Hardwood Hustle

Coaching changes happen every season. This week, TJ and Sam discuss how you should go about evaluating where you’re at and whether or not a coaching move is right for you. Some topics in this episode include: Self evaluation Is the grass greener? – Dealing with problems in your program Should you keep coaching Making your job better Protecting Your Joy and Shutting out the noise Reasons to look fo...

This week we dive into coaching the mental side of the game in hopes of helping your team peak at the end of your season including, continuing to have great practices and performing at your best in games. 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 uncovered the formula of th...

This week we discuss how to handle winning streaks and losing streaks as the leader of your program. Topics we touch on in this episode: Setting a foundation on the mental side of the game. Consistent Messaging Having the heartbeat of your team The best coaches have the heart beat of the team Making changes and providing a solution How and when to be inconsistent  Asking yourself the right questio...

This week TJ and Sam dive into the decisions coaches have to make in games. From substitution patterns to managing player fouls, running set plays versus your motion, and fouling in end of game situations, they discuss their opinions and how coaches can figure out what’s best for them and their team. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing over...

"Your offense is only as good as your ability to create, recognize, and use an advantage." - This week, PGC Director, Dustin Aubert joins TJ and Sam to discuss what makes teams successful or unsuccessful no offense. Dustin shares lessons from his coaching career and the deep dives he's done into the game on the offensive side of the ball.   Send us a Message. If you'd like us to...

Most of us know from experience, what we see out on the floor on game day is the product of what we do or don’t do in practice. As coaches, we can identify the habits we want to instill that will make the biggest difference. In this episode, TJ and Sam discuss building habits in offense, defense, communication, intangibles, and preparation.  Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, includ...

This week, TJ and Sam dive into how we can better ourselves as a coach. To be the leader most of us want to be, we should aim to be someone people want to be around, and in this episode you’ll get 5 ways to transform or level up your coaching in the new year: Bring joy, be present, be interested, lift others, invest in others. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact...

This week, We’re joined by Coach C White from Bentley University, a Division II program that’s has a history of success including a National Championship in 2014. She’s been part of the program as a player and coach for over 20 years and has recently taken over won their conference tournament championship last season. In this episode we talk about leading all aspects of a program including creatin...

This week, Sam and TJ discuss what we love about coaching, why we get into it, why we stay in it. And then on the flip side,  what’s challenging about coaching, what keeps us up at night, and why at times we may question what we’re doing. To be in a healthy space for coaching we want to be coaching from a place of significance where we're performing at high level and making an impact. Compari...

This week, Sam and TJ discuss three different situations in the NBA with Trae Young missing a game day walkthrough, Russel Westbrook in a 6th man role, and Kyrie Irving's statements in the media. The NBA environment is not the same as amateur sports, but they'll unpack the leadership lessons coaches and players at all levels can  take back to their programs.  Send us a Message. If you&#3...

This week, TJ and Sam discuss what it takes for coaches to be their authentic selves. If we want to be the best leader we can be, we have to build trust and strong connections with our players. In this conversation you’ll hear ways you can make sure you’re on the right track. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing over 100 million shots, basket...

In this episode, Sam and Lisa discuss the difference between developing skills, reads, and decision-making. It's important for coaches to decide how they'll approach develop their players in each area and know what it looks like for their team in their system. The importance of habits, narrowing their focus, creating role clarity, and setting expectations are all part of the formula for...

This week we’re joined by Lee Whitwell, an accomplished tennis player turned Major League Pickleball MVP. In this episode TJ, Sam, and Lee discuss how becoming the learner again, or the role of  student or player, can help you become a better coach and teacher as well as what pickleball has to offer basketball coaches all around. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your conta...

This week TJ and Sam discuss basic philosophies around transition offense. Transition is one of the parts of the game that happens the most, and being great in transition comes from having great clarity and commitment and asking yourself the right questions as a coach. In this episode, TJ and Sam talk about using a numbered break, running on both makes and misses, the difference between a great tr...

With the season gearing up, this week TJ and I discuss what we’re going through in our respective preseasons. Your strategy and philosophy are often tested early and we look at the decisions coaching are making when it comes to defensive reads, player development, and getting the right data to evaluate where you’re at in the beginning stages of your season.  Send us a Message. If you'd like us...

This week we’re talking about leadership in coaching with Marke Freeman. You may know her as a PGC Director, but she’s also author of the Champions Creed, CEO of a non-profit, a renowned speaker, and a sports analyst. In this episode she shares how coaches can build confidence in their athletes and define their own scoreboard. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact...

This week’s conversation is about maximizing your offense by playing out of the post in a variety of personnel situations. Whether you have a dominant post player, no post players, or even someone in between, TJ and Sam cover off all three scenarios. 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 No...

Another season is just around the corner and our job as coaches and leaders is to be the expert. We don’t have to have all the answers, but it does mean we have to constantly be learning and filtering information on and off the court so we can lead our teams in the right direction. In this episode we talk about what that looks like and how it will help your team. Send us a Message. If you'd li...

Is a fresh set of eyes what you need to be the best version of yourself? It's time to find out and evaluate the way you're thinking and how you're doing. This episode is meant to be a welcome challenge to make sure your tank is full and you're going into another year or season feeling inspired and passionate about chasing your goals. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to r...

The truth is, most of us want to win more games, but do we fully understand what’s losing us game? This week, TJ and Sam discuss 5 critical aspects of the game  you should consider when it comes to your team’s strategies and performance this season. 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 Noa...

This week, TJ and Sam compare different half court defenses. They cover off advantages and disadvantages to multiple styles and share helpful things to think about when enhancing your own defense or strategizing to attack an opponent’s. 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...

One of the most under coached areas of the game is the mindset and mentality that is needed to perform at our highest level. This week we finish our series on developing mental skills with Part 2 as we discuss composure, toughness, and competitive greatness. x Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scient...

This week we start a 2 part series on the mental side of the game. As coaches we know how important it is, but we don’t always know how to practically develop the much needed mental skills that will help our players reach their potential.. In this episode TJ and Sam focus on approach and confidence. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info. After analyzing over 1...

This week we’re joined by Coach Micah Mills, a long time PGC Family member who shares his journey in coaching as he steps into his first year as the head men's basketball coach at Wilmington College. In this conversation with TJ and Sam, they discuss creating separation in the interview process, developing champions for life, and teaching players how to be coachable. Send us a Message. If you...

This week TJ and Sam discuss players making demands. We’re currently seeing the affects of  player movement in the NBA and the transfer portal in college and how it’s trickling down to our high school and youth programs. This conversation will help coaches be more aware of the challenges and think through the best response.  Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact in...