Thursday, January 16, 2025
CoachLab Thursday Feat. Two Reads Basketball Players Must Understand Before Executing the Ball-Screen
- By Grant Young
The ball screen basketball offense in basketball has gained immense popularity due to its effectiveness in creating mismatches and open scoring opportunities.
However, its success hinges significantly on players making the correct pre-screen reads before the screen is even set. When executed properly, a ball screen can split defenses, forcing defenders to make quick decisions that often lead to breakdowns. The key lies in understanding how to read the defense before initiating the screen.
This involves recognizing the positioning of defenders, identifying potential switches, and anticipating how the defense will react.
For the ball handler, making the right read can determine whether to use the screen, reject it, or even find a quick pass to a rolling big or spacing shooter. If the defense is overcommitting to the screen, the ball handler might opt to exploit that by attacking the basket or creating space for a jump shot.
Conversely, if the defender is sagging off, a quick decision to take the shot or drive could capitalize on that misalignment. The screener’s role is equally important; they must time their screen effectively and be prepared to roll or pop based on the read. If they can predict how the defenders will respond, they can maximize their impact on the play, either by creating a lane for the ball handler or drawing defenders away from open teammates.
Communication between players is essential. A successful ball screen offense requires an intuitive understanding among teammates about who will be aggressive and how to adjust when the defense reacts. This synergy transforms the ball screen from a mere tactic into a dynamic offensive weapon.
However, players won’t be able to communicate effectively with each other if they’re unable to diagnose what the defense is offering them, in terms of defending the ball screen. This is why players must know the proper ball-screen reads they must make on select defensive sets. And few coaches can communicate the progression of these reads better than Wesley Brooks.
Coach Brooks was named Utah State University’s head women's basketball coach on April 1, 2024. Brooks brings 20 years of collegiate experience with him to Utah State and arrived after spending the past three seasons (2022-24) as an assistant coach at Ohio State. Under head coach Kevin McGuff, Brooks helped the Buckeyes to a pair of Big Ten regular season titles and three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including a run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2022, the Elite Eight in 2023 and the second round in 2024.
Coach Brooks’ ‘Pre-Screen Reads For The Ball-Screen’ clinic details what they need to read before the screen as they get ready to attack off the ball-screen. We've pulled two of the most common reads a player must understand and have included them for your use below.
What is Triple?
Coach Brooks explains that “Triple” is arguably the easiest ball screen read to make because it’s extremely clear on the court when a triple read is needed.
As a player sets up the ball screen, surveys the floor, and sees that whichever strong side they’re on has three players spotted up along the wing/corner, this makes for a “triple” read.
This also means that there is nobody to pass to on the weak side because the only player in that area will be the post player who’s coming up to set the screen.
Of course, the lack of a defender on that side will make it viable for the big to either roll or set up for a jump shot on the weak side once the screen is set. It will also open up a lane for the guard to drive into the paint.
If the initial screen is successful, one of the three strong-side defenders will likely leave their man to stop the drive into the paint. This is when the guard can look to pass to whichever player on the wing the defender is leaving.
What is Single?
Another important ball screen players must understand is what Coach Brooks calls “single”, which is when a player is driving to the side of the court with only one teammate (probably positioned in the corner).
This is more of an uncommon and difficult read to make once the screen (which is still from the post player) and ensuing drive occurs. There’s a chance the guard will have an open lane to the basket because the strong side defender will be reluctant to leave their man wide open. But if they do leave their man open (which they most likely will in order to stop the drive), the kick out to the corner man should be wide open.
There’s also a chance that one of the two weak side man defenders will notice the pick and roll leaving an opening paint and peel off of their assigned player to stop the drive. In that case, a kick-out to whichever player becomes available should be effective.
These reads aren’t only for the ball handler or the guard to make. It’s also important for the screener/post player to recognize and make this read because in the case of a “single” read, they should be remaining at around the free throw line or even at the top of the key in order to be available for a kick-out of the driving guard is met in the paint by a help defender.
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
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Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Rock Almighty In Jesus Service: Community Outreach Programs Around the World and Artist Spotlight: Bride
- Author John Parker
In Jesus Service: Community Outreach Programs Around the World
In Jesus Service, led by Dr. James B. Joseph, widely known as “Brother James,” is a faith-driven organization dedicated to embodying Christ’s teachings through compassionate community outreach. Its programs aim to help those in need, uplift communities, and provide resources for spiritual growth. Rooted in the belief that faith should be lived out through action, In Jesus Service has extended its impact across the globe, serving people in many different ways. Here, we’ll explore the organization’s core outreach programs and how they inspire change worldwide.
1. Hands of Hope: Providing Basic Needs to the Underserved
One of the cornerstones of In Jesus Service is its Hands of Hope program, which focuses on addressing fundamental human needs. This program serves underprivileged individuals and families by providing essential supplies such as food, clean water, clothing, and hygiene products. Volunteer teams work in urban, rural, and remote communities, distributing goods and ensuring that those who might otherwise be overlooked are supported.
In addition to material aid, Hands of Hope also focuses on creating opportunities for fellowship, showing the recipients that they are valued and loved. The program often partners with local churches and organizations to expand its reach, bringing hope and dignity to those struggling with poverty.
2. Global Medical Missions: Health and Healing for All
Understanding that access to healthcare is limited for many, In Jesus Service has established Global Medical Missions to deliver critical healthcare services in underserved regions. Teams of volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical professionals provide medical check-ups, basic treatments, and essential health education in areas where healthcare may be unavailable or unaffordable.
These missions focus on preventive care as well, offering education on hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. By addressing immediate health concerns and teaching sustainable health practices, In Jesus Service is creating a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities worldwide.
3. Youth Empowerment: Building the Next Generation of Leaders
Brother James believes that investing in young people is essential for creating lasting change. In Jesus Service runs various youth empowerment programs designed to support children and teens in their personal and spiritual growth. Through mentorship, education, and skill-building workshops, the organization helps young people realize their potential and develop strong moral foundations based on Christian teachings.
These programs include tutoring services, leadership training, and summer camps that encourage teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence. Many of these initiatives take place in economically challenged areas, providing youth with opportunities to pursue their dreams and become positive influences in their communities.
4. Disaster Relief and Emergency Aid: Providing Help in Times of Crisis
When natural disasters strike, In Jesus Service steps in to provide immediate relief and support. Through the Disaster Relief and Emergency Aid program, the organization mobilizes resources and volunteers to help communities affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and other crises. The team delivers emergency supplies, temporary shelter, food, water, and medical aid to disaster victims.
Beyond the initial response, In Jesus Service remains engaged in the long-term recovery process, helping communities rebuild. This approach is rooted in the belief that true compassion involves not only immediate help but also ongoing support for those affected as they work to restore their lives.
5. Education for All: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
In Jesus Service strongly believes that education is key to overcoming poverty. Its Education for All program supports schools, provides scholarships, and offers resources such as books, school supplies, and uniforms to children in need. This initiative operates both domestically and internationally, focusing on communities where access to quality education is limited.
The program also provides adult education opportunities, such as literacy classes and vocational training, allowing individuals to improve their lives and contribute to their communities. By empowering individuals through education, In Jesus Service is working to create a brighter future for generations to come.
6. Elderly Care and Companionship: Honoring the Elderly with Love and Respect
Recognizing the importance of caring for seniors, In Jesus Service has developed an outreach program focused on providing companionship, care, and essential support to elderly individuals. Many seniors suffer from loneliness and lack basic care, particularly in communities where family support may be limited. Volunteers in this program visit nursing homes, organize social activities, and provide resources such as food, blankets, and personal care items.
In addition to practical support, this program emphasizes respect and emotional connection, ensuring that seniors feel valued and loved. Volunteers offer a listening ear, share meals, and build friendships, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to treating all individuals with dignity.
7. Faith and Fellowship Programs: Building Spiritual Communities
One of the main goals of In Jesus Service is to strengthen individuals’ relationships with Christ. Through Faith and Fellowship programs, the organization brings people together in prayer, worship, and Bible study. These programs include church services, group prayer sessions, and fellowship gatherings, providing spiritual support and encouraging a sense of community among participants.
In countries where Christians are a minority, Faith and Fellowship creates a safe and welcoming space for believers to practice their faith openly. These programs foster a sense of unity and empowerment, reminding participants that they are part of a global family of faith.
8. Job Training and Economic Empowerment
To address economic challenges, In Jesus Service runs job training and skill development programs aimed at helping individuals secure stable employment and improve their financial independence. These programs offer vocational training in fields such as carpentry, sewing, farming, and technology, providing individuals with the skills needed to build a sustainable livelihood.
In partnership with local businesses and organisations, In Jesus Service also helps connect participants with job opportunities, internships, and apprenticeships. By focusing on economic empowerment, the organisation enables individuals to break free from poverty and create a better future for themselves and their families.
9. Mental Health Support and Counselings Services
Recognising that mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, In Jesus Service offers counselings and mental health support for individuals facing emotional challenges. The program provides a safe space for people to share their struggles and seek guidance from trained counselors and spiritual mentors. The organisation focuses on offering holistic support that addresses both emotional and spiritual needs, helping individuals find peace, healing, and hope.
With a particular emphasis on helping those who have experienced trauma, abuse, or loss, In Jesus Service strives to restore hope and promote healing through faith-based mental health services.
10. Prison Ministry: Offering Hope and Redemption
In Jesus Service also conducts outreach programs for incarcerated individuals through its Prison Ministry. Volunteers visit prisons to share messages of hope, provide Bibles, and offer guidance to inmates who seek spiritual growth. Through Bible studies, mentorship, and support programs, the organisation helps prisoners find purpose, peace, and the strength to make positive changes in their lives.
The prison ministry extends beyond prison walls, offering reentry programs to help former inmates reintegrate into society. These programs provide job training, mentorship, and a supportive community, empowering individuals to rebuild their lives with faith and dignity.
Conclusion: A Mission That Transforms Lives Worldwide
In Jesus Service, under the leadership of Dr. James B. Joseph, exemplifies what it means to live out faith through action. From providing basic necessities to supporting spiritual growth, In Jesus Service is dedicated to bringing hope, love, and transformation to individuals and communities around the globe. Through its diverse outreach programs, the organisation continues to make a lasting impact, driven by the belief that through faith, compassion, and service, we can create a more caring and connected world.
Each of these initiatives serves as a testament to Brother James’ unwavering commitment to Christ’s teachings, showing us that true faith is expressed in our willingness to reach out, uplift, and serve others.
The resources available on this site: books, e-books, and videos, are to help you know God, His Creation, and your place within His Creation more fully, which prayerfully will help you live out your life interacting with Him experiencing more love, joy, and inner peace.
Sunday, January 12, 2025
CoachLab Sunday Featuring Notre Dame: Breaking Down the Notre Dame Offense
Breaking Down the Notre Dame Offense
by Spread-N-Shred
Description
The 2020 Notre Dame Offense has been extremely Explosive so far this season. Putting up over 40 Points in Five Games this Season. Including beating the #1 Ranked Team in the Nation while putting up 47 Points. Who
is at the helm of this powerful Offensive Attack? A 28 year old by the
name of Tommy Rees. He has stuck to the Brian Kelly plan of being a
tough physical spread offense while creating huge plays in both the run
and passing game. Take a look inside at how he has been able to take the
football world by storm! Learn more...
There are few teams in college football that are able to balance and intermix Offensive Philosophies like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. They have the ability to play in a wide open spread while also being able to work in heavier personnel groupings such as 12 or 22 when the time calls for it. The 2020 Fighting Irish have shown to be a tough physical spread run attack that can take shots off Play-Action, creating one of the better offenses in college football while complementing their defensive approach. Notre Dame also has a huge advantage as they have no fear in running their QB. It doesn’t matter that he doesn’t possess elite mobility, because they create a numbers advantage in the run game!
Our goal is to teach you several of the schemes that make Notre Dame’s Offense work with the use of:
-A detailed account of the rules and responsibilities of each position on each concept
-In Depth Film Breakdown of live in game All-22 Action (2020) of the concepts so you can see how it plays out in game situations
-Playbook Sheets for you to go over and understand the full picture of the scheme
-All-22 Clips for you to watch and analyze on your own
-Downloadable Playbooks of the schemes
Saturday, January 11, 2025
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Friday, January 10, 2025
The Rock Almighty How does a Christian learn how to no longer be in subjection to the cravings and desires of their flesh? And Artist Spotlight: Michael Sweet interview! Stryper in the 80s, Sweet & Lynch
- Author James Rondinone
PART 9 TESTIMONY
How Do Christians Learn to No Longer Be in Subjection to the Cravings and Desires of Their Flesh?
The person we had been referencing in the article had some spiritual avenues at his disposal. In my hometown, every so often, on a Saturday night on GOD TV, there would be a broadcast of worship, praise, and teaching service from the same church that this person was affiliated with. The staging area would be set up for many musicians to perform. The words from the songs were uplifting and impactful. In some cases, this was followed by a guest speaker, each of whom had a message that was unique and anointed. And then there was the presentation of the gospel to which many unbelievers responded.
I’m unaware of what else was going on for the rest of the week in the church assembly. In this instance, I would assume there were some outreaches and other worship, praise, and teaching services held throughout the week. Might there possibly be Bible studies available? So, here is my point. I have to believe that this church also had its own people in leadership to teach on the various doctrines of the faith, i.e., eternal security, redemption, sanctification, giving financially, eternal rewards, etc.
And besides learning about the tenets of the Christian faith, what else is extremely important is learning how to address the weaknesses and strengths of our sin nature.
It appears that this might have been attempted to be handled according to some of the declarations from the article entitled, “Sex Abuse & Gay Conversion Therapy: The Dark Past of Justin Bieber’s Megachurch Hillsong” that we have mentioned on a couple of occasions. Here is some of what was said in relation to addressing gay behavior. Alex, a former member of this church, quit after a traumatic coming out where he said he was referred to his youth pastor to counseling that proposed to make him straight – the kind of conversion we now know is based on pseudoscience.112
I have never heard of pseudoscience, but what I do know is at salvation, we are made new creatures. However, the experiential realization of this positional reality (as God sees us as being a finished product) is a process. I admit that trying to grasp this and see it coming to fruition in our own lives is mysterious and painful at times. After I got saved, I still attended nightclubs, got drunk, looked for girls, said swear words, smoked cigarettes, had violent tendencies, harbored impure thoughts about others, had fears of speaking in front of people, had pornographic inclinations, and had a very bad view of myself, but the one thing I knew beyond a shadow of doubt was that God had come into my life! However, in my experience, I was an extreme mess.
How could I possibly learn how to be an overcomer in all or any of these areas of weakness?
Like this fellow believer, God provided me with spiritual guidance to attend a particular church, which likewise had a music ministry along with worship, praise, and teaching at least three times a week. It was connected to a headquarters facility located not too far away from the branch ministry I was attending. The headquarters provided live radio broadcasts Monday through Friday, varying educational degrees in Christian ministry, street witnessing outreach, a monthly newsletter, and if a branch church put in a request for a guest speaker, usually this would be granted. I loved this church. The teachings were anointed with God’s saturating presence. I was learning about my new faith. But I still had issues with the inclinations and passions of my sin nature. Old ways of thinking, feeling, speaking, and in some cases, acting remained the same. I needed a heavenly life raft.
Then, one day something dawned on me. As I listened to the pastor of the branch ministry speak, one thing that resonated with me was his expansive knowledge about who he was in Christ, as evidenced in his command of bringing forth pertinent Scripture after Scripture from his tongue without looking in the Bible. And there it was all along. The solution for my many issues was to learn, memorize, meditate, and apply God’s Word concerning each and every area of weakness of my sin nature.
And along with this, there was something else I had learned. Whenever I thought about myself, others, or the circumstances of life from a human perspective, I would lose the presence of God permeating my life. There were many times when I would hear anointed music and messages under the power of the Holy Spirit, and I was unable to be impacted by His individual and corporate ministry because I was operating in the wrong mindset. The following verses illustrate this perfectly.
Romans 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
What this tells us [is] that they who live under the influences of the corrupt and sinful desires113 of the sin nature are characterized as being carnally minded, and as such, they focus their thoughts on what their body wants. On the other hand, those who live after the Holy Spirit think about what the Spirit wants, and as [such,] their mind is controlled or dominated by114 Him.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
With these thoughts in mind, we can conclude that if we are carnally minded, i.e., think only about what [our] body wants115, we will experience misery and condemnation. However, if we are spiritually minded, i.e., making His thoughts the object of the mind, the end and aim of the actions, to cultivate the graces of the Spirit, and to submit to His influence; … to seek those feelings and views which the Holy Spirit produces, and to follow His leadings,116 we will experience life (eternal resurrection life; the only path of happiness117) and peace [repose (state of being at rest) and true bliss118].
All this sounds great, but how do we cultivate the influences of the Spirit?
We cultivate His influences by making them the object of our minds. You might be thinking you have some idea of what I mean, but not really. That’s ok. This idea of cultivating the Spirit’s graces is easy to say but not necessarily easy to understand.
In respect to the question at hand, how does a Christian learn how to no longer be in subjection to the cravings and desires of their flesh?
Which grace of the Spirit do you think will help us in this endeavor? There are nine graces of the Spirit per Galatians 5:22-23. Any guesses?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit that will help us is temperance. What is temperance? Temperance means being able to say no to one’s desires.119 It also means to have mastery over one’s desires and impulses.120 Did you hear that? God’s Word says we can have mastery over our desires and impulses, that is, if we want to have mastery over them.
If you keep on referring to yourself by saying, oh, God can’t change me. I am a lying Christian; I am a fornicating Christian; I am an adulterous Christian; I am a gay Christian; etc., and I will never change, then you won’t. You will be a new person in Christ, living as the old person you used to be. Is this how you want to continue to live as a son or daughter of God? If you are not sure whether this is what is going on in your life, then ask yourself these questions.
Do you proclaim that Jesus has changed your life, and yet you exhibit no changes in your behavior?
Do you proclaim that Jesus has changed your life, and yet you express to others, believers and unbelievers, that He condones certain sinful sexual actions?
If the answers are yes and yes, then this question remains to be answered.
Do you really want to exhibit Christ-likeness to others?
What is Christ-likeness?
Christ-likeness is operating in the fruit of the Spirit and exhibiting the characteristics of these nine elements toward others while amidst the circumstances of life.
Where you are at right now is where I was years ago in my walk with God, at a crossroads. Do I continue to live to gratify the sinful desires of my sin nature, or do I make the necessary decisions to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in my life? I hope your answer is the latter. If it is, then what I am going to present to you next is what I believe will help you to cultivate the spiritual grace called temperance.
While it’s true that we should learn how to cultivate each of the nine elements, we need to work on them one at a time. And with respect to this study, temperance will be the one we will focus on. Are you ready to embark on making certain decisions that will help you be an overcomer in the area of eros sexual desires or propensities? If so, the next chapter will reveal how to do this.
Endnotes
112 Sex Abuse & Gay Conversion Therapy.
113 UBS New Testament.
114 Weust.
115 UBS New Testament.
116 Barnes’ Notes.
117 Barnes’ Notes.
118 Jamieson, Faucet, and Brown Commentary.
119 UBS New Testament.
120 Weust.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ITJ1wj
Website: https://bit.ly/3mWKJ2r
New Covenant Ministries - Ministerios NuevoPacto - Harbor Church, Block Island
Sunday & Thursday Worship - Domingo & Jueves 7:00PM
My name is James Rondinone. I am a husband, father, and spiritual leader.
I grew up in Massachusetts and began my own spiritual journey early on in life.
I attended Bible college, having completed a two-year Christian Leadership Course of Study and graduated as valedictorian (Summa Cum Laude).
Studying and teaching the Word of God has been a passion of mine for over 20 years.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
US Sports Baseball: Three Tips to Make Your Baseball Team Mentally Tougher and Top 10 Relief Pitchers in MLB entering 2025! (Who's No. 1?!)
Three Tips to Make Your Baseball Team Mentally Tougher
- By Grant Young
Baseball demands a lot of mental training because it is a game of failure and adversity. Unlike sports like basketball or soccer where a player might have multiple opportunities to score in a game, in baseball, even the best hitters fail to get a hit more often than not. The most common anecdote baseball players and coaches share to illustrate this is how a hitter who gets a hit around 30% of their at-bats as a professional will likely make it to the MLB Hall of Fame.
This means that players have to deal with a lot of failure and learn to cope with it mentally. Additionally, the game can be slow-paced, with periods of inactivity followed by intense moments requiring split-second decisions. This requires players to stay focused and mentally sharp throughout the game, which can be mentally taxing.
However, teaching mental toughness in baseball can be, well, tough for these reasons:
1. Many players come from a background where physical skill and talent are often emphasized over mental resilience.
2. Some players may have never been taught how to cope with failure, pressure, or adversity, so coaches and instructors face an uphill battle of not just imparting technical skills, but also reshaping players' attitudes and mental approaches to the game.
3. Each player may respond differently to various mental training techniques, so it can be challenging to find the right approach for each individual.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to cultivating mental toughness within your baseball team, a good place to start is by heeding the wisdom that successful baseball coaches have utilized. This is why we’ve pulled three tried-and-true mental toughness tips from well-respected baseball coaches that they’ve used to win the mental war that every baseball player must battle.
Winning Mindset - Daily Affirmation
Winning Mindset was developed by former nationally ranked, All-Ivy League wrestlers, Gene and Jeff Zannetti to help individuals and teams reach their full potential in sports, school, and life. Gene and Jeff have studied the best athletes, coaches, teams & experts in the world to learn the secrets of performance success. Winning Mindset coaches have worked with thousands of athletes, teams, professionals & coaches.
In their ‘Baseball Mindset: Confidence Crash Course’ course, Jeff Zannetti explains the power of baseball players using daily affirmations, which are short phrases they’re saying to themselves on a regular basis in order to talk themselves up and inspire confidence.
Coach Zannetti goes on to say that boxing icon Muhammad Ali would say, “I’m the greatest of all time!” as his daily affirmation, which instilled the belief that he’d actually become the greatest.
The important part of affirmations is that they are simple, easy to remember, personalized to whatever goals the player wants to have for themselves, and phrased as if they’re going to happen, rather than the player merely wanting them to happen. If they want to be all-conference, then their affirmations — which can be either thought or spoken aloud — should say that they’re going to be all-conference. If they want to pound the strike zone, the affirmation should be centered on them doing just that.
Another good tip for this is to have players write their affirmations down and place them somewhere that they’ll be looking at often, such as a bathroom mirror or their locker, because actually seeing the affirmation written down will keep it top of mind.
Because mental toughness relies on being confident, this tip should be a must for all baseball players, regardless of what their stats may read.
Andy McKay - The Thought Process That Really Matters
Andy McKay is currently the Assistant General Manager of the Seattle Mariners. Before that, Coach McKay is currently Director of Player Development for the Seattle Mariners. He began his coaching career in 1993 at the University of Tampa where he helped coach them to a NCAA Division II National Championship.
In his ‘Coaching the Mental Game’ course, Coach McKay discusses how baseball is played in 15-second intervals because that’s typically how much time there is between pitches. Because of this, a player should renew their mental focus and fortitude every 15 seconds when they’re on the field in order to remain on track with their goal.
He then adds that mental toughness lives within those 15-second intervals. Similar to Winning Mindset’s aforementioned point, he discusses that there’s no difference between the mind and the body because the body is always going off of what the mind is telling it.
Coach McKay noted how the phrase, “muscle memory,” is a fallacy because it implies that the body can do anything without the mind’s help.
Therefore, the mental side of the game must be practiced and honed as much as the physical side, because the two can’t thrive without the other.
Pete Meyer - Control The Controllables
Pete Meyer is the Head Coach of the men's Baseball Team at Lisle High School in Illinois. In his ‘The Mental Game - Part 1 with Paul Babcock & Pete Meyer’, Coach Meyer and Coach Babcock discuss how they believe the three most important words in baseball are “control the uncontrollables”.
There are so many aspects to a baseball game that are out of a player’s control. Whether it’s the weather, the opposing pitcher, the score, the umpire, the crowd, or innumerable other factors, none of them are something a player can control in the moment — and all can take the players’ focus away from the task at hand.
Getting
your team to understand this — and keeping them accountable to it by
calling them out when complain about an uncontrollable — will build a resilient, focused, and mentally tough baseball team from the top down.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
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Tuesday, January 7, 2025
The Rock Almighty. Therapy Is The Super-Spreader Of Wokeness and Whatever Happened To Rage Of Angels?
Therapy Is The Super-Spreader Of Wokeness
- Author Nicole Chardenet
Well this explains everything, I thought to myself. The fox is coaching the henhouse!
Author Lisa Selin-Davis explains the perpetuation of wokeism in her recent The Free Press Substack article, How Therapists Became Social Justice Warriors.
I had no idea social justice had infiltrated the mental health industry, which makes me rethink whether greater resources for affordable mental health help will alleviate or multiply pervasive societal mental illness. Because wokeness is a primary driver.
Selin-Davis traces the short history of how therapists got ‘woke’ and trained to view the patient as a collective part of a greater group, whether it was a ‘dominant’ group or a ‘marginalized’ one, rather than treating them, as therapists have historically have, as an individual.
God help you now if you’re unfortunate enough to be white, male, or ‘cis-heteronormative’. Because you and your privilege are ground zero for what ails others. And their antidote to your mental distress is woke mind poison.
The therapist training Selin-Davis describes sounds frighteningly like those hellish DEI corporate workshops we read and hear too much about.
First, start with a dictatorial commitment to ‘antiracism’, whatever that means this week. Then be sure to give all the ‘right’ answers in class, or risk being shamed and penalized.
What galvanized the social justice-izing of mental health counseling was the rise of Donald Trump, the death of George Floyd and street protests . One student described a ‘civility pledge’ she had to sign toward the end of her training, stating her commitment to acknowledge all the social justice warrior evils: Racism, ableism, sexism, classism, nativism, heterosexism, politically incorrect country music, etc.
Vulnerable, unhappy people, oppressed by mental health struggles, come to these freshly-minted head specialists and pay for more mental poison.
Mental dis-ease begins with social justice
One woman in the article illustrates how Critical Social Justice ideology creates and perpetuates pre-existing mental illness.
The social justice warrior cared deeply about diversity and equity, but found herself struggling with her ‘whiteness’ and her constant fear she was oppressing others without even trying.
Critical Race Theory teaches a hopeless narrative for everyone, but particularly for white people: They’re born into white supremacy and can never escape it, and oppress others simply by existing. The woman felt guilt as a lesbian, too, as Queer Theory teaches ‘cis’ is “associated with colonization and white supremacy and oppression.”
WTF?
She’d internalized social justice’s self-hatred lessons that the only acceptable authenticity is that of the marginalized. If you’re not—and apparently someone granted privilege to lesbians when she wasn’t looking, your only permissible response is a never-ending demand for public confession for your sins of being born ‘privileged’.
Instead of working to achieve genuine social justice, and existing happily lesbian with her girlfriend, the woman became consumed with CSJ-manufactured guilt as she anguished over her alleged ‘internalized white supremacy’. Social Justice created her unhealthy pathologies that diverted her from a path of helping others, to counseling she might not have otherwise needed, and, as it turned out, might have been better off without.
She found a black therapist to help her with her race and gender issues and all went very well for several months. It went tits-up, ironically, when she began making real mental health progress. Getting better weakened her ‘wokeness’ which threatened her therapist’s social justice commitment to a victim-centered identitarian worldview. When the patient criticized cancel culture the therapist accused her of assimilating ‘white supremacy culture’ and making the black therapist feel ‘unsafe’.
If there’s one word that must never pass a mental health professional’s lips unless the patient has turned on them with a knife, it’s ‘unsafe’. That’s a social justice distortion most often applied to challenged ideas for which the recipient has no rational answer.
Eventually, the therapist ended the relationship with the patient for being insufficiently attentive to her presumed birth-granted skin power, which was even more harmful for the patient. She was in essence ‘cancelled’, the very worst punishment for the non-conforming social justice warrior, by someone she’d trusted with her psychological vulnerability.
Social justice activism drove the patient both into and then out of therapy, when the good it did her did so-called ‘harm’ to the therapist.
Interestingly, a therapy modality that perpetuates the problem it seeks to reduce results in a prolonged financially remunerative arrangement for the therapist which can last for years, even decades.
It’s an ironic position for a mental health professional: If you do your job well, success is rewarded with profit loss.
I can’t help but think the patient could have saved herself many months, and a lot of stress and money, by reading books outside her social justice bubble that might have challenged and illuminated her in more psychologically healthy ways, especially books challenging the myopic social justice self-flagellating prison.
The therapist, treating her patient as a presumed ‘oppressor’ rather than an individual with her own unique neuroses and traumas, worked to reinforce the pervasive ‘woke’ ideology of helplessness and hopeless oppression. She told the patient, ‘You’re not free because of homophobia and sexism. You’ll never be free.’
What a supremely bleak and depressing view of one’s future, not to mention humanity. How utterly demoralizing it must be to believe that ultimately, struggle is useless, including against genuine oppression - so why even bother trying? Why protest in the streets, why bother striving to become a better person, if you remain forever either an assigned victim or an oppressor, regardless of your most sincere efforts?
Ideology vs empowerment
Under the old therapy modality, the patient was guided toward healthier mental perceptions, coping, and resilience skills, along with a growing inner strength, the exact opposite of the victimist mindset, the very definition of powerlessness.
In fact, it’s victimhood that often drives people into therapy, the point being to not allow whatever makes her feel like a victim control her life.
In the proper setting, one is encouraged to grow mentally stronger and develop personal power, which is what the aforementioned therapy client did until her therapist pulled her back from the cliff edge of psychological health.
Selin-Davis’s article notes that some ideologized newbie therapists claim they could never take on a Trump-supporting client.
I can’t imagine another group of people as much in need of real mental health help as the MAGAs. They’re subject to their own toxic, victimizing, self-defeating and self-destructive ideologies, greatly resembling their social justice antagonists.
MAGAs, like SJWs, need to challenge their self-perception as victims, whether they were victimized against their will with a neglectful childhood or an abusive partner, or whether they agreed, consciously or not, to adopt identitarian victimhood.
But ultimately, if you can’t find a marginalized group to join, simply make up your own label! If you’re a group of one, congratulations! You’re marginalized! So none of it is your fault!
Empowerment, genuine empowerment, not woke-warrior lip service, is the sworn enemy of victimhood ideology. The less you see yourself as a victim, the less you act as a victim. The more you see your power to change your life, and you engage that power, your life will most likely improve.
It’s a direct threat to those who prefer to reject personal responsibility because they’re marginalized.
The message of covert disempowerment promoted by emotionally unintelligent social justice warriors self-oppresses and benefits those with real power unwilling to share any of it.
I wonder if the SJW’s therapist felt threatened by the very freedom from psychological pain to which she’d led her patient, perhaps longing to seize some of that freedom herself but risking her job and potential ostracism when her peers found out she questioned the core tenets of social justice ideology.
It would lay to waste everything she’d been taught and believed in.
Donald Trump and his lackeys play to this same mindset for Team MAGA, blaming everyone for the working class’s plight without ever challenging them to aspire higher, educate themselves, to take charge of their lives more, or to demand better politicians to address their real interests. It benefits Trump and the Republicans to keep their base feeling victimized - if the voters took charge of their lives rather than blaming immigrants and progressive elites, they might not need the GOP anymore.
Who needs a saviour when you can save yourself?
The futility of eternal victimhood
Mental un-health is socially contagious. It includes anorexia, suicide, and depression, but happiness is also contagious. One study found that having a happy neighbor increases one’s happiness probability by 34%.
Hanging out with a more positive crowd and taking breaks, whether it’s vacation or just some time off from thinking about systemic racism, rape culture or colonialism, might be more beneficial, not to mention time and money-saving, than a therapist with an unexamined sense of her own self-imposed victimhood.
It’s frightening to think that people in real mental distress visit professionals who feed their pathologies and turn them away from the timeless skills of empowerment, self-challenge, coping and resilience that results in stronger psychological health.
The Buddha, 3,500 years ago, taught human beings the secret to happiness and mental well-being not by wallowing in the injustices of the world, but in learning to co-exist with and alleviate it with good deeds, to strive not to contribute to others’ unhappiness, and to challenge one’s own self-harming mental perceptions. He deconstructed how our beliefs can cause us as much, and arguably more, pain than any actual victimization we’ve experienced.
The more new-ish mental health treatment Cognitive Behavior Therapy, or CBT, closely resembles Buddhist teachings. CBT seeks to challenge ‘cognitive distortions’, the ‘mental constructs’ Buddhists encourage followers to root out. It challenges thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that may or may not be real, that may hurt us.
One such cognitive distortion in the social justice movement (and Judaeo-Christianity) is the distasteful notion of original sin - that you can be born into a negative state through no fault of your own. It was the putative basis of the Genesis tale of Adam and Eve, purporting to explain why humanity is so ugly (it’s our fault for disobeying God!) and it’s extended into CRT-based antiracism, which teaches the cognitive distortion that you can be born into an inescapable white supremacy, just as Jews and Christians believe you can never escape the taint of Adam’s and Eve’s original sin, and all you can do is strive ever harder to be a better person.
Ideological victimhood dies without validation from others, and people who abandon victimist thinking and take charge of their lives, are deeply threatening to those who won’t. The ‘woke’ and the MAGAs each hew to a toxic, self-limiting, self-destructive self-image in which nothing is ever their fault.
Rejecting victimhood is the Kryptonite of ‘wokeness’ and MAGAtry.
Evidence, logic, rationalism, reason and hard data are their sworn enemies.
Mental health is the primary tool in the arsenal of The Silent Majority, those of us who want to take back our power from the perma-victims of modern discourse, who hold themselves, not to mention others and their social justice causes, back.
Therapy can still be beneficial, and Selin-Davis’s articles lists the rebel therapists banding together to offer un-woke therapy for those who don’t want their therapists to dictate some issues are ‘off the table’ because it makes them feel ‘unsafe’.
If you can’t afford therapy, no problem! Good books will challenge what you think you believe to be right in social justice.
You can read them for free from the library or order them on-line, used copies super-cheap.
I just saved you a whackload of money, and maybe hastened your journey to a healthier mental outlook.
You’re welcome ;)
Not all mental health struggles can be addressed with a few books, so if you need a therapist’s help Selin-Davis’s article offers non-woke therapy sources to start. Also research and interview potential therapists to make sure they won’t undermine your progress. It’s okay to be liberal or progressive or supportive of social justice, but the key thing to remember is they shouldn’t be pushing any particular political worldview on you.
If your mental health issues come from your social justice work, start with a few of these books:
The Righteous Mind - Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion - Jonathan Haidt
Cynical Theories: How Activist Scholarship Made Everything about Race, Gender, and Identity―and Why This Harms Everybody - Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay
Woke Racism: How A New Religion Has Betrayed Black America - John McWhorter
I Feel, Therefore I Am: The Triumph of Woke Subjectivism - Mark Goldblatt
The Content Of Our Character: A New Vision of Race in America (this book is over 30 years old but it’s as fresh and relevant today as it was in 1990) - Shelby Steele
Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality - Helen Joyce
My Problem With Everything: My Journey Through the New Culture Wars - Meghan Daum
The Morning After: Sex, Fear & Feminism - Katie Roiphe
War Before Civilization - Lawrence Keeley (On how violent pre-colonial Indigenous cultures were)
Emotional Intelligence 2.0: Harness the Power of the #1 Predictor of Success - Dr. Travis Bradberry & Dr. Jean Greaves
This last is one of the best damn books I’ve ever read that will put you on the road to more highly fortified mental health.
Grow Some Labia! by Nicole Chardenet - https://www.growsomelabia.com/
Nicole Chardenet lives and works from her rebel's den of iniquity in Toronto, Ontario. She helps people reclaim their power on her website when she's not working as a freelance sales agent. She writes to bring reason, rationalism, science, and free inquiry back to progressive liberals.
Grow Some Labia! by Nicole Chardenet - https://www.growsomelabia.com/
How therapists became social justice warriors - https://www.thefp.com/p/how-therapists-became-social-justice-warriors
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