INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Durant shoots the ball. A lot. If you want to start shooting like KD shoots, start taking lots of shots and upping your shooting average. Focus more during practice on pure shooting drills and less on dribbling or other types of exercise. The jump shot is key to Durant's success and his playing style. Don't hog the ball, wait for high-probability attempts at a range you're sure you can hit from. Unlike Kobe, who makes plays from scratch, Durant's a team player who waits for the play to come to him. Like lots of high-scorers, Kevin Durant is deadly on the inside. His drive and his dribbling skills on the cut aren't necessarily his most famous attributes, but shot-diagrams prove that the majority of his points come from inside. His tremendous height makes his inside play aggressive and high-probability, especially when matched with his outside accuracy. Shot charts show that the majority of Durant's points come from his right side, both in the paint and outside 3-point range. While he's accurate, or at least at the league average from all over the court, he's most deadly from the right side. Again, one of the Durant trademarks is his smarts, and knowing where the high-probability shots are and when to take them. Durant is less accurate from long-range when he's lined up straight on, and takes less attempts from that location on the court. To shoot like Durant, take it on an angle when you're in long-range, or cut into the paint. If you want to shoot like Durant, there's no quick fix. You've got to start working on a regular shooting routine, practicing until you've got a jump shot you can take in your sleep. Practice on your strong side and your weak side, practice after running sprints when you're exhausted and can barely lift your arms, practice three pointers, turn-around jumpers, and free throws. Practice constantly.

SUMMARY: Take lots of high-probability attempts. Take the ball inside. Shoot from your strong side. Practice constantly.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Sometimes your opponent will offer a related argument or piece of evidence that doesn’t quite match up with what their stance should be. This can be tricky to catch since their argument may seem on topic; however, they have to prove their stance on the issue at hand, not a related point. For example, let’s say your argument is that peanuts should not be allowed in schools to protect students who are allergic. If your opponent argues that peanuts are a healthy snack and a source of protein, their argument would not be relevant because they had to show that peanuts could be allowed on campus without endangering those who are allergic. Look for a weak link in your opponent’s logical jumps between their stance, their points, or their evidence. Point out the reasons why this logical leap does not make sense. For example, if your opponent argues that 50% of students requested that peanuts be allowed in schools so banning it infringes on their rights, you could argue that there is no logic there because access to peanuts is not a right. With this strategy, you can acknowledge that your opponent’s argument sounds good but that it’s flawed because they are assuming the wrong conclusion about their points.  For example, if your opponent argued that people who are allergic to peanuts would be safe as long as peanuts were always labeled, you could point out that your opponent was assuming that people only experience a peanut allergy if they eat them. You could then point out that some people are triggered by peanut protein on other people or surfaces. Similarly, you could concede part of the argument but then counter that something else is more important. For example, peanut butter is an inexpensive protein option that is easy for students to eat on the go, but the lives of students who are allergic are more important than convenience. With this strategy, you can acknowledge that their argument addresses the issue but doesn’t fix anything. Because their argument fails to make a difference on the topic, your argument should prevail. For example, your opponent could offer a counter-plan that students be able to eat peanuts at an outdoor table. However, you could then point out that the peanut residue could still harm students who are allergic, leaving the problem unsolved. Sometimes your opponent will offer two arguments that work together to make a stronger argument. If one or more of their arguments depend on one base argument being true, then you can address all of them at once. For example, if your opponent argues that banning peanuts infringes on students' rights thereby causing them to fear authority, you could defeat the whole argument by showing that students' rights are not being violated by the peanut policy. Sometimes there are two good arguments against you that contradict themselves or the point of the topic. If your opponent makes the mistake of using these contradictory arguments, use that against them in your rebuttal. For example, your opponent may argue that the number of students who bring peanuts to school is low, so there is little risk in allowing them. If they also argue that peanuts should be allowed because a majority of students want them, then this could be pointed out as a contradiction. Your opponent may have an argument that could solve the issue but isn’t really feasible because of money, time, lack or resources, public opinion, or any other logical reason you can think of. If this is the case, you can use this lack of practicality in your rebuttal to undermine their position. For example, your opponent could suggest that schools designate a peanut containment area where people could store and eat peanuts, with a handwashing station at the exit. While this would allow peanuts while protecting those who are allergic, it would also be costly and impractical to implement. If you have time at the end of your rebuttal, you can address the examples they gave to back up their argument, such as anecdotes, analogies, or historical facts. Pick out their poorest examples and explain to the judge why they are weak or why they don’t support the opponent’s argument.  For example, you could point out that anecdotes can be made up, or why an analogy doesn’t work. Start with the weakest example and continue until you have just enough time to sum up your rebuttal and offer your concluding statement.

SUMMARY: Show that your opponent’s arguments or evidence are not relevant. Break the logical links in your opponent’s argument. Argue that your opponent has made a false assumption. Undermine the impact of the opponent’s argument. Attack the base argument if more than one is offered. Point out contradictions. Show why their argument isn’t practical. Address their examples last.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Gloves will reduce the amount of friction on your hands when you do house and yard work such as:  Raking leaves Shoveling snow Gardening Moving furniture or other heavy lifting This is a great way to take the pressure off an area that is getting irritated from friction. For extra protection, you can also wear gloves.  Use moleskin or another form of soft padding. You can purchase it at your local drugstore. Fold the moleskin or padding in half. Cut a half circle out along the fold. The cut should be the diameter of the area you want to protect. Unfold the moleskin. You will have a small round hole in the center that is the size of the area that is forming a blister. Fix the moleskin to your hand with the sensitive area exposed through the hole. The padding around it will take the pressure off and prevent a blister from forming. If you are engaged in a sport that causes your hands to be exposed to severe friction, consider increasing the amount you do slowly. This will give your hands time to form calluses. These are tough areas of skin which protect the softer skin underneath. If you feel a blister forming, stop and give your hands time to rest. When your skin is no longer sore, you can start up again. Sports where you may be particularly prone to blisters include:  Rowing Gymnastics Weight lifting Horseback riding Climbing

SUMMARY:
Wear gloves when working with your hands. Apply a donut dressing to an area that is starting to form a blister. Build up slowly.