Talking
to God doesn’t always come naturally, but we have examples in Scripture
to help us. In today’s passage, Nehemiah strengthens His prayers by
recalling God’s character. Bringing divine attributes to mind increases
his faith and confidence in the Lord.
Nehemiah begins by saying, “Please, lord God of heaven” (1:5). lord, when it appears in all capital letters, denotes the word Jehovah.
It means “God who is eternal in His being.” Why is this detail
important? Acknowledgment of God’s eternal being is a reminder that God
is faithful. Nehemiah prays with confidence because he knows the Lord
keeps His promises.
The next Hebrew word, Elohim,
is translated “He who is absolutely sovereign.” This name refers to the
Creator and recognizes His omnipotence. Once again, Nehemiah
acknowledges an important attribute of God—this time, His power.
Nehemiah knows that the God who spoke the world into being is certainly
able to answer his request.
We may not use these
divine names very often, but we’d all benefit from following Nehemiah’s
example of praising God’s character. What attribute of the Father do you
need to be reminded of today? Take a moment to thank Him for this
trait. Then approach God boldly and lay your request at His feet.
Today on the Matt
Walsh Show, things are falling apart for the race grifter now known as
"Ibram X Kendi." He's just the latest anti-racist con artist to be
exposed in recent years. Is the anti-racist scam falling apart? We'll
discuss. Also, John Fetterman cries over being bullied for his
disability. Inmates claim cruel and unusual punishment when they are
forced to work in the fields rather than sitting in a cell all day. And a
Daily Show clip goes viral where Trevor Noah tries every so cautiously
to push back against a babbling trans activist.
Click here to join the member exclusive portion of my show:
The offense
is a critical aspect of any basketball team's success, and there are
various offensive concepts that teams use to score points. The goal of
any offense is to create easy scoring opportunities, whether that be
through pick-and-rolls, isolation plays, or fast breaks.
Coaches
also focus on teaching their players the importance of ball movement
and spacing to create open shots. Overall, the offensive strategy is
just as critical as the defense, and teams must develop a well-rounded
and efficient approach to ensure success on the court. In this article,
we will delve into motion offense, zone offense, and 5 out offense to expand your knowledge on these offensive concepts.
Benefits of the Motion Offense
As renowned coach Mark Cascio
attests, the motion offense is beloved for its versatility and two-way
teaching capabilities. It keeps defenses on their toes, as there are
endless possibilities and counters to exploit any defensive actions. We
will look at the advantages of using a motion offense, which develops
fundamental players and is simple to set up for new coaches. With its
positionless nature and emphasis on basketball IQ, the motion offense
offers a unique approach to the game that will take your team's
performance to new heights.
The motion offense is well
known for its ability to develop players with solid fundamentals. By
incorporating a wide range of skills such as spacing, ball movement,
player movement, passing and cutting, and screening, this offense
challenges players to become well-rounded and versatile. Players'
overall skill level and game awareness are enhanced by the offense's
continuous movement and decision-making demands.
For
coaches, the motion offense offers an easy-to-install system that allows
for flexibility and creativity. With its emphasis on concepts rather
than set plays, the motion offense empowers coaches to teach their
players how to read and react to the defense.
Furthermore,
the motion offense is a powerful tool for developing basketball IQ.
Players are forced to use critical thinking skills and make split-second
decisions on the court due to the offense's continuous movement,
screening, and decision-making responsibilities. As players become more
familiar with the offense, their basketball IQ improves, leading to
better overall team performance.
Attacking the Zone Defense
Zone
defense is a common strategy used by basketball teams to disrupt the
opposing team's offensive flow. To counter the zone defense effectively,
teams need to employ specific offensive concepts and strategies. Utah
Jazz assistant coach Scott Morrison educates us on the tactics used in the NBA and his experience in the G-League.
When
looking to attack a zone defense, the dribble-drive offense can be a
highly effective strategy. This offensive concept involves players
aggressively driving to the basket using quick dribble moves and
decisive cuts while teammates are spaced out, creating open lanes.
Attacking the holes in the zone can cause the defense to collapse,
forcing them to make decisions that could result in breakdowns.
However,
Coach Morrison mentions that if your team lacks the necessary
athleticism to consistently drive and penetrate the zone defense,
incorporating pick-and-rolls can be an effective alternative. Teams can
create mismatches and force defensive rotations by setting screens and
using pick-and-roll plays. The pick-and-roll allows offensive players to
exploit gaps and make the defense react, opening up passing lanes or
opportunities for mid-range jump shots.
When facing a zone
defense, it is crucial to focus on creating space, whether through
proper spacing principles or aggressive dribble-drive offense. Offensive
players can push the defense to respond by spreading the floor and
attacking the gaps, opening up scoring possibilities. Additionally,
incorporating pick-and-rolls can be a viable option if your team lacks
athleticism. These offensive strategies, when executed effectively, can
help break down zone defenses and provide your team with the best chance
of success.
Utilizing the 5 Out Modern Offense
A
dynamic and innovative strategy that has grown in popularity recently
is the 5-out modern offense. This offensive system creates better
players by emphasizing individual skills, decision-making, and
versatility. Players are given structured flexibility to read and
respond to the defense, which enables them to show off their skills and
make wise decisions on the court. Accomplished head coach and founder of
“94 Feet LLC” Kyle Diemer showcases this prevalent offense that we see so often in the NBA.
One
of the primary strengths of the 5-out modern offense is its attack
mentality. Players are encouraged to be aggressive and look for scoring
opportunities in the paint consistently when using this offensive
strategy. Whether it's through dribble penetration, backdoor cuts, or
quick ball reversals, the focus is on relentlessly hunting the paint and
putting pressure on the defense. This mindset not only creates scoring
chances but also opens up opportunities for offensive rebounds and
kick-outs to shooters.
Currently, the 5-out offense's
success depends heavily on spacing. In order to spread out the opponent
and open up lanes for drives, the offense positions all five of its
players on the perimeter. Proper spacing allows for effective ball
movement, quick decision-making, and clear driving angles. The emphasis
on spacing makes the offense hard to guard and gives players more room
to operate.
Conclusion
In
conclusion, a well-executed offense is crucial for a basketball team's
success. Whether it's through pick-and-rolls, dribble drive offense, or
fast breaks, the goal is to create easy scoring opportunities. Ball
movement and spacing play a significant role in generating open shots
and exploiting defensive gaps. The motion offense, with its versatility
and emphasis on developing fundamental players, offers structured
freedom and is easy to install for new coaches. It also enhances
basketball IQ and keeps defenses guessing. Attacking a zone defense
requires specific strategies, such as the aggressive dribble drive
offense or incorporating pick-and-rolls for teams lacking athleticism.
Creating space and relentlessly hunting the paint are key factors in
breaking down zone defenses. Lastly, the 5-out modern offense, known for
its attack mentality and emphasis on spacing, develops better players
and provides structured flexibility. Its relentless pursuit of the paint
and focus on sharing the ball make it a formidable offensive strategy.
By incorporating these offensive concepts and strategies, you can
elevate your team's performance and achieve success on the basketball
court.
Today we look at receiver play, specifically route running, from two different perspectives. We first get some keys to being a great route runner from
Tony Sorrentino, Assistant WR Coach for the Minnesota Vikings, and then from a player, Will Swinney, former WR, Clemson.
You
may recognize the last name. His father is Clemson Head Coach Dabo
Swinney, so I’m sure he’s picked up a ton from a coaching perspective
along the way.
To illustrate the art of route running we
will focus on the Corner today is how to win the space inside and create
a window for the quarterback to throw into.
The Coach Perspective
To begin, Coach Sorrentino believes there are three keys to route running:
Win at the line of scrimmage. Defenses will press until they believe you can beat press.
Whether it’s for a job interview or in the classroom with his players, these are things that Coach Sorrentino is convicted about and will share in any situation he’s asked to talk receiver play.
Let’s focus on developing the top of the route, especially how it relates to the Corner route.
Fundamental
to any route is the Feet. Everything is about feet: Feet get you out of
the break and create separation, especially by staying underneath the
body.
Coach believes he can learn a lot about a receiver in
preparing for the draft by studying and analyzing the top of the route.
He explains the importance of developing the top of the route in this
video:
Let’s take a look at how this applies to the Corner route. In this example, he illustrates how Cooper Kupp wins the Corner route and the adjustments he makes along the way to win and create space for the throw:
Will Swinney believes there is an art to running a Corner Route. He sees it as being a master of deception. You want to make him think you are doing something else. This is done by marrying routes up and make them look the same.
He wants to get in the defender's head and have a plan to win the route beforehand and then adjust after.
He goes through the specifics of running a Corner route in this video:
The consistency between what Coach Sorrentino and Will Swinney emphasized is making everything look the same and having a plan. There
is the ideal break that’s drawn on the diagram, then there's the
technique and break necessary to get the route open and give the QB the
window he needs.
Receivers who are developed beyond
running the route as drawn on the diagram will get a quarterback in
trouble or at the very least force him to move on in the progression to
another receiver. We know our guys want the ball, so they should be motivated to learn the art of route running.
As
you get out on the field more in the spring and summer, developing the
skill and savvy of your receivers will pay huge dividends in the fall.
Zephaniah
had to deliver hard news to Judah. Because of their sins—especially the
sin of worshipping false idols—a day of great judgment lay ahead. “On
that day,” the prophet said, God would judge their enemies, but His
anger would also devastate the nation He loved (Zephaniah 1:4-9).
In
verse 16 of chapter 3, however, Zephaniah uses the same phrase—“on that
day”—to promise a time of renewal. God encourages them to rejoice, even
while they wait and endure a time of suffering. As the other prophets
do, Zephaniah connects the call to joy with God’s faithful presence
among His people. Whatever they face, He will be with them. They have
enemies and feel abandoned, but God is “a victorious warrior” who “will
rejoice over [them] with shouts of joy” (v. 17).
And
what about us? We also wait for a world restored, where our fellowship
with God will never end. The writer of Hebrews sees Jesus as our example
for joyful work while we “run with endurance” toward that goal (Hebrews 12:1). Consider Jesus, he writes, who endured the cross “for the joy set before him”—that of sitting in fellowship with the Father (Hebrews 12:2). Because we look forward to that same blessing, we can set fear aside and rejoice!
There
goes the old saying that when life throws you a curveball, hit it out
of the park. However, as easy as that sounds, hitting a curveball is one
of the toughest tasks that every batter will face over the course of
the game. The movement on a curveball differs from pitcher to pitcher.
The way the pitcher grips the ball, and their delivery of the pitch has
an effect on the trajectory, and the aerodynamics on the way to the
plate. The 12-to-6 curve is one of the most common curveballs fans are
familiar with, which references the vertical movement from starting high
and ending low. Another breaking pitch is the 11-to-5 curve, which
entails more horizontal movement but not as much as vertical. There are
also curveballs called “slurvy” curves, or sliders, that do not have
much vertical movement, but have a strong amount of horizontal movement.
One of the hottest pitchers right now who throws a nasty 12-to-6 curve
is Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zach Greinke, who has completely left
batters stone cold and motionless at the plate. One memorable at bat
came against White Sox second-baseman Yomer Sanchez, where he threw his
65mph eephus curveball, which is defined as a very low-speed junk ball.
The end result was Sanchez completing his swing before the pitch even
got there. Click here to watch to admire this devastating and demoralizing pitch.
Do
you want to become the next person who looks as lost as Yomer Sanchez
at the plate against someone who has an outstanding curveball? I doubt
anyone wants to look like a fool at the plate and this is why I have
produced my top 5 steps of hitting a curveball.
1. Study the pitcher:
While he is throwing in-game, or in the bullpen, analyze the pitcher’s
movements in his windup. See if the pitcher changes up his release
points depending on the pitch he is throwing. It is essential to find
out if there are any potential tells in his windup of when he will throw
a curveball. For example, a twitch in the glove or an adjustment in the
windup. Every advantage will count because batters have under a second
to determine the pitch, whether the pitch is a ball or strike, and the
speed of the pitch. Watch the pitchers arm and observe whether or not it
snaps downward, this is an indication a curveball.
2. Recognize the pitch early: As
mentioned before there are various trajectories with a curveball that
have the ability to throw off batters and lead to an off balanced swing.
Curveballs with a lot of topspin will create high pressure on the top
of the ball, which leads to a downward and sinking trajectory for the
ball. Knowing how strong the topspin is will help you identify if the
pitch is a 12-6 curveball versus a slider. Read the ball out of the
pitcher’s hand, and never anticipate a curveball will be thrown. It is
much harder to think curveball, and react to a fastball. There simply
isn’t enough time to change your approach mid-pitch when the pitcher is
throwing heat. When a curveball is thrown, the spin creates a small red
dot from the laces, which indicates a breaking pitch. Pick up on this
early, and react to the movement.
3. Analyze previous at-bats: Were
you out in front and completely whiffed in your first at bat against a
curveball. Think about the type of stance and approach you came up to
the plate. The best stance that I recommend is having your feet shoulder
apart and keeping your hands and body back. Make sure your weight stays
at least 70% back. The most common mistake batter make when hitting a
curveball is having your weight out front, anticipating an off-speed
pitch. Keep your weight back, and react to the ball as it leaves the
pitcher’s hand.
4. Practice and Utilize Multiple Curveball Drills: One
of the best drills for a batter is the underhand recognition drills,
which requires having a partner 15 feet behind a screen tossing you
pitches underhand. This partner will constantly mix up the speeds and
locations of these pitches in order to help the batter get used to the
hesitation that is typical of batters when they face breaking pitches.
You can also find baseball coaching drills focused on hitting by great coaches such as hall of famer Tony Gywnn.
5. Enhance patience at the plate with lobs: Similar
to the underhand recognition drill, have someone behind a screen, but
instead have them throw just lobs over the screen. This will allow you
to build the mental strength to understand where the ball enters the
hitting zone so that you can rocket the ball straight up the middle. It
also allows you to stay inside the ball, meaning waiting longer on the
pitch to get deeper in the zone for the batter to turn on it and go
opposite field. You do not want to be out in front of the plate, because
there will be minimal power behind the swing since the hips have
already opened up and the bat is already in mid-swing when the pitch
isn’t fully at the plate yet.
Sources:
Bahill, Terry. “Bahill's Science of Baseball Research.” Bahill's Science of Baseball Research, 11 Aug. 2011, sysengr.engr.arizona.edu/baseball/index.html.
Farming
requires hard work, from plowing to planting to harvest. But as the
farmer looks at an unplowed field, the work begins in his imagination
long before the first seed is ever planted. The farmer must hope for a
good end, a rich harvest—and that hope fuels his hard work when the end
is not in sight.
The Jews who returned to Jerusalem
after almost 70 years in exile faced a similar dilemma. They found ruins
where their beautiful temple once stood, and rebuilding it seemed
impossible. The people needed hope to renew their imaginations for the
hard work ahead.
“I am with you,” God said, giving
them the hope of His presence and power. He “stirred up the spirit” of
Israel’s leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and also did the same for the
people (Haggai 1:13-15).
Then He gave a word about waiting—saying that things would change “in a
little while.” For them to see the glory ahead, God told them to take
courage and work. Then He promised, “The latter glory of this house will
be greater than the former … in this place I will give peace” (2:4-9).
When
our own hopes for the future weaken, we can remember God’s plan to make
the “latter glory” greater also applies to us. He redeems all
things—even those that seem unredeemable. So we can take courage and
work.
Learn how to wrestle with personal lessons
from one of the top high school coaches in America. In this
comprehensive 127 minute video, Bobby DeBerry shares numerous tips and
techniques designed to give wrestlers a competitive edge on the mat.
Among the topics covered are: Warm Up Drills, Base Offense, Finishes,
The Sprawl, Top Man Alignment, Breakdowns, The Bottom Man, Sit Outs,
Pinning Combinations and much more. This program is a must-have resource
for wrestlers and coaches at any level. Book this course.....
Bobby
DeBerry has been coaching wrestling since 1982. He was the head coach
at Sunnyside High School in Tucson, Arizona for 17 seasons. DeBerry
guided his wrestling teams to a record 15 state championships. In 2002,
he was named the Regional Coach of the Year and in 2004, was named
National Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches
Association. Currently, Bobby DeBerry is the Athletic Director/Head
Wrestling Coach at Tucson High School in Tucson, Arizona. Book this course today!
Micah’s
prophecy to the people of Judah sounded bleak: The nation had fallen
into idolatry and other sins and as a result would face God’s judgment
of suffering and exile. (See Micah 1-3.)
But in
chapter 4, the book’s tone changes abruptly, and Micah is left with what
we might call “waiting words”—a common feature in biblical prophecy.
These are phrases that encourage Israel to be faithful even when hope
seems lost. In the first verse of today’s passage, the waiting words are
“It will come about,” sometimes translated as “It shall come to pass.”
God asks Israel not merely to wait—but to wait in faith. How does Micah reconcile this hope with reality?
From
that point on, the book takes on a more hopeful tone as God shows Micah
what will come later: The Lord will restore and revive the nation,
providing peace and healing. In addition, He promises the appearance of
their Messiah, a shepherd-king who “will arise and shepherd His flock in
the strength of the lord” (Micah 5:4).
Micah’s
words near the end of the book capture his prayerful posture: “I will
be on the watch for the lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation.
My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). Watching for the Lord, looking to Him alone, and expecting Him to hear us is the right stance when things seem bleak.
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