Did You Know?

Did You Know? Touch Helps Athletes Perform

In the June issue of Psychology Today magazine, an article focused on the correlation between touch and success in sports, particularly in NBA basketball.

According to the article, “touch enhances cooperation and reduces anxiety.” And based on new research from collaborators at UC-Berkeley, NBA teams that touched more cooperated more, which helped them play better during the season.

In the 2008-2009 NBA season, the scientists counted celebratory contact such as fist bumps and head slaps among all 30 teams. In case you’re interested, the two touchiest teams were theLakers and the Celtics, and the touchiest player was Celtics forward Kevin Garnett!

The scientists concluded that “touchier” teams – and this includes everything from pats on the bootie to high-fives – are also more likely to win. Of course, one could argue that the reverse is true: more successful teams touch more because they are already successful and eager to celebrate. Hmmmm….

How could this research translate to other areas of life? The scientists also note that NBA players have developed their own “touch communication,” that obviously wouldn’t work in many other scenarios such as the workplace or school. But what about the NFL? If ever there were a sport where players touched and interacted, it is football! Do you think football players have their own language that builds intimacy and drives performance? Are there certain teams that seem to hug and pat and slap just a little bit more? Are they the best of the best?

Football 101 Women would love to hear your thoughts!

Did You Know? NFL Approves New Overtime Rule

New NFL overtime rule = more drama? I’m in. That’s right. In time for the 2010-2011 football season, NFL fans can look forward to even more controversy and edge-of-your-seat game watching when the new overtime rule takes effect.

Now I know y’all are still learning the game, (and so am I, as my brother and BF will kindly remind me), so I’ll give it to you in simple terms:

With the new rule, the team receiving the first kick-off in overtime will no longer win the game automatically when they kick a field goal on their first possession. If they kick a field goal, the other team will get one chance to receive a kick-off and to also kick a field goal (when this happens, the game goes to ’sudden-death” where the next point wins), score a winning touchdown, or lose!

Did you know that there is a female High School Football Coach? You go sister!

I swear I get my best news from morning TV shows. Today on Good Morning America, Robin Roberts, an avid sports fan and athlete, introduced Natalie Randolph, the newest football coach for Washington DC’s Calvin Coolidge Senior High School.

Click here for video

“While I’m proud to be part of what this all means,” Randolph said, “being female has nothing to do with it. I love football. I love football, I love teaching, I love these kids. My being female has nothing to do with my support and respect for my players on the field and in the classroom.”

We love her already! Good luck Natalie and we’ll be watching!

Did you know? New York Times wedding section features a New York Giant

My husband and I religiously read the wedding section of the New York Times every Sunday. He actually got me into it…such a cutie-pie, isn’t he? This week they featured Aaron Ross of the New York Giants and his gorgeous bride, Sanya Richards, an accomplished athlete herself. See the pictures and read more here!

Did You Know? Archie vs. Peyton

Back in the seventies, Peyton Manning’s (QB of the Colts) dad Archie was the Saints’ stud QB.

And now that the Saints made it to the Superbowl for the FIRST time, current QB Drew Brees is going to try and lead Archie’s old team to victory against his son!

Excitement. Drama. Family rivalry. Should be a game to watch….anyone have plans yet? Stay tuned for our Superbowl party ideas so you can make the most of the day.

Did you know: What is Football 101 Women?

“When I got married I didn’t even know there were so may ESPN channels. When I try to get involved in my husband’s sports teams he turns me down, shuts me out and keeps on keeping on with the game, what do I do to be more involved?”

I screamed at the TV, “Ladies, that’s what Football 101 Women is for! We can help you learn about football from a ladies perspective and impress the pants off your man next time he shuts you out, turns you down and keeps on keeping on!”

Did You Know? Why the Ravens are the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens: Courtesy of Edgar Allan Poe

In 1995, the Cleveland Browns announced they were moving their franchise to Baltimore. Baltimore had a new pro football team. Now all it needed was a new pro football name. But what? Long ago, fans had named the Colts after the horse racing industry in the Baltimore area. What Baltimore person, place, or thing would best represent this new Baltimore team?

That question was put to the fans. Baltimore had boats, Baltimore had hard-working, patriotic citizens, Baltimore had…Edgar Allan Poe and his famous poem, “The Raven.”