US Sports Football: The Art of Running the Corner Route- Coaches and Players Prespectives

 

• By CoachTube Staff

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Today we look at receiver play, specifically route running, from two different perspectives. We first get some keys to being a great route runner from 

Tony Sorrentino, Assistant WR Coach for the Minnesota Vikings, and then from a player, Will Swinney, former WR, Clemson. 

You may recognize the last name. His father is Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney, so I’m sure he’s picked up a ton from a coaching perspective along the way.

To illustrate the art of route running we will focus on the Corner today is how to win the space inside and create a window for the quarterback to throw into.

The Coach Perspective 

To begin, Coach Sorrentino believes there are three keys to route running:

Win at the line of scrimmage. Defenses will press until they believe you can beat press.

Create vertical pressure. Go up the field and make all routes look the same.

Develop the route at the top

Whether it’s for a job interview or in the classroom with his players, these are things that Coach Sorrentino is convicted about and will share in any situation he’s asked to talk receiver play.

Let’s focus on developing the top of the route, especially how it relates to the Corner route. 

Fundamental to any route is the Feet. Everything is about feet: Feet get you out of the break and create separation, especially by staying underneath the body.

Coach believes he can learn a lot about a receiver in preparing for the draft by studying and analyzing the top of the route. He explains the importance of developing the top of the route in this video:

Video: Develop Route At The Top

Let’s take a look at how this applies to the Corner route. In this example, he illustrates how Cooper Kupp wins the Corner route and the adjustments he makes along the way to win and create space for the throw:

Video: Cooper Kupp Corner

The Player Perspective

Will Swinney believes there is an art to running a Corner Route. He sees it as being a master of deception. You want to make him think you are doing something else. This is done by marrying routes up and make them look the same.

He wants to get in the defender's head and have a plan to win the route beforehand and then adjust after.

He goes through the specifics of running a Corner route in this video:

Video: Art of the Corner Route

The consistency between what Coach Sorrentino and Will Swinney emphasized is making everything look the same and having a plan. There is the ideal break that’s drawn on the diagram, then there's the technique and break necessary to get the route open and give the QB the window he needs. 

Receivers who are developed beyond running the route as drawn on the diagram will get a quarterback in trouble or at the very least force him to move on in the progression to another receiver. We know our guys want the ball, so they should be motivated to learn the art of route running.

As you get out on the field more in the spring and summer, developing the skill and savvy of your receivers will pay huge dividends in the fall.

Today's Devotional: Waiting With A Smile

 

The Joy of Waiting

As we look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises, we can rejoice in His presence today. 

From Intouch Ministries

September 20, 2023

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Zephaniah 3:14; Zephaniah 3:16-17

Zephaniah had to deliver hard news to Judah. Because of their sins—especially the sin of worshipping false idols—a day of great judgment lay ahead. “On that day,” the prophet said, God would judge their enemies, but His anger would also devastate the nation He loved (Zephaniah 1:4-9).

In verse 16 of chapter 3, however, Zephaniah uses the same phrase—“on that day”—to promise a time of renewal. God encourages them to rejoice, even while they wait and endure a time of suffering. As the other prophets do, Zephaniah connects the call to joy with God’s faithful presence among His people. Whatever they face, He will be with them. They have enemies and feel abandoned, but God is “a victorious warrior” who “will rejoice over [them] with shouts of joy” (v. 17).

And what about us? We also wait for a world restored, where our fellowship with God will never end. The writer of Hebrews sees Jesus as our example for joyful work while we “run with endurance” toward that goal (Hebrews 12:1). Consider Jesus, he writes, who endured the cross “for the joy set before him”—that of sitting in fellowship with the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Because we look forward to that same blessing, we can set fear aside and rejoice!

Bible in One Year: Joel 1-3

US Sports Baseball: 5 Tips For Crushing A Curveball

 

• By Johnny Grassi

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How To Hit A Curveball

There goes the old saying that when life throws you a curveball, hit it out of the park. However, as easy as that sounds, hitting a curveball is one of the toughest tasks that every batter will face over the course of the game. The movement on a curveball differs from pitcher to pitcher.  The way the pitcher grips the ball, and their delivery of the pitch has an effect on the trajectory, and the aerodynamics on the way to the plate. The 12-to-6 curve is one of the most common curveballs fans are familiar with, which references the vertical movement from starting high and ending low. Another breaking pitch is the 11-to-5 curve, which entails more horizontal movement but not as much as vertical. There are also curveballs called “slurvy” curves, or sliders, that do not have much vertical movement, but have a strong amount of horizontal movement. One of the hottest pitchers right now who throws a nasty 12-to-6 curve is Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zach Greinke, who has completely left batters stone cold and motionless at the plate. One memorable at bat came against White Sox second-baseman Yomer Sanchez, where he threw his 65mph eephus curveball, which is defined as a very low-speed junk ball. The end result was Sanchez completing his swing before the pitch even got there. Click here to watch to admire this devastating and demoralizing pitch.

Do you want to become the next person who looks as lost as Yomer Sanchez at the plate against someone who has an outstanding curveball? I doubt anyone wants to look like a fool at the plate and this is why I have produced my top 5 steps of hitting a curveball.

1. Study the pitcher: While he is throwing in-game, or in the bullpen, analyze the pitcher’s movements in his windup. See if the pitcher changes up his release points depending on the pitch he is throwing. It is essential to find out if there are any potential tells in his windup of when he will throw a curveball. For example, a twitch in the glove or an adjustment in the windup. Every advantage will count because batters have under a second to determine the pitch, whether the pitch is a ball or strike, and the speed of the pitch. Watch the pitchers arm and observe whether or not it snaps downward, this is an indication a curveball.

2. Recognize the pitch early: As mentioned before there are various trajectories with a  curveball that have the ability to throw off batters and lead to an off balanced swing. Curveballs with a lot of topspin will create high pressure on the top of the ball, which leads to a downward and sinking trajectory for the ball. Knowing how strong the topspin is will help you identify if the pitch is a 12-6 curveball versus a slider. Read the ball out of the pitcher’s hand, and never anticipate a curveball will be thrown. It is much harder to think curveball, and react to a fastball. There simply isn’t enough time to change your approach mid-pitch when the pitcher is throwing heat. When a curveball is thrown, the spin creates a small red dot from the laces, which indicates a breaking pitch. Pick up on this early, and react to the movement.

3. Analyze previous at-bats: Were you out in front and completely whiffed in your first at bat against a curveball. Think about the type of stance and approach you came up to the plate. The best stance that I recommend is having your feet shoulder apart and keeping your hands and body back. Make sure your weight stays at least 70% back. The most common mistake batter make when hitting a curveball is having your weight out front, anticipating an off-speed pitch. Keep your weight back, and react to the ball as it leaves the pitcher’s hand.

4. Practice and Utilize Multiple Curveball Drills: One of the best drills for a batter is the underhand recognition drills, which requires having a partner 15 feet behind a screen tossing you pitches underhand. This partner will constantly mix up the speeds and locations of these pitches in order to help the batter get used to the hesitation that is typical of batters when they face breaking pitches. You can also find baseball coaching drills focused on hitting by great coaches such as hall of famer Tony Gywnn.

5. Enhance patience at the plate with lobs: Similar to the underhand recognition drill, have someone behind a screen, but instead have them throw just lobs over the screen. This will allow you to build the mental strength to understand where the ball enters the hitting zone so that you can rocket the ball straight up the middle. It also allows you to stay inside the ball, meaning waiting longer on the pitch to get deeper in the zone for the batter to turn on it and go opposite field. You do not want to be out in front of the plate, because there will be minimal power behind the swing since the hips have already opened up and the bat is already in mid-swing when the pitch isn’t fully at the plate yet.

Sources:

Bahill, Terry. “Bahill's Science of Baseball Research.” Bahill's Science of Baseball Research, 11 Aug. 2011, sysengr.engr.arizona.edu/baseball/index.html.

Today's Devotional: Wait And Renew Your Strength.

 

The Courage to Wait

When life seems impossible, choose to move forward, work hard, and trust God for a good result. 

From Intouch Ministries

September 19, 2023

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Haggai 2:4-9

Farming requires hard work, from plowing to planting to harvest. But as the farmer looks at an unplowed field, the work begins in his imagination long before the first seed is ever planted. The farmer must hope for a good end, a rich harvest—and that hope fuels his hard work when the end is not in sight.

The Jews who returned to Jerusalem after almost 70 years in exile faced a similar dilemma. They found ruins where their beautiful temple once stood, and rebuilding it seemed impossible. The people needed hope to renew their imaginations for the hard work ahead.

“I am with you,” God said, giving them the hope of His presence and power. He “stirred up the spirit” of Israel’s leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and also did the same for the people (Haggai 1:13-15). Then He gave a word about waiting—saying that things would change “in a little while.” For them to see the glory ahead, God told them to take courage and work. Then He promised, “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former … in this place I will give peace” (2:4-9).

When our own hopes for the future weaken, we can remember God’s plan to make the “latter glory” greater also applies to us. He redeems all things—even those that seem unredeemable. So we can take courage and work.

Bible in One Year: Hosea 10-14

US Sports Wrestling: Wrestling Tips and Techniques featuring Coach Bobby DeBerry

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Description

Learn how to wrestle with personal lessons from one of the top high school coaches in America. In this comprehensive 127 minute video, Bobby DeBerry shares numerous tips and techniques designed to give wrestlers a competitive edge on the mat. Among the topics covered are: Warm Up Drills, Base Offense, Finishes, The Sprawl, Top Man Alignment, Breakdowns, The Bottom Man, Sit Outs, Pinning Combinations and much more. This program is a must-have resource for wrestlers and coaches at any level. Book this course.....

The Coach

sportvideos

Bobby DeBerry has been coaching wrestling since 1982. He was the head coach at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona for 17 seasons. DeBerry guided his wrestling teams to a record 15 state championships. In 2002, he was named the Regional Coach of the Year and in 2004, was named National Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Currently, Bobby DeBerry is the Athletic Director/Head Wrestling Coach at Tucson High School in Tucson, Arizona. Book this course today!

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Today's Devotional: Waiting On The Lord

 

Waiting in Prayer

If you don't know what to do, just be faithful where you are. 

From Intouch Ministries

September 18, 2023

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Micah 4:1-2

Micah’s prophecy to the people of Judah sounded bleak: The nation had fallen into idolatry and other sins and as a result would face God’s judgment of suffering and exile. (See Micah 1-3.)

But in chapter 4, the book’s tone changes abruptly, and Micah is left with what we might call “waiting words”—a common feature in biblical prophecy. These are phrases that encourage Israel to be faithful even when hope seems lost. In the first verse of today’s passage, the waiting words are “It will come about,” sometimes translated as “It shall come to pass.” God asks Israel not merely to wait—but to wait in faith. How does Micah reconcile this hope with reality?

From that point on, the book takes on a more hopeful tone as God shows Micah what will come later: The Lord will restore and revive the nation, providing peace and healing. In addition, He promises the appearance of their Messiah, a shepherd-king who “will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the lord” (Micah 5:4).

Micah’s words near the end of the book capture his prayerful posture: “I will be on the watch for the lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). Watching for the Lord, looking to Him alone, and expecting Him to hear us is the right stance when things seem bleak.

Bible in One Year: Hosea 6-9

US Sports Net Today! Raiders @ Bills Live!

 

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Today's Devotional: Please Be Patient With Me....

 

God’s Patience

Our Savior wants everyone to experience His grace, mercy, and everlasting love. 

From Intouch Ministries

September 17, 2023

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1 Timothy 1:12-17

Some people imagine God getting frustrated every time they make a mistake. As a result, many of them live in constant fear of doing something wrong. But that’s not who God is at all. Instead, He has endless patience and mercy for His children.

The Lord knows we have a fallen nature, and He completely understands our struggle against it (Hebrews 4:15). Just as a toddler learns obedience, God’s children also learn to walk in His ways. Because our Father takes pleasure in watching us do what is right, He allows us time and room for mistakes.

Now, if we repeatedly reject the salvation God provides, then we’ll experience His judgment one day. That choice is real. But keep in mind that Jesus came into the world specifically to save sinners. He wants everyone to be saved—and with great patience, mercy, and grace, He generously gives everyone time to come to Him.

God is always waiting and ready for us to return to His loving embrace, just like the father of the prodigal son. Is there anything you want to confess to the Lord today? Repentance will open a blocked line of communication. Remember, God is slow to anger, and He enjoys spending time with you.

Bible in One Year: Hosea 1-5

US Sports Fitness: Understanding Primal Movements

 

Getting natural with your lifting.

Matthew Lannon

Back to Basics

It is in our nature to move. It’s how we interact with the world in order to improve ourselves and others. Today, we still have these abilities, but in more complex ways. Movement has become more about aesthetics and less about functionality. Is it possible to get back to our primitive instincts to improve our health? Primal movements will achieve this exact goal for any athlete or ordinary person.

Origins 

The Primal Movement Workouts first took shape in 2017 by Hungarian professional athlete Peter Lakatos. Growing up, his instructor trained him through games that tested his coordination and intelligence. As an homage to this, Lakatos developed a style of exercise that targeted the same goals. All the while, it was supposed to be fun.

This style holds core values to develop someone as both a person and an athlete. First, the entire body is worked throughout the experience. There is no need to organize a weekly split; it’s already a full body workout. This may be the solution to anyone who does not have the time for a workout split.

High-intensity circuit training such as primal moving is more time-efficient for busy people. Wildland firefighters performed two sessions for 8 consecutive weeks. They had remarkable improvements in speed, upper limb and abdominal strength, and explosive leg strength (1). This means athletes can dedicate more time to being a person outside of their fitness identity. 

Also, it plays into the body’s natural, primitive movements used each day. There are no fancy moves that need to be learned. Instead, people will get in-touch with their basic and playful manners. The playfulness will get one to look forward to the next practice/game rather than see it as a chore. It can target calisthenic strength, posture, and mobility in one session. Inactive males who practiced squat jumps (a primal movement) for eight weeks improved their lower body functionality, including velocity and strength (2).

The Basics 

Primal movements fit into these seven categories:

Pushing involves distancing one force from another. It’s a natural instinct to push danger away for self-defense. These movements are common in pushing our own bodyweight away or pushing a force away from us. The muscles recruited in pushing are the shoulders, upper back, chest, and triceps.

Pulling involves attracting resistance towards us. It’s a movement we cannot accomplish on our own. Unlike pushing, we need something to grab onto to complete the movement. Pulling is seen in rowing movements in which the elbows get drawn back. The muscles recruited are the lats, upper back, and biceps. These muscles are also used in hanging movements.

Rotation is used for turning the body. It’s the one movement that is solely dedicated to the core and abdominal strength. These movements will keep the core stable while in motion. It can support the push and pull movements by increasing the ability to further contract the working muscles. Whether it’s turning to check blindspots in a car or an open environment, it’s a movement worth practicing.

Squatting is one of the most underutilized movements today. Our lower body mobility has devolved throughout time because we don’t squat as often. You can thank chairs for this. Our ancestors used to squat multiple times in a day. It’s how they got to the ground to sit or pick up something. This movement can be done on its own with or without resistance. It will bring mobility to the quads, hips, ankles, and feet.

Hinging, or bending, is another way of using the lower body. Squats work vertical mobility and hinging works horizontal mobility. This is beneficial for reaching a target that is low and far away. There is some muscle recruitment carried over from the squat such as the hips, ankles, and feet. For the horizontal depth, it uses the hamstrings instead of the quads.

Lunging is good for maintaining overall balance. Squatting and hinging are bilateral movements, meaning they use both sides of the body simultaneously. Lunging relies only on one side, deeming it a unilateral movement. This is the most evident when using stairs.

Locomotive, or gait, is the body’s natural way of transportation. Our ancestors had to travel long distances on foot. Even if the journey took days, they used their only way of transportation. As for short-range distances, they were crawling and leaping, similar to primates. In today’s world, cycling and swimming are also considered sources of locomotives. 

Inner Animal 

Many contemporary styles of fitness involve primal movements. Calisthenics has primal movements at its heart, making it the foundation of every exercise. Yoga and mixed martial arts have combined primal movements with discipline and natural instincts. Endurance training is even a modern form of practicing natural locomotion. The primal movements can be accessed in any form of activity. How will you connect with your inner animal? 

Works Cited

1. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/3/2073 
2. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/7/1217

About the Author

Matthew Lannon

Matthew Lannon grew up in a family run by sports. He avidly played baseball and golf while following football and hockey. He was even exposed to his first weightlifting routine at the...

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