How to 360 Air on a Snowboard

Here's a killer spinning maneuver with vast variations.


Step1
Get comfortable with ollies, jumps and 180 airs before you attempt a 360 air.


Step2
Find a jump transition with good pitch and a soft powder landing.


Step3
Approach the jump on your uphill rail with moderate speed.


Step4
Crouch down and wind up your body to spin when you hit the lip.


Step5
Jump up and unwind to get your body spinning as you leave the jump.


Step6
Keep your upper body low and lead with your head. Try to keep an eye out for your landing ahead of you as you rotate a full circle in the air.


Step7
Land both feet at the same time, bending your knees to absorb the impact.

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How to Add a Potting Bench to a Yard

For a gardener, nothing is more satisfying then heading outdoors to pot up seedlings; a potting bench makes this easy. The main feature is the worktable, while lower shelves hold supplies like potting soil, pots and miscellaneous tools. The best work centers are designed around the needs of those who use it.



Step1
Walk around your entire yard considering possible locations for your potting bench. Obvious spots are exterior walls of the house, shed, garage or fence. Access to a hose, as well as the shed or garage where tools and supplies are stored, offers additional convenience.


Step2
Decide whether to buy a prebuilt bench, to assemble one from the variety of kits available, or to design and build your own. Use materials that coordinate with or complement your deck or fence.


Step3
Enhance the usefulness of your potting bench by adding a sink and faucet; bins or storage containers for potting soil and fertilizers; racks for pots; hooks for hanging tools; shelves for small pots and bottles. If possible, allow space to store a garden cart, a bin of potting soil, and trash and composts barrels.

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How to Achieve Shen in Tai Chi

Tai chi is based on "chi," a life energy that is inherent in all living things. "Shen" is an elevated level of chi. With these steps, you'll learn how to purify your chi to reach contentment through shen.





Step1
Begin with meditation to become aware of your own chi.


Step2
Sit comfortably in a quiet place. Be sure that you won't be interrupted for at least 20 minutes.


Step3
Empty your mind of stressful thoughts and concentrate on the rhythm of your body. Sense the blood flow, your breathing and so on until you can feel the body's natural rhythm.


Step4
Bring up your spirit or awareness to your head by imagining a string pulling you up.


Step5
Push your breathing lower until you reach an area about three inches below the navel and two inches inward (the tan tien, known as the center of your chi).


Step6
Meditate every day. After several weeks or months you will begin to sense the rhythm of internal energy without the assistance of deep breathing.


Step7
Use your mind to guide your chi's path inside your body. You will gain increased awareness and natural energy.


Step8
Reinforce the spirit of your existence by applying a wide-angle vision of the world with an alert and relaxed mind.


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How to Balance Panniers

Panniers are comfortable, convertible and customizable "saddlebags" for bicycling. Here's how to pack them properly for a smooth ride.



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Step1
Divide the heaviest gear into two piles. Try to make the piles as close to the same size and weight as you can.


Step2
Place one pile in each rear pannier, with the most useful gear on top.


Step3
Divide the lightest gear into two equal piles.


Step4
Place one light pile in each of the front panniers.


Step5
Add remaining gear to the front and back panniers, until the weight is divided roughly 60 percent on the back tire and 40 percent on the front.


Step6
Ride your bicycle around the block to check that the weight is balanced side-to-side.


Step7
Add or subtract items from one side or the other, as needed, to balance the bike.



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How to Backside Air on a Snowboard Halfpipe

Turning backside is turning your chest down the transition so that your back faces up the slope. Backside airs are awesome to watch and fun to do, and set the foundation for a whole array of aerial variations.

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Step1
Spend some time riding the halfpipe so that you're comfortable doing both frontside and backside curve turns high on the wall of the pipe.


Step2
Add a little extra to your hop at the top of your backside turn to release your weight from the board as you turn. Once you're doing this, you're basically already doing backside airs.


Step3
Approach the wall on your uphill rail, facing downhill.


Step4
Absorb the transition by bending your knees as you ride up it.


Step5
Use the bend in your knees to jump up as you reach the peak of your turn.


Step6
Turn your chest to face down the transition, and turn your board 180 degrees to face back down the transition as well.


Step7
Keep your eyes on the spot where you want to land.


Step8
Land on the transition with your knees bent to absorb the impact.

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How to Avoid Getting Blisters While Hiking

There's nothing like painful blisters to ruin your backcountry trip, but you can avoid them by taking these measures.

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Step1
Break in hiking shoes or boots well before your hike, wearing the same shoe-sock combination you will use on the trail.


Step2
Wrap your blister-prone spots with athletic tape or duct tape before you start hiking, if you know you're likely to have a problem. Put the tape directly on your skin; when you're done hiking, take off your boots and pull off the tape immediately. The heat and sweat from your feet will make it easier to remove.


Step3
Soak any developing hot spot (an area that is irritated from rubbing) in cold water or air-dry it until the spot cools.


Step4
Apply a patch or doughnut of moleskin to the hot spot or cover it with tape. Theories about the pros and cons of patches, doughnuts and tape vary. Experiment and find what works best for you.


Step5
Use foot powder and change into a dry pair of socks before you put your boots or shoes back on and continue hiking.




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How to Airwalk on In-Line Skates

Jump up and kick one leg forward and one leg back for a simple and stylish jump trick on in-line skates.



Step1
Master jumping so that you can land and roll away smoothly every time.


Step2
Get rolling on your in-line skates.


Step3
Crouch down, compressing your body to jump.


Step4
Jump up as high as you can. Make sure you jump straight up and not forward or backward.


Step5
Kick one leg forward and one leg backward while you are in the air. Keep the forward leg straight and bend the knee of the back leg.


Step6
Bring your legs back together before landing.


Step7
Bend your knees to absorb your landing.


http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/sports-fitness/3.htm#1

How to Air to Fakie on a Snowboard

Turn 180 degrees in the air and land riding backward on your snowboard. This is a great first spin maneuver for an intermediate rider just getting a taste for aerial stunts.



Step1
Learn to ride fakie so that you're comfortable with it.


Step2
Approach a jump riding on your uphill rail with good speed.


Step3
Crouch down and wind up your torso just a little to help you spin. Keep your head facing forward at all times.


Step4
Hit the jump and leap up and unwind as you leave the lip.


Step5
Pull your legs up in the air and spin 180 degrees.


Step6
Land both feet at the same time, riding backward.


http://www.freewebtown.com/howtodothing/sports-fitness/2.htm#2

How to Advance When Fencing

The "advance" is a step forward, taken with both feet, to close the distance between oneself and the opponent. The advance is also known as "gaining ground."




Step1
Raise the leading foot slightly, toe first, and carry it forward along the line of direction no more than one shoe length.


Step2
Set the leading foot down, heel first.


Step3
Lift the rear foot and quickly bring it forward the same distance as the leading foot.


Step4
Set the rear foot down, ball of the foot first.

http://www.freewebtown.com/6-30/h/o/howtodothing/sports-fitness/2.htm#1

How to Adjust to the Count in Baseball

Baseball, as in most sports, is about making adjustments. It is only natural to learn from our mistakes in the hope of reaching our optimum level of performance. However, while players at every level make changes to their game following a lousy performance or at halftime, the great players can modify their game during the game while on the field, including during the course of an at-bat. Tom House, the foremost trusted name when it comes to the art of pitching, continually stresses to his pitchers to get ahead in the count. As a hitter, we understand the advantage a pitcher has on us when he is ahead 0-2, and it is our job to try and avoid such a count and adjust to in-game scenarios. Following are the different counts a hitter is faced with throughout the course of a game with a brief description to what his mindset should be as he goes from pitch to pitch in his battle with the pitcher.




Step1
0-0: A lot of people think the first pitch of an at-bat is an automatic take pitch; I disagree. Nomar Garciaparra and other major league hitters believe the first pitch is a lot of the time the best pitch he may see during the course of an at-bat. Remember: A pitcher s focus is to get ahead, throw a first pitch strike. As a hitter, I have to be ready to jump on that first pitch if it s in my wheelhouse.

The wheelhouse is the location of the pitch where you as a hitter feel most comfortable. For most hitters, that location is middle-in, however, for someone like Derek Jeter, he tends to look middle-away, meaning if he gets a fastball out over the plate or on the outer half he is going to drive it to the opposite field. Are you a high-ball hitter or low-ball hitter? These are questions you must answer as you shrink the strike zone in anticipation for your pitch, not his! What happens if you are looking middle-in and the pitcher throws the ball on the outer-half of the plate? Simply tip your cap and get ready for the next pitch.


Step2
0-1: The pitcher has the advantage, which means you have to expand the strike zone. A hitter cannot simply be looking in his wheelhouse, but rather concede and take the pitch the other way and expand the hitting zone. When the pitcher is ahead in the count he is more likely to throw a curveball or some kind of off-speed pitch, and for most hitters we are looking for a fastball.


Step3
1-1: The count has swung back in favor of the hitter because now the pitcher is more apt to want to throw a strike. The strike zone however should remain the same as the previous count because if you fall behind 1-2 then the odds of seeing a good pitch, a pitch you can drive, diminishes.


Step4
1-2: Whenever you have two strikes, you must protect the plate and expand the zone. Good hitters learn how to be able to hit a pitcher s pitch, such as a curveball on the outside corner. Often times you hear coaches say, With two strikes choke-up on the bat and put it in play. While this strategy does have some validity, it is also important to remember that to hit a baseball requires aggression; a defensive approach usually backfires on a hitter and plays into the hands of the pitcher.


Step5
2-2: This count could go either way. For starters, the hitters must recognize that with two strikes he must expand the strike zone. Conversely, the pitcher understands that he does not want to go 3-2. The 2-2 count tends to favor the hitter; however, pitchers that have confidence view it as opportunity to break off a curveball or get the hitter to chase a pitch out of his wheelhouse.


Step6
3-2: The payoff pitch! Again, the hitter needs to protect with two strikes, while the pitcher does not want to give his opponent any free passes; he needs to hit to get on is the popular rallying cry for pitching coaches throughout the world. With that said, the hitter must look for the pitch that he feels the pitcher is most confident throwing for a strike, usually a fastball.


Step7
1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-0: Whenever you are faced with any of these counts your eyes should light up because you know the pitcher has to throw a strike to avoid falling even deeper in the hole. This is when you revert back to what we discussed earlier on the 0-0 count. If the ball is in your wheelhouse, go for it. Your responsibility as a hitter is to get a good pitch to hit and make good contact, after that your job is done and there are many factors out of your control to whether you have hit safely or not. The 3-0 pitch is more often a pitch a hitter takes. Make the pitcher throw you a strike. Furthermore, if you are fortunate enough to get the green light on 3-0 from your coach make sure the ball is in a location where you can drive the ball for extra bases.

How to Host a Campfire Storytelling Party

If Yellowstone or Yosemite aren t on the current agenda, then skip the big fish stories and bug spray and host a campfire storytelling party in your backyard.

Step1
Invitation: Send Girl Scout cookies or a miniature box of graham crackers with a note inviting guests for an evening filled with stories, snacks and s mores.


Step2
Atmosphere: think campground with a roaring bonfire, logs and rocks that form a circle around chairs. For additional lighting, go for hanging lanterns and candles. For extra credit, have blankets and sweatshirts on hand in case it gets a little chilly.


Step3
Snacks: Set up a s more station with mini s more grills or let guests heat their marshmallows over the open flame. Either way, include the essentials of cinnamon and regular graham crackers, chocolate and regular marshmallows, a variety of chocolate bars (milk, dark or white) and maybe a few more ingredients for decadence like caramel syrup, peanut butter or sliced bananas. If hosting a meal instead of snacks, it s all about the grill baby! See the resources below for grilling menus and recipes.


Step4
Storytelling: Put a twist on traditional storytelling and have guests place one topic and one key word into a hat when they arrive. Then let each guest pick two pieces of paper from the hat. Once everyone is seated, have one person start the story. They must include the two things that they drew from the hat into their story. When they feel that they have shared enough, they pass it on to the next person, who picks up the story where it was left off. They too must include their two items, and story continues like this around the circle.


Step5
Channel Your Inner Boy Scout: Test your knot-tying knowledge. Cut lengths of rope and print out a few knot diagrams (see resources). Give each contestant a piece of rope, call out the knot they are to tie and start the timer. (30 seconds is good.) The person who finishes the quickest gets a prize (like a Swiss army knife or pen).