Victory Without Honor

Greetings Earthlings:

Before I get started.....Here We Go Steelers Here We Go!!!

Has everyone returned safely from DC, or were you a mere mortal who had to watch from your office via CNN/Facebook? In a society that seems to be trying to get back to core values and principles of honor and integrity we have found a few that aren't down with the program, shame on you.

Full Story and Details Here

I return to positivity. Is it me or is this basketball season flying by.....I can't believe it's almost February. Many of you are starting to get banged up and bruised up for a myriad of reasons. If you're feeling a little tired and worn down might I suggest the following:




I don't necessarily condone the junk food and excessive video games, but he's in the league and I'm not so go figure...

It's About Time

For years I have advocated testing, training and drill work in lieu of meaningless games and baby-sitting camps disguised as instruction. Many have looked at me and laughed as they went off to play in more meaningless games. Well, well, well it looks as if the basketball higher ups agree with me. Hopefully now when I say things people will be more willing to listen. I'm just saying.....

NBA to overhaul predraft camp
by Geoffrey C. Arnold, The Oregonian
Friday November 21, 2008, 10:47 AM

With the start of the college basketball season, NBA scouting departments shift into high gear. This season, the player-evaluation process will have a different conclusion.

The NBA told general managers this month that the league has decided to overhaul its predraft camp to try to encourage more top players to attend its showcase player-evaluation event.

The biggest change is the league's plan to no longer conduct the official games and workouts during the four-day camp, which is scheduled to begin in late May. Player agents in recent years encouraged their clients to skip those competitions.


"If a player knows he's definitely one of the top picks, there was no point in taking any risks (at the camp)," said Bernie Bickerstaff, an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls.

To ensure greater participation of the players, the NBA is going to experiment with changing the look of the predraft camp to more closely resemble the National Football League's combine camp: no competitive games, just drills, skill evaluation, physicals and interviews. It's an attempt to increase the likelihood that all players, from lottery selections to free-agent candidates, will face the same evaluation conditions and criteria.

"The more access we can get to players, the better it's going to be for us," said Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard . "We will be able to make better decisions.

As recently as a few years ago, only a handful of players -- normally potentially high draft picks -- would skip competing in games at the camp. But last year, just two (George Hill, 26th pick, and J.R. Giddens, 30th) of the 64 players who competed in games during the 2008 predraft camp were first round selections in the 2008 draft.

With most top picks skipping competition and choosing only to participate in drills and interviews, the games served only to evaluate players who were likely second round picks or not drafted at all. "These days, most of the guys who did play were guys who might not have been in the draft and were trying to raise their stock so they might get drafted," Bickerstaff said.

Individual workouts have supplanted the predraft camp in terms of importance. These team-sponsored workouts allowed players to compete in a much more controlled environment, reducing the risk of a poor performance that could hurt a player's draft position.

"All we see is the individual workouts, and people are judging players on that," Bickerstaff said. "That's not really a good barometer."

Having a combinelike camp could give league executives more opportunities for evaluation and greater knowledge of players.

"We try to get as much information as possible," Pritchard said. "The more information, the better."

Also, the camp will return to Chicago after being held the past two years in Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, Fla. No final decision has been made on where the camp will be held, but speculation is focusing on training guru Tim Grover's Attack Athletics training facility, instead of the Moody Bible Institute, where the four-day camp was held before moving to Orlando. Chicago is regarded as more centrally located and accessible for NBA personnel than Orlando.

"Both markets are good, but they're just looking at results and decided to go back to Chicago," said Maureen Coyle, the NBA's vice president of communications.

Bickerstaff said regardless of where and how the predraft camp would be conducted in 2009, nothing will change in how league executives evaluate players. Any final decisions on whom to draft -- particularly lottery picks -- are unlikely to be made during the predraft camp.

"It doesn't get down to those four or five days at the camp. You should be very familiar with the players you're interested in long before the camp," Bickerstaff said. "If you're doing your job and done your due diligence, you've seen them play in situations where their team was supposed to win to see how they play. You've seen them play in pressure situations where they were underdogs. You're in a position where you have seen them play in all kinds of situations.

"The bottom line in those situations in that you have to have done your homework. So that one week shouldn't make or break your decision."

My All Character Team:












RIP

We lost a legend in Women's Coaching on Saturday and I just wanted to take a moment to recognize Kay Yow for all her efforts and contributions to the game of basketball. She touched many lives and was a positive inspiration to so many young women. Her hard work and efforts were not in vain. May she rest comfortably and peacefully.

Smart Kids

This isn't about basketball, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mention Myron Rolle. For those of you who don't know about Myron Rolle...Florida State safety Myron Rolle has chosen to opt out of the possibility to ink a hefty professional football contract, and will study at Oxford instead of entering this year’s NFL draft. Rolle plans to seek a one-year master’s degree in medical anthropology and take full advantage of a Rhodes scholarship he was awarded in November, The New York Times reported Monday in an entry on its college football blog. “I’m very excited to go,” Rolle wrote in a text message to the newspaper. Rolle, projected to be an early round pick, said he plans to enter the 2010 NFL draft. Rolle, from Galloway, N.J., got his undergraduate degree in pre-med after two and a half years, and has been taking graduate courses at Florida State this year, reports USAToday.com. Very Inspirational to say the least....




Records are Made To Be Broken

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- From today forward, children across the state of Kentucky will be demanding hash browns and scrambled eggs from their parents before they head off to school.

It's the new breakfast of Big Blue champions. Specifically, it is the game-day breakfast ritual of Kentucky Wildcat Jodie Meeks. Who puts the shoot in shooting guard. Who stroked smoke out of the nets in Thompson-Boling Arena. Who merely rewrote the annals of the winningest program in college basketball history. On Tuesday morning, Meeks had eggs and hash browns at the Knoxville Marriott. Same as he did when he scored 46 points against Appalachian State last month. Same as he has before every game during his breakout junior season. On Tuesday night, he turned Thompson-Boling into Studio 54. Meeks danced his way to a school-record 54 points as Kentucky thrashed Tennessee 90-72. Made a school-record 10 3-point shots in 15 attempts. Made all 14 free throws. Made five other two-point shots, too. The 54 points broke the 39-year-old school record of Dan Issel, who scored 53 against Mississippi. It should be noted that Kentucky scored 120 points that day, which means Issel scored 44 percent of the Wildcats' total. Meeks racked up a ridiculous 60 percent of Kentucky's points here -- an extraordinary display of shooting and stamina stretched over 39 jaw-dropping minutes. When you say Issel's name aloud in the commonwealth of Kentucky, a heavenly chorus follows and those within earshot bow their heads. It's a state law. He is the greatest scorer in the history of a program that has won 1,979 games, and its most revered player. So when you break a Dan Issel scoring record, you have done something. When you do it on the road in front of 20,474 fans and the defending SEC champion, you have really done something. You have etched your name in Kentucky lore.

"To be in the same sentence as guys like Dan Issel and other Kentucky legends, it means a lot," the muscular, 6-foot-4 guard said. "It's kind of mind-boggling to me." Consider everyone's mind boggled, Jodie. "It was the most unbelievable thing I've ever seen," said his coach, Billy Gillispie.

Meeks wears No. 23. And seriously, has that number looked this good in action since Michael Jordan hung it up? He finished one point shy of Jordan's famous double-nickel game against the New York Knicks.

Incredible Hops

Want incredible hops? Try this explosive routine and watch your vertical jump soar Do this routine once per week and you'll be flying in no time.

• Front Squats x 8
• Viper Jumps x 8
• Rest
• Front Squat x 8
• Viper Jumps x 8
• Rest
• Front Squat x 8
• Viper Jumps x 8
• Rest
• Tuck Jumps x 5

10 Things

2009 is here in full swing. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I won my first Conference Championship, went to my first NCAA Tournament and experienced first hand what March Madness is all about. Hopefully all of you are out there preparing for your own March Madness in about 50 or 60 days. Now that we have all of the cupcake opponents and Holiday Tournaments out of the way its time for the meat of our schedule and those tough conference opponents that are capable of upset at any time. Last night was a prime example as the heavily favored Celtics and Cavs both went down to less talented teams. Bring it every night. Did you catch the 4 O.T. thriller between Portland State and Northern Arizona? How about BC taking care of UNC? It can happen prepare yourself and your team and it can be done. In case you missed them:

10 Ways I Will Help You Become a Better Player:

1. You can't compound mistakes, miss a shot get back don't foul the rebounder or the guard bringing the ball up-court.
2. If it's asked you can do it, you might not want to but the great ones always do things they don't like to do. It's what separates them from the rest.
3. Play Hard No Matter What!!
4. Focus and effort make up for your deficiencies.
5. Stop them from scoring, high percentage shots and no turnovers leads to victory.
6. Dominate a game without scoring or do other things when your shot isn't falling.
7. Quitting is not an option. Don't grab your knee when you get beat on defense or walk back because you thought you got fouled. Keep playing hard when you aren't playing well or when a call doesn't go your way. It's a long game.
8. Get to the foul line. I know how you hard you competed by how many times you get to the line. No FTA's means you weren't being aggressive offensively or defensively.
9. Set screens for other people and you will be the beneficiary of open looks.
10. Know your role and know your personnel. Don't take shots or force plays you're not supposed to and don't rely on your teammates to make plays you know they're not capable of. Guards don't give the ball to the 5 man on the wing in transition. 5 man don't try to dribble the ball against pressure.

Post these 10 things in your locker or in your locker room and tell me if they don't lead to more victories!!

Having A Ball On The Road

You're on the road, you can't get access to a high-end gym and you're dead tired. If you're lucky and there's a stability ball handy you can get a good workout in. It won't take much time or equipment but it will be effective. These core exercises on the ball help strengthen core muscles including the hard-to-get-to muscles. They also improve balance and overall coordination. Some of these moves are advanced exercises that require previous experience with an exercise ball.

1. Push-Up Progression start with hips on the Ball, progress to toe stability on the Ball
2. Pike or Knee Tuck on the Ball
3. Hamstring Curls on the Ball lift hips and point toes, start with heels on the Ball
4. One-Leg Squat on the Ball
5. Alternating Superman (Opposite Arm, Opposite Leg) Laying Prone on the Ball
6. 3 Point Hypers Prone with feet on the floor
7. Abdominal Crunches on the Ball
8. Reverse Crunch with Ball between hamstrings and heels
9. Push-Ups with 2 Hands on the Ball and 2 Feet on the ground
10. Plank with 2 Hands on the ground and 2 Feet on the Ball, progress to 2 Toes and eventually 1 Foot off the Ball

This is not an exercise routine, but a sample of exercises. Be sure you have a spotter and always consult a physician before starting an exercise routine.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!

I'm blogging live from Myrtle Beach South Carolina. Wish I would have brought my golf clubs, but oh well maybe next time. I love traveling except the part where my diet and my workout routine gets interrupted. I hope everyone had a safe Holiday and if you are a basketball junkie the words Holiday Tournament have been spoken once or twice over the past 10 days. I'm down at the Battle of the Beach one of the many highly competitive High School Tournaments around the country. My hotel is right on the beach and I keep hoping to see the dolphins in the water at dawn but so far no such luck. What I have seen is way too much ESPN in my hotel room, interestingly enough I was watching a very fascinating piece on "Outside the Lines" and I felt compelled to share this with you guys. I know these are the things that many people are in denial about, but hey I have to keep it authentic and if mainstream media is echoing my sentiments........ Check out this story and let me know what you think:

Before

After:



My take from this is that young people need to become more well rounded and pursue many passions and interests so that you can become grounded and have other positive outlets that can help you avoid burnout. Just my opinion, not the gospel.


D-TRAINED Alumni:





Prince leads No. 14 Rutgers past Army, 59-38
Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008
By DOUG FEINBERG - AP Sports Writer


NEW YORK -- Epiphanny Prince scored 25 points and Kia Vaughn added a season-high 12 to help No. 14 Rutgers beat Army 59-38 in the first game of the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Rutgers (6-2) had struggled to win its last three games, averaging 22 turnovers in the victories. They also hadn't been getting much from Vaughn, who was only averaging 8.1 points. The senior center, who went to high school a block from the Garden, was even benched in a victory over Georgia.
On Sunday, Rutgers made an effort to get Vaughn involved early. She scored eight of the team's first 10 points as the Scarlet Knights jumped out to a 19-4 lead. Prince and Vaughn combined for 15 of the 19.


James, Baron lead URI to near upset of Blue Devils
By CCT Staff | November 17, 2008
“One of those February games in November.”
“A game that completely captures you.”
“The best game played so far in college basketball.”
- Mike Krzyzewski
Yesterday, in a game where oddsmakers tabbed the hometown Duke Blue Devils as twenty-plus point favorites, Rhode Island led fifth ranked Duke for thirty-seven of forty minutes before falling at Cameron Indoor Stadium - their fate not sealed until a desperation heave by Jimmy Baron missed wide right.
“The last five minutes, I thought we did everything right,” Krzyzewski remarked. “They didn’t do anything wrong, they just missed a couple of shots.”In the end, it was those perfect five minutes from Duke that subdued the stubborn Rams in a game which required every ounce of energy the Cameron Crazies possessed to help will their team to victory.
From the very beginning, it was evident that the Rams didn’t show up in Durham intimidated. Importantly, young Ram guards Marquis Jones and Stevie Mejia held their own in a hostile environment against the Duke pressure, an early key to Rhode Island’s ability to compete with the Devils. While Rhode Island showed tremendous poise as a unit, Delroy James (21 points, 8 rebounds) carried them throughout the first half, where they built a lead as high as twelve points (34-22). The Rams continually frustrated the Blue Devils with their length and limited the Devils to one shot opportunity on nearly every possession. Offensively, James (9-12 field goals for the game) attacked the Duke forwards off the dribble. He got to the rim, pulled up for an assortment of mid-range jumpers, and connected on his only three point attempt.
“James really got them started off,” said Krzyzewski. In the first half, he really wore us out. At the end of clocks… we’d just rush and do something at the end of the clock… and they’d take advantage of it. A big part of it was James’ ability to break you down from the four spot.” Duke’s Gerald Henderson agreed. “I played against him in high school… a lot of AAU… He played a heck of a game. He hit some tough shots. I thought we played some pretty good defense on him. He’s a heck of a player.”At the 3:33 mark of the first half, Rhode Island owned a 34-22 advantage. But Duke charged back, orchestrating an 11-0 run behind Scheyer (23 points, 13-13 from the free-throw line) and Singler (21 points, 5 rebounds), to close within one at the break. While it was the Rams inspired team play, paced by James, which carried them in their solid first half effort

Just Because They're Gone But Not Forgotten

Early vs Late Bloomers

Greetings Everyone, or Season's Greetings as some like to say. Here's to everyone having a safe holiday season and spending time with loved ones. For a few lucky basketball purists there is nothing more exciting than getting on a plane and traveling to a holiday tournament. I'll never forget spending Christmas in Hawaii one year and sunny and 85 isn't such a bad thing in December.
Whatever you decide to do, enjoy yourself and your time with loved ones. Remember during this holiday season to be thankful for what you have instead of regretting or complaining about what you don't have.

Early vs Late Bloomers

So you're on an elite travel team....really, that's great. Your son is so good that he's playing U12 and he's only 9 years old, that's impressive. Ms. you said your daughter is one of the best 7th graders in the county? Man if I had a dollar every time someone bent my ear with one of these tall tales. Youth Sports is more than a cultural phenomenon, it has become a way of life. More and more people are doing all that they can to early predict future success in sports. Basketball is no stranger to this ideology. In my opinion there is no such thing as an elite 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th grade player. Don't believe me, watch a game at this level and it's riddled with turnovers, bad shot selection, missed shots and downright ugly game play. Despite those truths somewhere someone is convinced that their son or daughter has what it takes to be the next great thing. I wonder if those same people would feel the same way after viewing this video:

So who is competing the kids or the adults?:

The moral of the story is use sports don't let them use you or your children. At some point they will have to do something besides sports so take the time to fully develop those other areas of their lives.

For The Record

Congrats to CP for reaching an NBA Milestone. And I thought my 7 steals in one game was impressive!! As perhaps my favorite NBA player to watch I hope you reach many more milestones in your illustrious career.

Late in the first half of the Hornets' game against the Spurs, Chris Paul broke an NBA record by grabbing a steal in his 106th consecutive game. It happened on a play where he and Rasual Butler trapped Tony Parker, and when the ball was knocked loose, Butler made sure that Paul would be the one to grab it, and thus, the record that had been held by Alvin Robertson since 1986 was broken.

The crowd immediately knew what had happened, and rose to their feet to deliver a standing ovation that lasted well into the next possession, even before they were notified of the feat by the arena's announcer.

If you're thinking that a consecutive steals record isn't really that big of an accomplishment, well, you need to think again. Besides the fact that Paul broke a record that had stood for almost 22 years, all you have to do is look at the next closest active player on the list to see just how ridiculous it really is. That player would be Rajon Rondo, who has recorded steals in a whopping ... 22 consecutive games. Which means he'd have to go more than an entire 82-game season with a steal in every single game just to get to where Paul is now. And by the looks of things, there's no indication that CP3 will be stopping at 106.



Channel Surfing

I don't get to watch alot of TV, but when I do I like to make the most of it. Here are some of the things that get me excited and up out of my seat.

Commitment

Commitment

noun
1. the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose; "a man of energy and commitment" [syn: committedness]
2. the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action; "his long commitment to public service"; "they felt no loyalty to a losing team"
3. a message that makes a pledge
4. the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)

Some of us are commited to success and some of us have been commited to the bench or to losing due to lack of preparation and focus. Let's look at some examples:


Commitment: Player makes a pledge to get 20 points per game by following the formula I layed out last week. You need to score 5 points per quarter or every 8 minutes. Here are a few ways to do it. Make 1 lay-up, get an offensive rebound and put-back or tip in, get a breakaway steal for a lay-up, cut back-door for a lay-up, get fouled in the act of shooting, get out and run on the break and score in transition. No fancy cross-overs, or streetball tricks required.



Now do you believe me?

These guys aren't fully commited, just ask Bulls Coach Vinny Del Negro:

"I can handle mistakes. But I can't handle lack of effort. And I can't handle lack of commitment to the team. Those guys know that. They're working better. That's always a work in progress with a young team."

Such words suggest a transgression along the lines of Thomas skipping practice last season in premeditated fashion, which drew a two-game suspension from general manager John Paxson. Del Negro denied any such wrongdoing had occurred and responded to a follow-up question about the shortcomings of Noah and Thomas by explaining his philosophy of commitment.

"Commitment is coming in with energy every day, with focus, trying to get better, lifting weights, being on time, paying attention in meetings, being ready to play, knowing what your role is, who you're guarding, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how you can affect the team in a positive way," he said. "Commitment is being a professional, working every day to get better individually. As that happens, the team gets better."

Thomas has played 5 minutes 6 seconds the last two games and recorded his first "Did Not Play—Coach's Decision" of the season in Tuesday's victory over the Knicks. Noah didn't play at all in Saturday's victory over Washington, then responded with five rebounds and four blocks in 19 minutes Tuesday.

"He put in extra work running and learning plays," Del Negro said. "No question he had an effect on the game."

Thomas' disappearance from the rotation comes on the heels of back-to-back effective performances in the home loss to the 76ers and road loss to the Bucks. He averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in those games.

Thomas has been more open and outgoing with the media this season but declined to address reporters through a team spokesman Wednesday. He did so seconds after pleasantly initiating greetings with reporters as he walked into the off-limits locker room.

"It's not just one guy," Del Negro said. "As a team, we have to jell and there are always bumps. If guys commit to the team, they'll get a chance."


The Dangers of Summer Ball Success:

Every summer from coast to coast players and non-players alike flood the streets looking for a run. Summer Ball became so endearing it birthed that red-headed child named "Street Ball". Summer or Streetball is an opportunity to go to the park or gym and hear ooohs and aaahs and pick up lousy habits including bad shot selection, no transition or help defense, and a myriad of other bad habits. Perhaps the most dangerous risk of summer or streetball in my eyes is injury. Why risk getting hurt or taking time away from training and development for some false pride and a bunch of meaningless ooohs and aahhs. When you have a guaranteed NBA Contract you have nothing to prove to the people in the street. If they doubt you go out and prove it on a nightly basis and they can come and see your work live and in person. At the end of the day what does trying to prove yourself in their eyes really accomplish? Not convinced, o.k. I can think of $111 million reasons not to:




Ok so you say its not about the money..... I offer exhibit B



Do this all summer and this happens.........



Can't do what you did in Summer League and expect to be successful when money is on the line!!


Trash Talk

So many do it, only a few can truly back it up. If you're one of the few who can back it up it is entertaining. If you can't back it up it does make you look quite foolish. Take a look at my list of favorite trash-talkers. Some on the list might surprise you:

Secrets

Okay so we've shaken off the effects of "Tryptophan" and it's officially December which means a few things:

• It's cold outside
• Great Holiday Tournaments for High School and College Players
• Early Season NBA Games which promise to be "Playoff Previews"

Speaking of the NBA, how about all the stories making headlines....Stephon Marbury, The Lakers and Celtics on a crash course for the Finals and of course there is the LeBron New York Knicks on again off again relationship. Did you see the special Red Apple sneakers? I'm not saying I would be brave enough to wear them...haven't seen them, check these out 

Still not sold, check out this funny commercial:

The Secret to Great Statistics

Ask any college or pro scout about a prospect and they will more than likely mention a player's stats. Points, Rebounds, Assists are all great statistics that get people's attention. What many player's fail to realize in their quest for these gaudy numbers is that getting to those numbers is easier than most people think. Of course you need minutes to put up numbers, but the real key is to be efficient in the time that you're out there. Let's look at a few scenarios of how my theory can play itself out during a game.

Scenario #1 I want to average 20 points a game

Secret:  You need to score 5 points per quarter or every 8 minutes. Here are a few ways to do it. Make 1 lay-up, get an offensive rebound and put-back or tip in, get a breakaway steal for a lay-up, cut back-door for a lay-up, get fouled in the act of shooting, get out and run on the break and score in transition. No fancy cross-overs, or streetball tricks required. Not convinced watch this prolific scorer and see how many tricks he uses to get 51 at age 38

Scenario #2 You want to average 10 Rebounds a Game

Secret: You need to get 3 rebounds a quarter or every 8 minutes to average 12 rebounds a game. Do that and you can make a nice living in the league for a few years. Look at Dennis Rodman(On the court, not off), Ben Wallace. I don't believe there's too much you can teach when it comes to rebounding. You have to simply want the ball more than the next person. Dwight Howard might slightly disagree with me so since he averages quite a few more rebounds per game than I do...listen to his advice:

Scenario #3 You want to average 10 Assists a Game

Secret: can you dominate the game without taking a shot? There are very few players in the history of basketball that have the rare ability to dominate the game by getting the other players on their team involved. Basketball is all about teamwork and if you have a floor general that can effectively distribute the ball to scorers as well as put non-scorers in position for easy baskets. You've heard of Magic, Oscar, Stockton, Mark Jackson. But have you ever heard of Ramon Sessions???

Now you have

Food For Thought

Super Foods for Athletes

Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a heart-healthy whole grain that contains valuable soluble fiber to help soak up unwanted fat and cholesterol in the bloodstream. But perhaps even more important, it's packed full of good carbohydrates – the most critical energy source for athletes. Oatmeal maintains your energy for a longer period of time during your workout and curbs appetite by slowing the absorption of glucose into your bloodstream. Oats are also a good source of B vitamins, important for athletes as a source of energy.

Flax Seed
Flax seed is Rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are a key force against inflammation in our bodies. Mounting evidence shows that inflammation plays a part in many chronic diseases including heart disease, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, and even some cancers. This inflammation is enhanced by having too little Omega-3 intake (such as in fish, flax, and walnuts), especially in relation to Omega-6 fatty acid intake (in such oils as soy and corn oil). In the quest to equalize the ratio of these two kinds of oils, flax seed can be a real help.

Most of the oil in flax seeds is alpha linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is an Omega-3 which is a precursor to the fatty acids found in salmon and other fatty cold-water fish (called EPA and DHA). Because not everyone is able to easily convert ALA into EPA and (especially) DHA, it is best not to rely solely on flax for your Omega-3 intake, but ALA also has good effects of its own, and definitely helps in the Omega 3/6 balance.

Flax Seed is High in Fiber: You’d be hard-pressed to find a food higher in fiber -- both soluble and insoluble -- than flax. This fiber is probably mainly responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of flax. Fiber in the diet also helps stabilize blood sugar, and, of course, promotes proper functioning of the intestines.


Blueberries
This miniature super fruit is chock-a-block full of nutrients and is the star of the show when it comes to antioxidant properties. Antioxidants can help to reduce oxidative damage to cells resulting from free radicals produced during periods of strenuous activity. Nutrients in blueberries may also promote healthy blood pressure. These super foods contain Vitamin C to support your immune system, and are a source of energy-enhancing carbohydrates and fiber to help sustain your energy and keep you in the game.


Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes may not be your typical vegetable of choice for dinner, but you might want to start making these nutrient-dense super foods a staple after you hear what they have to offer. Sweet potatoes contain more of the antioxidant beta carotene than any other fruit or vegetable. They are also a source of Vitamin C and one of the only fat-free sources of Vitamin E. Of course, Vitamins C and E both have antioxidant properties and aid in muscle recovery among athletes. Last, but not least, sweet potatoes are an excellent source of iron, which is important in oxygen production for athletes during a workout.


Salmon
Salmon is a source of high-quality protein, iron, and Vitamin B12 – which is important for optimal athletic performance. It also contains omega 3 fatty acids. The nutritional fats found in salmon have been shown in epidemiological and clinical trials to reduce the incidence of heart disease. Recent studies have also indicated that omega 3 fatty acids may be beneficial to intestinal health. In addition, omega 3 fatty acids may have anti-inflammatory effects, protecting against conditions such as arthritis. It's no wonder salmon and other fatty fish have been touted as super foods!