Hardwood Hustle

If you want to better teacher of the game it’s important to understand how your coaching is received. This week the discussion is about putting yourself in the shoes of the learner so you can maximize your coaching. Show Notes: Why focus on your teaching Overcoaching v. undercoaching Setting goals and creating a learning environment Connecting with players Continuous improvement in your coaching U...

This week the discussion is all about playing time. It’s a topic that plagues most players and coaches all season long. How many players do we need or want in our rotation? How do we handle seniors who aren't going to play much? How do we communicate playing time decisions without closing the door to growth and adjustments down the road? How do we keep players who aren't in the rotation...

This week Sam and TJ share 3 Preseason Mistakes you’ll want to avoid in your planning for the upcoming season and how you can begin preparing to have your best season yet. Show Notes: • Lack of vision • Defining the win • Reverse engineering weekly and monthly plans • Role clarity for staff • Humility, empower, train & delegate • Building culture • TJ's experience at Emmanuel • Creating a...

This week Sam shares Coach Pat Summitt's Definite Dozen as the team discusses leadership principles that have withstood the test of time and how coaches can apply them to their teams. Show Notes: 1. Respect Yourself and Others 2. Take Full Responsibility 3. Develop and Demonstrate Loyalty 4. Learn to be a Great Communicator 5. Discipline Yourself so No One Else Has To 6. Make Hard Work Your P...

This week we discuss our topic comes to us from a question posed by one of our listeners as we discuss what it takes to incorporate new players into your team. When players leave and new players come in, how do you ensure that your culture as well as your systems and strategies are going to be the right for your current group? In this episode TJ and Sam share things you need to be aware of as you...

This week our topic questions the behavior of basketball coaches on the sideline, simply, are we yelling too much as coaches? In this episode, TJ and Sam discuss the factors that lead to coaches yelling and if and when it’s necessary. Show Notes: • Introduction • Expectations of a coach • The best coaching happens in practice • Difference between passion, anger, and putting people down • Leadershi...

This week, TJ and Sam are joined by Pastor Tracy Reynolds. With a Doctorate in Strategic Leadership, Pastor Tracy shares about the importance of second chair leadership, how not to get caught up in comparison or your next career move, and how you can thrive in your leadership role regardless of position. Show Notes: • Introduction • Why this book • Advantages of second chair leadership • Navigatin...

This week, Coach Zak Boisvert from Saint Louis University with over 13 years of college coaching experience joins TJ and Sam to discuss building your offense, key elements of player development, along with some quick tips for defense and rebounding. Show Notes: • Building out your offense • Motion v. set play offense • Getting players to play to their strengths • Creating a malleable offense • Tea...

This week, TJ and Lisa discuss how to attack zone defenses with great habits, spacing, and screening, along with the types of sets you should have in your playbook, and the reminders that you'll want to give your team next time you see a zone defense. Offensive identity v. zone 3s, rim shots, and counter moves Attacking the paint Scouting your opponent's zone defense Disrupting rotations...

Dick DeVenzio, founder of PGC Basketball, wrote a book titled Think Like a Champion. And in that book is chapter titled, "Teammates You Don't Like." This week TJ and Sam discuss that chapter and the insights DeVenzio shares that could be a game-changer for your players individually and as a group next season. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact inf...

This week we’re joined by Matt Phillips from Pro Athlete Advantage to talk about the secret to peak performance, mental toughness. In this episode Matt defines mental toughness and shares tried and true principles and practices we can put into action to help take our performance and leadership to the next level. > Sign up for the “Masters of the Game: Exclusive Interview Series with Athletic Ti...

This week we’re discussing how intensity can be your team’s separator next season. In a sports culture where players are playing so many games and rewarded for individual performances over team wins, TJ and Sam discuss how you can bring intensity, energy, and effort to life in your programs. Show Notes: Intro Topic Timberwolves & Anthony Edwards Achieving something special Competing on the def...

This week TJ and Sam discuss how coaches strike a balance between creating an intense hard-working and competitive environment with ensuring your players are enjoying their experience invested in the team. Show Notes: • Creating the right environment for skill acquisition • Being aware of the player experience • Can it be competitive, hard-working, and fun? • Goal of a coach • Getting your team in...

This week on the Hardwood Hustle we’re joined by Coach Matthew Smith from Washington State to discuss analytics, propelling your coaching career and what we can learn from pickup basketball. Finding a mentor Opportunities to grow Little things that make you invaluable Utilizing analytics Do what others won't Teach better Pickup basketball Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, incl...

It's easy to go through the off-season just checking boxes... Ball handling drills, check. Passing drills, check. Shooting drills, check. But to ensure your individual players are actually improving, take a more intentional approach and hone on theirs and your biggest return on investment. Show Notes: • Universal Fundamental skills approach v. Individual approach • SICC Approach • Current v....

This week TJ and Sam discuss what makes offensive actions work including how to utilize different types of screens, combining actions together, personnel implications and how you might steal actions from other teams based on what’s hard to guard. Show Notes: • Flare Screens • Back Screens • Ball Screens • Combo & Iso Actions • 2-Man Actions • What's Hard to Guard & Small-Sided Games S...

This week we’re joined by NBA Shooting Coach, Dave Love to discuss the most important aspects and essential  teaching points of developing better shooters and even fixing broken shots. Show Notes: Positive & Negative Energy Building a Base Foundational Footwork The 'One Thing' to Coach Arch & Set Point Improving Youth Development How the Greats Got There Fixing Broken Shots Knowl...

Iowa women’s basketball just made another run to the National Championship Game, and did you know they run the Read & React offense? This week, Rick Torbett from Better Basketball joins TJ and Sam to discuss what makes for good offense and how Iowa’s system has set Caitlin Clark and her teammates up for success. Free Read & React Master Class: https://betterbasketball.com/read-and-react-on...

On the other side of a breakdown is a breakthrough and this week, PGC President, Mano Watsa joins the show to share how having courageous conversations can transform your program by building more trust and ensuring more growth. 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 unco...

There can be a lot of mixed emotions when the basketball season finally comes to an end. In this week’s episode, TJ shares personal reflections on his season at Emmanuel as he discusses with Sam how coaches can properly reflect and evaluate where they’re at and where they need to be.   Show Notes: Emotions After the Season Different Perspectives & Reflections on the Season Realizations and Reg...

This week, TJ and Sam discuss how coaches show up as leaders. Consistency matters, but so does the ability to see a need and fill a need for your team. Whether it’s knowing when to be demanding, supportive, empathetic, or inspirational, in this episode we discuss the importance of understanding and growing in your role as a coach. Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your cont...

This week we’re joined once again by special guest, Cody Royle, a former professional head coach who now works full time helping coaches perform at their best. In this episode we discuss ideas from his 3rd book, Second Set of Eyes, and how coaches can better approach their goals, others’ expectations, and feelings of burnout. Website: https://www.codyroyle.com/ Twitter: @codyroyle Books: Second Se...

This week, TJ and Sam are joined by PGC Director Chad Songy, and Puget Sound Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Casey Kushiyama. In his 7th year as head coach, they’re coming off 3 20-win seasons and most recently a big upset win in the national tournament. In this episode Casey and Chad share how making the team culture a priority has played a big role in their success including ideas you can take ba...

We believe competitiveness is a skill that can be taught and this week Sam and TJ discuss the difference between playing and competing and popular misconceptions so we can better develop it in our programs. 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...

Usually it's the little things that can have the biggest impact on your team's performance. TJ Rosene and Sam Allen discuss four underrated aspects of basketball practices especially mid-season when the pressure ramps up, and the desire to enhance your offensive and defensive scheme is high. They dive into passing, rebounding, playing powerful, and shooting and emphasize the how and why...