he also helped make a case for the potential interactions between athletic nodes that, on the surface, seem polar opposites.

Although, one could argue that the success of kickers and punters in football requires nerves, rhythm and poise (like golfers) rather than rage and brawn, its refreshing to see a popular and widely-played “finesse” sport like golf physically find its way onto a football field.

In many ways the role of those who participate in golf nodes is analogous to those of kickers and punters from football nodes. So a possible, but potentially prominent role for those from golf nodes who are in football nodes, could be as ThB “artillery pieces”. In this scenario, golf ThBs would play further back than a typical ThB, lobbing and firing golf balls into adjacent and far away zones where playmaking Ws (from other nodes, but on the same team) would be positioned to catch the shots.

By using analogous nodal elements, one can integrate disparate nodes like football and golf to successfully create a chain of unique competitions that can be blended (hybridized) or linked together.

Tupac’s Resurrection Shows the Endless Possibilities Ahead for G.3

The ghostly resurrection of Tupac Shakur last weekend at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival was certainly not the first time hologram technology was used to blend the virtual and physical worlds together.

Even though, digitally creating people, characters and scenarios is not an entirely new frontier, I still couldn’t help but think, as virtual technologies become more immersive, how exciting the possibilities are for G.3 when merging the virtual and real worlds.

Some ideas for G.3 scenarios quickly came to mind:

• Former friends-turned-rivals Tupac and Biggie Smalls reconcile to perform on stage together; which brings us to the idea of bringing back any performer who has passed and can now perform live with any still living performer or group. At the top of my wish list would be Freddie Mercury.
• Safely and ethically integrate the domain of warfare (with armies, navies and so on from all eras) into G.3 competitions. Virtual technologies could also pit historically accurate and fictional military units against each other.
• Pitting the all-time teams (of all sports and eras) against each other to help settle questions of who and which teams are the best of all-time.
• Integrating past all-time teams and players into current G.3 play.
• Playing out alternate histories that affect the outcome of G.3 competitions.
• Enable the extension of video games into the physical world.

THE GAME In Pictures: Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh

In G.3, one of the many ways in which teams can be built is by combining professional, semi-professional or amateur teams from one city. How these teams interact with each other (if at all) in a GAME can vary widely.

On one end of the G.3 competition spectrum, one can find an alliance of teams representing a city; working together as a larger team but without direct interactions during the course of a GAME (at least on the field of play; however there will be interactions on a strategic and executive level to better coordinate the teams). Best described as “Games within THE GAME”, a GAME winner is determined by an aggregate score compiled from the constituent teams that form the larger team. These types of GAMEs would be ideally suited for G.3 enthusiasts who are node purists and who like to maintain a separation between nodes instead of direct interactions. For example:

G.3 Matchup: New York vs. Washington

Games
New York Giants (NFL) 24	Washington Redskins (NFL) 21
New York Rangers (NHL) 3	Washington Capitals (NHL) 4
New York Mets (NL) 5	Washington Nationals (NL) 3
New York Red Bulls (MLS) 2	D.C. United (MLS) 2
New York Knicks (NBA) 105	Washington Wizards (NBA) 102
Winner: New York 139	Washington 132

On the other end of the G.3 competition spectrum, there are GAMEs that have many interactions between teams regardless of their node affiliation. Which brings us to the above image.

Inspired by the defense-offense transition formation, the compiled image above shows a G.3 matchup between teams from Pittsburgh and Atlanta. On the left is Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers football kit (designed by Jimmy Nutini; see more of his crossover concepts here) playing the hybrid position of football fullback, rugby fullback and American football safety. Polamalu’s defense mates have stopped the opposing offense (note Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets left wing Evander Kane transitioning to defense in the background) and his defense is now quickly transitioning to a multi-pronged offense (using multiple teams, fronts and balls simultaneously).

Playing deeper than Polamalu on the backline is a hybrid fullback (not pictured)—the last line of defense in this particular formation. A hybrid fullback must have the ability to play stout defense and take away the ball from the opposing teams’ forwards (regardless of nodes). A hybrid fullback must also, at times, be able to simultaneously receive and handle balls from allied teams, teammates and players outside/inside his nodes and zones; quickly distributing the balls in his possession to a vast array of forwards and backs. So it is easy to see why a hybrid fullback is an important catalyst in the defense-offense transition.

In the picture, a hybrid fullback has already passed the football to Polamalu, who is passing it further down the field to one of his forwards. At the same time and also pictured is Steelers punt returner Antonio Brown (84) streaking through Atlanta’s transition defense; pursued by members of the Atlanta Falcons punt coverage team. Also pictured is, in the foreground, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik pushing forward to help with the offensive attack. The multiple balls and points of actions are used to illustrate the multilinear flow of some GAMEs. 

THE GAME In Pictures: Manchester United & Tampa Bay Buccaneers Host Arsenal & Colorado Avalanche at Old Trafford

In a previous post on THE IdeaBOARD, I proposed that there could be the potential for owners of multiple sports teams across many nodes to eventually consolidate their teams for the purpose of participating in GAMEs:

Although having multiple teams in different nodes sharing a single owner or ownership entity does not necessarily lead to cross-node GAME interactions of those teams, there are the right components and the right environment (a relatively slow worldwide economy with leagues and teams in many sports and markets struggling to remain competitive or viable) for a forward-thinking owner or fan base to seize an opportunity and enable initial interactions between nodes; eventually leading to something deeper and substantive esthetically (as new nodes are linked or blended, completely new nodes are generated) and financially (cross-branding takes on a deeper new meaning; disparate nodes are no longer solely linked by common values, demographics or financial opportunities, but are literally linked or blended together).

In the composite shot above, Manchester United midfielder Anderson fires the ball between Colorado Avalanche defenseman Shane O’Brien and a sliding Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny as Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna looks on. Manchester United and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are owned by Malcolm Glazer and his family. Stan Kroenke owns Arsenal and the Colorado Avalanche.

THE GAME In Pictures: A Basic GAME Formation Featuring Denard Robinson and Pat White

A previous post detailed the first basic GAME formation and suggested the ThB positions for dynamic football quarterbacks, Pat White from West Virginia University and Denard Robinson from the University of Michigan.

In G.3 the ThB can be best described as a mobile multi-nodal hybrid position whose primary role is that of a thrower and whose targets are players spanning multiple nodes. ThB’s can range from tall power throwers to relatively smaller, more explosive mobile throwers like White and Robinson.

The action shot above features an alternate reality in which Rich Rodriguez’s combined Michigan and West Virginia football spread option and GAME option attacks are advancing against a multi-team platoon that includes a squad of Ohio State defenders. Pat White (ThB) has just optioned the ball to Denard Robinson (ThB) after going through his throwing progressions on the wings (transition zones). Note White’s dirty uniform; a detail that reflects White’s transition from another node (played on natural grass) to his current node (played on FieldTurf).

Why Beauty Pageants Matter and Belong in G.3

Photo courtesy of AP/Miss America
When I watched the newly crowned 2012 Miss America, Wisconsin’s opera-singing Laura Kaeppeler, ascend her throne (?) last week, for some reason the first thing that popped into my head was the time and financial commitment, as well as the personal sacrifices the contestants and their families must have made over the years to just reach that moment. Certainly the benefits must outweigh the costs, I thought.

Writer and sociologist Hilary Levey Friedman discovered while researching her senior thesis at Harvard in 2000, there are many reasons why children and their parents enter the world of beauty pageants:

“Parents with higher incomes and education beyond high school often cite teaching a child how to deal with competition as a main reason for entering pageants. Many of them want their daughters to be doctors, dentists, or to have professional careers, Levey discovered in interviews.

Moms on lower socioeconomic levels also think competition is healthy. "My daughter looks like Barbie," one said. "I tell her to exploit it. This is your life; you take what you have and run with it."

A high percentage of parents said they enter their children into beauty contests so they can meet others. "Pageants help my daughter make friends," one mother noted.

Other parents put their children into the competitions because they themselves found them to be helpful. "Pageants were a positive experience for me," another mom commented. "I became less shy, learned about public speaking, gained job interview skills, and got rid of a heavy Maine accent." 

A common thread we discover is that the competition serves as a platform where participants (or in some cases, the parents of the participants) learn and cultivate characteristics that contribute to a future track record of success. As it turns out the reasons are no different than those of us who are shuttling our kids from school to music lessons to sports practices and so on, day after day after day. Could it be that the path that Laura Kaeppeler took to the top is not all that different from an elite athlete, musician, scientist or even those of us who want to be considered the best at what we do?

Several years ago, a reader questioned me about including beauty pageants as a node in G.3. I explained that in any sport or profession, only a few reach an elite status. Even when one puts in the time and sacrifices that are necessary, there are no guarantees that one will reach the pinnacle of their profession. At its core, G.3 is simply a stage where its participants and practitioners have an opportunity to measure themselves against the countless variety of types and levels of competitors in a countless number of nodes. What makes G.3 great is that it pits the best from across all its nodes against each other. But, for those of us who may never reach the peak, G.3 can still help make us better at what we currently do, love to do or it can give us new exciting possibilities to pursue. In that sense, the Miss America Pageant is an ideal G.3 node.

There will always be detractors who regard true competitions as only those that severely test the physical or mental will of its participants. But, therein lies the beauty of G.3. Although a more nuanced view of what is an elite competition will certainly enhance the enjoyment of G.3 as a participant or aficionado, it isn’t required to enjoy the many other aspects of G.3 that may better suit those who have a very specific definition of “competition”.

Combining Eras In G.3: “NBA Forever”

This amazing commercial tells more than I could in words about how lucky we would be if, one day, G.3 could transcend time and eras and bring together all who have taken part or could have taken part in G.3 for one big GAME.
It’s a dream that currently resides in the worlds of video editing, video game design, cinema or online sports simulations, but here’s to one day being able to live inside such an extraordinary dream.

Notre Dame On Ice: When Life Gives You Apples…

As a Michigan fan, I smile whenever I see Notre Dame’s iconic brand take a hit (like this). It’s even more delicious when the one inflicting the damage is Notre Dame herself.

Which leads me to this gem starting at 1:09. Note the dejected and sad gaze of the ND band as they play...

The confused reaction of those watching this amalgamation of live music (albeit good music by Chicago), figure skating and Notre Dame football indicates people may not be quite ready now for what G.3 will ultimately be. I am convinced, however, that G.3 can ably weave together the nodes we see in the video in a compelling and entertaining way without compromising the integrity of each individual node. In this example, the half-ass presentation of the Notre Dame football node helps kill this video on arrival. The lackadaisical skating, the horrendous choreography, the apathy of the ND band, the docile demonstration of the sport of football...

Need I go on?

If Notre Dame’s actual football players came out on skates and earnestly competed against another football team on skates, would it have made a difference? Very likely.

Regardless of whether it was a decision made by Notre Dame, Brian Boitano or Musselman’s Apple Sauce to marginalize and emasculate Notre Dame football in this way, internodal blending or linking fundamentally requires a respect for its constituent nodes. Chicago is doing what it does best—perform. Brian Boitano and friends are doing what they know best—perform. This is primarily why these two nodes complement and work well together. Notre Dame, on the other hand, had no shot from the very beginning. 

There is plenty of drama in a rugged and violent sport like football. People are always drawn to dramatic games and if constituent nodes are linked and blended with care and respect, the emotions that burgeon from the nodes of figure skating and music can complement and accentuate the drama that we see in football—whether it’s played on turf or on skates.

So I think I’ll give Notre Dame somewhat of a pass on this one. I’ll give them a 6.0 for the idea of reaching out to other athletic and entertainment nodes, but that’s about all I’m going to concede. I love G.3, but I’m still a Michigan fan.

THE GAME Training: Herschel Walker’s Advanced Training Regimen, Week Ten

Here is week ten of Herschel Walker’s recommended advanced training regimen from his book, Herschel Walker’s Basic Training.

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven | Week Eight | Week Nine

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

WEEK TEN: Monday, Friday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 15 minutes or 2 miles.

Karate:

Straight punch—48 per arm

Groin strike—48 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—48 per arm

Roundhouse kick—48 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—48 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—48 per leg

Sliding back kick—48 per leg

Agility:

Squat thrust—50

Sideways box hop—80

Backward and forward box hop—80

Half-turn—80

Push-ups: 145 total. Do as many as possible, rest, then continue until all 145 have been done. Make sure you experiment with different heights to change the resistance.

Sit-ups: 180 total. Add weight if needed.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Monday, Friday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 4 minutes.

Weight training:

Power pull—1 x10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Squat—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Close-grip bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bent-forward row—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Crunch—120

Twisting sit-up—100

Basketball: 45 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s workouts should be identical to those of Monday and Friday except for the weight work in the afternoon. Follow this program on Wednesday for your lifting:

Weight training:

Lunge—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Chin—1 x 10, 3 x 3 with added weight, 1 x 10

Curl—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Triceps press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Weighted sit-up—4 x 25

Leg raise—130

Tuesday, Saturday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 6 minutes.

Sprinting: 1 x 300-yard stride (three-quarter speed). 2 x 200-yard strides (three-quarter to full speed). 2 x 110-yard sprints. 3 x 50-yard sprints.

Hill running: 10 x 30-yard strides (half to three-quarter speed).

Dumbbell runs: 5 x 30-yard strides. Make sure to use light dumbbells for this and concentrate on arm position as you run.

Rope skipping: 15 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, Saturday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Karate:

Straight punch—48 per arm

Groin strike—48 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—48 per arm

Roundhouse kick—48 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—48 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—48 per leg

Sliding back kick—48 per leg

Basketball: 45 minutes.

Water work:

Run in water—14 minutes

Water karate (kicks and punches)—14 minutes

Modified breast stroke—14 minutes

Power clap and other shoulder and arm work—14 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Thursday

Morning and afternoon workouts should be identical to those of Tuesday and Saturday except for the sprinting portion of the morning session. On Thursday mornings substitute the tire pull for hill running. On this tenth week run 10 x 50-yard strides at three-quarter speed, pulling a tire with 18 to 22 pounds inside it. Then, rather than dumbbell sprints, wear a weighted vest and run 4 x 100-yard strides and 2 x 50-yard sprints.

THE GAME in Pictures: Merged G.3 College Football Teams

2010 Michigan-Oregon vs. Ohio State-USC

University of Michigan QB, Denard Robinson dashes through the Ohio State-USC defense during a 2010 inter-conference G.3 college football matchup between Michigan-Oregon and Ohio State-USC in Columbus, Ohio.

THE GAME Training: Herschel Walker’s Advanced Training Regimen, Week Nine

Here is week nine of Herschel Walker’s recommended advanced training regimen from his book, Herschel Walker’s Basic Training.

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven | Week Eight

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

WEEK NINE: Monday, Friday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 15 minutes or 2 miles.

Karate:

Straight punch—46 per arm

Groin strike—46 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—46 per arm

Roundhouse kick—46 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—46 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—46 per leg

Sliding back kick—46 per leg

Agility:

Squat thrust—50

Sideways box hop—75

Backward and forward box hop—75

Half-turn—75

Push-ups: 140 total. Do as many as possible, rest, then continue until all 140 have been done. Make sure you experiment with different heights to change the resistance.

Sit-ups: 190 total. Add weight if needed.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Monday, Friday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 4 minutes.

Weight training:

Power pull—1 x10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Squat—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Close-grip bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bent-forward row—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Crunch—125

Twisting sit-up—105

Basketball: 45 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s workouts should be identical to those of Monday and Friday except for the weight work in the afternoon. Follow this program on Wednesday for your lifting:

Weight training:

Lunge—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Chin—1 x 10, 3 x 3 with added weight, 1 x 10

Curl—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Triceps press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 3 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Weighted sit-up—4 x 25

Leg raise—125

Tuesday, Saturday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 6 minutes.

Sprinting: 2 x 300-yard strides (three-quarter speed). 2 x 200-yard strides (three-quarter to full speed). 3 x 110-yard sprints. 2 x 50-yard sprints.

Hill running: 10 x 30-yard strides (half to three-quarter speed).

Dumbbell runs: 5 x 30-yard strides. Make sure to use light dumbbells for this and concentrate on arm position as you run.

Rope skipping: 15 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, Saturday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Karate:

Straight punch—46 per arm

Groin strike—46 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—46 per arm

Roundhouse kick—46 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—46 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—46 per leg

Sliding back kick—46 per leg

Basketball: 45 minutes.

Water work:

Run in water—14 minutes

Water karate (kicks and punches)—14 minutes

Modified breast stroke—14 minutes

Power clap and other shoulder and arm work—14 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Thursday

Morning and afternoon workouts should be identical to those of Tuesday and Saturday except for the sprinting portion of the morning session. On Thursday mornings substitute the tire pull for hill running. On this ninth week run 10 x 50-yard strides at half speed, pulling a tire with 18 to 22 pounds inside it. Then, rather than dumbbell sprints, wear a weighted vest and run 5 x 100-yard strides and 1 x 50-yard sprint.

National Athletic Association@G.3 Primer

 

 

The National Athletic Association (NAA) is a fictitious professional athletic association comprised of the same institutions, conferences and organizations found in its parent organizations, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and, to a lesser extent, the GAME (G.3).

As a professional athletic association, the NAA leverages the tradition, passion and pageantry of the NCAA’s sports, institutions and conferences, and extends it to the professional sports arena. Until the formation of the NAA, most collegiate athletes could not continue their athletic careers at a professional level; especially those participating in “non-revenue” sports. The NAA enables those who have used all of or forgone their NCAA eligibility to do the following:

1. Continue to develop and to maximize one’s physical abilities in a highly competitive and professional environment.
2. Provide a competitive platform for those who wish to extend their athletic careers at the very same institutions they attended as NCAA athletes.
3. Serve as a conduit for athletes to ultimately reach the most elite levels of play throughout the world.
4. Serve as a resource for intellectual growth while one pursues his or her professional athletic endeavors.  

The NAA was founded in 1999 as a 50-50 joint venture between the NCAA and G1 Ventures, the holding company that owns and operates G.3. The President of the NAA is nominated by the NCAA Executive Committee and is confirmed by a majority vote of the G1 Ventures Board of Directors to a four year term. At the end of his or her four year term, the NAA president may be retained for another four year term by a majority vote of both the NCAA Executive Committee and the G1 Ventures Board of Directors.

Since it is a professional athletic association, the NAA governance structure, unlike the NCAA, is not made up of numerous committees, subcommittees, et cetera. Instead, the NAA has a more traditional top-down leadership structure led by the NAA President.

All revenues from and expenses incurred by the NAA are divided evenly between the NCAA, G1 Ventures and the NAA.

Some Key Rules Regarding NAA Athlete Eligibility

1. In order to participate in the NAA, one must first attend or have attended an NCAA institution for at least one academic year.
2. Those who have used up all of or forgone their NCAA eligibility are automatically eligible for the NAA.
3. Those participating in the NAA are eligible to continue their studies at their corresponding NCAA institutions; however, they are not eligible to participate in its NCAA athletic competitions.
4. Depending on the sport or node, a very select number of roster spots may be designated as “open” for players from the high school, international or professional ranks. These players may be eligible to study at their corresponding NCAA institutions.

Integrating Multiple Nodes in THE GAME (G.3) Through Modules

Modules by Sirous Namazi

Article courtesy of THE GAMEology

THE GAME (G.3) constantly changes and grows so it is helpful if as many of the components within G.3 and its derivatives maintain a degree of familiarity for its observers and more importantly its participants. Using modules may not be the most purely innovative route to creating Games, but it can get large parts of a Game up and running quickly while creating a sense of familiarity fans and participants may desire.

When creating a Game, a module can consist of any number of established nodes (in whole or in part) that have already been blended or linked together (nodes that have already been created, documented and are “familiar” to an established fanbase) and can be pieced together with other nodes or modules. Although certain aspects of a Game, specifically the new parts of a Game (in the zones, the virtual and physical spaces between nodes) that link the existing nodes or modules together, may be completely new and unfamiliar, using modules helps ensure that recurrent or familiar aspects of a Game are in place; making the blends, transitions or linkages between nodes or modules easy to visualize and follow (for fans and participants).

For example, when linking the nodes of water polo and association football, one can select modules consisting of individual players, a group of players, an entire side in or on the field of play or a specific rule from either node and then link these desired modules together through the actions of W players in the transitional zones—where multiple nodes intersect with each other. In this example, a W player near the edge of a football pitch wearing a hybrid uniform in the colors and design of his affiliated football side and water polo team would, according to G.3 rules, be allowed to move freely in a zone between the pitch and the pool; transitioning in and out of football and water polo as the flow of the two independently, but parallel running games would require. By utilizing this example of a system of linking nodes through W players, one can preserve the basic structure of the existing nodes, while deriving new and interesting extensions and at the same time create new connections to other nodes.

THE GAME Training: Herschel Walker’s Advanced Training Regimen, Week Eight

Here is week eight of Herschel Walker’s recommended advanced training regimen from his book, Herschel Walker’s Basic Training.

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six | Week Seven

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

WEEK EIGHT: Monday, Friday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 15 minutes or 2 miles.

Karate:

Straight punch—44 per arm

Groin strike—44 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—44 per arm

Roundhouse kick—44 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—44 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—44 per leg

Sliding back kick—44 per leg

Agility:

Squat thrust—50

Sideways box hop—70

Backward and forward box hop—70

Half-turn—70

Push-ups: 135 total. Do as many as possible, rest, then continue until all 135 have been done. Make sure you experiment with different heights to change the resistance.

Sit-ups: 170 total. Add weight if needed.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Monday, Friday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 4 minutes.

Weight training:

Power pull—1 x10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Squat—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Close-grip bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bent-forward row—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Crunch—115

Twisting sit-up—95

Basketball: 45 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s workouts should be identical to those of Monday and Friday except for the weight work in the afternoon. Follow this program on Wednesday for your lifting:

Weight training:

Lunge—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Chin—1 x 10, 3 x 5 with added weight, 1 x 10

Curl—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Triceps press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Weighted sit-up—4 x 25

Leg raise—120

Tuesday, Saturday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 6 minutes.

Sprinting: 1 x 440-yard stride (half speed). 1 x 300-yard stride (three-quarter speed). 3 x 200-yard strides (three-quarter to full speed). 3 x 110-yard sprints. 1 x 50-yard sprint.

Hill running: 10 x 30-yard strides (half to three-quarter speed).

Dumbbell runs: 5 x 30-yard strides. Make sure to use light dumbbells for this and concentrate on arm position as you run.

Rope skipping: 15 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, Saturday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Karate:

Straight punch—44 per arm

Groin strike—44 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—44 per arm

Roundhouse kick—44 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—44 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—44 per leg

Sliding back kick—44 per leg

Basketball: 45 minutes.

Water work:

Run in water—14 minutes

Water karate (kicks and punches)—14 minutes

Modified breast stroke—14 minutes

Power clap and other shoulder and arm work—14 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Thursday

Morning and afternoon workouts should be identical to those of Tuesday and Saturday except for the sprinting portion of the morning session. On Thursday mornings substitute the tire pull for hill running. On this eighth week run 10 x 50-yard strides at half speed, pulling a tire with 15 to 20 pounds inside it. Then, rather than dumbbell sprints, wear a weighted vest and run 5 x 100-yard strides.

A Dream

THE GAME Gear: Motorola ATRIX 4G

With dual-core 1 GHz NVIDIA Tegra processors and 1GB of DDR2 RAM on board, the Motorola ATRIX is the most powerful smartphone on the market. Taking advantage of all this processing power, Motorola has positioned the ATRIX, running on Android 2.2 Froyo, as a mobile device with PC power; integrating the functionalities of a PC and a smartphone seamlessly into one device.

The fun really begins when connecting the ATRIX to an optional docking station or a laptop dock powered by the phone itself. Via its Webtop app, the ATRIX can turn into a PC that runs a true desktop Firefox browser and Flash 10:

Motorola has been receiving a ton of positive buzz after it unveiled the ATRIX at the CES last week and rightly so. But, it is baffling to me that Motorola would release this beautiful device exclusively through AT&T, a carrier who has struggled with service and connection issues—real and perceived (ask anyone who has an iPhone or any phone on the AT&T network for that matter). Gadget geeks will likely flock to the stores, in spite of the carrier, in order to be one of the first to get their hands on an ATRIX (I’m already counting down the days until I see the first unboxing video on YouTube). Who knows if the joy found in the user experience will be overshadowed by the frustration that may come with using AT&T’s network. I would love to get my hands on an ATRIX on March 1, but at the cost of several hundred dollars and a two year contract, I think I’ll safely stand on the sidelines until I know AT&T has got their act together.

I hope they do.

THE GAME Training: Herschel Walker’s Advanced Training Regimen, Week Seven

Here is week seven of Herschel Walker’s recommended advanced training regimen from his book, Herschel Walker’s Basic Training.

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

WEEK SEVEN: Monday, Friday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 14 minutes.

Karate:

Straight punch—42 per arm

Groin strike—42 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—42 per arm

Roundhouse kick—42 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—42 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—42 per leg

Sliding back kick—42 per leg

Agility:

Squat thrust—50

Sideways box hop—65

Backward and forward box hop—65

Half-turn—65

Push-ups: 130 total. Do as many as possible, rest, then continue until all 130 have been done. Make sure you experiment with different heights to change the resistance.

Sit-ups: 160 total. Again add weight if needed.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Monday, Friday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 4 minutes.

Weight training:

Power pull—1 x10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Squat—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Close-grip bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Bent-forward row—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Crunch—110

Twisting sit-up—90

Basketball: 45 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s workouts should be identical to those of Monday and Friday except for the weight work in the afternoon. Follow this program on Wednesday for your lifting:

Weight training:

Lunge—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Chin—1 x 10, 3 x 5 with added weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Curl—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Triceps press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% of target

Weighted sit-up—4 x 25

Leg raise—110

Tuesday, Saturday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 6 minutes.

Sprinting: 2 x 440-yard strides (half speed). 2 x 300-yard strides (three-quarter speed). 2 x 200-yard strides. 2 x 110-yard sprints.

Hill running: 9 x 30-yard strides (half to three-quarter speed).

Dumbbell runs: 5 x 30-yard strides. Make sure to use light dumbbells for this and concentrate on arm position as you run.

Rope skipping: 15 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, Saturday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Karate:

Straight punch—42 per arm

Groin strike—42 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—42 per arm

Roundhouse kick—42 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—42 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—42 per leg

Sliding back kick—42 per leg

Basketball: 45 minutes.

Water work:

Run in water—14 minutes

Water karate (kicks and punches)—14 minutes

Modified breast stroke—14 minutes

Power clap and other shoulder and arm work—14 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Thursday

Morning and afternoon workouts should be identical to those of Tuesday and Saturday except for the sprinting portion of the morning session. On Thursday mornings substitute the tire pull for hill running. On this seventh week run 9 x 50-yard strides at half speed, pulling a tire with 15 to 20 pounds inside it. Then, rather than dumbbell sprints, wear a weighted vest and run 5 x 100-yard strides.

G.3 Scenarios: Kobe Bryant, Basketball, Football and Nodes in Between

When Kobe Bryant was six years old, his father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, moved the family to Italy to begin playing professional basketball. It was during these formative years in Italy that Kobe Bryant played football and basketball. When his father retired in 1991, Bryant’s family moved back to the United States, but his passion for football remained.

As a young fan of AC Milan, Bryant had aspirations of being a professional football player; even claiming that if his family had stayed in Italy, he would have chosen professional football over professional basketball. He remarked to the Milan sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, during this summer’s World Cup in South Africa:

“I love soccer since the time I was a boy. From when I lived in Italy and supported AC Milan. Dreaming one day to be Marco Van Basten, one day Diego Maradona and one day Roberto Baggio.”

Byrant has more than just a passing appreciation of football and after these many years, he still feels at home on the pitch and with the football at his feet:

The 2010 NBA season begins tonight and there have been lingering concerns about Bryant’s surgically repaired left knee throughout this offseason. If Bryant could remain relatively healthy through the upcoming season and if he could endure a rigorous football training regimen, his size and athleticism would be an ideal template for a football goalie, backline defender or a forward on set pieces.

If Bryant was in his prime, it is likely that he could have played a center forward position given his athletic and attacking style of play; a style of play that has been very successful for him on a much smaller playing field—the basketball court.

Assuming that we have a Kobe Bryant in his prime, the thought of his potential role as a defenseman (D) or forward (F) in a blended football-basketball G node or a as transitional wing playmaker (W) between football and basketball nodes is tantalizing.

As a defenseman, Bryant, who is already an elite defender in the NBA, could fit in well is as a backline defender who can quickly counter and lead an offensive attack in a defense-offense transition formation (the middle of the three different formation modules bracketed in the diagram below). Given that Bryant’s main sport requires quick bursts of offense to defense and vice versa, his transition as a defender into an offensive catalyst in the defense-offense transition formations would be a relatively easy adjustment to make.

As a forward in the defense-offense transition formation in a blended G node, Bryant could slot into the left or right wings since he possesses the requisite skill set: very good speed, length, strength, long shooting range, passing and decision-making ability, and a strong defensive presence.

As a transitional wing player linking two or more nodes (football and basketball in this example) that are not completely blended but exist in two separate forms simultaneously, Bryant could transition into and out of football and basketball in some of the following ways:

1. Shots made from specific spots on the basketball court could activate football set pieces for Bryant or another player to take during the next pause in football and basketball action.
2. Long distance shots made from specific spots on the basketball court could award the football team on the same GAME team a man advantage on the pitch for a short finite period of time; much like man advantages in ice hockey.
3. A G.3-designed field with a basketball court side by side with a football pitch would allow Bryant to concentrate on his basketball assignments while providing additional zonal marking on the pitch when he is in the corresponding basketball court-football pitch areas (by crossing over the sidelines and freely traversing into and out of the two fields of play as needed).

Elite G.3 performers must excel in multiple individual nodes while at the same time have the flexibility to excel in G nodes that link or blend two or more nodes together. Kobe Bryant may not be the young man he was half a decade ago, but his versatility, athleticism, intelligent play and competitive makeup continues to secure his status as one of the NBA’s and G.3’s elite.

THE GAME Training: Herschel Walker’s Advanced Training Regimen, Week Six

Here is week six of Herschel Walker’s recommended advanced training regimen from his book, Herschel Walker’s Basic Training.

Week One | Week Two | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five

THE ADVANCED PROGRAM

WEEK SIX: Monday, Friday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 30 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 13 minutes.

Karate:

Straight punch—40 per arm

Groin strike—40 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—40 per arm

Roundhouse kick—40 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—40 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—40 per leg

Sliding back kick—40 per leg

Agility:

Squat thrust—50

Sideways box hop—60

Backward and forward box hop—60

Half-turn—60

Push-ups: 125 total. Do as many as possible, rest, then continue until all 125 have been done. If these are too easy, elevate your feet at least 8 inches.

Sit-ups: 150 total. Again add weight if needed.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Monday, Friday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 4 minutes.

Weight training:

Power pull—1 x10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Squat—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Close-grip bench press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Bent-forward row—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Crunch—105

Twisting sit-up—85

Basketball: 45 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s workouts should be identical to those of Monday and Friday except for the weight work in the afternoon. Follow this program on Wednesday for your lifting:

Weight training:

Lunge—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Chin—1 x 10, 3 x 5 with added weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Curl—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Triceps press—1 x 10 warm-up, 3 x 5 target weight, 1 x 10 with 70% target

Weighted sit-up—4 x 25

Leg raise—100

Tuesday, Saturday—Morning Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Jogging: 6 minutes.

Sprinting: 1 x 880-yard stride (quarter to half speed). 2 x 440-yard strides (half speed). 2 x 300-yard strides (three-quarter speed). 2 x 200-yard sprints.

Hill running: 8 x 40-yard strides (half speed).

Dumbbell runs: 5 x 30-yard strides. Make sure to use light dumbbells for this and concentrate on arm position as you run.

Rope skipping: 15 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Tuesday, Saturday—Afternoon Session

Warm-ups: 35 jumping jacks. Run in place for 4 minutes.

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Karate:

Straight punch—40 per arm

Groin strike—40 per arm

Open-hand strike to face—40 per arm

Roundhouse kick—40 per leg

Front snap kick to the midsection—40 per leg

Front snap kick to the head—40 per leg

Sliding back kick—40 per leg

Basketball: 45 minutes.

Water work:

Run in water—14 minutes

Water karate (kicks and punches)—14 minutes

Modified breast stroke—14 minutes

Power clap and other shoulder and arm work—14 minutes

Stretching: Hold each stretch twice for 30 seconds.

Thursday

Morning and afternoon workouts should be identical to those of Tuesday and Saturday except for the sprinting portion of the morning session. On Thursday mornings substitute the tire pull for hill running. On this sixth week run 8 x 50-yard strides at half speed, pulling a tire with 12 to 15 pounds inside it. Then, rather than dumbbell sprints, wear a weighted vest and run 1 x 200-yard stride at half to three-quarter speed and 4 x 100-yard strides.

THE GAME Gear: RIM Blackberry Torch 9800

In an effort to gain market share in the popular touch-screen smartphone market, RIM’s response to the market leader Apple iPhone and Motorola’s recent line of well-received Android phones is the Blackberry Torch.

Perhaps learning from the lackluster response received by the Blackberry Storm, RIM’s first foray into the touch-screen smartphone market, notable changes in the Blackberry Torch include the incorporation of RIM’s iconic QWERTY keyboard as a slide-out keyboard, the new Blackberry OS 6 and a WebKit browser. So how does the Torch’s features and performance stack up with the other phones in its class? PhoneArena presents a video review of the new RIM Blackberry Torch 9800.