| How to Write a Press Release Posted: 03 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Start a press release with an attention-grabbing headline in bold font. Begin the body copy with the date and city that the release is from. Your lead sentence should be a concise summary of the subject of the release. The rest of the body tells all the important details of your story: who, what, when where why and how. Put the most important information first, followed by more general information, and don't forget to include your contact information at the end. [Edit]Sample Press Releases [Edit]Making it Pop - Write a genuine headline. It should be brief, clear and to the point: an ultra-compact version of the press release's key point. Plenty of PR professionals recommend writing your headline at the end, after the rest of the release is written. If you follow that instruction, continue on and come back to writing the headline once the rest is done. The headline is known as the eye-catcher and is very important to the whole release.[1]
 - wikiHow recognized as most reliable information source. See how that works? Now you want to know more! News release headlines should have a "grabber" to attract journalists, just as a newspaper headline is meant to grab readers. It may describe the latest achievement of an organization, a recent newsworthy event, a new product or service.
- Headlines written in bold! A bold headline also typically uses a larger font size than the body copy. Conventional press release headlines use the present tense and exclude "a" and "the", as well as forms of the verb "to be" in certain contexts.
- First word capitalized. As are all proper nouns. Most headline words appear in lower-case letters, although using a stylized "small caps" font style can create a more graphically news-attractive look and feel. Do not capitalize every word.
- Extract important keywords. The simplest method to create the press release headline is to extract the most important keywords from your press release. From these keywords, try to frame a logical and attention-getting statement. If including a summary sentence after the headline, the same rules apply. Using keywords early will give you better visibility in search engines, and it will be simpler for journalists and readers to get the idea of the press release content. Look at the actions in this first step, and notice how every one of them could be a press release headline.
- Write the body copy. The press release should be written as you want it to appear in a news story. Most journalists are very busy; they may dig deeper into the story if it doesn't sound credible, but they generally won't have time to do extensive research into your company's big announcement. Much of what you write for your press release will be what the journalists use in their writeup of your big event—in other words, if there are important details you want included in the story, you need to include them in the press release.[2]
 - Start with the date and city in which the press release originates. The city may be omitted if it will be confusing –– for example if the release is written in New York about events in the company's Chicago division.
- The lead, or first sentence, should grab the reader and say concisely what is happening. For example, if the headline is "Carpren Publishing releases new WWII novel," the first sentence might be something like, "Carpren Publishing, Ltd., today released their first World War II novel by celebrated writer Darcy Kay." It expands the headline enough to fill in some of the details, and brings the reader further into the story. The next one to two sentences should then expand upon the lead.[3]
- The press release body copy should be compact. Avoid using very long sentences and paragraphs. Avoid repetition and overuse of fancy language and jargon. Strive for simplicity, and no wasted words.
- The first paragraph (two to three sentences) should sum up the press release, and the additional content must elaborate it. In a fast-paced world, neither journalists, nor other readers, would read the entire press release if the start of the article didn't generate interest.
- Deal with actual facts –– events, products, services, people, targets, goals, plans, projects. Try to provide maximum use of concrete facts.[4] This is news. A simple method for writing an effective press release is to make a list of following clarifications: Who, what, when, where, why, and how.
- Communicate the "5 W's" (and the H) clearly. Who, what, when, where, why ––and how–– should tell the reader everything they need to know. Consider the checklist in context with the points below, using the example above to generate our press release:[5]
- Who is this about? Carpren Publishing.
- What is the actual news? Carpren Publishing is releasing a book.
- When does this event happen? Tomorrow.
- Where does this event take place? In all major markets, tomorrow.
- Why this is news? It was written by renowned author, Darcy Kay.
- How is this happening? The main event is at a book signing in Chicago, followed by a book tour to all the major metropolitan areas.
- With the basics defined, fill in the gaps with information about the people, products, items, dates and other things related with the news.
- If your company is not the main subject of the news, but is the source of the press release, make it clear in the body.
- Keep it short and to the point. If you are sending a hard copy, the text should be double-spaced.
- The more newsworthy you make the press release copy, the better the chances of it being selected by a journalist for reporting. Find out what "newsworthy" means to a given market and use this knowledge to hook the editor or reporter.
- Make it clean, crisp, and applicable to your audience. Odds are whoever you sent your press release to has a dozen just like it in his/her inbox just waiting to be ignored. If you want yours to be chosen, it's got to be good. Not only does it have to be good, but it has to be as close to "ready for press" as possible.
- When an editor looks at your piece, he/she is thinking, from the first second, about how long it's going to take them to get it to print. If your work is full of errors, lacking content, or just needs to be revised, they're not going to waste their time. So make sure you have good grammar, all the basics, and have something to write about.
- Why should these people care what you have to say? If you're sending it to the right audience, it'll be obvious. If you're not, well, why are you wasting your time? Give the right people a piece of news (news, not advertising) and you're on the right track.
- They'll care more if you send it in the morning. That gives them time to pad your piece into what they're already working on. Be considerate.
- Tie it together. Provide some extra information links that support your press release.[6] Does the company you're selling have additional information online that readers may find useful? Great. Add it in.
- If you're nervous about what you've got, do some research on what's already out there. Someone probably wrote something on an event just like the one you're covering. PR Web[7] and PR Newswire[8] are good places to start.
[Edit]Mastering the Format - Get the basic structure down. All right, now that you've got the meat of it together, how do you put it onto paper? Well, for starters, cut it to length. It should be a page long at most, if that. No one's going to waste time on 5 paragraphs unless you're covering WWIII. Here's what you need (some of which we've already covered):
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE should go at the top of the page, on the left margin.
- If the release is embargoed, put "EMBARGOED UNTIL..." with the date you want the story released. A release with no release date is presumed to be for immediate release.
- The headline, usually in bold, should be centered below that.
- If you'd like, put a subhead in italics (briefly elaborating the headline).
- First paragraph: most important information. May be quite news-like in that, it starts with a date or where the news is coming from.
- Second (and probable third) paragraph: secondary information. Should include quotes and facts.[9]
- Boilerplate information: more on your company. Who are you, really? What achievements do you have? What's your mission?
- Contact information: more on the writer (probably you!). If you grab someone's interest, they'll want to be able to find out more!
- Multimedia: in today's day and age, there's always some Twitter handle to be had.
- Write a boilerplate underneath the body of your release. That means it's time to include information about your company. When a journalist picks up your press release for a story, he or she would logically have to mention the company in the news article. Journalists can then get the company information from this section.
- The title for this section should be "About [XYZ_COMPANY]."
- After the title, use a paragraph or two to describe your company with 5 or 6 lines each. The text must describe your company, its core business and the business policy. Many businesses already have professionally written brochures, presentations, business plans, etc. That introductory text can be put here.
- At the end of this section, point to your website. The link should be the exact and complete URL without any embedding so that, even if this page is printed, the link will be printed as it is. For example: http://www.example.com, not Click here to visit the website.
- Companies which maintain a separate media page on their websites must point to that URL here. A media page typically has contact information and press kits.
- Add your contact information. If your press release is really newsworthy, journalists would surely like more information or would like to interview key people associated with it. If you are comfortable with the idea of letting your key people be contacted directly by media, you can provide their contact details on the press release page itself. For example, in the case of an innovation, you can provide the contact information of your engineering or research team for the media.
- If not, you must provide the details of your media/PR department in the "Contact" section. If you do not have dedicated team for this function, you must appoint somebody who will act as a link between the media and your people.
- The contact details must be limited and specific only to the current press release. The contact details must include:
- The company's official name
- Media department's official name and contact person
- Office address
- Telephone and fax numbers with proper country/city codes and extension numbers
- Mobile phone number (optional)
- Times of availability
- Email addresses
- Website address
- If possible, include a link to an online copy of the same release. It's good practice to keep a log of all of your press releases housed on your own website. This can make providing such a link easier to produce, as well as keeping a record for historical purposes.
- Signal the end of the press release with three # (hash) symbols. Center these directly underneath the last line of the release. This is a journalistic standard. It may look like you're over-tweeting, but you're not. This is how it's done.[10]
- Include a "call to action" in your release. This is information on what you want the public to do with the information that you are releasing. For example, do you want readers to buy a product? If so, include information on where the product is available. Do you want readers to visit your website to enter a contest or learn more about your organization? If so, include the website address or a phone number.
- Do not waste time writing the headline until the release is done. Copy editors write the real headlines in newspapers and magazines, but it is good to come up with a catchy title or "headline" for the release. This headline may be your only chance. Keep it concise and factual. It's a good idea not to write it until after you finish the press release. You don't know yet exactly what you—–or those you interview, will say. When you have finished a draft of the release, you may decide to revise your lead—or not. Then, and only then, think about the headline.
- Use your headline as the subject line of the email. If you've written a good "grabber" headline, this will help your message stand out in the editor's email inbox.
- Research actual press releases on the web to get the feel of the tone, the language, the structure and the format of a press release.
- Avoid using jargon or specialized technical terms. If accuracy requires the use of an industry-specific term, define it.
- Craft each release to target a specific media outlet and send it to the specific reporter who covers that beat. This information can usually be found on the outlet's website. Blasting the identical press release to multiple outlets and multiple reporters at the same outlet is a sign that you are taking shortcuts rather than targeting a specific market.
- The timing of the press release is very important. It must be relevant and recent news, not too old and not too distant.
- A follow-up call can help develop a press release into a full story.
- Include the company name in the headline, any subhead, and in the body of the first paragraph for better visibility via search engines and for news professionals and other readers. If you're mailing a hard copy, you may put it on company letterhead.
- Send your release by email, and use formatting sparingly. Giant type and multiple colors don't enhance your news, they distract from it. Put the release in the body of the email, not as an attachment. If you must use an attachment, make it a plain text or Rich Text Format file. Word documents are acceptable at most outlets, but if you are using the newest version (.docx), save down a version (.doc). Newspapers especially, are on tight budgets now, and many have not upgraded. Use PDF files only if you are sending a full media kit with lots of graphics. Don't type a release on letterhead, then scan it and email a jpeg of the scan––that's a waste of your time and the editor's. Just type the release straight into the email message.
- Include the company name in the headline, any subheadings, and in the body of the first paragraph for better visibility via search engines and for news professionals and other readers. If you're mailing a hard copy, you may put it on company letterhead.
[Edit]Warnings - Always remember that many editing teams are overworked and understaffed. If you can make life easier for them, you're more likely to get coverage. If you write a press release that's close to the way the editor will actually publish it, it may see publication with minimal editing. But if you fill it with fluffy advertising copy, don't use proper AP style, etc., the editor will surely delete this kind of fluff. Everybody says they're the leader. Don't waste the editor's time. The place to put a description is in the company information section of the release. But keep it accurate and factual.
- When emailing a press release, do not make the subject line of your email "press release." You will only blend into the crowd. Get the editor's attention by making the subject line your "grabber" headline, for example, "Brand Co. wins $30 billion government contract."
- Articles should be as up-beat and positive as possible. Avoid phrases like "following the resignation of the previous chairman" or "after a period of inactivity." A journalist could decide to investigate those matters instead of reporting what is in the press release and—–even if the circumstances were completely innocuous, for instance if the chairman had resigned due to ill health—–the resulting copy might not be to your liking.
- Do not include other people's contact details without getting their agreement. In addition, they must be available at all reasonable hours in the days following the release.
- Always include a quote—–ideally from the lead individual involved in the subject matter of the release. The text need not be an actual quote but it should be plausible. Either way, it is essential to check that the person being quoted is happy with it. A quote allows a busy journalist to prepare a complete article without doing a follow-up interview.
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| How to Hold a Spoon Posted: 02 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT Although proper spoon use varies from culture to culture, you can learn a universal way to hold a spoon to allow for the widest field of motion. The trick is to rest the spoon on your bottom three fingers and allow your wrist to do most of the work. [Edit]Gripping Your Spoon Properly - Use your dominant hand. Most people use their right hand when reaching for a spoon.[1] However, you want to be able to control your motions carefully. Therefore, it's best to use your dominant hand.
- Be careful if you're sitting next to someone whose dominant hand is different from your own. Be conscientious of your movements to avoid accidentally knocking elbows with them.
- Hold the spoon horizontally. You want to hold your spoon horizontally as you move it. This will prevent food from spilling while you eat. Keep your spoon steady with the first knuckle of your index finger and the tip of your middle finger, holding it at a horizontal angle.[2]
- Rest the handle across your middle finger.[3] Curl your middle finger, ring finger, and pinky fingers inward and lay the handle of the spoon overtop the middle finger, with the dome of the spoon pointing towards your other hand. Rest the portion of the spoon's handle right before the head on your index finger. Allow the end of the handle to rest on the curve made by your thumb.[4]
- Hold the spoon in place with your thumb and index finger.[5] Place your thumb and index finger on top of the end of the spoon. Press down on the end so that the spoon is held between the top of your middle finger and your thumb and index finger. This should keep the spoon secure while you're eating and drinking.[6]
[Edit]Eating with a Spoon - Turn your wrist to dip the spoon. Holding the spoon like this allows you a greater field of motion. When you turn your wrist away from you the spoon will dip downwards, into your food, and when you turn it towards you, the spoon will turn back up.
- This is a more flexible position than if you held the spoon in, say, a fist, or between your thumb and index finger.
- Use the side of the spoon. Bring the spoon to your mouth and eat from the broad side of the spoon, rather than the tip. You can use your wrist here to tilt the spoon upwards to aid in eating.[7]
- Sit up straight when you eat.[8] Although you may be tempted to lean forward while eating soup, it's better etiquette to sit with your back at a 90-degree angle. Instead of bending over, bring the spoon to where you are.[9]
- Eat slowly and gently. Foods that you eat with a spoon are frequently liquid based. It is easy to make slurping noises when eating with a spoon. To minimize noise when eating, eat very slowly. Make sure to open your mouth wide enough to get food in without having to resort to slurping.[10]
- Eating food slowly will also help you best enjoy the taste and texture of your food.
- Keep your grip firm. Make sure to grip firmly on your spoon when you eat. Keeping a loose grip can cause you to drop your spoon, which can cause a mess and loud noises. Keep your grip firm enough that the spoon does not wobble in your hands while you eat.[11]
[Edit]Following Proper Etiquette - Use your spoon for the right dishes. Spoons are used to eat liquid-based food, such as soups. Spoons are also used to eat mushier, softer foods such as ice cream and mashed potatoes. Use your spoon for these types of foods and avoid using it to eat solid foods. It can be hard to maneuver foods like meats and vegetables using a spoon.[12]
- Place your spoon on your plate when finished. When you're done, it's customary to set your spoon down on your plate. Always plate your spoon on the plate from which you were eating. If you were eating soup, place the spoon on the plate your soup bowl was resting on.[13]
- In general, you should not place your spoon back in a bowl when you finish eating. This could confuse waitstaff, as they may think you're still eating. However, if no plate was provided, it's okay to put your spoon back in the bowl. You do not want to get food residue on the table.
- Do not use your fingers. Never push food onto your spoon using your fingers. This is considered bad table manners. If you have to push food to eat with a spoon, it is probably better to use a fork for this type of food.[14]
- Avoid pointing with your spoon. Never use your spoon to point at other guests while talking or otherwise gesticulating. Only use your spoon for eating. If you're using your hands to do things like gesticulate while at the table, set your spoon down while doing so.[15]
- If you are finishing a bowl of soup it is considered proper to tip the bowl away from your body, rather than toward. This way drips are less likely to splash on your clothing.
- Most soup spoons are not designed to fit inside the mouth. Instead you must elegantly sip the soup from the bowl of the spoon.
- Do not be too noisy when consuming the item off the spoon. 'Slurping' soup and other items can be considered rude in some countries.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Break Up with Your Friend Posted: 02 May 2022 09:00 AM PDT Many people have been through a breakup with a significant other, but breaking up with a friend can be even harder. When you have a fight you know you can't resolve or you just don't have that much in common anymore, it's time to pull the plug. You can let the friendship fade out naturally, have a confrontation with your friend, or cut things off cold turkey. No matter what, it helps to be prepared to deal with the feelings you'll experience when it's finally over. [Edit]Confronting the Person - Arrange a time and place to meet up. When you don't want to keep the person guessing about why you don't want to be friends, a face to face conversation might be in order. Parks and coffee shops are good stops for breakups because they're neutral, public locations. Even though things might get emotional during your conversation, you'll both be likely to keep things contained if you're in a public place.
- Avoid arranging to have a long meal together, since you might be ready to go before the food even arrives.
- If you don't want to meet in person, it's fine to break up with your friend over the phone. Avoid doing it over text, since it's harder to express yourself fully and have a real conversation.
- Do not break up with your friend in front of people you both know. This can be deeply embarrassing and hurtful.
- Tell your friend why you're ending it. Be straightforward about why you don't want to be friends. Did your friend cheat with your boyfriend? Does he or she constantly cut you down? Whatever the reason, now is the time to spell it out. Telling your friend exactly what's going on is a brave thing to do, and in the end the person will probably be glad to know what happened.[1][2]
- It's always best to have a conversation, if possible. Ghosting can be devastating to another person.[3]
- There is a situation in which being straightforward is not the kindest way to end a friendship. If you just don't like the person anymore, through no fault of his or her own, there's really no reason to say it out loud. If this is the case, go to Method 2 and let the friendship naturally fade.
- Give your friend a chance to talk. Your friend will either get defensive, apologize, or do a mix of both after your confrontation. You might want to hear him or her out, just in case there's the tiniest chance that you want to stay friends after all. If it's possible there was some kind of misunderstanding, you'll want to know. If that's not possible, continue the breakup process.[4]
- Set boundaries. Maybe you want to cut things off for good right here and now, or maybe you're fine seeing the person every now and then in a group setting. Whatever the case, be very clear that this is a breaking point, and from now on things will be different. Lay out your boundaries up front so you won't be tempted to back down later.[5]
- If you never want to talk again, tell the person you won't be in touch after this and that you don't want to hear from him or her, either.
- If you're still fine hanging out in a group but you don't want to have one-on-one talks, it's fine to say that. It's also fine to say that you might be open to renewing the friendship later, but only if you mean it. Otherwise the person might keep trying to get in touch when you just want to be left alone. Just be crystal clear about your expectations so your former friend won't get confused.
- If your friend truly respects you, they'll respect the boundaries that you're setting up.[6]
- Stick to your boundaries. If the person tries to get in touch or win you back over, don't respond. You've said your piece, you've heard the person out, and now your obligation as a friend is over. Just like when you break up with a significant other, breaking up with a friend means you don't have to be responsible for that person anymore.
- This is easier said than done. If your former friend is really upset, it might be extremely hard to ignore his or her calls and texts. If you're serious about breaking up this friendship, don't let the person cross your boundaries. You'll just give him or her the wrong impression and make things harder in the future.
- Remember—you have nothing to feel guilty about![7]
[Edit]Letting it Naturally Fade - If you're growing apart, don't fight it. The fade-out method is best for a situation in which you and your friend are simply growing apart.[8] Maybe there's no concrete reason you don't like the person anymore; you're just interested in other things and other people. Start spending your time how you want to spend it, hanging out with people and doing activities you enjoy. Chances are, your friend will do the same, and you'll start drifting apart without having to make a big deal about it.
- Stop calling and texting your friend. To break up a friendship, you need to slow down communication. Stop getting in touch with your friend to make plans or just to talk. Stop initiating chats online, text conversations, and any other contact. You can still chat when you see him or her in person, like if you both go out with the same group of friends, but avoid unnecessary contact.[9]
- When two friends are naturally ready to part ways, it's not difficult to be in touch less often. You'd probably both rather be doing other things, anyway, so it won't feel like a big sacrifice not to talk much more than you need to.
- On the other hand, if your friend isn't feeling the same way you are about the friendship, being in touch less may hurt his or her feelings. Unfortunately it's really hard to avoid hurt feelings when you're ending a friendship. You'll have to decide whether you still want to end it either way.
- Keep conversations light. Friends get closer by having deep, revealing conversations during which they get to know each other really well. To pull away from a friend, stop having big heart-to-hearts. When you talk, stick to shallow, surface topics, just like you would with an acquaintance. If you keep talking like friends, it'll be harder for the friendship to fade.
- If your friend tends to want to talk about private matters, like her relationship with her boyfriend, steer the conversation in a safer direction. Change the subject so she doesn't get the chance to tell you her deepest feelings.
- Eventually your friend will start to notice that you don't talk the way you used to. He or she may call you out on it or decide to withdraw, too. Be prepared for either reaction.
- Politely decline invitations. It might take awhile for your friend to catch on to the fact that you're just not into the friendship anymore. A sure way to create some distance[10] is to decline invitations politely, but firmly. If the invitation is for a group activity, you might want to participate, but avoid one-on-one outings. You'll just lead the other person on.
- Again, if the other person isn't ready for this to end, declining his or her invitations is going to cause some hurt. It's up to you to decide whether the nicer thing to do is be more straightforward about why you keep saying "no" every time he or she invites you to do something.
- Make excuses if you need to. If you really don't want to tell the person the truth, deflect invitations with excuses. Say you're busy, you have relatives in town, you have too much homework, and so on. This could be seen as the easy way out, since it's not a very honest way to behave toward someone who was a friend. However, if you have a good reason to end the friendship and really don't want to deal with a confrontation, making excuses is pretty effective.
- Gradually let the friendship come to a stop. Best case scenario, the person catches on that you've moved on from the friendship and decides to go his or her own way. However, if the former friend asks you what's going on, you may want to give him or her an explanation. Be ready for this reaction, since it could be the case that you mean more to your former friend than he or she means to you.
- Consider the silent treatment for an abusive friendship. If the person you want to break up with has been physically or emotionally abusive or manipulative, you don't owe that person anything; even politeness. Just stop all contact, unfriend the person on your social media accounts, and avoid seeing the person when you don't have to.
- If you try to have a conversation with the person about it, he or she may end up making you feel like you are the one who did something wrong. Don't get wrapped up in that drama. If you know the person is going to make things hard for you, just cut it off cold turkey.
[Edit]Handling the Aftermath - Deal with your former friend's emotions. Being dumped is not easy, whether you deserve it or not. Be prepared for your friend to cry, beg for you to be friends again, or even get extremely angry. You were strong enough to breakup with your friend, and you're strong enough to deal with the aftermath. Try not to let yourself get wrapped up in the person's emotions.[11] Remember to stick to your boundaries and cut off all contact if necessary.
- Beware of passive-aggressive behavior. Sometimes a former friend will try to make your life harder in small, passive aggressive ways. This is especially true if you go to school together or work in the same place and have to see each other frequently. The person might try to turn others against you, spread gossip about you, or make you look bad somehow. Stay strong and realize that if someone behaves so horribly, your decision to end the friendship was right on.[12]
- If the behavior escalates from passive-aggressive to just plain aggressive, you may need to take further action. Talk to your teachers or supervisors if it's happening at work or school. See if you can provide evidence that you are being targeted.
- You may have legal options as well. If the person won't leave you alone and his or her behavior constitutes harassment,[13] you may want to file a restraining order.
- Realize this might affect other friendships, too. Breaking up with one friend often affects the people you both knew. If you were both part of the same larger friend group, things might be pretty awkward for awhile. Hopefully your other friends won't take sides, but if they do, you know who your real friends are.
- Take care of yourself. You'll probably feel a sense of freedom after breaking up with a bad friend. Even so, breakups are often tough. It's emotionally difficult to let someone down, and the consequences can last much longer than expected. After the friendship is officially over, make a point of spending time with people who make you feel good. Surround yourself with loved ones and try to put the old friendship out of your mind.
- You may also feel surprisingly sad to lose the good parts of the friendship with the person you broke up with. After all, you were friends for a reason, even if your relationship eventually turned bad. Sadness is totally normal in this situation.
- Burn your bridges carefully. It can be very hard to restart a friendship, so be certain you want to end things if that's the path you pick.
- Don't say it in a rude way because that person also has feelings.
- Don't feel bad if your friend wasn't being a good friend. That's not your fault.
- If you break up your friendship with someone and you feel sad, that's okay, let the emotions out. Don't be afraid to show how you feel. It's perfectly natural.
- Remember that all relationships are volunteer situations. You are not required to continue any relationship.
- Be firm with what you say to avoid confusion.
- Ask advice from your family members or other friends, especially people who know your friend well and may be able to add additional insight to your situation. They may be able to give you help for your individual setting.
- When you tell that person how you feel, it'll be painful after the break up, but do things that make you happy. Eventually, you'll make a new best friend.
- Be very careful if you both have mutual friends, he/she could bad-mouth you to your friends. Be especially careful if you're an adult and you're at work with the person. He/she may bad talk about you to someone with higher authority than you.
- Stand your ground. If your friend asks why you are breaking up with them, don't make up a reason. Stay firm.
- Stay calm and don't take revenge on them or keep arguing with them.
- Mutual friends may feel the need to pick sides, so be prepared to discuss your feelings or possibly lose other friends.
- The most important part of any relationship is the exchange of energy. If anyone leaves you feeling drained or uncomfortable and you can get away then please do. Give yourself the energy you have been giving the other and you will begin to feel better!
- Don't fall into self-doubt. If your ex-friend tries to make you feel guilty or tries to manipulate you into feeling bad, try your best to not believe them. Consult someone you trust if you want reassurance that you're not in the wrong.
- If they come back to you wanting to be friends, politely say no. You broke up with that person for a reason. You'll only hurt your self more, when you have to re-break up with them.
- If you don't feel comfortable confronting your friend on your own, consult a school counselor or peer mediator who can be a neutral third-party to help with the conversation.
- Send a letter or an e-mail if you don't feel comfortable having a face-to-face conversation.
- Don't break up with a friend who really wants to stay with you, because maybe, she/he is the right friend for you, and you simply missed the chance of having a real friend. Choose those people whom you wanted to break up with.
- Your friend will probably try to make you feel bad and think that it's all your fault. If you know deep down that you didn't do anything wrong then he/she's just trying to manipulate you. Stay strong and courageous.
- To avoid the hassle of the aftermath, unfriend them on any social media where other people on their side can help blow out you of proportion.
- You may feel guilty, but if you know you made the right decision for yourself, stand by it.
- If your reasons are superficial, such as wanting to become popular don't do it, it's really selfish.
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| How to Throw a Football Posted: 02 May 2022 01:00 AM PDT Mastering good football throwing technique means your passes will fly farther, land more precisely, and be easier to catch. More importantly, you'll reduce your risk for common throwing injuries. The steps below will help you improve your passing game and be better able to deliver the "perfect spiral." [Edit]Basic Passing Technique - Stretch before throwing. Focus on stretching your whole body - not just your arms. Football throwing is a complex physio-mechanical process that uses multiple muscle groups, including your core, legs, and shoulders.When you throw your ring finger and pinkie finger on the middle laces.Your middle finger next to the top lace.[1] Pay special attention to these areas as these muscles will stabilize your body and add power to your throw.
- Grip the football. The most common way to hold the football is with your ring and little fingers crossing the laces and your thumb underneath. Your index finger should be over a seam, and your thumb and index fingers should make an "L" shape.
- Many quarterbacks prefer variations on the common grip on the ball, as described above. For instance, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning lays his middle finger across the laces in addition to his ring and little fingers.[2] Experiment to see which position is most comfortable for you.
- Don't "palm" the football. Hold it lightly with your fingertips. Some palm contact is OK, but try to keep space between the center of the palm and the ball.
- Don't grip the ball too tightly. Keep your hold firm but loose - you'll be able to adjust your grip more easily.
- Position your body in the throwing stance. Face 90 degrees away from your target. If you throw with your right hand, turn to the right, and vice versa if you throw with your left hand. Turn your pivot foot (opposite your throwing arm) so that it's pointing toward your target. Keep your eyes on the target.
- Hold the ball near your ear. Before you throw the ball, keep it up near your ear, stabilizing it with your non-throwing hand. This allows you to be ready to throw the ball quickly at any time, minimizing the risk of telegraphing your pass to a defender.
- Wind back. Release your non-throwing hand from the ball. Wind your throwing arm back, stopping just behind your ear.
- Throw in a half-circular motion. Quickly swing your throwing arm forward in a circular arc. Release the ball midway through the circle. Your empty hand should then head toward your non-dominant hip, palm facing away from you. Practice this motion a few times before you let go of the ball.
- Use the rest of your body to build momentum for your throw. The hips, legs and shoulders can add great power to a pass.[3] Step forward with your non-dominant (or pivot) foot, and move your non-dominant elbow down toward your back. Rotate your hips and shoulders in the direction of the pass.
- Release the ball with your fingertips. As the football leaves your hand, it should roll off of your fingertips. Your index finger will be the last part of your body touching the ball. This provides the spin that creates the desired "spiral" effect.
- A proper throw will feel like it's only utilizing the thumb, index, and middle finger. The other two fingers on your hand stabilize the ball as it's being flung. They are not generally used to impart spin on the ball.
- To impart more spin on the pass, you may snap your wrist forward as you follow through to the hip.
- Practice, practice, practice. Persistent, dedicated practice will improve your accuracy and distance. While practicing, experiment with small adjustments in your stance and grip. Once you have mastered the basics, these small changes allow you to fine-tune your technique to maximize comfort and results.
[Edit]Hail Mary Passes - Know when to attempt a Hail Mary. Hail Mary passes are high-risk and long-range. They originally gained their name from Catholic university football teams that would say a prayer before especially desperate plays[4]. Hail Mary passes are typically only thrown when the offensive team needs to gain substantial yards (usually with little play time remaining) and is unable to attempt a conventional play. Consider throwing a Hail Mary in situations like the following:
- You possess the ball for the last play of the half and are a long way from the end zone.
- You have to complete a long fourth-down play and punting isn't advisable (for instance, if the game will end during the next possession and you are behind.)
- You possess the ball for the last play of the game and can potentially prevent the game going into overtime by scoring.
- Caution: Long passes are risky - it's difficult for even the best quarterbacks to throw accurately at extremely long distances, and because these passes typically travel in a higher arc, they are easier for the defense to intercept. Also, because the receivers require more time to get into position for the pass, the quarterback is open to a sack for more time. For these reasons, use caution when throwing Hail Mary Passes.
- Assume the passing stance. Grip the back of the football with your index finger, middle finger and thumb, laying whichever fingers are comfortable (including your ring finger and pinky) over the ball's laces. Keep a slight bend in your knees. Face ninety degrees away from your target with your throwing hand away from him and your forward foot pointed forward.
- Because you will need to wait longer than usual before throwing the pass, drop back especially far after receiving the snap - you'll be more able to avoid rushers. If you are tackled while throwing, see Method Four below.
- Right before you throw the ball, step backwards. Keep the ball in the "ready to throw" position near your ear. By stepping back, you are positioning yourself to push forward as you throw, giving your throw greater momentum.
- Lean backwards slightly as you begin to throw the ball. Cock your arm backward behind your head in a wind-up motion. Bend your knees slightly as you push off of the ground with your back foot and begin to step forward.
- Throw the ball in a high, fast arc over your head. Lean forward as you throw the ball. Rotate your hips and shoulders through the throw as you continue to step forward. By stepping forward, rotating, and leaning into the pass, you impart additional momentum on the ball, sending it farther down the field.
- Allow the ball to roll off your fingers as in Method One above. Follow through the motion by continuing to step forward until you naturally slow down. Don't lose focus now - if your Hail Mary is intercepted, you may need to try to tackle the ball carrier!
- For best results, try to arc the ball high enough that it reaches your receiver's hands while passing over his defender's head. To arc the ball higher, release it a split-second earlier in your throw.
[Edit]Bullet Passes - Know when to attempt a bullet pass. Bullet passes are short-range, high-speed passes. The goal when throwing a bullet is to make the ball travel as fast and in as flat of an arc as possible. Bullets are thrown during quick, short-range plays - because they are fast, they are harder to intercept, so they are especially useful when the ball needs to be thrown near a defender to reach a receiver. Bullet passes can be useful for:
- Gaining several yards to convert a first down.
- Scoring a touchdown on a goal line play.
- Quickly getting the ball to a fast, maneuverable runner.
- Assume the passing stance. Grip the back of the football comfortably over the ball's laces. Face ninety degrees away from your receiver (with throwing hand away from him). Stay light on your feet, with your forward foot pointing forward.
- Don't drop back as far as you would for a Hail Mary pass. Your goal is to execute the pass as quickly as possible - look for your receiver immediately.
- Cock your arm back to the side of your head. Don't cock your arm behind your head, as you would for a Hail Mary - throwing the ball over your head will send it too high. Stay light on your feet, with your knees slightly bent.
- Step forward hard as you begin to throw. Stepping forward hard is a good, quick way to put additional momentum on the throw, since you won't usually have time or space to perform the backward-then-forward footwork like you would with a Hail Mary.
- Snap your arm forward in a tight, controlled arc. Throwing a bullet pass should feel like throwing a punch - it's a short, powerful motion done all at once. Put lots of power into the throw to make the ball fly as quickly as possible. Throw the ball in as flat of an arc as possible - release it a split-second later than you normally would for a flatter arc.
- Follow through with your shoulders and hips as normal. Because the motions involved with a bullet pass are tighter and quicker than those of other passes, you may not need to rotate your body as far as you would for a normal pass. Allow the ball to roll off of your fingers for a spiral.
[Edit]Throwing While Being Tackled - Know your options. The best option of all, of course, is to avoid situations where you have to make a split-second decision or be sacked. Unfortunately, every quarterback finds himself in this situation eventually. If a sack is imminent, throwing the ball is only one of your options. Based on the circumstances on the field, you may also choose to do one of the following:
- Run the ball. If your linemen have made an opening for you, you may want to dodge any rushers and run forward for a possible gain of several yards. If there's no openings, you should run up the side of the field. In both situations, you may still be tackled for a loss of yards, but you still avoid an especially damaging sack.
- Execute a lateral. If there is an open and attentive offensive player (usually a running back), you can toss the ball to him as long as he is behind or to the side of you. This is called a "lateral." If an attempted lateral goes forward, it is usually illegal and will receive a penalty.
- Know your field position. Intentionally throwing the ball away to avoid a sack can be illegal based on where you are on the field. In the NFL, throwing the ball away while you are within the "pocket" formed by your offensive tackles results in an Intentional Grounding penalty. However, if you are outside the pocket, you may throw the ball away.
- An intentional grounding penalty results in a loss of - worse than many sacks. Because of this, it may be better to take a small loss of yards if you are in the pocket.
- If you're about to be tackled, act sooner rather than later. In the NFL, a pass begins when the passer begins to bring his hand forward. Thus, the quicker you initiate the pass, the more likely you are to have an incomplete pass called (which will result in no lost yards.)
- Try to take a tackle in the lower body. It's difficult to maneuver in the instant before being tackled, but, if possible, try to ensure the tackler grabs your lower body. If he wraps your arms up, you won't be able to throw and may even risk a fumble.
- Keep your arms free, but if you can't throw before you're tackled, tuck the ball in as you fall. This way, you're less likely to lose control of it and fumble.
- Concentrate on your receiver as you're tackled, throwing to him only if he is open. If you're feeling lucky and you can't see any receivers as you're being tackled, you can try passing the ball so that it is blocked by part of a defender's body but is not caught. This is risky, but will result in an incomplete pass.
- Use as much of your body as you can to generate momentum. This will vary based on which parts of your body the tackler has a hold on. If you have a free leg, step into the pass. If your upper body is free, roll your shoulders through the pass.
- Throw over defenders' heads. The only outcome worse than a sack is an interception, so make sure the pass is out of reach of any defenders between you and the receiver. This may require throwing over the body of your tackler if you are being tackled from the front.
Another great way to throw a football is to put your thumb on the last lace and hold the bottom and it is super easy and A good way to get a good spiral every throw. - Never underestimate the impact of whether you twist/rotate your shoulders enough, or not. Rotating your shoulders (before and after the throw) affects the power of your throw, its momentum and accuracy.
- Do more push-ups, as muscle building, and you will be able to throw further.
- When you throw, flick your hand.
- When releasing the football, make sure to drop your index finger and middle finger downwards. This helps improve the accuracy of the throw, and this technique was used by Super Bowl winning quarterback, Joe Montana.
- To increase power and endurance, practice an effective exercise regimen. An all-over workout with an emphasis on core, shoulder, and leg strength will improve passing performance along with overall athleticism. Consult our wikiHow on how to build core strength.
- Incorporate your skills into the game. Throwing a perfect pass is much harder when you are under the pressure of an aggressive defense. Playing against defensive players requires you to make on-the-fly changes in your positioning and technique to avoid a sack or interception - great for improving your skill and intuition.
- Release and follow through are just as important as the throwing motion - they make the difference between a wobbly "duck" pass and a bullet pass that hits the receiver square in the chest. Try to "throw" your shoulders when you throw, using your torso to rotate your shoulders to give you more power on your throws. Your hand should touch your opposite hip on the follow through.
[Edit]Warnings - Do not hurl the ball with the palm of your hand. Instead of spiraling, the ball will flop end-over-end in the air. Out-of control passes like this are much less accurate.
- Take care of your throwing shoulder. Overuse injuries are common for quarterbacks - they have been shown to account for about 14% of all quarterback injuries, with the rotator cuff the most common site of injury.[5] If you experience shoulder pain, stop throwing the football. If pain persists, make an appointment with a sports medicine expert.
- Avoid throwing with your non-dominant arm unless you are in danger of being sacked and are dumping the ball for a short completion. Most receivers need time to adjust to the opposite spiral on the ball.
- Avoid the following bad habits, as they can lead to injury:
- Throwing with only one foot on the ground.
- Throwing while leaning back.
- Throwing across your body (i.e. throwing to the left when facing right).
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| How to Paint Stainless Steel Posted: 01 May 2022 05:00 PM PDT There are a few ways to paint and finish stainless steel. You can make your project stand out using techniques such as paint, powder coating, wax, patinas, or varnish. Paint can be a bit difficult because the finished surface of stainless steel is completely smooth and so the cohesion process is more difficult. However, if you prefer different a color or texture then paint is certainly an option. [Edit]Preparing to Paint - Buy your paint. Use a high quality, oil-based paint. You can either spray, brush, or roll it on depending on what look you are trying to achieve. Buy the appropriate painting tools depending on which tool you want to use.
- Spraying the paint on will give it the smoothest look, rolling the paint on will add a little texture, and brushing the paint on will add a ton of texture.
- Get the right wax. You can find many high-quality waxes at a home improvement store that are specifically made for metalwork. Ask for that type of wax when you go to buy it. You will use the wax after the painting is finished for a final seal.
- Scruff up your stainless steel. If your stainless steel is relatively new and hasn't already had years of abuse, you may need to do some damage to it yourself. Stainless steel has such a smooth finish that the paint has a hard time sticking to it.[1] If your stainless steel has been scuffed up over years of use, the paint might stick. Otherwise you will need to use a sander to scuff up the paint.[2] You don't need to destroy the stainless steel, just add some scuff marks to simulate normal usage.
- You can rent a sander from your local home improvement store.
- If you don't want to rent a sander you can try doing manual abrasion. Grab a wire sponge and spend some time scraping at the stainless steel with the sponge. This may be able to simulate scuff marks too.
- Clean and prep your stainless steel. You need to rid the stainless steel of any grease, dirt, or other debris.[3] It's a good idea to use a specialized steel cleaner or a degreaser, both of which can be found at a home improvement store. If you use a cleaner, note the drying time listed on the bottle. Wait that amount of time before continuing your project.[4]
[Edit]Painting Your Stainless Steel - Buy primer. Use any kind of primer that is rated for stainless steel.[5] Primer has a special bonding agent that allows it to hold to most substances, but you still need to get a high-quality stainless steel primer. This will give you the smoothest result.[6]
- White primer is recommended for most colors, but if you are painting your stainless steel a very dark color you might consider a darker primer.
- Apply your primer. If you want a very smooth application, consider renting a spraying machine from a home improvement store. You can also use a paintbrush but you might leave ridges from the brush. Apply one coat of primer over the entire area you plan to paint.[7]
- If you are using a sprayer, hold the nozzle away from the stainless steel. Try to use a wide mist.
- If you use a sprayer, make sure you paint in one direction. You may have ridges, but at least the grain of the paint will look consistent.[8]
- Let the primer dry before you start painting.
- Begin adding layers of paint. You've already completed the hard parts. Now all you need to do is add layers of paint to your stainless steel. Once your primer has dried you can start adding layers, but you should wait for each layer of paint to dry before you add a new one. Two or three layers should do the trick. Once again, you need to make the decision between a paintbrush and a sprayer. If you used the paintbrush to apply primer then you should use the paintbrush to apply the paint too. [9]
- If you like the ridges and texture that a paintbrush offers you can also consider using a rag to add additional textures.
- Let dry. Consult with the directions on the paint you bought so you know how long it takes to dry. Once it's dry, you're good to go.
- Wax the steel once it is completely dry. Apply a thin coat to the whole area that you painted and let the wax dry until it has a hazy look to it. Now take a clean dry cloth and buff the wax. This will add a final seal.[10]
- It's okay to use automotive wax.
[Edit]Considering Other Options - Visit a professional powder coater (look in the yellow pages). This is an electrostatic process where plastic/epoxy powder is deposited in a very thin layer all over the surface and then baked on. The advantages of powder coating are flexibility, a very wide range of colors and textures, and the ability of the powder to adhere to small voids and cracks on the surface without drips or runs.
- Choose the perfect patina.[11] These are chemical formulations made to cause surface changes and coloration to metal. Some are used hot, while others are applied cold, there are many to choose from and they also allow you to highlight your project while maintaining a natural finish. Often waxes are applied afterwards to provide a final seal.
- Varnish your metal. Marine varnish is another way to put a final coat on your metalwork. Varnish has the advantage of being easy and forgiving to apply, however your work will have an obvious "clear-coated" look that is not always desirable. Varnish is very easy to touch up later and to redo as maintenance at a later date without changing the overall finish.
- Try nail polish. For painting small areas or writing on your metal, nail polish sticks very well and looks great. It comes in every shade imaginable, though, red hues are more widely available.
- Always follow all label instructions and do research with the manufacturer for best results.
- Always work in a dust-free environment to avoid contamination.
- Make sure each coat or process is completely cured and dried before applying additional coats.
- For powder coating, sandblasting is sometimes necessary, and they will usually dip your metal in an iron phosphate bath prior to coating for best adhesion.
- Always start with clean metal. Use degreasing solvents such as alcohol, acetone, or methyl ethyl ketone.
- Never mix chemicals against manufacturers instructions.
- Wear chemical resistant gloves and face/eye protection.
- Always work in a well-ventilated area.
- Always wear proper respiratory equipment.
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