Improve Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain with Qualified Compression Garments

sweatitoutdev • May 25, 2021

For regularly active people, such as athletes and gym-goers, shoulder and rotator cuff pain poses a serious threat. Particularly, when working the upper body, not having the proper form and attire can leave you with a sore muscle or, worse, a shoulder injury. Either way, it’s not a pleasant feeling, and it may limit your activity while you recover. 

SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® Technology carries a variety of high-quality compression apparel. All of our compression garments are Made-in-USA and are proven to help during recovery and rehabilitation. We encourage you to wear our compression garments while working out to avoid a serious injury from occurring in the first place. THINK PREVENTION!

What Causes Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain? 

Ultimately, when it comes to shoulder pain, there are various underlying causes. We’ve listed a few for your consideration below, but, ultimately, you should consult with a doctor if you experience serious pain or chronic discomfort in your shoulder and rotator cuff area.

  • Shoulder Dislocation — If the arm comes out of its socket and is over-rotated, you may have a dislocation in your shoulder. You may feel pain, swelling, and even numbness as a result.   
  • Impingement — Caught tendons can lead to a rotator cuff injury. With that, the range of motion may become limited, and swelling can follow. 
  • Bursitis – Repeated shoulder motion can cause irritation or inflammation of the bursa sac, leading to pain and swelling.
  • Fracture – Enough impact to the shoulder region can leave behind a broken bone or fracture. Humerus and clavicle fractures are the most common in this area, both of which can affect the strength and mobility of the shoulder. 
  • Rotator Cuff Tear – Like some of the other conditions above that can develop with overuse, the same can be said for a rotator cuff injury. Those who have this condition may experience discomfort when lifting items. 
  • Cartilage Injury – Cartilage, which surrounds the shoulder joint for extra cushioning, can be injured when coming in contact with a lot of force. This is typically associated with weakness and mobility issues as a result of the discomfort. 
  • Separation – Finally, separation occurs when there’s a disconnection between the shoulder blade and collarbone or acromioclavicular (AC) joint. In circumstances when the collarbone is pushed out of alignment, you may develop a shoulder bump. 

All of these conditions can cause moderate to significant pain to those experiencing them. Many of these can be sports-related injuries, but if you find yourself experiencing any of the symptoms above, it’s best to consult a doctor. 

Are You Prone To Shoulder Issues?

Those that live active lifestyles know that shoulder pain can develop over time with extensive repetitive training. Especially in sports that involve a lot of elbow or arm movements, you may be more prone to developing rotator cuff pain. 

  • Baseball 
  • Basketball
  • Golf
  • Football
  • Tennis
  • Boxing
  • And more

How Does Shoulder Pain Affect Daily Activities? 

Besides the elements mentioned above, shoulder pain can lead to trouble performing necessary daily activities. This includes bathing, brushing your hair, getting dressed, lifting objects, and more. It can also take away from some of the joys in life, such as sports activities, social opportunities, and even relaxing recreational activities. 

How Can Compression Gear Aid With Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Pain? 

For those who find themselves with general shoulder discomfort, compression gear can reduce swelling and offer the necessary support to help avoid a serious injury and accelerate the recovery process. 

Let’s take a further look at how SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® Technology can benefit you: 

COOL COMPRESSION® Technology garments are even recommended by physicians, chiropractors, and athletic trainers! However, in the case of a serious injury, it is best to consult with a doctor first — compression gear does not replace medicine! 

Choose compression shirts from SWEAT IT OUT® with COOL COMPRESSION® technology to expedite recovery for shoulder and rotator cuff soreness or injury. The Performance Compression Short-Sleeve Shirt for Men and Women (Style 3020) allows you to move freely without feeling uncomfortably constrained. It also reduces swelling and muscle vibrations that can lead to pain. Similarly, the Improved Posture Performance Short-Sleeve Compression Shirt for Men and Women (Style 3023) trains the back and neck to correct any postural issues, which in turn can reduce shoulder strain and pain. For best results, wear from morning until night for two weeks — do not wear at night while sleeping. 

Get Relief

Once you have the clearance from your doctor, you can go ahead to stock up on the right products for additional shoulder and rotator cuff support. 

Shop compression apparel, all Made-in-USA at SWEAT IT OUT® today!

Call Us: 866-385-1310 or 800-343-8960

Visit Us: https://sweatitout.com/

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Continuing discussion of professional sport’s Goats and Botes, the best of all time and best of their generation, it is important to understand that there are no absolutes. People have different standards surrounding a player’s level of greatness. Considering all factors, such as individual success versus team success, the question remains as to what is most significant in evaluating athletes’ impact on their sports. In the National Football League, these questions are especially layered. As there are so many players and many more player positions compared to other sports, it makes it even more difficult. In attempting to define the greatness of a player in pro football, people often make the mistake of comparing different positions. It is sheer folly. There are too many considerations to take into account, such as technical and instinctive knowledge of the position’s requirements for success. Other factors include differing levels of athleticism, IQ for the sport, and certain intangibles that may make one player better than his peers. In football, injuries are the largest common denominator. It is a sport that requires a high pain threshold. They say that every NFL player is injured to some degree at all times, because of the the physically lethal nature of the sport. Clearly some injuries are worse than others. A player’s career could be over at any moment, whether it be due to an especially hard hit or just a freak injury that is completely unexpected. In fact, it is ingrained in football players to expect the unexpected. Their careers could end on any given Sunday, so they had better make the best of what they have right now, both on the field and off (contractually). Working hard to keep their bodies in prime shape is vital, through weight lifting, improving flexibility, and also mental training. Preparation is also key. Film study becomes an absolute necessity. The difference between winning and losing may come down to one play that is impacted by a player’s study of the opponent’s tendencies in certain situations. That one play can make or break an entire career, so staying sharp both mentally and physically becomes monumental. I am going to attempt to evaluate the best players at each position on defense, through a generational timeline. As implied earlier, discussion of the best players remains confined to certain borders, e.g. offense versus defense, and then a breakdown of each individual position on both sides of the ball. Pundits are always claiming that this player or that player is the best football player ever. There are too many things wrong with that approach to even mention. First of all, you cannot proclaim one player better overall than another when they play two entirely different positions. It defies all logic. You cannot call a quarterback a better football player than a linebacker, for example, when each has his own specialized domain. The quarterback is not a better linebacker than the other, and the linebacker is not a better quarterback. It may be an oversimplification, yet it must be stated. Furthermore, offensive players always receive more glory than defensive players. It is just a fact. They may both have equal impact, or more, but that doesn’t matter when they show the highlights of the game. Inevitably a quarterback or receiver will get more credit for winning. They show a defensive play only if there is a sack or a turnover involved. There is a well known philosophy that “defense wins championships.” It is true. Your team is less likely to win if you can’t stop the other team from scoring. Of course, offense plays an equal part, but the problem is that the offense usually gets too much credit. In the playoffs defense becomes an even greater element. Scores are usually lower because only the best teams remain in contention, and those teams must have a strong defense (and offense). There is one approach to this debate that I like to make. If you could choose the greatest offensive players of all time or the best defensive players in history at each position as your ‘fantasy’ team, one side only, which would you prefer? For me, it would be defense every time. If a team can’t score, they can’t win. I would take my chances with Deacon Jones and Dick Butkus over any offensive player, even the best quarterbacks. If a QB is constantly under assault, it doesn’t matter how good he is. The pressure from the defense becomes too severe to make any progress. Sure, I would love to have Johny Unitas as my QB throwing to Jerry Rice, but it would make no difference against a team composed of the best all time defensive players. Since the offense usually gets all of the glory, let’s start with the best defensive players at the top tier, in a generational timeline. These players are the best of their eras (Botes) and part of a timeline of potential Goats. Having a strong defensive line is imperative for a defense. It is the first layer of the defense that the offense must overcome. If the line is weak, then the offensive line can dominate a game running and passing the ball. It is all about controlling the line of scrimmage. A defensive tackle or end must be able to stop the run and pass equally well, not just one or the other. Some defensive linemen receive more acclaim sacking than others, yet ideally they should be well rounded. The best defensive tackles in football history are Bob Lilly (Dallas in 60’s and early 70’s), Joe Greene (Steelers in 70’s), Alan Page (60’s and 70’s), Buck Buchanon (60’s to early 70’s), Merlin Olson (60’s and 70’s), and Randy White (Dallas 70’s and 80’s). One current player, Aaron Donald, is already considered among the top tier, also. Whether he will eventually reach the level of the Goats, Lilly, Greene, Page, and White, is the only question. Defensive End has always been the so called “glory position” of the defense, and it reached even higher levels of acclaim with certain stars, starting in the 50’s and 60’s. The QB Sack became an added barometer for success at the position. It is basically the defensive equivalent to a touchdown on offense. Doug Atkins (Bears in 50’s and 60’s) was considered the original Goat. Gino Marchetti (Colts in 50’s and 60’s) dominated in the same era. Then Deacon Jones (Rams) held court in the 60’s and early 70’s. Reggie White (Packers in 80’s and 90’s) and Bruce Smith (Bills in 80’s and 90’s) were the best modern defensive ends, along with Charles Haley (Dallas in 90’s: 5 time Super Bowl winner), among others. Deacon Jones and Reggie White are generally considered the Goats. In fact, Deacon was the first person to give the taking down of a QB its proper nomenclature, the Sack, in the 1960’s. It is only fitting that he is one of the Goats. Linebackers are vital to the defense. They require the most versatility in football, much like a midfielder in soccer. They must be jacks of all trades, taking on aspects of the defensive line in front of them and traits of defensive backs behind them. They must be strong tacklers against the run, while playing a key role in stopping an offense’s passing attack. Middle linebackers are sort of the quarterbacks of the defense, calling the plays. Without a stellar middle linebacker, a defense will likely struggle. Outside linebackers are equally important. They should be adept at both run stopping and rushing the quarterback. The Sack became an added layer of an outside linebacker’s prowess in the 80’s with the fearsome rushing skills of Lawrence Taylor. He brought an added excitement to watching the defense for even the casual fan. Football’s best middle linebackers are Dick Butkus (Bears in 60’s to early 70’s), Ray Lewis (Ravens in 2000’s), Bill George (Bears in 50’s and 60’s), Mike Singletary (Bears in 80’s), Jack Lambert (Steelers in 70’s to early 80’s), Ray Nitschke (Packers in 60’s), Joe Schmidt (Detroit in 50’s to early 60’s), and Chuck Bednarik (Eagles in 50’s). Dick Butkus, by consensus, is considered the Goat. His frightening physical prowess combined with his off the charts football IQ made him unstoppable. He was a holy terror whom the offense feared to the core. Ray Lewis was likely the second best of all time. His versatile physicality and high IQ made him the best modern middle linebacker. He roamed the field with the best, covering the middle and all areas with dominant tackling skills and remarkably keen instinct. There have been many exceptional outside linebackers (OLB). Willie Lanier (Kansas City in 60’s and 70’s) may have been the first Goat. Ted Hendricks and Jack Ham were the standard in the 70’s. All three had remarkable all around skill. Then, basically a new outside linebacker (OLB) position was created, the ‘rush linebacker’. Lawrence Taylor (Giants in 80’s), forged with awesome power and speed, became the first OLB to attack the QB on a consistent basis. Once coach Bill Parcells unleashed his supersonic weapon in Taylor, the NFL was never the same. Every team had to find a player like Lawrence Taylor, even though there could be only one at his level. The Sack became a new prerequisite skill for this type of OLB. Derrick Thomas (Kansas City) created a maelstrom of his own in the 90’s. He set the record for the most sacks in one game, with seven (in 1990). However, it is notable that Doug Atkins (DE) holds the unofficial record for a single game, with 12. This was before sacks were officially monitored. Supposedly the original number was a mythical 17, yet some were later considered half sacks. That is an insane number, either way. Regarding the OLB position in general, it is impossible to compare the all around skill set of some linebackers to others. The rush linebacker is essentially a different position, so one cannot fairly compare Willie Lanier or Jack Ham to Lawrence Taylor. It is not fair to either party. Let’s just say that Lanier, Ham, and Hendricks are the Goats of the traditional OLB, while Taylor is the undisputed king of the rush LB. The common denominator among all linebackers, middle and outside, is the fear that is instilled in offensive players. Whether it is Butkus or Taylor on the other side of the line, the offense starts with a disadvantage psychologically, before the play is even called. No matter how skilled the quarterback, running back, or receiver, they are beaten already. The Secondary is the last line of defense. Safeties and Cornerbacks bear the great responsibility of trying to stop the other team’s running and deep passing threats. I’ll start with the Safety position. As with other positions, a safety must be versatile. It takes a special athlete to excel at safety. It requires superior speed to cover fast receivers, and also the ability to hit a runner with force. Ideally, you want an assassin for run defense combined with the athletic ability of a tiger to handle athletic receivers. The original Goat was Emlen Tunnell (Giants in 50’s). He pioneered the position, setting the standard for all future players. Others along the way have included Ken Houston (Oilers and Washington in 70’s), Larry Wilson (Cardinals in 60’s and 70’s), Paul Krause (Vikings in 60’s and 70’s), Cliff Harris (Dallas in 70’s), Ronnie Lott (49ers in 80’s), Ed Reed (Ravens in 2000’s), and Troy Polamalu (2000’s). It is difficult to narrow it down to only one Goat, as each of them brings unique attributes to the table. Taking the best of each makes the perfect safety. Ken Houston may have been the the best all around, but Tunnell and Ronnie Lott were close, along with Krause’s insatiable knack for interceptions (NFL record 81), Cliff Harris’s brutal hitting, and Wilson’s terrifying ability to rush the QB. Cornerback is a lonely position. It is just you, one on one, running backwards against a speed demon with great hands, who can run by you at any moment.. It requires greater speed than a safety, in order to handle the offense’s fastest receivers. More than likely the receiver will be on a deep route, and you are the only one who can prevent the touchdown. It is a unique challenge, and there have been very few have truly excelled at the position at the highest level. Some of the best were Dick “Night Train” Lane (Rams and Lions in 50’s and 60’s), Willie Brown (Packers in 60’s and 70’s), Mel Blount (Steelers in 70’s and early 80’s), Rod Woodson (Steelers and Ravens in 80’s and 90’s), and Deion Sanders (Falcons, 49ers, and Cowboys in 90’s). The Goat comes down to Night Train Lane, Rod Woodson, and Deion Sanders. It is Lane who wins out if all eras are included, Woodson as a hybrid hitter and cover corner, and Sanders as the modern, pure cover corner. Realistically, they were all amazing, but Night Train was the best overall. He could play better in today’s era than Deion would in the 50’s to 70’s, and he was just as great an athlete as Sanders. He played with a reckless abandon in tackling unfortunate receivers who were about to become his next victims. He was the Butkus or Taylor of cornerbacks, and he possessed great speed and athleticism. I might take Rod Woodson overall over Deion if he had not suffered the knee injury. He was just as fast as Deion until the injury. After he switched to safety he didn’t do much, except make First Team All Pro for multiple seasons. He was one of the few all time defensive players who made First Team All Pro at two different positions. It is noteworthy that Ronnie Lott also accomplished the feat, first starring at cornerback, then switching to safety. Among the all time best defensive backs, including both corner and safety, and considering both pass and run coverage, Night Train, Houston, Lott, and Woodson might be the best overall. In the game of football defense has always held a special place. It embodies the traits of toughness, dedication, and sacrifice that people most associate with the sport. While there have been many brilliant defensive players over the years and decades, only a few have achieved a Goat level status. They are the best, and they will always be among the top tier, no matter who comes along later. Greatness is not a right, yet something earned. These players certainly earned their place. Recommendation: Athletic Lifestyle Compression Apparel SWEAT IT OUT®️ with COOL COMPRESSION®️ technology: SWEAT IT OUT®️ with COOL COMPRESSION®️ technology products are designed not only for improved physical performance, for both prevention and rehab, but they are also great as simple casual wear. I wear them every day, even if I am not exercising, for different purposes, such as working around the house or going to the store. Style 2000, the Wicking Loose Fitting Crew Neck Shirt, is a prime example. It is a highly versatile T shirt, for either exercise or casual wear, and it is great for sleeping, too. It is especially soft and comfortable. You can stay cool in the hot summer weather, and also year round. Everyone should have such a T shirt in their drawer, just in case. 
By CM Data Analytics Team 13 Jul, 2023
The NFL in the 1970s was perhaps its most significant era. It was primarily known for dominance by all-time great defenses. There was still tremendous individual success offensively, but it will always be known as football’s ‘Deadball era.’ It encompassed not just one dynasty, as has been the case in decades since, yet several teams that had runs of tremendous s uccess. Among all those accomplished teams, just a few dominated the decade and are remembered today as among the league’s all-time best dynasties. Moreover, some of the historically best coaches and players excelled in this era. The defense was king in the ’70s. Receivers and quarterbacks were mugged and abused. The current rule that limits defensive contact with receivers to an area within only the first five yards of scrimmage, the bump and run rule, was not in place until 1978, and receivers suffered mightily as a result. They could be pushed, hit, and interfered with essentially all the way up to the moment of the actual attempted catch. Pass Interference was still prohibited, yet it was not called as stringently as it is today. Quarterbacks also felt the brunt of the defense’s wrath, treated almost like rag dolls. The injury rate for quarterbacks then was likely the highest than in any era before or since. QBs of the past thirty years would be terrified to play in the ’70s, when little to none of today’s protection rules, such as illegal contact with the quarterback or limitations placed on offensive linemen, were in place. It was basically an all-out brawl, and today’s offensive players could not even comprehend how the defense could have had such a relative advantage. Many of the best defenses in NFL history thrived in the ’70s, and they had some of the best nicknames, too. There was the Steel Curtain in Pittsburgh, Doomsday Defense in Dallas, Minnesota’s Purple People Eaters, The No Name defense in Miami, the Soul Patrol of the Raiders, the Grits Blitz in Atlanta, plus other teams, such as the Rams, that contributed to the decade’s reputation as the Deadball Era. It refers to professional baseball’s two ‘deadball’ eras, approximately 1900 to 1920 and roughly 1964 to ’72, before the pitcher’s mound was lowered (for the 1969 season). Just as pitchers dominated baseball, defenses limited scoring and yardage to historically record lows in the NFL. Not surprisingly, passing suffered the most. It was rare for even the best quarterbacks to have a 3000-yard season or a receiver to reach 1000 yards. Compare that to today’s numbers. Even an average quarterback is expected to have at least 4000 yards every season, and 5000 yards with 40 to 50 touchdowns is becoming almost commonplace. A receiver must make at least 100 catches with 1300 to 1500 yards to be considered among the best. The discrepancy with the 70’s statistics is comical. 50 to 60 catches were considered exceptional, and 1000 yards for a season was pure science fiction. As a result of the difficulties in the passing game, running the ball was the predominant offense, as it was the best way to protect the quarterback and receivers from further abuse. It was not surprising that some of the best running backs ever played in that era, such as OJ Simpson, Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, Earl Campbell, Larry Czonka, Chuck Foreman, and many others. OJ had the first 2000-yard rushing season in league history in 1973, totaling 2,003 yards in a fourteen-game season. Officially, the current NFL record is 2,105 yards in 1984 by Eric Dickerson. However, it was done in a sixteen-game season (the season lengthened to 16 games in 1978), and he averaged ‘only’ 131.6 yards per game (ypg). OJ averaged 143 yards per game in his seminal season. Also, Walter Payton in 1977 and Jim Brown in 1963 had better overall seasons than Dickerson. Jim Brown had 1863 yards in fourteen games, with an average of 133.1 ypg, while Payton averaged 132.6 ypg (1857 total). Jim Brown also had 1527 yards in 1958, in a mere 12 games (season extended to 14 in 1961), averaging 127 ypg. Barry Sanders rushed for 2053 yards in a sixteen-game season in 1997, but how he achieved it was notable. He had only 53 yards total in the first two games of the season, then 2000 yards in the next fourteen games, equaling Simpson’s average for fourteen games. Indeed, they were all fantastic performances, yet OJ averaging a whole ten yards per game over anyone else in history was transcendent. OJ had a few brilliant seasons, yet, over an entire career, Jim Brown is considered the best, with Payton and Barry Sanders right behind him. Those three are considered the ‘holy trinity’ of all-time running backs, akin to Wilt, Kareem, and Bill Russell’s ‘holy trinity’ status among the best centers in basketball history. Consider Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, with Jim Brown and Wilt taking the role of Bach’s place at the top. OJ is still top 6 or 7 all time, but Emmitt Smith was at the same level for a whole career. Gale Sayers and Sanders were the most dynamic, open-field runners the football world has ever seen. Gale Sayers is tied for the record with Ernie Nevers for most touchdowns in a single game (6), which he magically performed as a rookie in 1965, scoring by rushing, receiving, and on two kick returns. He was absurdly talented. He could have been right up there with Jim Brown for the best if he had not suffered a catastrophic knee injury that substantially shortened his career. These kinds of running backs and remarkable seasons will likely never grace an NFL field again. The passing game has completely taken over. Because of low scoring and a perceived lack of excitement in the 70s, the rules changed in 1978 to open up the passing game, and there have since been other rule changes over the years, further restricting options for defenses. The pendulum has shifted entirely from the ’70s. As for running backs, even the NFL’s transition to a 17-game season in 2021 hasn’t helped them much. There will likely never be a 2000-yard rushing season again. They no longer get enough carries due to increased passing or the fact that they often must share time with another starting level running back. These days the extent of a team’s running scheme is often ‘running back by committee,’ as opposed to reliance on one star runner. Pure running backs are not as highly valued anymore, or they must be combo backs, equally adept at receiving as running. They are not drafted as high as they were in the past, and teams are reluctant to offer them big contracts after their first three years when their rookie contract expires. The careers of running backs have always been shorter than other positions, as they endure more hits and injuries more often than other players. Even the best running backs these days have less value to teams. They simply do not want to pay them because quarterbacks, receivers, offensive linemen, defensive backs, and linemen, and every position besides special teams take priority over running backs once they reach a certain stage of their careers, at or around 30. An incredibly talented runner like Derrick Henry is no different. As vital as he has been to Tennessee’s offense, they will replace him with someone else or running back by committee once contract time comes around. As for the best teams in the ’70s, Dallas and Pittsburgh prevailed throughout the decade, while the Dolphins, Raiders, Vikings, and Rams also enjoyed consistent success. Dallas made the playoffs a record nine (consecutive) times, the Steelers and Vikings eight, and the Dolphins, Raiders, and Rams seven times. Not surprisingly, Dallas played in the most Super Bowls (five), while the Steelers won the most Super Bowls (four). The Cowboys and Steelers faced off twice in the Super Bowl, with Pittsburgh winning by only four points in both, with the result coming down to a few key plays. The difference between the two was the Pittsburgh defense. The so-called ‘Steel Curtain’ was the most consistently dominant defense for an extended period than any other in league history. In 1976, in a non-Super Bowl year, they had a record five shutouts, putting the team on its back after multiple injuries to its offense. Other defenses were remarkable for a shorter span, such as the ’85 and ’86 Bears, the 2000 Ravens, the 1978 Falcons, Buccaneers in 2002, and Denver’s Orange Crush in 1977. The Vikings’ Purple People Eaters must be included, too. They did have sustained success for about as long as the Steelers, yet the team could not win a championship. Dallas had their Doomsday Defense, which had two periods of dominance, first in the late ’60s to early ’70s, then again in the late ’70s to early ’80s. Most serious football fans have seen the exceptional film of Super Bowl 12 by NFL Films, entitled “Doomsday in the Dome,” when the Dallas defense absolutely brutalized the Broncos’ offense, forcing a record eight turnovers. It is a treat to watch for fans of the Cowboys and casual football fans alike. NFL Films has done some fantastic work over the years. Its musical accompaniment is especially striking in this one, deftly punctuating the awe and fury of the violent poetry that is football. The cacophony of sound that NFL Films has created over its many decades has become The Soundtrack of NFL history. While the Steelers were more successful overall in eight years (1972-79), the Cowboys had twenty consecutive winning seasons (18 seasons in playoffs) from 1966 to 1985, a record that will likely never be broken by any franchise. The longest streak Pittsburgh has had in nine years. The 49ers came close, with sixteen consecutive (1983-1998), fourteen in the playoffs. It appeared to be a foregone conclusion that the seemingly unstoppable Patriots of the 2000s and 2010s would break the record. They had already broken Dallas’s streak of nine straight seasons making the playoffs (equaled by the Peyton Manning-led Colts) with eleven (2009-2019). So, when the Patriots lost Tom Brady and other key players, their winning streak shockingly ended at nineteen seasons (17 in playoffs), proving that Bill Belichick is actually human (if barely)! As for the Cowboys, they were the only franchise to have two dynastic decades, the 70s and 90s, until the Patriots equaled that mark in the 21st century. A team can only be great with a coach to foster its prosperity. The 70’s had a higher percentage of all-time best coaches than any other decade, with Tom Landry, Don Shula, Chuck Noll, Bud Grant, and John Madden gracing the sidelines. Think about it. When has so many Hall of Fame coaches thrived in the NFL simultaneously? There could be whole seasons when it no longer occurs, yet Hall of Fame coaches were facing each other seemingly every week in the 70s. Tom Landry held the record for most playoff wins (20) for thirty-plus years. Dallas had no offensive or defensive coordinator then, as Landry served in both roles. Consider that for a second. It simply does not happen anymore. He was a defensive (and offensive) genius. First, he is credited with developing the vaunted 4-3 defense as the defensive coordinator for the highly successful New York Giants in the 1950s. In a later reaction, Vince Lombardi and the Packers implemented an innovative run offense (‘run to daylight’) that took over the league. Dallas and other teams began to struggle against this new running-intensive offense with curious wrinkles. This offense featured variations in blocking technique and spacing, opening holes that allowed a running back to “run to daylight,” ideally. The offense spread throughout the league like wildfire. Unsurprisingly, Tom Landry responded with yet another innovation, the Flex Defense, a revolutionarily expanded version of the 4-3, which changed the game for the next twenty years. It was immensely successful, as it figured out how to counter the spacing of the formerly dominant Packer’s (and other team’s) running attack. It was akin to a zone defense in basketball to counter the ‘zone offense’ (zone blocking) of the Packers. Simultaneously, Landry created an offense to combat the Flex, as most of the teams in the league began using it, creating variants of the Cowboys’ winning defensive formula. One of Landry’s latest offensive innovations was the Shotgun, which was so effective that other teams began promptly using it with notable success. The Shotgun, a formation where the quarterback lines up five to seven yards behind the line of scrimmage, allows the quarterback more space and time to let the play develop. It was first used in 1960 by San Francisco yet abandoned after only one season. Once again, Tom Landry brought it back and made it so effective. It was almost unheard of then, yet fifty years later, it is THE most utilized offensive formation in the NFL, a kind of Spread offense that is so predominant. Over 60% of plays these days start with the Shotgun. It creates a nice setup for the high-powered passing offenses that are so prevalent now. While Landry may have been a brilliant coach, he still needed the right players to execute his futuristic concepts on the field. Think of quarterback Joe Montana skillfully showing off Bill Walsh’s poetic game plan to the football world. It was something of a revelation. Similarly, the primary reason the Dallas offense worked so well was the remarkable play of quarterback Roger Staubach. Even though Landry’s offensive scheme was undoubtedly ahead of its time, Staubach made it purr more than any other Dallas quarterback before or after him during his long coaching era. The Cowboys did have talented players on offense, yet he made those players look even better, like Peyton Manning with the Colts and Broncos and Tom Brady with the Patriots. Roger was The Man, and everyone in the league knew it. He could almost always bring a team back from a seemingly impossible deficit, mustering fervent hope among his teammates and fans alike. There has never been a quarterback who fostered so much faith in victory as Roger, more so than even John Elway, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and many others. While those quarterbacks were obviously excellent, Staubach was a hybrid, combining Elway’s superior athletic ability and obstinate will, Brady’s unassailable spirit of calm, hope, and inevitability, and Manning’s invincible mind. Yes, he did play in the league before them, but he created an almost impossible standard for them and others to try to emulate. Don Shula holds the record for most career wins (regular season and playoffs), with 347, a remarkable number. Bill Belichick enters the 2023 season ‘only’ nineteen wins short of the record. It would take only two more seasons, yet he is 70 years old, and nothing is certain. Regarding Shula, he was the first coach to lead a team to three straight Super Bowl appearances, and he won two in a row, among a select few coaches and teams to do so. Even after losing key players to a rival league in the mid-’70s, he was able to keep the Dolphins in close contention for the next ten years and then adapt his usual running-oriented offense to an emphasis on the superlative passing talent of rookie Dan Marino in the early ’80s. The 1972 Dolphins remain, to this day, the only team to finish undefeated in a season, including the regular season and playoffs. They finished 14-0 in the regular season, then swept the playoffs. A few other teams have come close yet lost in the Championship Game. The Chicago Bears of the 1930s and ’40s, the famous Monsters of the Midway, had two undefeated regular seasons, in 1934 and 1942, that incredibly ended in defeat in the Championship. In 1985, the Bears finished the season with only one loss, except they won the Super Bowl and suffered their sole loss during the regular season. It was fittingly against Don Shula’s Dolphins. The 1976 Raiders and 1984 49ers accomplished the same feat as the ’85 Bears, with only one regular season loss and a Championship win. The Vikings of 1998 finished 15-1 in the regular season and appeared to be a dead cert for the Super Bowl. Somehow, they ended up losing in the NFC Championship game when the best kicker in football at the time missed an easy shot to win the game. The kicker had not missed a field goal in two years, so it was shocking. Pittsburgh’s Chuck Noll is almost criminally underrated. Pittsburgh had been the league’s laughingstock (think Los Angeles Clippers) since the NFL was founded. However, after forty years of futility, it all began to change. Chuck Noll was hired in 1969, and Joe Greene was drafted the same year, becoming the first piece of the juggernaut defense that would soon take over the league. In the ’70s, Noll became the first coach to win four Super Bowls. Sort of like the Steelers’ offense; he was somewhat overshadowed by the Steel Curtain defense. However, Noll is the one who installed the defensive system, and he and defensive coordinator Bud Carson (hired in’ 72) made it all possible. He drafted the essential players who would work together to create an irrepressible force. Moreover, he had to patch together an inconsistent offense that sometimes struggled to play consistently. Their offense would mirror the evolution of other teams’ offenses at the time, at first relying more on running, then finally adapting to the new rules in the late 70s with an emphasis on passing. Chuck Noll may not have been on the same ‘genius’ level as Landry, Shula, Paul Brown, or Bill Walsh, yet the Steelers would not have won even one Super Bowl without him. Bud Grant and John Madden were two ‘other’ coaches who do not get enough respect today. Grant consistently succeeded, achieving a stellar record and playoff presence every season. Unfortunately, he battled dynasty-level teams in the Viking’s four Super Bowl appearances. He never had THE best team nor consistently the best players, yet he always had a highly competitive team, especially defensively. The Purple People Eaters will always be among football’s best and certainly had the best nickname. John Madden also, was remarkably consistent. The Raiders of that extended period (late 60’s to early 80’s) were second only to Dallas in terms of long-term excellence. They had sixteen consecutive winning seasons (1965-1981), making the playoffs eleven times. It was a remarkable run, if just short of the winning streaks of the Cowboys and Patriots. They won ‘only’ one Super Bowl in the ’70s, yet they were always in contention. As with the other top teams, they were led by their defense, especially the Soul Patrol, their defensive back unit that terrorized receivers for a decade. They were often cited for their dirty play, but it was not necessarily worse than the Steelers. They were extremely physical and intimidating, as any great defense should be. It was often about perception, creating fear in the opposing team’s offenses. The team has a significant advantage once fear is in play before the game even starts. The Raiders went deep in the playoffs almost every season, including five consecutive AFC conference championships (’ 73-’77). The fact that they had to play the best AFC team of the first half of the decade, the Dolphins, and then the best AFC team of the latter half, Pittsburgh, certainly did not help them, yet they, like the Vikings in the NFC, were always near the top. These days Madden is remembered more for his television announcing role, but his tenure as coach of the Raiders is still the best in franchise history. A discussion of any era must include its finest players. While it is impossible to name every top player, as it would take far too long, many deserve to be lauded in any retrospective view. It is striking how many of the ’70s All-Decade teams ended up on the NFL All-Century Team, the latest comprehensive list of the best players in pro football history. Many of the all-decade defensive players ended up on the NFL Century Team and more offensive players than I initially realized. Let’s start with the defense, as it is typically the offense that garners more attention. The defensive line is stacked with six of the seven total defensive tackles. The players are Buck Buchanon (Kansas City), Bob Lilly (Dallas), Joe Greene (Pittsburgh), Alan Page (Minnesota), Merlin Olsen (Rams), and Randy White (Dallas). That is just absurd. There are six 70’s linebackers out of twelve total, Dick Butkus (Bears), Ted Hendricks (Raiders), Willie Lanier (KC), Jack Ham (Steelers), Jack Lambert (Steelers), and Bobby Bell (KC). The defensive backs are well represented, too, with safeties Ken Houston (Houston Oilers/Washington), Larry Wilson (Cardinals), and cornerback Mel Blount (Pittsburgh). The All-Time offense is loaded with 70’s players, too. Quarterback Roger Staubach (the best 70’s QB by far) is deservingly included, as are the running backs, as mentioned earlier, Walter Payton (Bears), OJ Simpson (Bills), and Earl Campbell (Houston Oilers). Paul Warfield (Cleveland/Miami) is the only 70’s receiver represented. However, I would also choose Hall of Famers Drew Pearson (Dallas) and John Stallworth (Pittsburgh), two of the most clutch receivers ever and vital contributors to the Cowboys’ and Steelers’ consistently deep runs in the playoffs every season. The offensive line is loaded with 70’s players John Hannah (Patriots), Art Shell (Raiders), Gene Upshaw (Raiders), and Mike Webster (Pittsburgh). As for the coaches, the 70s dominate another category, with previously discussed Tom Landry, Don Shula, and Chuck Noll. Overall, regarding the All-Century and especially the 1970’s All-Decade team, notice how many players from Dallas, Pittsburgh, Oakland (now Las Vegas), Miami, and Minnesota made it. It was no accident that they were consistently the top teams during the decade. Trying to cover any era in NFL history exhaustively is an almost impossible task, especially one as rich as the 1970s, yet it remains a worthy endeavor. Several decades have passed since then, and most young football fans today know little of that period beyond the main highlights. My goal has been to convey my fascination with the era and encourage others to delve deeper into its history. The fact is we cannot overlook the significant impact of the 1970s on the league’s development. Their goal should always be to emulate it, as it represents the NFL at its most unprecedented level of competition. The past is prologue. Learning from the past is a consummate virtue. Without such understanding, there is no growth or proper direction for the future. Afterward: Further Thoughts and Recommendations: In football, injuries are still constant, even more so than in hockey, basketball, soccer, or rugby (possibly). Physical contact is the structure of the game. As a result, taking preemptive measures in physical preparation, training, and athletic gear is imperative. Pads are a necessity for all players. Muscle injuries are highly prevalent. The best way to treat such injuries is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Wearing compression clothing is an absolute must. SWEAT IT OUT® by the LONTEX CORPORATION® makes some of the best compression clothing on the market today. Their proprietary COOL COMPRESSION® technology helps vulnerable muscles by keeping them protected adequately while simultaneously offering exceptional flexibility of movement. Among its many great products, the PERFORMANCE COMPRESSION THIGH, GROIN & HIP SUPPORT SHORT® (for both men and women), the 1900SL®, truly stands out. I have been wearing them for over twenty years, and they have helped prevent hamstring and other muscle injuries over and over. LONTEX has been a steady supplier of compression apparel to NFL teams for the last twenty years. For example, the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers extensively use the 1900SL® and the 1900SLCP® (a more extended capri version of the shorts). The players wear them for every practice, every training session, and every game. If NFL teams find the SWEAT IT OUT® products effective, the company must do something right. They are compression technology at its best.
07 Jun, 2023
A few are especially noteworthy when considering different sports and their peak years and decades. For professional basketball, the NBA in the 1980s was one such era. It was a magical period for all basketball fans, especially young fans growing up. It began as a time of recovery for the league and ended as a precursor to a boundless future. Some of the all-time best teams and dynasties emerged, one talented team progressing to another. Let’s start with a bit of history. The NBA was floundering in the ’70s, with its lowest ratings ever. The NBA Finals was actually shown on tape delay for a few years! Think about that for a moment - the game appeared on late-night television, not during peak prime-time hours. It is almost impossible to imagine such a scenario today. There was no ESPN or Internet yet, so the results were unknown beforehand unless someone was searching hard. If they didn’t watch the game, people had to wait for the newspaper the next day to find out the result. The first NBA Finals I remember occurred in the late 70s, and once I became a fan, I was hooked on basketball for life. It all changed with the promise of a brighter future as Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird entered the league in 1980. They had faced each other in the Michigan State vs. Indiana State NCAA Championship game in 1979, in what is still the highest-rated television audience ever to watch a basketball game, college or pro. To postulate that Magic and Bird ‘saved’ the league is an understatement. In what could be viewed as a sports kismet, they joined the two most renowned franchises in league history, reigniting the sport’s greatest rivalry. The Lakers were the league’s first dynasty in the 1950s. The NBA’s original ‘Goat, George Mikan, led them to five championships. Then the Celtics emerged in the late ’50s and ’60s with a lineage like no other. They won an absurd eleven championships in thirteen years, led by Bill Russell and Red Auerbach (coach and General Manager). They were a force of nature, with a coach and player partnership for the ages. Think of Paul Brown and Otto Graham, Tom Landry and Roger Staubach, Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich (‘Pop’), or Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. The rivalry was severely one-sided in the 60s. At one point, the Lakers lost to the Celtics in the Finals four times in five years. The Celtics still succeeded in the early to mid-’70s, winning titles in 1974 and 1976. The Lakers had possibly the best team ever in 1972, with a 33-game winning streak, which is still a record today. The closest any team has come since was the 2013 Miami Heat team of Lebron James and Dwayne Wade, which won 27 in a row. The Celtics struggled in the late ’70s, reaching a nadir of only 29 wins in the 1978/79 season. They won 61 games the following season in Larry Bird’s rookie year. The Lakers had talent, especially with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joining the team for the 1975/76 season. Still, they were chronic underachievers. It would take a momentous change for the Celtics and Lakers to rebound from their late 70s mediocrity. Through clever trades, drafting, and serendipity, the Lakers landed Magic Johnson. The Celtics added Larry Bird through brilliant draft shenanigans. Red Auerbach drafted Bird one year before he joined the league, a loophole the NBA quickly shut down after Boston’s coup. Suppose the two had ended up on franchises with less rich legacies. In that case, the destiny of the league might have been different in the upcoming decade. Fortunately, fate seemed to intervene and set the NBA on its mercurial ascent. The 1980s began with two teams dominating, the Lakers in the West and the Philadelphia 76ers in the East. The Celtics did win the NBA championship in 1981 against the Moses Malone-led Houston Rockets, who had stunned the Lakers in the Western conference championship. They had upset the 76ers in the Conference Final after being down 1-3 in the series early on. The Sixers played the Lakers in the Finals in 1980 and 1982, but they always seemed to be one great big man short. In Magic’s rookie year in 1980, the Lakers took almost no time to gel into the league’s best team, beating the Sixers in six games. Magic Johnson won the Finals MVP, scoring 42 points with 15 rebounds in game six. At the time, he was only twenty years old and filling in for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who had severely sprained his ankle in game 5 of the series. Kareem was the legitimate Finals MVP, as he had led the Lakers up to game 6. He was initially voted MVP by the media, but CBS asked them to change the vote because they wanted to give it to Magic instead. Their rationale was that Magic had just played this mythical game to complete a dreamlike storyline. He was there, unlike Kareem, who had not traveled with the team to Philadelphia due to the injury's severity. Presumably, Kareem would have won it if he had been present. He wasn’t too upset, though, as he had won the regular season MVP for a record sixth time and was an NBA champion for the second time. That number would only increase in 1982 as the Lakers dominated the Sixers again. Magic won the Finals MVP again, this time deservingly so. He had won two championships and two Finals MVPs in his first three seasons by the precocious age of 22. He and Larry Bird were on their way to becoming the NBA’s best players as the league prepared for the imminent showdown between the Lakers and Celtics in the Finals, finally. In one of the most impactful trades in league history, Moses Malone joined the Sixers in 1983. They instantly became the favorite to win the title. They were true to form, as they had one of the best regular seasons ever, then won the title after sweeping the Lakers, losing only one game in the entire playoffs. They almost fulfilled Malone’s bold prediction of “Fo, Fo, Fo,” or a clean sweep of the playoffs, which has still never happened in NBA history. This 1983 Philly team is considered one of the best, along with the 1967 Sixers, as one of only a handful of teams in history. Their time at the top was short, though, because the Celtics resurfaced as the next ‘beast in the East’ in 1984 (and beyond), ready to take on the Lakers for league dominance. In the first Finals matchup of the two storied franchises since 1969, the Celtics were the first to draw blood, literally. The feeling was that their more physical style, plus the inherent greatness of Larry Bird (second Finals MVP), were enough to curtail a more skilled yet ‘softer’ Lakers team. Kareem and Magic felt humiliated and vowed not to allow the Celtics to beat them again. The count was even now, with two championships in the 80s for each team. 1985 was the Lakers’ year, from start to finish. They dominated the regular season, and by the Finals, they were unbeatable. They out-skilled the Celtics, and they fought back this time, refusing to be pushed around. Magic and Bird canceled out each other, so the difference was Kareem. Magic kept feeding him the ball because he was the one force the Celtics could not overcome. Kareem won Finals MVP at the ripe age of 37, becoming the oldest to do so. Justice had been served. The Celtics had met their match. The rivalry was becoming more visceral by the year. 1986 was different. The Lakers were less dominant, and the Celtics added the great Bill Walton as their sixth man. They became one of the best teams ever, winning 67 games and, remarkably, losing only ONE home game (40-1). They appeared to be ready for the Lakers this time. Then the Houston Rockets, led by their ‘twin towers,’ Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, appeared as a new force in the league. The Rockets beat down the Lakers in the Western Conference finals in only five games. This was one of only two seasons in the 80s that the Lakers did not make it to the Finals. However, the Rockets had no chance against this Celtics team. Boston was dominant, as Larry Bird averaged 27 points and 14 rebounds in the series to win MVP. The Celtics weren’t competing against the Rockets only. They were making their mark against the best teams of all time. In 1987 the league and fans were rabid for another Lakers versus Celtics matchup in the Finals. There was simply no other possibility. The NBA was rising in status among American sports, second only to the NFL. The Lakers and Celtics, Magic and Bird, were its kingmakers. With the title count now even at three to three, 1987 would decide who was the decade’s best. The Finals were their rivalry’s most competitive yet, with neither side making it easy for the other. It ended with Magic’s ‘baby sky hook,’ and Bird’s barely missed long three-pointer to tie the game. After missing the shot, Bird’s glance at Lakers’ coach Pat Riley said it all: “How could you leave me so wide open?” he seemed to express. Exasperated fans on both sides wondered the same thing. Ultimately, the fact that the series had come down to only two plays perfectly encapsulated their rivalry. Nothing came easily. They had to struggle for every shot, fight for any open space, and battle for every point. It was beyond epic. It was the best rivalry not only in the history of basketball but in any sport. It remains to this day sport’s greatest rivalry. As the decade ended, the wheels had already been set in motion for the NBA’s next era, with new dynasties to come. The Celtics started to falter, and a new force in the East brazenly announced its presence. The Detroit Pistons finally conquered the Celtics in the East, and they almost beat the Lakers in 1988, thanks to Isiah Thomas’ remarkable play. He scored 25 points in the fourth quarter of game 6, playing on a badly sprained ankle. It was right up there with the best performances in Finals history. The Lakers were still the better team in ’88, but in ’89, the mantle passed. Though the Lakers had problems with major injuries, the Pistons were clearly the better team at that point. They won again in 1990. Their controversial, brutal style was often criticized, but it was only part of their success. They had great skill and brawn. Like Magic and Bird, Isiah Thomas led a diverse group of players who complimented each other perfectly. Each piece was important, every movement part of a larger game plan. Their message was clear. We will out-skill you and stomp you. Get out of our way. For a few years, that is precisely what happened. The Pistons had one of the NBA’s best dynasties, even if some people don’t want to give them such credit now. Regardless, history cannot be changed. The best players in the 1980s were among the best of all time. The two greatest point guards in league history are Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas. Ironically, their personal rivalry (and friendship) helped define the 80’s. Larry Bird and Julius Erving dominated at the forward spot. Moses Malone came out as the best center in the early 80s yet started to falter by mid-decade. Kareem lost ground to Moses early on yet rose again as the league’s best center in ’84 and ’86 at age 38. Incredible. He was by far the best player in the 1970s and had continued success in his second decade. Kevin McHale was the best power forward. Some guy named Michael Jordan did reasonably well, too! He began his quest in the ’80s, achieving phenomenal personal statistics. He averaged 37 points a game in 1987, the only player to average over 37 points in a full season besides Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt had five seasons higher than Jordan’s mark, including 45 points per game one season and another 50 ppg. (It should be noted that Elgin Baylor averaged 38.3 ppg points in basically half of a season in 1961/62). In 1988 Jordan won Defensive Player of the Year, along with regular season MVP and yet another scoring title, the second of ten. Jordan did not have tremendous team success in the 80s. No, that belonged to Magic, Bird, Isiah, Kareem, and Moses. His story would reach its fruition in another time, another decade. The 80s represented the NBA at its competitive peak, with all-time great players competing for dominance every season. There were more stellar teams than in any other decade, and more dynasties, with no less than three. No other time has more than one. It was a decade of phenomenal personal stats and incredible team success, encompassing magical players who cared more about winning than anything else. There have always been talented players and exceptional teams throughout the history of the NBA, yet the 1980s tops them all. There will never be another era to equal it.
07 Jun, 2023
Beloved by billions of fans and players worldwide, it’s no secret why soccer is called “the beautiful game.” A high percentage of people from almost every country share a deep respect and fascination with this sport, which is like no other. American football is prevalent in the U.S., yet it pales compared to real football, as in the one where players actually use their feet! No other sport is followed so closely around the world. Sports like cricket and auto racing have a significant global presence, yet they are far behind. During the World Cup, every four years, the world eases its busy pace for one month to focus on the tournament. The Final match reaches a worldwide television audience of billions. It is no exaggeration to state that the countries represented in the Final shut down for a day to watch the match. There is an expression that sums it up perfectly. “If the Super Bowl is so special, why is it played every year?”  Soccer is the ideal sport for a talented all-around athlete. It requires speed, strength, endurance, and agility. A certain ebb and flow, a rhythmic movement of speed, grace, and power, makes it unique. It is almost ballet-like, with a fluid sense of motion in every step. One must be able to control the ball with the feet and most of the body. The fact that you can’t use your hands makes it even more of a challenge. You must develop a greater sense of overall balance to navigate the field without using your hands. It is a great advantage to start playing when you are young, training the body to move with specific muscle memory that can last a lifetime. The most vital skill in soccer is passing. It is also essential in sports such as basketball, rugby, and hockey. Dribbling is a factor, yet, if you can’t pass the ball well, then you are in trouble. Great passing requires deft balance and a subtle sense of touch. The game is a kind of symphony, with ten players trying to advance the ball down the field, individual skill meshing within a virtual team unity. Ultimately, no one player is above the team. It takes everyone on the field to achieve team success; ideally, any position cannot have weaknesses. Generally assigned roles are based on field position, but a player must have excellent all-around ability to stand out. A defender must be able to move to support an offensive attack, while a midfielder must have strong offensive and defensive skills. Ideally, strikers should be able to score well and play defense when needed. It is akin to basketball. A player has offensive and defensive responsibilities; the better he is at both, the higher he will be regarded. The best players in soccer and basketball can do both well. Soccer requires excellent conditioning. Maintaining an elevated level involves stout training, such as running, rowing (machine), weight training, and drills that stress specific skills, such as passing, heading, or dribbling. Lifting low to mid-level weights at high reps is best for weight training. You don’t want to be bulky, yet you must be strong when a player tries to knock you off the ball. One should diligently exercise the body’s core, especially with abdominal work. Once one reaches a high fitness level, it is easier to maintain than starting from nothing. The legs, arms, abs, and back are flexible and robust, ready to respond to any body movement necessary on the field. Injuries are common in soccer, just as in any sport—fewer extreme collision injuries, such as rugby, American football, or hockey. Muscle injuries are the most common. It is essential to help prevent muscle issues during training, especially by stretching. One should stretch as often as possible, especially in the hamstrings, quads, and upper hip areas. The more you do it, the easier it becomes over time. When the body is flexible, it can better handle stressful situations. As for treating existing injuries, it is a significant science unto itself. Ice is the first line of defense for the most common sports injuries, whether for muscles or high-risk areas such as knees and ankles. Ice and heat therapy are a winning combination for more severe muscle strains. Heat will gradually help to heal the injured muscle, while ice keeps the swelling down. If done correctly, one can recover reasonably quickly. It is also vital to stretch as much as you can while rehabbing. If it hurts too much, then don’t overdo it. However, stretching itself will reduce the severity and duration of the injury. Of course, the greatest panacea is to prevent injuries in the first place. Wearing compression gear is a must. I cannot imagine playing a soccer game, running, or hiking without wearing my compression shorts. Even if one is not prone to injuries to certain muscles, such as hamstrings, it is always a great idea to take steps to prevent injuries in the first place. It is only common sense. Every four years, when the World Cup takes over the world, interest in soccer in the United States has grown. However, there are so many significant sports here that it has been hard for soccer to break through to the mainstream American sports audience. The problem is that most of them don’t understand the game’s nuances. They don’t like the fact that it is typically low scoring. All that proves to me is that scoring in any sport should not be so easy. For example, it is relatively easy to score at least once in a basketball game. Even a lesser player will likely get lucky and get one easy basket. That it is more of a challenge to score in soccer makes it more aesthetically pleasing. There is a kind of art to it. The buildup is the impressive part. The ball control, dribbling, and especially the passing necessary to advance down the field and score is a marvel. There is nothing like it in any other sport. The ultimate feeling is to play the sport. Most fans have played soccer at least a little. There is an even stronger connection for one who has played since childhood. Once one understands and appreciates the effort involved, it is impossible not to become a fan for life.
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