Hardwood Hustle

We've all had goals fall flat in our basketball seasons. Today's conversation is a debate on whether or not goal setting is a healthy practice for your team and your players. In the midst of that, where do standards fit in and how can they drive performance? Listen today to open your mind to new best practices when it comes to goal setting conversations and help your team achieve its potential.

One thing we know for sure, making baskets is a must. How you develop your shooters and give them feedback will be critical to your success. Today, we're joined by John Carter CEO of Noah Basketball. He's been studying what makes for a great shooter across all ages and stages for well over a decade. He shares how you can give shooters better feedback, know what to focus on, and use the free Hoops App to help your players. https://hoopsapp.com/ https://www.noahbasketball.com/

With the upcoming season around the corner, this week, TJ and Sam highlight the vital role coaches play in the lives of young people. We know it's not getting any easier and hope today's episode will be an encouragement as you seek to refine your craft and make a positive impact beyond basketball. No doubt, there's a lot more at stake than just wins and losses, and to be at your best TJ and Sam share a few ways you can stay on track and energized this season.

This week TJ and Sam discuss the situation with NBA Player, Ben Simmons and the 76ers. From the outside looking in they discuss what coaches can learn in terms of helping your players and teams attack tough situations and conversations head on. We want you to be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way this season.

This week TJ and Sam share with coaches how to navigate team conflict. When teammates don't like each other or don't  get a long it can put your team chemistry and even your season at jeopardy. Listen for practical examples and tips to take back to your players and teams this season.

TJ and Sam cover the 1-3-1 Defense on both sides of the ball. How to implement it, different ways of running it, where its strengths and weaknesses lie and how you can best prepare your team when facing it this coming season.

This week TJ and Sam interview Ryan Dyer, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at North Pauling High School. They discuss how to build relationships, best practices in leadership, and potential blind spots you may be missing with parents and admins. As a former coach, Ryan shares some best practices on both sides that can ensure you start this season off on the right track.

TJ and Sam discuss how to strategize when it comes to your team's special situations. They dive into both the offensive and defensive side of inbounds plays and tactics as well as making considerations practicing and planning for end of games. Coaches should pay particular attention to how much time they spend in this area and in this episode, Sam and TJ share why it's the most important question for you to answer.

This week TJ and Sam have an in-depth discussion with Kevin Sutton from Florida Gulf Coast. Coach Sutton has 36 years experience of coaching at the high school and collegiate level both as a a head and assistant coach. I this episode he shares his wisdom about how to learn from the best, holistically develop players, and grow in your leadership as a coach.

This week TJ, Sam and Lisa discuss the hot topic of games approached coaching and dive into the benefits and hurdles of this teaching method. What makes it work and how it can increase your efficiency in practice, as well as how it's misused and may even hurt your players' development. Join in the conversation and better apply a games approach in your upcoming practices this season.

This week we have part 2 of Ideas and tips to improve your defense. In this episode TJ and Sam discuss the pros and cons of switching screens, the benefit of having erasers on on your team, and how and when to add a curve ball to your defensive system.

This week TJ and Sam discuss how you can take your team's defense to the next level for the upcoming season. Listening to this episode you'll get tips for enhancing your team's defensive communication, as well as teaching points and ideas for all positions on the floor.

This week, Sam and Lisa dive into the topic of what makes a true competitor on the court. There's a lot of different opinions and maybe even myths out there about what a competitor looks and acts like, but how do we know? In this episode you'll hear about to address your own biases as a coach and the importance of defining competitiveness for your team and players.

This week TJ, Sam, and PGC Basketball Director Kyle Koszuta discuss  whether or not it's important for your players to like you as a coach and to ultimately have fun in your program. In this episode you'll hear how you can create a fun environment and team culture while also holding high standards and work even more productively towards your goals as a team.

Special guest, Head Coach Molly Miller from Grand Canyon University joins the podcast this week. Molly spent six years as the head coach for her alma mater, Drury University, averaging 30 wins before taking over at GCU in 2020. She's a 2 time Division II WBCA Coach of the Year, she holds the highest career winning percentage out of any men's or women's NCAA basketball coach and in this episode she shares why defense wins championships and the guiding principles she uses to build a program.