BONNIE SPORT

Breaking down the Denver Broncos problems is not a difficult task. There appear to be many problems, but really it boils down to a basic problem with player replacement and selection.

Two years ago the Broncos under Mike Shanahan had a top offense that scored a middling number of points. That offense consistently cranked out thousand yard rushers using a zone blocking scheme. The passing portion of the offense was also excellent. Shanahan’s offenses were known for quickly scoring, thus making it easier for the defense.

Today, McDaniel’s also has a top offense that scores a middling number of points. The difference is the new power blocking scheme has resulted in a historically bad running offense. The Broncos are not simply last in the league; they are last by a long ways. Take away one good rushing game and the remainder does meet the definition of being historically terrible. As a result the passing game has had to make up the slack. Unfortunately, McDaniel’s’ offense is not scoring at all the first time it gets the ball. Or the second time. Or at any time in the first quarter. The result is a team that gets behind, starts passing more, gives up on the run, and puts tremendous pressure and stress on the defense.

It has been much publicized that McDaniel’s got rid of pro-bowlers Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall. But other offensive players have left who have then shined on other teams, such as Peyton Hollis and Ryan Train.

In two drafts McDaniel’s has spent 3 first round picks on a running back, a wide receiver, and a quarterback. Essentially, 3 first rounds pick to replace skill position players he has let go or forced off the team. Another way of thinking about this: 3 new players to replace trusted veterans.

As a result of ‘wasting’ first round picks on positions that should have already been solid, talent for the remainder of the team positions has gone neglected.

Imagine instead the existing talent, plus 3 first round picks used on offensive and defensive lineman. That would be a much stronger team. Instead, rather than getting better through the draft the Broncos have not even kept even because rookies typically cannot immediately replace proven veterans.

Do you have a problem with your tennis serve? Of course you do, why else would you be reading this. The serve is probably the hardest stroke to master in tennis and unfortunately it is also the most important to master. The reason for this is because if you can have a consistent, powerful and accurate serve you will put your opponent into defense every time you serve and if good enough you will end up frustrating them and maybe even embarrass them by making them run around the court. So if you’re looking to develop the perfect tennis serve that will make you a threat from the service line read the following tips.

Use the Continental Grip

If this is new to you then you aren’t using the most efficient grip when you’re on the court! The continental grip (also known as the chopper grip as it resembles holding an axe) is the most efficient grip you can have, normally many beginners will use the Eastern Forehand and at some places the coach won’t tell you that you’re holding the racquet in the wrong position. As mentioned if this is new to you then you want to learn and use this grip as it is used mostly for serves and volleys (no ground strokes).

Perfect the Motion

The stance for the serve is easy but the hardest part is the motion as it involves hand to eye coordination. What you need to do to perfect this is to not concentrate on one thing at a time you – you need to fluently make the motion. The toss hand is easy to master (throw it slightly in front of you so that you lean in on your stroke giving you more power) but the racket hand is more difficult.

With this hand you want to bring the racket behind your back like a backscratcher and then loop it up to hit the ball (at the same time your body should unwind to give you more power)

PRACTICE!

So you want the perfect tennis serve? Well practice makes perfect right? Of course it does but if you just serve in your back garden or on the court thousands of times you’ll get bored and won’t learn as much as you would with drills. Tennis drills will not only teach you how to serve by putting you under match pressure but they will also let you have fun and enjoy the learning process!

I watch a lot of basketball and I love watching players do things the correct way. I love watching a good chest pass that hits the target quickly. I love watching great form on a shot. I love watching players in the post use good footwork to get shots off and I love it when players, especially young players, use the triple threat position.

For those that aren’t familiar with what the triple threat position is, it is when a player is ready to drive, pass or shoot the ball. It’s important because when players use it each time they catch the ball, they make the defense work harder and they proactively create scoring opportunities. When they are in the triple threat position they are immediately ready to attack whatever defensive strategy is being used on them. It allows you to be proactive on offense rather than reactive.

Many players today know what the triple threat position is but not every coach teaches it effectively so let’s talk about that. Anybody can go out there and get in position but not everybody can execute it correctly and be successful. In order for the triple threat position to be completely effective you must sell to the defense that you truly are in a position to pass, shoot or drive. If you get in the position half-heartedly or in a way where you don’t effectively sell it, it’s easy for the defense to expose it.

One of the key things to remember is that part of what makes the triple threat position so effective is that it keeps the defense guessing. They are limited in how they can defend you if they really believe that you could pass, shoot or drive when you have the ball. If you get lazy when you catch the ball and don’t get in the triple threat position you are letting the defense rest and taking away options for you and your offense to score. If when you catch the ball, you immediately put it over your head and examine the floor, it’s easy for the defense to know right away that you aren’t going to shoot it or drive to the basket. They know right away that all they have to do is shut down the passing lanes and they’ve stopped you.

The tennis serve is the most frustrating stroke in tennis to learn and it can be very embarrassing when you lose vital points due to a sloppy serve in ANY of your games. Why do you need to learn how to serve in tennis properly? Well as I mentioned you will end up losing points in your games and these points could be vital (some may even be match deciders!). What you are looking to do is create a serve that is so consistent, powerful and accurate that it will have your opponent under vast amounts of press and frustration from running around the court trying to return the ball. Serves like this will put opponents into defense and have them afraid of your serve! If you ever wonder “how do I fix my serve?” then just read the following 3 tips that will have you a threat from the service line!

When Serving Toss the Ball out More

What does this mean? When you serve you want to imagine a small box that is slightly in front of you. This is where you should aim the ball to drop if you miss your serve. The reason for this is that you will add more power by making your body lean into your stroke.

Use the Continental Grip

The Continental (otherwise known as the chopper grip for its axe like resemblance) is a grip that is used mainly for serves and volleys and is more efficient than the eastern forehand which many beginners use as it is more natural to use.

Have Fun When Practicing

Many people just practice the serve over and over again which can get boring (and cause repetitive strain injuries) and also frustrating if you make no progress. What I found works is using tennis drills that let you have fun and also teach you the method and how it would be under pressure to stop you asking “How to fix my serve”.

We always hear analysts talk about studying the game of basketball and how it can help make you a better player but what are they really talking about. Does that mean that we should study basketball like we study our school work? Here are some ideas that can be used to help increase your knowledge in our great game of basketball.

1. Watch the game differently: Instead of watching the game for the enjoyment of it, try to watch the game from a different perspective. Identify the offense and defense that is being run. If you are a younger player then you first should just identify if the defense is a man-to-man or a zone. Once you understand that then try to identify what type of zone defense is being played. Is it a 1-3-1 or a 2-3 or a 1-2-2 or a 3-2? In order to really start to learn the game make sure you watch the game from a different perspective. That way when you play you’ll be more aware of what is going on.

2. Learn from others: To learn about the game it is important to get as many different perspectives as possible. That means to study all the different ideas from different coaches out there. There is a ton of great reading material on John Wooden, who is considered the greatest coach of all time. Read about him and his philosophies. Coach K is a great coach and there is a ton of great stuff on him as well. Read about his coaching theories and his thoughts on teams and players. If guys like him are willing to share their knowledge then you’d be dumb not to read it. Many coaches make videos or training books with their ideas available.

3. Use the Internet: When I was younger the internet didn’t exist and to get basketball training articles or drills we had to use connections or phonebooks to try to track stuff down. It wasn’t easy. Now you have everything at your disposal including your phones. I have a smart phone and I know there are apps today that show you drill that you can use to help you get better. YouTube has thousands of ideas and websites like ours really give you an edge that I didn’t have. Use the resources that are available to you.