Hardwood Hustle

This week TJ and Sam discuss 10 quotes from or about legendary UCLA coach, John Wooden and how we can apply wisdom that has stood the test of time and apply it to our own coaching. Show Notes: • Learning about yourself • Growing through adversity • Intensity with transformation • John Wooden's 3 rules • "Ability is a poor man's wealth." • "Listen if you want to be heard.&q...

This week TJ and Sam discuss pros and cons of different defensive decisions you’ll have to make for your team. This season, don't get caught without a process that allows you to identify the strength and weaknesses of your defense and knowing ahead of time where you'll need to invest more time. Show Notes: • Current trends • To pressure or not to pressure • What comes with pressuring the...

To kick off the Be A Light Pledge and we want to give you the opportunity to join like-minded transformational coaches, learn the L.I.G.H.T. framework to put your values into practice and receive free resources for coaching beyond the game. In this episode, TJ and Sam discuss what that looks like with the 4 must-wins to sustain success. Winning on the court and off the court  The quadruple win  Le...

This week TJ and Sam talk all about offensive actions and what personnel they’re good for to give you ideas for building and enhancing your offensive strategy. Show Notes: • Figuring out the best offensive actions for your personnel • Learning from what we're seeing in the NBA • Best players and role players in their best spots • 1, 2, and 3 player actions and hammering out pros and cons • Re...

Like your X’s and O’s, but not sure what’s missing? - This week TJ and Sam explore what it looks like to up your conditioning level and get your players to give max effort in practices and games. It might just be the x-factor you need for next season.  Show Notes: • Defining max effort reps and rethinking conditioning • Why this is important • What’s good conditioning • Physical and mental fatigue...

This week we’re joined by Justin Joyner, Assistant Coach at Michigan to first breakdown all things ball screen defense. Then we dive into culture, leadership, and what he’s learned in his coaching journey. Justin Joyner spent 7 seasons at Saint Mary’s College under Head Coach Randy Bennett and this past season joined the staff Coach Dusty May’s staff at the University of Michigan. Last year they f...

This week we discuss various ways and give tangible ideas for training leaders in your program. And coaches, if you want to go deeper on this topic with PGC Coaching staff and members there is an upcoming leadership track to help you master this facet of your coaching. Go to PGCCoaching.com to learn more. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing...

This week TJ and Sam jump into the topic of player development and the 4 steps you need to take to ensure your players are improving for next season. Show Notes: Nick Saban quote Getting talent v. developing talent When development is your only option Getting to action What if you focused on development over systems & strategies Evaluating the quality of your player development Various facets...

This week TJ and Sam are joined by Head Coach Andre Cook from St. Edward’s University. With over 400 collegiate wins and 20 years of coaching experience Coach Cook shares how he coaches the offensive side of the ball - specifically looking at their pace, shot selection, player development and more. Show Notes: • Setting his offensive foundation & keeping the ball moving • Implementing sets &am...

This week TJ and Sam tackle the topic of how to best approach summer basketball with your club or high school team because when it comes to spending your time and money wisely as a coach, parent, and player, you want to be confident you're getting it right. In this episode the topics range from having the right goals, understanding referees, setting expectations with parents, and ultimately h...

This week Coach Graham Maxwell joins TJ and Sam to go through 4 Quarters discussing tips for coaches when it comes to having a better passing teams, working with Parents, designing your practices, and what we’re seeing in the NBA Playoffs. Show Notes: Passing • Grow their understanding • Take coaches out • 4 T's Parents • Expectations on communications • Letting go • The parents perspective •...

In light of Gregg Popovich’s decision to step down as head coach of the Spurs, this week TJ and Sam discuss the impact he’s had on the game and specifically 5 learnings from his leadership you can apply to your own coaching. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncover...

This week TJ and Sam are joined by PGC Basketball Owner and President, Mano Watsa, along with Better Basketball founder Rick Torbett, first to discuss how relationships are foundational to everything we do as coaches, and how to build them and grow your network. They’re also excited to share an important announcement with everyone about PGC Coaching and Better Basketball once again coming together...

This week we’re excited to be joined by Coach Jamon Copeland, head men’s basketball coach at Ave Maria University. This past season he led his team to a conference tournament championship and a win in the NAIA national tournament. With 15 years of head coaching experience, in this episode Jamon shares the ins and outs of how he implemented an aggressive style and fast paced system. Show Notes: • H...

This week Sam and TJ dive into how important it is for coaches to be great teachers and we can level up in this area. Show Notes: • What is master teaching • Finding teachable moments • Being intentional about what you're focusing on • Opportunities to coach the mental side of the game • Priming the environment and priming the mind • Using constraints in drills to emphasize what you're t...

This week we’re joined by Coach Raul Placeres from Maryville College. He's led his program to 5 straight regular season championships and won 3 out of the last 5 tournament championships. As the quickest coach in program history to 100 wins, we're honored to have him share with listeners what he's learned throughout his coaching journey, especially now as a head coach, and how he&ap...

Whether it’s parents, recruiting, or analytics the game is changing, and this week TJ and Sam discuss how it’s affecting coaching at all levels. Show Notes: • More changes more rapid then before  • Coaches staying and going  • Players skill level  • Parents investing in athletic careers • AAU basketball a waste?  • Recruiting today  • Freedom and transfer dilemma  • Emotional investment in coachin...

Sam is joined by Coach Graham Maxwell to discuss in-game and late-game coaching tactics that we often see in March or tournament time with our teams. Show Notes: Inbounds underneath / BLOBs Shot selection Using timeouts Late clock  Fouling up 3 Stopping their best player Having a non-free throw shooter in the game Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After a...

This week Sam is joined by Josh Merkel, Head Men’s Coach at Randolph-Macon to discuss end of season evaluations, off-season plans, and ways to continue improving your program. Show Notes: • Postseason feelings • Locker room after your last game • Finding 1%ers • How do you talk about championship goals • Value of player IQ • Getting better during the season • Getting player feedback • Off-season g...

Having just finished their seasons, TJ and Sam discuss how they process that end of season feeling we all have as coaches. Show Notes: • The feeling of it being over • Approach to the locker room  • Expressing gratitude • Modeling for your players • Approaching individual players • Adapting to the new reality • How recruiting has changed • Transitioning to a new routine • Turning the page to growt...

This week we’re joined by Coach Charli Turner Thorne winningest coach in Arizona State program history and now assistant coach with the Phoenix Mercury. In this episode she shares both successes and learnings from her long coaching career. Show Notes: • What's changing in the game • Everyday fundamentals • Characteristics of the best teams • Investing in your culture • Role of rest and recove...

This week TJ and Sam share 3 tips for your late season and postseason success. To finish on a high note they discuss how to rebound well, keep your team fresh, and strategies for performing under pressure. Show Notes: • Double down on rebounding • The little things win games • Habits and desire • Utilize your best rebounding lineups • Celebrating rebounding • 3 winning stats to know • Fresh Februa...

Whether it's a game plan, season plan, or plan for your program, at some point when it doesn't go well we're all faced with questions, concerns and challenges about if our plan should change. In this week's episode TJ and Sam discuss how coaches adapt and assess while also staying true to who they are. Show Notes: • The skill of being adaptability as coaches • Culture & Lea...

This week, in order to unpack some best practices and strategies to coach development and growth, TJ and Sam reflect on 4 ways coaches can choose the best approach. Show Notes: Intro to topic, different approaches to take How to pick the right one Find your authentic voice When it's time to reinvent yourself Knowing yourself Identifying your gifts & blind spots Coaching to your North star...

This week, Coach Graham Maxwell joins Sam and TJ to discuss how your leadership and team culture affect your Xs and Os, especially your team’s shot selection. Show Notes: • The art of coaching - mastering all facets • Identifying what each team needs • Getting buy-in about shot selection • Playing CIA - Confident, Intelligent, and Aggressive • FG%'s - Educating players and coaches • Hearing t...