Wednesday, April 2, 2025
US Sports Golf: Two Main Principles For Improving Your Golf Short Game and Hyo Joo Kim Highlights | Ford Championship
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- By Grant Young
The short game in golf can be the most challenging aspect of the sport for many players. While hitting long drives off the tee may seem impressive, it's the finesse and precision required for chipping and putting that can truly make or break a golfer's game. Mastering the short game demands a great deal of skill, touch, and concentration.
Unlike the full swing, which allows for some margin of error, the short game requires a high level of consistency and control. Ultimately, success in golf often comes down to proficiency in the short game, and those who can excel in this area are likely to see significant improvements in their overall performance on the course.
And when done well, the short game can be golf’s most satisfying aspect. Successfully executing a delicate chip shot to get the ball close to the pin or sinking a long putt can bring about a sense of achievement that is hard to replicate in other aspects of the game. The short game also offers opportunities for creativity, as players can employ various techniques and strategies to navigate around hazards and onto the green.
Additionally, the short game often plays a crucial role in determining a player's overall score, making every successful chip, pitch, or putt feel like a significant accomplishment.
All of which is to say that it’s worthwhile to try and improve your short game. And online golfing coach legend Gary Wiren is here to help you do so.
Coach Wiren is a member of six Golf Halls of Fame, including the PGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame, and has honorary memberships or distinguished service recognition from Sweden, Italy, New Zealand, and Japan. Wiren was a collegiate conference champion, won the South Florida Seniors PGA title, and the South Florida long-driving championship, played in the USGA Senior Open and the PGA Senior Championship and has won the World Hickory Championship.
Coach Wiren’s ‘Great Golf Drills Vol. 2 - The Short Game featuring Dr. Gary Wiren’ course will teach you which shots to play in different situations, how to develop the touch necessary for a great short game, and will help you to learn the correct principles of practicing the short game and dramatically lower your scoring average.
Dialing For Distance
The first (and most crucial) point when deciding which clubs to use when attempting to land a shot on the green is knowing how far away you are from the hole.
The best way to do this is with experience. The more you’re out on the golf course, the better you’ll be at gauging distance. But if you’re relatively new to golf, a great way to know is by using the yardage markers placed along the length of the hole. Better yet, if you have access to a yardage book for a template for the gold course you’re at, this can be an incredibly useful tool.
Again, repetition is paramount when it comes to deciding which club to use. This is where getting reps in on the driving range is vital because you can test shots and distances with each club to see which best suits you at each distance. It would also be wise to keep a notebook, telling you which clubs you like at certain distances.
The Right Direction in Chipping
One drill that Coach Wiren loves to utilize when helping students with their chipping direction is placing a club on the ground next to their ball that can help them line their shot up, so they can see where the club of their swing goes through to the target.
After doing this for enough repetitions, students should be able to envision that imaginary club on the ground while they’re playing, which will be useful in lining up a straight shot.
Coach Wiren suggests that, when it comes to knowing where the ball should be positioned between your legs when taking a shot, what you can do is stick a tee in the tops of your club’s grip, place it in front of your sternum, and look downwards. The tee should be about ½ inch in front of where you see the ball on the ground beneath it. If that’s where it is, your ball is in the correct position.
Principles For Putting
Coach Wiren explains how there are main principles for putting success:
1. Stroke Mechanics
This is essentially learning to swing the putter smoothly, like a pendulum swing. This can be learned in a week.
2. Reading the green
Learning how to accurately read a green can take a lifetime, but some tips Coach Wiren is to imagine that every putt is a straight putt in your mind. In other words, if the green has a slope, you should be still executing a straight putt that accounts for the slope and any other factors that will affect how the ball travels.
He also goes on to note that reading the green is also about pace, which means gauging how hard to hit the ball. While this will take time and experience, imagining a straight line in your head can improve how well you’re able to read the green.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
US Sports Hockey: 4 Hockey Skating Drills for Youth Players: Building Speed, Balance, and Agility and Highlights Sabres vs. Capitals
- By Jackson Chlebowy
Skating skills are the foundation for any good hockey player. Youth hockey players who develop good skating technique and habits at a young age will have a significant competitive advantage over their teammates and opponents. Mastering the hockey skating fundamentals early will give young players a head start in developing speed, agility, and edgework. Whether you are coaching complete beginners or a talented team of Peewee’s, practicing ice skating basics will help build an edge over the competition.
Basics of the Forward Stride: One Foot Push Drill – Nicole Uliasz
Coach Nicole Uliasz is a women’s varsity ice hockey coach for the Lawrenceville School, a prestigious prep school in New Jersey. She played women's hockey at a high level, starting her career in 2000 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 2001, she left the team to play for her country on the US national team. In 2002, she played games on the pre-Olympic tour before joining the women's U-22 national team. She later returned to Wisconsin to finish her collegiate career, earning All-Big10 Honors.
Coach Uliasz teaches the basics of an efficient skating stride in her course ‘Hockey Fundamentals for Beginners’. Good skating starts with a strong, hockey-ready stance. In an athletic stance, a player's knees should be bent, shoulder width apart. Their chest should be up, facing the direction they want to skate. Some players will hunch over, tilting their chest down toward the ice. This is not ideal for skating as it puts the body in an awkward position, resulting in inefficient strides and wasted energy. It also makes it difficult for young players to keep their heads up, and aware of their surroundings. This is key for player safety, but also for game awareness.
If a player skates their head down, they are less likely to be ready to receive or give a good pass and will miss opportunities to make plays. Keeping the head up is a crucial habit to develop at a young age.
The key to an efficient and effective stride is a strong push. Emphasize the importance of digging the skates into the ice and getting a strong outward push before returning them all the way back under your body. This is key, as it allows for a longer, more powerful stride at minimal energy cost. Shorter, choppier strides that don’t return under the body are less energy efficient and don't allow the player to generate as much power and speed over space. These are good for getting a quick start, but not skating fast over longer distances.
The One-foot push drill is an easy way to get young players comfortable and familiar with the proper skating form and technique. It may be difficult for young players to consistently use proper mechanics, but by breaking it down they will become more aware and intentional about their stride. You must emphasize the long stride starting and returning from under the body. Make the drill fun, and challenge players to see who can glide the farthest per stride. Turn it into a one-footed race, challenging players to skate as fast as they can with proper form.
Quick Feet Stop and Start Drill
Hockey is a game of inches. The ability to gain speed and change direction on a dime is essential for being a good skater. Learning quick stops and starts will help players be more effective skaters and will allow them to follow the puck/play more effectively. It is also a crucial skill in developing small space speed and acceleration, allowing players to win more puck battles or create separation from their opponents.
The drill is simple. Line players up at the bottom of a faceoff circle, or in a line with 2 cones spread a few feet apart. On the coach's whistle, players will make a quick crossover start, getting 3 quick and powerful strides focusing on getting from stop to start as fast as they can. They will then stop at the top of the circle, and explode out of the stop back to the bottom of the circle, repeating this as many times as desired. You can incorporate puck carrying into this drill for more skilled players. Make sure you explain the importance of keeping their heads up with the puck on their stick and instructing them to protect the puck when they stop and start.
Jump Sticks Drill – Coach Patrick Burke
Coach Patrick Burke is a former collegiate and junior hockey player, playing for Connecticut College, the Ramapo Saints, and the New Jersey Rockets. He is now a USA Hockey Association coaching education director and certified USA hockey coach. Coach Burke has coaching experience at nearly every level of the game, from mites to elite high school hockey. He has now turned his attention to youth hockey, focusing on youth player development.
Coach Burke’s ‘Jump Sticks Drill’ from his ‘Coaching Youth Hockey: From Mites to PeeWees’ Course is a great way for young hockey players to practice their balance and agility on their skates. Have your players spread out and lay their sticks down on the ice. On the coach's go, the players will practice jumping over their sticks. Start with 2 feet jumps, emphasizing the importance of keeping their knees bent, and their chest and head up. This will help players keep balance and prevent them from falling. After they’ve gotten the hang of the 2-foot jump you can add fun wrinkles to the drill to keep the kids engaged. They can try 1-foot jumps, spinning jumps, or fast feet. If they really get the hang of the stick jumps, you can incorporate figure 8 skating. Have the players begin on one side of the stick, jumping over the stick and making a tight turn around the ends of their stick. This further stresses the importance of balance and that athletic stance while incorporating movement and skating.
Circle Skating Drills
There are many different circle skating drills that are very effective in teaching good skating skills and habits. All of the variations follow one base drill. Line all of your players up in one corner, with the first player in line where the goal line meets the corner. Without a puck, have players practice skating on the circle all the way around. Teach players to use crossovers to keep and gain speed while staying on the circle as best they can. After the first player skates past the line, and around the top of the circle again, they will skate to the next circle (2nd corner). Players can be sent on the coach's whistle, or after the player in front passes the line.
After players have the hang of skating the circles, you can add edgework. One way to do this is by having players lift one leg, using only their inside or outside edge around the tops of the circles.
You can have players practice their transitions and backward skating. Tell players to keep their chest facing the far end of the ice at all times (or if there is a clock or scoreboard use those as landmarks to limit confusion). This will force players to incorporate both forward and backward skating while also working on smooth transitions as they reach the tops and bottoms of the circles.
Adding pucks is also a good way to elevate this drill, forcing players to focus on puck control and making turns with the puck.
Finally, you can turn this drill into a race, having players chase one another around the circles. If any player gets caught by their teammate they owe push-ups. The race adds stakes, creates competition, and keeps practice fun for young players.
Monday, March 31, 2025
US Sports Soccer: 6 Best Soccer Finishing Drills and Portland Timbers vs. Houston Dynamo FC | Full Match Highlights |
6 Best Soccer Finishing Drills
- By Damilare Ilyiade
The whole aspect of the game of soccer is beautiful and captivating, but the very aspect that gives it its whole essence is goal scoring. In order word finishing. The game of soccer wouldn’t be the same if there's wasn’t goal scoring. Every move, every tactic, every setup, every structural approach to the game is to achieve one aim, to outscore the opponent. Because that's how the winner emerges.
To get the better of the opponent means to score goals, and to score goals you don’t just need strikers who can strike the ball properly but strikers who can make the right decisions while under pressure and even in the most unpleasant situations. The game of soccer has seen some extraordinary and cold-blooded finishers. Some of them are extremely talented right from the onset, but they got to the very top via consistent practice and the desire to refine each aspect of their game. Especially the finishing.
The following aids the finishing skill of a player; player;
Shot Power, Shot Technique and accuracy, Vision, and Anticipation.
Shot Power: The ability to strike the ball at a great velocity is essential to becoming a deadly finisher in the game of soccer. This ability can give a soccer player an edge over multiple goalkeepers. Striking the ball with power makes it difficult for an average goalkeeper to react on time, and if the ball is well within the range of the goal, then you can be confident of putting it in the back of the net.
Shot technique and Accuracy: Shot technique a bit differs from shot power, the ability to shoot the ball well is another vital skill known as technique. Having shot power is good, but if the technique does not correspond then it will be difficult to score goals. Some players are not all about the power, but their precision that is technique is second to none. Every top soccer player executes their game with precision and accuracy. Combining shot power with an accurate technique can make a player the opponent’s nightmare.
Vision and Anticipation: The ability to read the game, predict moves, and understand what your teammate or opponent will do before they do it. On the field of play, you don’t only move as the ball moves, you must be able to read the game well and make anticipated the play. This gives you an edge to outsmart your opponent.
The right proportion of all these can make a top-quality player.
VITAL COACHING POINTS ON FINISHING
- You perform better if you can calm your nerves in heated moments of the game.
- You must be able to use all sides of your foot.
- Learn to balance your body to aid your shot.
- Be firm on your non-shooting foot to generate power and precision on your shooting foot.
- Understand the keeper’s positioning and how to put the ball beyond their reach.
- Target the corners. The top right corner, the top left corner, the bottom right corner, and the bottom left corner.
RECEIVE AND SHOOT WHILE SPRINTING
Objective
The objective of the drill is to enhance the player’s ability to shoot when moving at great speed as well as striking the ball when it is played to them unexpectedly.
Set-up
4 or 5 cones are placed at 2m interval.
Execution
- The trainer stands at the sideline to instruct the drill. When they blow the whistle, the player starts to make a forward run.
- The players go around the cone at top speed.
- The coach instructs any player going at a slow pace to increase it.
- On getting to the last cone, the coach releases the ball to the player close to the goal.
- The player picks their spot and shoots.
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill must be done with a keen focus on the goal and putting it past the goalkeeper even as the player reaches top speed while approaching the ball.
RECEIVE, TURN AND DRIVE TO A RESTRICTED SHOT
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help players to improve their alertness to finishing situations during the game. Since an opportunity to score can come at any time, players must be ready to pounce.
Set-up
4 cones to demarcate the shooting line, the target spot, and the goal post corners.
Execution
- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the player starts to exchange passes at a very fast rate.
- Then the coach blows the whistle.
- The player who has the ball when the whistle goes out must approach the goal with the ball.
- The player must not go beyond the demarcation.
- The player has two targets. To shoot at the two rings at the goal corners.
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill will help the player's technique and accuracy.
SWITCHING PLAY DISTANCE SHOT
Objective
The objective of the drill is to help the players shoot from any area outside the box.
Set-up
5 on 5. With one goalie.
Execution
- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the players go against themselves and make a sequence of passes.
- At the sound of the whistle, the team with the ball must approach the red line or shoot from range.
- The opposing team must try to prevent the team with the ball from scoring.
- After the play, there’s a reset
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill will help the players to be very competitive and with the added pressure of a defending team, will make the finshing more game realistic.
2 SMALL GOAL TARGETS
Objective
The objective of the drill is to enhance the focus and finishing accuracy of players.
Set-up
Two small posts with each team lined to shoot on target from distance.
Execution
- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the player runs to take a shot targeting the small post.
- Each team must try to score.
- Another set will go after the initial set.
- The team that scores most wins the drill.
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill will help the players shooting technique and accuracy.
2 ON 2 TO GOAL
Objective
The objective of the drill is to recreate a 2 v 2 situation in the attacking third.
Set-up
2 on 2 to the goal. The defenders defend their goal, the attackers must find a way to score under 1 minute.
Execution
- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, the two players that are attackers must attack the goal to score.
- The defenders on the other hand must do everything to defend the goal and must not allow the attackers to score under 1 minute.
- The duo that successfully completes the task wins.
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill will help the players to defend and attack 2 v 2 and 1 v 1. As well as understand the correct moments to shoot and how to create space for a shot.
Objective
The objective of the drill is to recreate the intensity and competitiveness of getting into a goal scoring opportunity and beating/ defending a player 1 v 1.
Set-up
Set up 6 straight poles parallel to each other on both sides of the penalty box. Have defenders form a line closest to the end line, and the attackers further away from the end line.
Execution
- The trainer instructs the drill from the sideline. When they blow the whistle, both the attackers and defenders race around the poles.
- The attacker starts with the ball, and the defender does not. The defender is not allowed to tackle the attacker until they have completed the poled course.
- Generally, the defender will complete the course first so will have a second to get set to try and defend the attacker.
- The drill is finished when either: a shot is taken or scored, or the defender makes a tackle.
- If the defender makes a tackle, the defensive team get a point. If the attacker scores, the attacking team gets a point. If a shot is taken and it does not result in a goal, no points are scored.
- Repeat as instructed.
Coaching tips
The drill will help both the attacker and the defender in game like skills. This includes 1 v 1 attacking and defending, dribbling, shooting, agility, speed, and defensive awareness.
FINISHING DRILLS
These drills will create proper game situations that give room for finishing. These drills will help the players to master situations like this and how to react and sometimes improvise.
As well as these drills several elite coaches have explored finishing in detail to shed light on the slight margins that can give you an edge on your opponent. A recent example is UC Berkley’s Head Coach Neil McGuire’s course ‘The Art of Goalscoring’. Here Coach McGuire speaks about how your positioning, technique and shot power all combine to making you a top forward.
Sunday, March 30, 2025
The Rock Almighty. Called to be Teachers and Bring It On Satan!
- Author Garfield Gregoire
Millions profess to be Christians and yet they do not understand why God calls a person out of the world to be a Christian; they believe that the purpose of the Christian is just to get saved and make it into heaven. But would you be surprised to know that such belief is not the true teaching of the Bible, because God has called the Christian out of the world for a greater purpose than the selfish way of us trying to save our own skin by making it into God’s kingdom.
A True Christian is Called
People assume or believe that there is somehow a contest going on between God and Satan – whereby God is on a desperate course of trying to wrestle away as many lost souls from Satan and to get them saved, but in truth, this is a myth, a fable, false belief. God has never been in contest with Satan – as God is SUPREMELY in charge over Satan – meaning Satan can do no more than God allows; and this is proven when God commands or tells Satan to not take the life of God’s servant Job; Satan was given permission to afflict Job but could go no further – so as to take the life of Job (Job 2:6).
During his earthly ministry, Jesus never preached or came begging anyone to please accept Him into their heart; He never pleaded with anyone to make him their savior. As matter of fact, Jesus even spoke to great crowds of people in parables; and when his disciples came to him – asking why He spoke to the people in parables, Jesus said: “because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matt. 13:10,11).
If some high powered Evangelists or preacher of today were speaking to such crowds – even as Jesus did, they are likely to beg or appeal to the crowd to please accept Jesus; to give their hearts to him but Jesus did no such thing; He did not plead with the crowd because they were not being called by God to become a true follower of Christ; and it does not mean they are lost to God or that they will never have a chance to be in God’s kingdom, but it meant that God is not now calling them to be converted at that time – as Jesus had only called his disciples to understand.
In speaking of his disciples, Jesus told them that they did not choose Him but that He chose them (John 15:16). Also, in John 6:44, Jesus said, “No man can come to me, except the Father which sent me draw him …” It is God the Father who has to specially select and call out a human being to become a Christian; becoming a Christian involve a selection process; it is a special calling out of a person from the rest of humanity; this is why Peter urges the true Christian “… to make your calling and election sure …” (2 Peter 1:10). Election means to be selected out from among others. Ephesians 1:4 says: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.” Here again it is shows that a person has to be specially called out by God’s selection, and yet the millions who profess to be followers of Christ do not understand this; they think God is desperately trying to get the whole world saved now. Yes, God will have all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but it is not in God’s plan to save everyone now – as God has only been calling out a few and will seek to save the rest of humanity or the world at a later date.
In comparison to the vast ocean humanity in this world, this few that God has called out is like a bucket of water in this ocean of humanity; it is just a small or tiny drop. This may sound like a shocking thing to say, but it happens to be true – as Jesus described his true followers as a “little flock” (Luke 12:32) - meaning God’s true servants would not be numbering among the millions who profess to know God but would be those few having the very truth of God, and set apart from the false religious beliefs and customs of this world; it was Jesus who prayed that his servants would be sanctified (set apart) by knowing and having the truth (John 17:17).
Most may not understand or have considered that in the Old Testament, humanity – as whole did not know God or had the holy Spirit of God; it was only the few such as Noah Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, the prophets – just to name a few, who really had the Spirit of God and were called out of the world by God; even God’s chosen people Israel, were not spiritually converted and did not have God’s holy Spirit -as they were given ritual ceremonial laws to follow – along with the promise of material blessings if they obeyed God; and even so, they failed to obey God – to the point where God had to punish them by allowing their enemies to come up against them; the Spirit of God was not given to them; God even said, “O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always …” (Deut. 5:29).
Israel knew of God as creator and the one who delivered them out of Egypt, but because they did not have God holy Spirit, they did not know God in an intimate Spiritual way; they did not have spiritual knowledge of God; and this is why the Bible reveals that when Christ comes and bring back the people of Israel to life in a great resurrection, God is going to place his Spirit in them; Ezekiel 37:13,14 says: “And ye shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened up your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves. And shall put my spirit in you …” This is speaking of time after the one thousand years millennial rule of Christ on earth when all Israel, or those who have died, will be resurrected to physical life and then come to know God – by having his holy Spirit; his holy Spirit will now be given to them as they become converted.
And another thing that may sound shocking to people, is that after Adam sinned, God drove the human pair out of the garden of Eden- shutting off his holy Spirit from mankind-which is symbolized by the two angels sent to guard the tree of life – preventing man from taking of the tree or to eat of it; the tree of life represented the Spirit of God or spiritual knowledge – hence, all of humanity – except for those few mentioned above, never had the true knowledge of God; and so, since Adam until Christ came to pay the penalty for the sins of the world, God never made any effort to save humanity or offered salvation to them, but allowed humanity to continue in the sinful ways of Adam and Eve; and even when Christ came to pay the penalty for the sins of mankind, Christ began by first selecting only his disciples to follow him; the disciples were specially chosen or selected to be his student or learners; and for three and a half years, the disciples were taught and trained by Jesus Christ to become qualified teachers to preach the Gospel to the world; they had to be students or learners first; they had to be trained to be qualified teachers; and when they were ready, the Spirit of God came upon them on the day of Pentecost and they preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God – to the point that many were in attendance on that day was led to repentance and conversion; they received the Spirit of God - as Peter said to them: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call’ (Acts 2:39). Here is showed that God chose or called those people to conversion; to repent of sin and to have God’s holy Spirit. These people could NOT have received God’s Spirit unless God has specially selected or called them out of the world.
When Adam and Eve sinned against God, the human pair became the children of Satan; Satan had become their ruler; and in a sense, the human pair had been kidnapped or deceived into following Satan’s wrong way of living – to the point that all of humanity (except for those few God called out of the world) has been going Satan’s way – having their minds filled with Satan’s attitude of envy, lust, selfishness, vanity disobedience, and greed; and it was for this very reason Jesus told people of his day that they were of their father the devil (John 8:44).
Those who profess to believe on Christ, do not seem to understand that this world is not God’s world – meaning it is not a world ruled by God, but by Satan; this world is Satan’s world, and he is the “god of this world” (2Nd Corinthians 4:4). God’s world will only come when Jesus Christ comes to remove Satan and take over the kingdoms of this world (Revelation 11:15). This world, because of sin and evil, is like a rickety old building that need to be torn down, and God is going to do that when Christ comes; God is not trying to save all of humanity now – so as to try and repair Satan’s world or to make Satan’s world a better place; and this was why Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world …” (John 18:36). Jesus has yet to come into his kingdom; and because the kingdom is not yet here; we still pray thy kingdom come; we pray for it to come because it has not yet come; and when it comes, it will be the start of an entirely new civilization that is going to burst forth on this planet – as Satan is going to be removed and Christ becomes the new world ruler of earth.
If God had been trying to get everyone saved now, then you would have to admit that Satan would have been winning the battle because humanity has always been going Satan’s way instead of God’s way. People seem to find it more appealing or are more driven to do the wrong over the right way of life; people who love sports would rather be at a basketball or football game rather than to keep the Sabbath holy; to their minds, they think the ways of this world – with all its glitter and sinful ways are more appealing than God’s way.
The Bible even forewarned that evil men are going are going to become worse (2 Timothy 3:13); and knowing this, do you not think if God was in a contest with Satan to get men saved, God does not have the power to wrest these people out of Satan’s grasp? Of course, God has the power to do so, but since God in not in some contest with Satan and God is not now trying to get everyone saved now, God has allowed these things to be the way they are -until Christ comes to set up the ruling government of God over the earth; nothing can happen without God allowing it.
Why Would God Call only a Few Now and not Everyone?
It is possible to imagine someone saying: Why would God only select a few now and not everyone? After all, is God not a God of love – who loves and cares for all people, then why would He just select some and leave others out? Is God being fair in doing such thing?
The Bible says, “For there is no respecter of persons with God” (Romans 2:11). As human beings we are all sinners; all stand guilty before God and no human being is better than the other because “… all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); and so, those who God has called out of the world are not called because God sees them as being better than other people or that they deserved to be called first, but they are called out only because God chooses to call certain ones out by his own determined will and purpose and not one of us has the right to tell God who He should call and not call; this is NOT our prerogative.
But why are the true Christians called now? What is the reason or purpose for doing this when all the rest of humanity are also in need of God’s grace and mercy?
The Bible says God’s ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30); and you can be sure that God has perfect reason or purpose for calling a few now and the rest of humanity later. But what is that reason?
As previously shown, Jesus chose and taught his disciples, and then commissioned them to preach the gospel to others; and these others who heeded the gospel message – by repenting of sin and being converted, were also called to learn, study and grow in spiritual knowledge and understanding - so as to qualify to be able to teach the truth of the Bible to others; this is why the Bible says, “… be ready always to give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of the hope that is in you …” 1 Peter 3;15). Also 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God. A workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. A truly converted Christian is to study and understand the bible not only for their own spiritual growth and development, but also to the purpose of being able to teach the Bible to other people who may question you in regard to your faith, but to also prepare to qualify to be a teacher to the rest of humanity when Christ comes to reign on earth.
When Christ comes to reign on earth and Satan is removed, the vast ocean of humanity who has for so long been deceived by Satan into believing the wrong things and living the opposite way of God’s truth or in spiritual ignorance, are going to have to be re-educated in God’s way of life; they are going to have to be taught God’s truth – as the bible reveals it, and in order for those millions of humans to come into to such knowledge, the saints of God -who has been called in this life, will, under the authority of Jesus Christ, have the responsibility of being teachers to all these millions of people that will be living on earth at that time. When Christ comes, He is not going to snap his fingers and suddenly the masses of humanity is going to come into the knowledge of God and the Bible instantaneously; NO, not at all, these people are going to have to be taught the right way of life; they are going to have to learn and be trained in the knowledge of God – as such learning will require time and patience – lasting throughout the entire 1000 years rule of Christ.
Habakkuk 2:14 says, “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” This earth that has always been in rebellion against God on every sinful level is now going to eventually come into the knowledge of God and will live the way of righteousness and peace. But how do you suppose such worldwide knowledge and understanding shall come? It has to come through a process of teaching the multiple billions the true knowledge of God; people have to be taught the true way of life; they will be taught to put away their false beliefs, customs and practices and come into the true knowledge of the Supreme Creator.
Just as Jesus trained his disciples -as students, who were later qualified to go out and teach others, even so, the true Christians - who will no longer be flesh and blood, but Spirit beings in the kingdom of God, will be responsible for teaching mortal humans the Bible - so they too can learn God’s truth and become qualified teachers themselves; they are to become qualified teachers because at the end of the one thousand years rule of Christ over the earth, there is going to be the resurrection of the countless millions upon millions who have lived and died from the time of Adam until now, and all these seemingly incalculable number of people are going to have to be taught the Bible; they will be students who will be taught about the true God and his purpose – meaning all those people taught by the saints (who are then Spirit beings) at the time of the one thousand years reign of Christ, will also be qualified to now teach those countless millions that are to be resurrected to physical or mortal existence.
“And many nations shall come and say, come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways …” (Micah 4:2). This scripture is about the time when Christ is ruling on earth – during the millennium and the nations are going to be taught God’s ways; and the saints who have been changed from flesh to Spirit, are going to be responsible for educating and teaching the people of all nations; they will be taught the law of God. In a scripture relating to this very time when Christ is ruling on earth, Isaiah 3):20,21 says, “… but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, this is the way, walk ye in it …” The Christians in this life are to be these teachers when Christ comes; and because those true servants of God are Spirit beings in the kingdom, they will be able to appear and disappear at will – as people will hear a voice telling them to walk in the right way – meaning people will be encouraged to refrain from doing evil and to do the right or good things.
The protestants or those in the professing Christian world seem not to understand these things; they think it is just about being saved and getting into heaven or supposedly getting up to the pearly gates and sit upon clouds – playing a harp and forever staring at the face of God - doing nothing, but nothing could be further from the truth; and the truth is that God has called the Christian out of the world to learn or to be a student who must learn and know the Bible like the back of our hands; we are to learn and grow spiritually in this life – developing the holy and righteous character of God; and this kind of character development can involve years of learning, growth or spiritual development of the true Christian. Most may not have considered that conversion is a process of learning and growing in spiritual knowledge; 2 Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ …” This growing in grace and knowledge involve praying – spending quality time with God in prayer, studying the Bible – to the point that the Christian is ever growing in spiritual knowledge – so we may qualify to be an able teacher to other mortal humans who will be living on earth when Christ reigns; we are not called to just get saved but are called for a definite purpose of assisting Jesus Christ in the re-education of billions of humans - for it is in God’s purpose that they too should come into the knowledge of the truth and be saved. Sadly, the professing Christian world falsely believe that all you have to do is just accept Christ into one’s heart and there is nothing left for you to do but believe.
God has not been calling everyone to salvation now but has set forth a time frame when all people will be saved; I Corinthians 15: 22,23 says: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order …” Own order mean God has set in motion a definite time frame in which He is going to bring all of humanity to life and bring them into Spiritual knowledge.
How great and wonderful is the wisdom of God who has purposed that true Christians are now called in this life to study, learn and grow in the knowledge of God for the purpose of not only making it into the kingdom of God, but are also called for the purpose of being teachers who will assist Jesus Christ when He comes to educate the rest of humanity - so they too can become teachers to help and teach all the billions of other humans that will come up in the resurrection.
God has promised that those who have applied themselves – faithfully studying, learning – qualifying to be a teacher in God’s kingdom are going to be so highly rewarded for what they have done; some are going to rule over cities and have power over the nations (Rev. 2:26); they are going to be royal rulers in the kingdom sitting on thrones – as they will be rewarded according to their works; according to what they do in this life with the talent or abilities we have been given. Jesus said: “… behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). Some are going to receive higher reward and authority than others - as some will have applied themselves more faithfully in the things of God than the other person; and the parable of the pound in Luke 19 prove this is true.
How wrong this religious world has been in assuming the Christian is called to get into heaven or to just get saved. No, God a far more meaningful future and purpose for calling a Christian out of the world; that purpose is for us to be given the tremendous and awesome responsibility of bringing the vast ocean of humanity into the true knowledge of God and his purpose; a Christian is preparing in this life to be an immortal saint who will assist Jesus Christ in the re-education of mankind.
This nation has many religious denominations or groups – with all the various religious foundations and their many ministers who claim to know the bible - while believing they are the ministers of God, and yet, they lack the true understanding of vitally important doctrinal teaching of the Bible – such as the fact that a true Christian is called to be a teacher and not just to get saved. You can go through just about the many cities and towns across the United States and there you are likely to find the many churches – as there is no shortage of religious institution in this land; and yet, these many churches and Pastors do not really understand God’s purpose for creating man; why we were born, or even understand that God is not now trying to get everyone converted, or even the truth that people do not die and go to heaven, and that Jesus came to not only pay the penalty for this sins of mankind, but also came to qualify to remove Satan from the throne of the earth. There is within this nation a lack of vitally true teachings of the Bible, and so we live in nations or world that is devoid of the true knowledge of God; God says, his people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).We live in a deceived religious world – where the minds of all humans of every nation on earth has been deceived by Satan (Revelation 12:9).
https://www.amazon.com/America-Prophecy-Israel-people-consider-ebook/dp/B0C4M8R77J
I am an old man who has, long ago, came to the realization that this professing Christian world – with all its Mega Churches and various denominations do not proclaim the true teaching of the Bible - as they fail to correctly teach many vitally important doctrinal truths of the Bible.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
US Sports Track & Field. 3 Must-Try Offseason Shot Put Drills and USA earns two of three podium spots in men’s shot put at WIC
Spring and Summer Sports Are Underway! Now Streaming On US Sports Radio!
- By William Markey
As coaches, we know the offseason is a crucial time for shot put athletes to refine their technique, build strength, and stay sharp for the upcoming season. These three indoor drills, demonstrated by Coaches Scott Barrett, Phil Olson, and Justin St. Clair, help maintain form and improve key mechanics.
These drills target posture, balance, and synchronization between the lower and upper body, emphasizing proper chest positioning, reducing shoulder movement, and using the lower body for acceleration. They help train important factors such as keeping the chest up, avoiding unnecessary shoulder movement, and using the lower body to generate acceleration throughout the throw.
Shot put requires a precise blend of strength, technique, and timing, and structured drills ensure athletes develop proper form to maximize distance and reduce injury risk. These drills cater to varying skill levels. Target physical attributes like explosive power and balance enhance performance, while consistent practice allows coaches to track progress and adjust training. Engaging, adaptable drills, can help athletes remain committed and prepared for the season ahead.
CRACK THE WHIP
This drill “Crack the Whip” is taught by Coach Scott Bennett, from his “Discus Drills” video series.
It primarily focuses on synchronizing the hip and sweep movement to generate acceleration in the throw.
It is a great way to help athletes practice controlling unnecessary movements, it emphasizes creating the correct shin angle, pushing off the foot, and turning the hips together with the sweep while avoiding unnecessary shoulder and arm rotation, as well as foot turning, which could disrupt the shot put technique.
Coach Scott Bennett brings over 40 years of experience coaching athletes from high school to the Olympics. He has developed 5 Olympians in the field events, including a gold medalist. Notably, Coach Bennett has worked with Aretha Thurmond, a 4-time Olympian and 4-time national discus champion, and Andy Bloom, a 4th place finisher in the shot put at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Bloom is one of the most accomplished shot/discus ‘doublers’ in history, with personal bests of 71'7" in the shot put and 224'7" in the discus. He also won NCAA titles in both events.
STICK DRILL
This “Stick Drill” comes from Coach Philip Olson from his course, “Discus and Shot Put Training for the Young Thrower Thrower”.
It focuses on refining the finishing position by ensuring the chest remains up and the body extends fully overhead, promoting proper alignment and balance.
This drill emphasizes maintaining a tall, controlled finish to avoid leaning forward and to reinforce the correct posture during the delivery.
Coach Philip Olson is the Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at Stephen F. Austin University, where he has led the men’s and women’s programs since 2000. Under his leadership, the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks have won 34 conference championships, with the Ladyjacks holding the most women’s titles in Southland history. Olson has earned 17 Southland Conference Coach of the Year honors, coached 30 SLC champions in throwing events, and produced 7 Academic All-Americans.
TOWEL DRILL
Finally, the “Towel Drill” comes from Coach Justin St. Clair’s course, “Throwing the Discus: Start to Finish”.
This drill emphasizes the importance of using the lower body to generate movement, focusing on balance and posture.
The focus remains on maintaining a strong foundation with the lower body to avoid relying too heavily on the upper body.
Coach Justin St. Clair was named associate head coach and throws coach at Nebraska in 2021 after a decade of success at North Dakota State. St. Clair was voted USTFCCCA Midwest Region Assistant Coach of the Year nine times and coached Payton Otterdahl to the 2021 Olympic Games and NCAA titles in shot put and weight throw. He guided five throwers to All-America honors in 2021 and led NDSU to national dominance, producing 30 NCAA All-Americans in throwing events. St. Clair’s athletes have broken numerous records and earned top finishes at national and international competitions.
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