Hardwood Hustle

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. zone3s, rim shots, and counter movesAttacking the paintScouting your opponent's zone defenseDisrupting rotations with screensPlayer roles & limiting optionsZone habits & remindersMaintaining flowRunning sets v. zoneTiming and paceQuick-fire zone tipsHunting layupsRole identificationSend us a Message.

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.

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 Titans” at www.proathleteadvantage.com/newsletter>> If you are a coach interested in teaching your athletes the mental side, join us by going to www.proathleteadvantage.com>>> Subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews and training at http://www.youtube.com/@ProAthleteAdvantageShow Notes:• Defining Mental Toughness - Confidence, Focus, Emotional Control, Energy, Consistent Intentional Action• Fake it 'til you make it?• Compete don't compare• Why and How of Confidence Building• Asking quality questions• Taking ownership and accelerating your growth• Developing emotional control• Pr

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 TopicTimberwolves & Anthony EdwardsAchieving something specialCompeting on the defensive end"I don't coach effort & attitude"Gaining skill with intensity without overtrainingPractice goals and designMore games & social media influencesIntensity and toughness"Never stop playing hard - Never stop talking"Udonis Haslem storyGiving your team an edgeFun to coachWinning players make winning playsDon't cheat it and stay hungrySend us a Message.

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 invested in the team• The importance of teaching• Role of running as conditioning• Coach personality• Fighting to strike a balance• Gamify• Identifying the skills you need• Creating opportunity for discovery• Appropriate amount of challenge• Intentional joy - creating a feeling of accomplishment• Building in celebrationSend us a Message.

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 mentorOpportunities to growLittle things that make you invaluableUtilizing analyticsDo what others won'tTeach betterPickup basketballSend us a Message.

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. Next Level & Developing a specialty• Factors: Time, System, & Long Term Development• Summer Practice Approach• Alignment in Developmental System• Game experience v. Reps in practice• Spend time on strengths v. weaknesses• The difference between players today• 2 ft. vs. 1 ft. Finishing & Passing• Valuing: Decision-Making, Shooting, Effort, Being a Good Teammate• Developing smarter more athletic players• 32-Minute Workout• Creating 7-Day Challenges• Avoiding checkbox workoutsSend us a Message.

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 GamesSend us a Message.

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 EnergyBuilding a BaseFoundational FootworkThe 'One Thing' to CoachArch & Set PointImproving Youth DevelopmentHow the Greats Got ThereFixing Broken ShotsKnowledge of Process v. ResultsCoaching the Mental GameAbout Coach Dave Love:For the past 18 years, Dave has coached players of all levels to improve their shooting, through a series of systematic drills & skill progressions. His skills in developing shooters has brought him to the NBA where he continues to work with some of the greatest players in the league. Dave has been featured in: NBA.com, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, ESPN, SBNATION, and The Guardian for his unique and noteworthy ability to improve a player’s shooting ability.Follow on twitter: @CoachDaveLoveWebsite: https://www.coachdavelove.com/Send us a Message

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-demand/Website: https://betterbasketball.com/Show Notes:• What is the Read & React allowing Iowa Women's Basketball to do?• Favorite Action in the Read & React• Observations from Iowa WBB practices• Player Development with Read & React• Signs of Good Offense• What if you don't have a Caitlin Clark?• Finding extra opportunities for your best players and your offense• Running sets within the Read & React• Simple actions, principles, and Circle Movement• Feeding the post• FAFSA Offense• Coaches wanting either freedom or controlSend us a Message.

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.

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 SeasonDifferent Perspectives & Reflections on the SeasonRealizations and RegretsThe Unique Nature of CoachingThe Importance of Grounding and PerspectivePlayer Reflections and GratitudeReflecting with Staff and PlayersWhen to do Player Exit InterviewsChanges in Perspective Over TimePreparing for the End of the SeasonResetting and Closing the Book on the SeasonWhere Coaches Put Their WorthThe Importance of ResettingFinal Thoughts Send us a Message.

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.

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: @codyroyleBooks: Second Set of Eyes, The Tough Stuff, Where Others Won’t, Send us a Message.

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 back to your programs.Send us a Message.

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.

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 behind their importance so as to not regret overlooking them at the end of your season.Send us a Message.

How do you know your team is ready for the postseason? Whether you’re the underdog or the favorite, in this episode, Sam and TJ discuss 4 mistakes to avoid making to ensure your team is prepared and confident going into tournament play.Show Notes:The Goldilocks Mistake- Adding too much or not doing enough- Having something in your back pocket- What can you double down on and emphasize?The Hunting Mistake- Playing not to lose rather than playing to win- Feeling the pressure of the postseason- Using tactics to enhance your mentality- Do you know your team?The Boxing Mistake- Preparation: It's not working - what's next?- Reviewing zone options, press situations, etc. gives confidence- Anticipating scenarios, special situations, foul troubleThe Head & Heart Mistake- Is the vibe right?- Getting your players connected, confident, energized, and enthusiastic- Asking the right questions- Putting energy on the defensive rather than offensive end- Don't hunt home runs, aim for singlesSend us a Messag

This week we're joined by Greg Tonagel, head men's basketball coach at Indiana Wesleyan University.  With over 500 wins and 3 national championships, we discuss how he's created a winning culture and his journey as a coach and transformational leader. He shares his early learning moments and the mistakes he made as a young coach. Coach Tonagel highlights the root of their team culture and how they made a significant jump as a program when he focused on taking fear out his coaching. Hear more about the I AM THIRD philosophy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iwuhoops-presents-the-pursuit/id1375802520Go to https://www.iwuhoops.net/ to learn more about their program.Send us a Message.

This week we dive into current events with Sam and TJ’s teams to see if you can relate as a leader and coach as we discuss a variety of topics including creating player-led teams, and fighting complacency. It's also important to be able to pinpoint why your team is struggling. Do you have a basketball, head, or heart problem? We typically like to solve our team's problems with better drills, strategies, and practices, but there's also a chance there's something deeper for you to address. Listen this week to hear how your own coaching strategy stacks up.Send us a Message.