Picture
a man hunched over a chemistry set, adding a pinch of this and a dash
of that to the unpleasant green fluid before him. He is thinking of
someone who harmed him, replaying all the perceived slights and hurts,
and is concocting a poison to repay the offender.
His work
finished, he breathes a sigh of relief and takes the beaker in his
hands, marveling at what’s been created. “This will show him,” the man
says, and then drinks the bitter brew himself.
That’s a
surprising twist, to be sure. Yet there is a good chance you’ve
essentially done this very thing at one time or another.
Bitterness
is a poison that we prepare for someone else but then drink ourselves.
It is something we often carefully nurture and grow over the years. If
someone hurts us—whether intentionally or unintentionally—and we begin
to fantasize of a thousand and one ways to get payback, all we are doing
is destroying our own heart and mind. Thankfully, our faith presents a
better way to live. Rather than nurture hate, we can “turn from evil and
do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14).
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.
Let’s
continue using Paul’s prayer as a model. Yesterday, we made note of the
first two requests. Now let’s consider the other four. In Colossians 1,
Paul prays that his brothers and sisters would:
• Bear fruit in every good work
(v. 10)—The Lord desires that our actions bring Him glory. We all seem
to be very busy, but the amount of work isn’t what matters. Instead, we
must be sure that the things we do are eternally valuable.
• Grow in the knowledge of God (v.
10)—The apostle’s request is not merely for believers to gain facts
regarding Christ. He speaks of a deeper understanding in the heart.
• Be strengthened according to His power (v. 11)—Having endurance and focus in the midst of life’s trials requires God’s strength. Our own simply isn’t enough.
• Walk in gratitude
(v. 12)—When we realize where all good gifts originate, we live with
thankfulness. Contentment and joy come from a grateful heart, not our
circumstances.
Life is busy, so prayer often gets squeezed out of
our schedules. We must always remember that lifting our loved ones
before God’s throne is far more important than any other task.
When you know how to move swiftly, you can dominate virtually
any sport you play. Whether you play football, run track, play soccer
or basketball, increasing your speed and agility will dramatically
improve your game. Learning the techniques for getting faster is not
just for running sports. Sure, when an individual thinks about getting
faster, he or she normally thinks of running. In the majority of popular
sports, a player will use his or her legs the most, but other sports
exist where running is not prevalent, but speed is still important.
Swimming
In this sport, you are using almost all your body parts. You also
need to constantly work against the resistance of the water, and this is
not an easy task. Swimmers who learn to get faster will discover
strength training techniques that will help them glide through the
water. These techniques will also help them improve their starting time
so they can have a serious advantage over their opponents.
Self Defense
Any athlete involved in a sport where defending yourself is the main
objective will benefit from getting faster. This includes boxing and
wrestling along with the martial arts. Being fast will allow the person
to stay on their feet and dodge attacks effectively. If the fight goes
to the ground, the person will be fast enough to remain in a dominant
position.
Gymnastics
Most gymnasts need a running start in order to do certain handsprings
and somersaults. correctly. They also need to develop strength to
perform on pommel horses, parallel bars, and trampolines. Speed training
methods can help gymnasts improve their performances so they can be
much more entertaining. This is particularly good for rhythmic gymnasts
who need to be entertaining and accurate as well.
Hitters
Any player involved in a hitting sport can benefit from becoming
faster. These sports include baseball, golf, tennis, racquetball, and
even ping pong. Players who have fast swings will usually be very tough
to defeat. In baseball and golf, a fast swing will allow the ball to
travel far distances. In tennis and similar games, fast swings and
movements allow players to dominate their opponents.
Speed is a great strength for a player to have, no matter what type
of sport they play. Learning the techniques for getting faster is not
just for runners, soccer players, and football players. If the sport
involves moving in any way, the athlete can benefit from becoming
faster. It is an asset that can turn any player into a consistent
winner.
Learn how to get faster regardless of what sport you play, visit the ultimate resource for getting faster Ways To Get Faster today!
Think
about a time when you received praise from a parent, a teacher, or an
employer. How did you feel? Did it make you glad or uncomfortable? For
many people, praise is nearly as difficult to handle as criticism.
Because God’s Word instructs us to be humble (Matthew 18:4; Philippians 2:3), we may sometimes feel confused about how to receive compliments. Here are three ways to respond:
1. Acknowledge the comment by thanking the person. Don’t explain why you are unworthy of praise or try to deflect such kindness. The Lord is using that person to bless you!
2. Identify and acknowledge the character quality that led the other person to commend you. Perhaps
he or she sees something you’ve missed (and that God wants you to be
aware of). Remember, believers are called to “encourage one another and
build one another up” in the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
3. Share what the encouragement means to you personally. Scripture says that “pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). Tell the other person how much you’ve been blessed by his or her attention and care. After all, praise can go both ways.
Master the Art of Quick Passing for High Completion Percentages
By Keith Grabowski
As the game constantly evolves, plays and concepts come and go, and that’s been true of stand alone quick game.
In
my first year as a head coach, we had plenty of issues to deal with and
one of those was a very undersized offensive line. In the run game we
made use of plenty of gap schemes to give our guys angles, but the passing game required us to use play action, which we did, and most importantly, get the ball out quick!
At that time I studied Andrew Coverdale’s books inside and out and went and watched him for six sessions at a Glazier Clinic to learn all he was teaching. It paid off as we led our conference in passing primarily off of quick game.
Quick game is something that Arizona State Tight Ends Coach Jason Mohns
believes in. In an era of RPO, the quick game on its own disappeared
temporarily, but Coach Mohns mad his case for putting it back in your
offense in his talk at Lauren’s First and Goal.
The Need for Quick Passing Game
Coach Mohns noted that in recent years, they’ve observed a decline in completion percentages, which he attributed to the fact that they weren't calling a lot of quick game anymore. Defenses
started to get better at defending RPOs, taking away gift routes and
easy completions. This has forced the offense into more shot plays down
the field and one-on-ones.
To counter this, he decided to
focus on creating easy throws for their quarterbacks to get into a
rhythm and bring back some built-in adjustments to man coverages.
Benefits of Quick Passing Games
#1) Get the ball in your playmaker's hands effectively and efficiently:
Quick passing games involve higher percentage throws for your
quarterbacks when you're not pushing downfield. This allows you to get
the ball to your playmakers more quickly and efficiently.
#2) Great built-in answers to pressure:
Quick passing games help you avoid having to worry about picking up six
and seven-man pressures. Instead, you can throw the ball to beat the
bullets and keep your quarterback in the game.
#3) Simple and easy progressions: Quick passing games have simple and easy progressions for your quarterbacks, making it easier for them to execute the plays.
#4) Versatility:
Quick passing games can be easily dressed up and disguised to keep your
opponents guessing. You can use window dressing to make your schemes
look different while keeping the progression the same for the
quarterback.
#5) Ideal for open down calls and first and 10 and second along calls:
When building your game plan, quick passing games can show up
consistently on your game plan, providing you with more options to
outsmart your opponents.
Incorporating Quick Passing Game into Your Strategy
To
start incorporating quick passing games into your offensive strategy,
focus on creating easy throws for your quarterbacks to get into a
rhythm. Study your offense, do some self-scouting, and make sure you have some built-in adjustments to man coverages.
Dress up your schemes with the illusion of complexity to keep your
opponents guessing, and make sure you have open down calls, first and
10, and second along calls in your game plan.
Examples from Coach Mohns
Consider Adding Quicks…
By mastering the art of quick passing, you can significantly improve your offensive production and boost your completion percentages. Quick passing games offer versatility, efficiency, and a higher probability of success for your quarterbacks.
It’s worth exploring putting quick game back into your offensive menu.
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