Easy instructions on how to send a ball in the mail. This is a fun activity to do with your kids instead of the traditional letter writing and it’s easy!
Writing letters is a lost art…..sad but true. I remember as a young girl having a friend move away in Elementary School and we wrote letters for years, and because of that we still keep in touch as adults! It is SO much fun to get something in the mail, no matter what age you are. Did you know you can send SO many fun and unusual things in the mail other than in an envelope? The most fun thing we’ve done is use a ball to write a letter on, let me show you how to send a ball in the mail to so you can send a smile to a friend or relative too! (originally published 8/15)
How to send a ball in the mail
Get ready with what you need to prepare your shipment:
Ball
Sharpies
To start with you can find these fun plastic balls just about anywhere, I found this one on sale at the supermarket. You will need a sharpie or other permanent marker and if you want to decorate it with stickers you could do that too (some may fall off in shipment).
Write the name and address of the person it’s going to and your return address on the SAME side of the ball on the top left (small) so there is NO confusion as to whom is getting it and who’s sending it.
You could write a short note on the other side (in another color is helpful) just make sure the addressed side is free from other writing.
Then bring it to the post office to get postage to stick on the front
It’s time to be sent!
Here are step by step instructions on how to send a ball in the mail using the machines inside the post office that you can use yourself. Of course you can walk up to the counter and have them give you the postage but it saves me time to just do it myself. I have to say when I first brought a ball into the post office to ship it I got a lot of smiles and quizzical looks…. but overall it put a smile on everyones face! As you can see….this time I asked the postal worker for help so I could take pictures of the process and he did so with a little chuckle. 😉
After the first time of standing in line, waiting to get the right postage and realizing that basically anywhere in the U.S. I sent it it would be the same price (according to weight), I decided from then on to use the machine.
Almost all post offices have this self serve machine just outside the long line area where you can print the postage you need yourself. Just put the ball on the scale and choose Send Letter or Package.
On the next screen choose the Package button. On the next screen it will ask you if you are using priority shipping boxes, select No.
It will then ask if your package will fit in the drop off bin that looks like this on the screen. They are usually located right next to this machine, choose Yes. You can drop it off yourself in the large shoot, they fit just fine, and literally don’t have to interact with anyone if you don’t want to explain why you’re sending a ball…. .though you might enjoy the smiles it gets you.
At the end it will ask which method of shipping do you want. We put in the Ca. zip code and it was only $2.74. We then changed it to a NY zip code and it was still the same amount! You pay whichever one you want and the stamp will print out below.
It is a sticker so peel it off and put the printed postage on the same side as the address on the top right, like an envelope. Make sure the send to, from, and stamp are all on the same side (put stamp over the th in Smith). Very cool cheap thing to do with your kids and a huge smile you will be sending to the recipient!
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How To Package Your Sports Cards For Shipping
Just Collect has bought and sold over $20 million of sports cards in the past decade --- and we've bought and sold a lot of them by mail, so we've learned a thing or two on how to properly ship cards.
Below are some simple tips on how to safely and securely package your card collection to protect it during shipment. Whether you're selling to a dealer like us, or just moving your collection across the country, this guide will help ensure that your collection arrives in the same condition as when you sent it.
Use Cardholders
We recommend Card Saver brand card holders and specifically the Card Saver 1 when securing standard sized cards. You don't need to use Card Savers for ALL of your cards, but we highly recommend them for more expensive ones (instead of loose, open-ended toploaders or bulky screw-down holders that often cause damage). Card Saver 1 holders keep cards stable and won't let them slide out. They are also extremely thin and light, saving you weight and dimension costs in shipping.
A package of 100 Card Saver 1
Stack, Support, Cushion and Protect If you're using Card Savers, stack the entire group of cards you wish to ship and secure the outside of your stack with a sturdy support such as rigid cardboard or foam core board. Secure the supports with a rubber band, masking tape, or plastic wrap.
Card Savers banded bewteen cardboard supports
Never add tape to areas of any card holders where contact to the card may occur. Tape or other adhesives WILL damage your cards!
Wrap your 9-pocket pages
When sending partial or complete sets, you can send them in 9 pocket pages if this is how they are currently stored. However, cards can slide from the pages and be damaged during shipment. We recommend that you wrap and secure your 9 pocket pages to protect the cards from shifting or slipping out. Wrapping a stack of pages with plastic wrap works particularly well.
Use card storage boxes
Partial and complete sets and larger lots can also be shipped in card storage boxes. These boxes are designed for card storage and are made for quantities of 100 cards to as many as 800 cards as well as bulk boxes that hold 3200 and 5000 cards. Cards should be secure in the boxes. Add packing material to prevent shifting or movement during transit.
How to package small or ungraded sets and larger quantities (up to around 3200) of ungraded cards.
Selecting the Shipping Container
Finally, select an adequate sized shipping box that appropriately fits the card(s) you wish to ship. If needed, use the foam packing peanuts, bubble wrap or other light weight packing material to surround your cards within the box. This will help prevent movement in transit and protect the contents from most external impact.
If you are shipping storage boxes, please select an outer box that will be sturdy enough to support the contents and package them with protection on all sides of the box, including the top and bottom.
Secure the storage box inside of a protective box like this
Include your name and mailing address as well as any other necessary contact information and any inventory list(s) that you may have. Seal the box securely with packing or mailing tape, attach your mailing label, mail/ship it off, and voila! Congratulations, you have made a safe and secure shipment of your collection.
Add signature confirmation - THE GOLDEN RULE!
Whether you are sending via the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), or Federal Express (FedEx), you should make sure to add signature confirmation when shipping the package to a dealer or other buyer to ensure that the shipper delivers the package and the recipient signs for it. This leaves a paper trail telling you who received it and when and ensures that the carrier doesn't just leave it on an unattended doorstep, porch, or loading dock.
Here's a brief video tutorial to help you prepare your cards and collection for shipping:
If you are looking to sell, Just Collect is always buying sports cards from 1879 to 1979 as well as select modern cards. Thanks for reading.
How to learn how to spin a basketball on your finger
To skillfully spin a basketball on your finger, you need to learn a few simple techniques, find the ball and set aside 10 minutes of training per day. After a week of practicing your skills, you will master the technique of this trick and show it to your friends. In the step-by-step instructions below, we will show you how to learn how to spin a basketball on your finger.
Tossing the ball correctly
You can train on the sports ground, near the house or even in the apartment, but in any place you need to take into account the environment. For example, when practicing a trick in a room, the ball can bounce and break fragile objects. When a place is found and inventory is prepared, you can begin training. Initially, you need to learn how to properly hold and throw the ball in the air:
Hold the ball with the stripes vertical. Horizontal scrolling looks ineffective and it is very difficult to catch a projectile from this position.
Select throw method:
Two hands. You need to keep the ball not on the sides, but so that 1 hand “looks” at you, and the second from you. Having fixed the object, sharply spread your arms and slightly “throw” the ball up.
With one hand. To throw with one hand, place your fingers along the lines of the ball. It is important that there is free space between the palm and the inventory. Lightly squeeze the ball. Turn the brush outward until it stops, and then gently turn it back. At the last moment, you need to give additional rotation to the ball with your fingertips. But we do not recommend using a large one, because. this will upset the balance and the ball will fly away.
Throw the ball parallel to the floor, do not allow the ball to wobble. It is important that when thrown, the projectile rises above eye level. When its bottom surface is visible, the ball is easier to catch.
These steps must be repeated until fully automatic. Usually it takes two days. When the throws are confident, you can move on to the second level.
Learning to catch the ball
Once you have learned how to throw correctly, try catching the ball with your finger. To do this, remember the following nuances:
You need to catch the projectile on the nail, not the finger itself. In this case, it is important that the brush is turned with the palm towards you.
The finger must be placed strictly in the center, at the junction of the vertical lines, otherwise the ball will slide off.
When your finger touches the ball, gently and smoothly lower your hand down. So you will improve the cushioning, the inventory will not bounce, and you will not damage your finger.
This stage is one of the most difficult and requires patience on the part of the freestyler, athlete and just wanting to master the skill. When you learn how to catch the ball, at first it can control you: jump off and make you “run” after it to keep your balance. Be patient and keep practicing.
Once you are comfortable with a spinning ball, try to keep it spinning and spin it further. To do this, with light flapping movements, move your free hand along a tangent. But remember that strong twists can shift the center of gravity and the projectile will lose balance.
Tips
Here are some helpful tips from the pros:
practice throwing a few times a day before moving on to other stages;
workouts can be quite tiring, so take breaks between sets to give your hands a rest;
use only a well-inflated ball;
when accelerating the rotational movements, do not apply much force, otherwise the ball will slip off the finger;
Trim your nails before practicing, this will increase rotation control;
do not throw the ball very high: you can damage or break the phalanges;
You can reduce the risk of wrist injury by warming up before practicing the exercise.
Knowing how to spin a basketball on your finger and approaching the matter responsibly, in a week you will be able to show a cool trick to friends or sports colleagues.
How to pass the ball in basketball
In order to approach the opponent's basketball basket, you must pass the ball to a teammate, run a few steps, receive the basketball sent to you again and throw it to a teammate in a better position.
In short, you will constantly catch and pass the ball in basketball until you or your friend has the opportunity to shoot it into the basket. You will learn different ways to pass the ball, but first learn how to pass it with both hands from the chest. Remember my advice: stand right! Remember the main stance!
Hold the ball with the fingers of both hands apart. The arms are bent at the elbows. Don't spread your elbows! Lower your hands with the ball down a little. Raising your hands with the ball up, pull the ball to your chest. Stretch your arms forward and with the movement of the hands and fingers, throw the ball forward. In order to give more speed to the ball, throwing it, tilt forward and torso.
This is the easiest and most necessary way to pass the ball in the game.
If the defender prevents you from passing the ball, send it with one hand from the chest. This is also a very simple transfer method.
Stand in the same way as when passing the ball with both hands from the chest. Just turn a little towards the hand with which you will pass the ball in basketball: if with the right, then to the right. The right arm is bent at the elbow. The left hand holds the ball. Hold the ball at chest height, slightly to the right. When passing the ball, the left hand, having passed the ball, is pulled back. The ball is sent in the right direction by the movement of the hand and fingers of the outstretched right hand.
Do you know the weak points of a defender? How to pass the ball if the defender prevents you from doing it?
If he is standing in front of you with both arms extended up and out to the side, pass the ball under the arms, over the shoulder or between the legs. Know that the closer you are to the defender, the easier it is to pass the ball to your partner. Therefore, when preparing to pass the ball, take a step towards the defender and throw the ball over your shoulder or under your arm.
Be sure to learn how to pass the ball in basketball with a rebound from the floor. So you can pass the ball with one and both hands from the chest. If the basketball guard is standing with one arm outstretched up and out and the other out to the side and down, pass the ball under the raised arm or over the other shoulder.
Remember my advice on how to properly pass the ball in basketball:
1. Try to send it at chest level so that it is convenient for your friend to catch it.
2. Throw the ball accurately and with sufficient force.
3. Be sure to learn how to pass the ball in basketball with both your left and right hand.
4. If your friend runs towards the ball, do not throw it with force.
5. Remember that passing the ball is a sure way to get close to the basket.
but overall it put a smile on everyones face! As you can see….this time I asked the postal worker for help so I could take pictures of the process and he did so with a little chuckle. 😉
.though you might enjoy the smiles it gets you.
Secure the supports with a rubber band, masking tape, or plastic wrap.
Add packing material to prevent shifting or movement during transit.
After a week of practicing your skills, you will master the technique of this trick and show it to your friends. In the step-by-step instructions below, we will show you how to learn how to spin a basketball on your finger. 
Having fixed the object, sharply spread your arms and slightly “throw” the ball up. 
To do this, remember the following nuances: 
But remember that strong twists can shift the center of gravity and the projectile will lose balance. 
Know that the closer you are to the defender, the easier it is to pass the ball to your partner. Therefore, when preparing to pass the ball, take a step towards the defender and throw the ball over your shoulder or under your arm. 
