The game of tennis is in constant
evolution, and the speed of the game demands more efficient technique.
Watch and study the top players and you will find commonalities for
their success. In this unique program, Coach Lou Belken details the
modern techniques currently used by most top professional players. Among
the topics covered are: how the game has changed, the three essential
components, developing the stroke, practice drills and more. This video
is an essential resource for any serious tennis player or coach. Learn more and book this course
The Coach
Lou
Belken has coached the sport of tennis for 40 years. Players that he
has developed have achieved a #1 ATP World Doubles ranking, captured two
Grand Slam Doubles titles, reached the Wimbledon Doubles Final on two
occasions and have claimed an NCAA Singles Championship. Belken served
as the Head Men's Tennis Coach at Arizona State University for 26 years.
Under his guidance, the team earned NCAA Tournament berths in 14 of the
last 20 years of his tenure, with 5 Sweet Sixteen appearances and a
Final 8 finish. During that span at ASU, Belken taught 14 All-American
players and 28 Pac-10 All-conference selections. In 2014, Belken was
named the head tennis coach for Team USA at the World Youth Olympics in
Nanjing, China. In 2017, he was inducted into the USTA Southwest Hall of
Fame. Book this course.....
In
the Old Testament, sacrifice was a means of atonement. When a person
sinned, he or she brought an animal to the altar, and through its death,
reconciliation was accomplished. What, then, does today’s passage mean
when Paul urges believers to “present your bodies as a living and holy
sacrifice” (v. 1)?
Thankfully, there is no need for our blood to
be shed; Jesus took care of that when He died on the cross for our sins.
Instead, what Paul means is that our lives should be surrendered to the
Lord. A surrendered life involves commitment. It’s a decision to defer
to God’s will and His Holy Spirit instead of following our own
preferences. Every aspect of our being—body, soul, and spirit—is to be a
living sacrifice.
Though this may sound dreary, true freedom and
joy are found when we yield to Christ. The Lord promised His followers
that abundant life comes from losing ourselves in Him (Matthew 16:25). Psalm 16:11 says it best: “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Becoming
a living sacrifice sounds like a tall order—and it is. But it’s a call
we face with Jesus by our side. Remember: He is our constant companion
and wants to help us.
If you
look at the numbers, it’s safe to say that the sport of Lacrosse
continues to be a growing sport. In the United States alone,
participation grew over 3% in 2017 with over 825,000 people playing the
sport. That was the 12th consecutive year of growth with a net increase
of at least 20,000 players each of those years. Participants include
boys, girls and men and women from the youth level up to the high school
and collegiate years.
With the increase comes the need for
more knowledgeable coaches who can teach the game the right way. Sure,
some coaches have played the game and have a good idea of the types of
drills and practice sessions needed. But for the more beginning level
coaches, it’s helpful to have some drills to fall back on that can help
improve your team. Here are five drills that we think can help.
Catching Drills
Catching
drills are important because throwing and receiving are such important
parts of the game. Start with some stationary drills between paired up
players. Have them make some throws and catches from their left side and
then their right side until they are comfortable.
Move to
catching drills where the players are running. They need to learn to
throw and catch while on the move while also alternating between their
right and left hands.
Finally, have them practice making
poor throws so it’s more difficult to make the catch. This will get them
practicing extending to catch passes or moving their stick from one
side to the other.
Clearing Drills
Goalies
need to practice making clearing passes after a save. Practice this by
having one player shoot the ball while another moves downfield towards
the midfield line to receive the pass from the goalie. You can start
with the goalies making passes to stationary players and then change it
up by having receivers on the move catching the goalie passes.
Ground Balls Drill
Pair
players up and roll a ball so that each player has an equal chance to
get it. The goal is to have them battle for the ball and not allow the
other player to win it. Some tips here is for players to practice using
their body to box out the other and gain possession or kicking the ball
loose from a scrum to get a better advantage. This drill will teach
players how to aggressively gain possession of the ball for their team.
Cradling Drills
Have
players cradle the ball while running down the field. First using both
hands and then switching to one hand and alternating between each hand.
This is needed when a player needs to ward off a defender with their
opposite hand.
Shooting Drills
These
can be done in a variety of different ways to simulate game conditions.
They should practice shooting on the move going to both their left and
right, and sometimes with a defender in front of them. They can also
practice shooting after scooping a ball off the ground or when coming
from around the back of the net. You can also use cones to add specific
target areas for players to improve accuracy.
Contrary
to popular—but poor—theology, salvation doesn’t guarantee an easy life.
We cannot escape conflict and therefore should learn to face it with
courage and wisdom. The joy of our faith is that God gives us all we
need to deal with whatever comes our way—and He’s able to use difficult
things for good in our lives.
Consider the Lord’s example. Jesus
was fully God, but at the same time, He was also fully human. That means
He understood the sting of rejection, just as we do (Hebrews 4:15).
Yet He was so fearless in challenging the status quo that religious
leaders called for His death. He was at the center of controversy
throughout His ministry, which is one reason He often slipped away for
time alone with His Father. What a comfort to realize He understands
when we, too, are in the midst of persecution.
That awareness can
also help us relate to Christ in a deep, new way—and to follow His
example of faithfulness, even when we’re being criticized or rejected.
Simply by being the person God created us to be, it’s possible to make
an impact on those around us. It’s important not to give up. So ask God
to help you persevere—and trust that He is at work!
Mastering Basketball Defense: Techniques, Drills, and Strategies for Success
By Justin Tran
Are you looking to take your basketball game to the next level? To become a true force on the court, you must master the art of defense.
With the right techniques, drills, and strategies, your team can become
an elite defense capable of shutting down even the toughest opponents.
Defense
is often an overlooked aspect of the game, overshadowed by the glamour
of scoring and offensive prowess. However, a team's defensive
performance can make all the difference between average results and
achieving greatness on the court. As a basketball coach, educating your
team on multiple defenses such as zone defense, press defense, and packline defense can give you an advantage.
Developing
a strong defensive mindset and instilling effective defensive
principles in your players can lay the foundation for success. In this
article, we will explore the drills and strategies that can help elevate
your team's defensive capabilities to an elite level. From individual
defensive skills to team concepts and game planning, we will provide
valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your team's defensive
prowess.
UConn head basketball coach Dan Hurley
mentions the core principles of an elite defense, and toughness is a
crucial component. Toughness on defense stands as an essential
characteristic that separates great teams from merely good ones in the
realm of basketball. The defensive end of the court demands players to
exhibit unwavering determination, physicality, and mental resilience.
Within
the context of basketball, defensive possessions are moments of truth
that put teams' drive to the test. It is during these instances that the
true value of toughness on defense becomes apparent. Possession after
possession, players must summon their inner strength, exhibiting
quickness and agility to keep up with the relentless offensive attacks.
In
this demonstration, Coach Hurley presents a basketball drill designed
to enhance and assess toughness. Positioned at the top of the key, he
prompts a defender to challenge the ball handler's movement toward
either side. Coach Hurley emphasizes the significance of physicality in
this exercise, urging the defender to exert pressure by directing their
chest into the ball handler's shoulder, ensuring they remain in front at
any cost. This drill effectively enhances defensive recovery skills and
communication on defense. To learn more about 2023 NCAA Champion Coach
Dan Hurley’s and UConn’s defensive principles, click here!
1-2-2 Defense
Former Villanova men’s head coach Jay Wright's
1-2-2 defense is a formidable strategy designed to stifle opponents and
disrupt their offensive flow. This defensive formation is characterized
by its unique positioning of players, creating a barrier that is
difficult for the opposing team to penetrate.
One of the
notable strengths of the 1-2-2 defense is its ability to limit dribble
penetration. The defenders in the wings work in tandem to close off
driving lanes and deny easy access to the basket. Their positioning and
communication enable them to effectively switch and provide support,
discouraging opponents from attacking the middle. Simultaneously, the
defenders near the baseline act as the last line of defense, contesting
shots and securing rebounds.
The 1-2-2 defense is also
renowned for its versatility. It can be modified and adjusted to address
specific offensive threats or take advantage of a team's weaknesses
when playing the opposition. Based on scouting reports, coaches can
adjust player positioning and duties, which enables the defense to
successfully counter various offensive schemes.
Coach
Wright showcases Villanova's 1-2-2 full-court press, a dynamic defensive
strategy that aims to overpower opponents and generate turnovers. This
press defense positions defenders strategically, with one player
pressuring the inbound pass, two guarding the wings, and two near the
baseline. By employing this aggressive approach, Jay Wright's teams
create chaos, confusion, and rushed decisions among opponents, resulting
in steals, deflections, and turnovers that lead to scoring chances. To
learn more about the Hall of Fame head coach’s defense at Villanova,
click here!
Defending the Pick and Roll
Defending
the pick-and-roll effectively requires a coordinated effort from the
ball defenders, screener defender, and other defenders on the court. By
employing tactics such as pressure, physical effort, navigation of
screens, consistent ball pursuit, and smart decision-making, teams can
neutralize the pick-and-roll offense. USC Women's Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb emphasizes these key strategies for each defender position.
The
ball defenders play a crucial role in defending the pick-and-roll. They
need to apply pressure on the ball handler, using physical effort to
disrupt their rhythm and limit their options. To navigate the screen,
ball defenders must communicate with their teammates, making early and
loud calls to initiate switches or defensive rotations. By maintaining
consistent ball pursuit, they can stay engaged with the ball handler and
minimize passing lanes. If they get temporarily beaten by the screen,
their priority is to quickly recover and get back in front of the ball
to contest shots.
On the other hand, the screener defender
is crucial in preventing the pick-and-roll. They must inform their
teammates of the impending screen and the defensive covering strategy,
so early and clear communication is essential. The screener defender can
successfully block the offensive player's rolling route if they are in
the appropriate place before the screen is set.
The
remaining defenders on the court must exhibit solid early rotations to
provide help defense and cover potential gaps. However, they must avoid
overhelping, as it can create open scoring opportunities for opponents.
Two-way stunts should be avoided, meaning they should refrain from
leaving their assigned offensive player to help defend the pick-and-roll
excessively. Click here to learn more about Coach Lindsay Gittlieb’s theories on defending the pick and roll.
Conclusion
Mastering
the art of defense is essential for taking your basketball game to the
next level. Offense frequently takes center stage, but defense can be
the deciding factor in winning championships. USC Women's Head Coach
Lindsay Gottlieb shares valuable insights on defending the
pick-and-roll, emphasizing pressure, navigation of screens, and
consistent ball pursuit. Meanwhile, Jay Wright's 1-2-2 defense, which he
used to coach the men's team at Villanova, is renowned for suffocating
opponents and forcing turnovers. By implementing these strategies and
techniques, your team can become a dominant force on defense, shutting
down even the toughest opponents.
How many of us have listened to the news and wondered, What in the world is going on?
Without a firm foundation of biblical truth, we can easily be overcome
with fear and despair. Thankfully, though, Christians can find peace in
the knowledge that our God is sovereign over every nation and ruler on
earth.
An omnipotent hand is orchestrating a good and glorious
plan: the Lord is the one who “removes kings and establishes kings”
(Dan. 2:20). Nothing that the Lord does is carried out in isolation.
He’s working all things according to His divine plan. We tend to think
that a ruler has to be righteous for God to use Him, but Proverbs 21:1
tells us that the Lord can direct the heart of any national leader
wherever He wishes. In fact, He describes two pagan kings—Nebuchadnezzar
and Cyrus—as “My servant” (Jeremiah 25:9) and “My shepherd” (Isaiah 44:28). Unbeknownst to them, God guided their paths to fulfill His purposes for Israel.
The
Lord’s plans for this world are moving along according to His divine
purposes, and no unrighteous ruler can thwart Him. Just remember, “He’s
got the whole world in His hands.”
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