Hardwood Hustle

In today’s world of social media and viral dunks and crossovers, some coaches are wondering whether or not this is actually good for the game. While the popularity of basketball certainly seems to be increasing in the era of social media, are these viral videos changing the way players play the game? Adam and TJ […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

The grey area is a place coaches and players should want to stay far away from if their goal is to maximize their potential. In this episode we define the grey area, share why it can be such a detriment to a program, and provide ideas for coaches and players to avoid this at all […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Players, are there things in your program you wish your coach would address that they seem to be avoiding? It may be time for you to step up and help address them yourself. Whether that includes having a tough conversation with a coach or talking with your team directly, we hope this episode gives you […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In the final episode of our 4-part ‘Coaching Traps’ series Adam and TJ examine how coaches that continually rescue their players may end up creating a team full of helpless players. This episode dives into how problematic this can be for a program, as well as shares ways to ‘rescue’ your players the right way […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

We continue with part 3 of 4 in our ‘Coaching Traps’ series as we discuss how avoiding coaches create disengaged players. Coaches and leaders need to be able to have tough conversations, and avoiding these situations can become problematic for your team. Adam and TJ share ways you can meet tough situations head on in […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In part 2 of this 4-part ‘Coaching Traps’ series we discuss how critical coaches create insecure players and ways for players to deal with these situations. Make sure to share this episode with another coach or teammate! Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In part 2 of this 4-part ‘Coaching Traps’ series we discuss how critical coaches create insecure players and ways to avoid this trap. Make sure to share this episode with another coach or player! Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

We begin our 4-part ‘Coaching Traps’ series by breaking down the traits of controlling coaches. Players need both freedom to create and standards to be upheld to become their best, but this balance is easier said than done. Be sure to send us a tweet @Hardwood_Hustle and let us know how you handle this balance! Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

We begin our ‘Coaching Traps’ series with a discussion for players about how to deal with controlling coaches. Some coaches can be harder to play for than others, and we hope this episode gives players insight into how to handle themselves in these situations. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

With the concerns about player safety in the NFL and continued increase in popularity with the NBA, we discuss whether or not basketball has the chance to some day overtake the NFL as the most popular sport in America. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Inspired by a recent PGC Basketball blog we go in-depth on a discussion about rules for basketball parents to make the game more enjoyable for everyone involved. Consider these rules as a coach/parent and implement them where you can! Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

We continue our player pitfalls series with a discussion on an issue coaches see with their players, with that being pouting. Adam and TJ dive into why this is not only an issue for the player but also for the team as a whole. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In a world where the relationship gap between coaches and ‘trainers’ seems to grow constantly, we discuss how coaches and trainers can start getting on the same page to better serve the players they work with. As a former coach and current owner of the Blue Collar Basketball (GA) basketball development company, PGC’s Sam Allen […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your cont...

It’s easy to go through the motions in the gym, but for players looking to be their best they have to be intentional about their intensity of their work. In this continuation of our player pitfalls series we challenge players to raise their level of effort. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

What goes in must come out… Today we bring you a conversation between Adam and TJ stressing the importance for coaches and players to be intentional about their in-season consumption of all things because of the effect things we take in have on our daily lives. From the food and exercise you get to the […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Today we discuss whether or not coaches should make leadership and teaching life lessons a priority in their program. With occasional comments from parents or administration about how coaches should ‘just stick to basketball’, this is a conversation that needs to be had! Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In our recent survey asking coaches what they think players could improve upon, one of the common replies dealt with a common response coaches receive from players after any kind of coaching or instruction. Players often naturally respond to this coaching or instruction saying “I know, I know, I know” which can be a frustration […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your con...

Today’s shoot-a-round episode features a first half discussion on the noteworthy ejection numbers during the early stages of this NBA season. We finish the second half with our thoughts on the recent headlines made by the Ball family. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Have you recently assessed your ability to concentrate and be mentally tough? If not, use today’s episode to help you reflect on your ability in these areas as it may be a much needed practice to get you back to your highest level of performance. Make sure to share today’s episode with a coach or […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Continuing our series of player pitfalls, today we discuss one of the most common areas coaches told us they believe players can improve upon, with that being how players handle trips to road games. Coaches and players need to be on the same page in their demeanor when traveling to road games, and we believe […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

One of the most important aspects of coaching is to know when to push certain buttons with your team, whether that be asking even more of them or pulling back the intensity for a short time. Today Adam and TJ share how you can decipher these situations to get the most from your team. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

With questions coming from our hustlers around the subject of how to handle large leads in games by demonstrating proper coaching etiquette, we bring you a conversation with thoughts that will help you decipher how to act in these situations. When to pull your starters, pull back on a full court press, and tweaking your […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact inf...

We’re back with part 2 of our player pitfalls series where we discuss areas players can improve based on direct feedback from coaches. Today we focus on something that isn’t talked about very much but can be a major distraction for players, with that being looking into the stands during games. Whether players are concerned […] Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact...

Stemming from a powerful concept in a book Adam recently read, today we share a 3 step practice that will help take your communication to a new level. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Coaches can be quick to micro-manage their players, which at times may interrupt the learning and development capabilities of the players. Today we share a discussion about when to step in and instruct and when to step back and allow your players to learn through their mistakes. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.