Hardwood Hustle

This week TJ and Sam discuss the situation with NBA Player, Ben Simmons and the 76ers. From the outside looking in they discuss what coaches can learn in terms of helping your players and teams attack tough situations and conversations head on. We want you to be better equipped to handle whatever comes your way this season.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam share with coaches how to navigate team conflict. When teammates don't like each other or don't  get a long it can put your team chemistry and even your season at jeopardy. Listen for practical examples and tips to take back to your players and teams this season.Send us a Message.

TJ and Sam cover the 1-3-1 Defense on both sides of the ball. How to implement it, different ways of running it, where its strengths and weaknesses lie and how you can best prepare your team when facing it this coming season.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam interview Ryan Dyer, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at North Pauling High School. They discuss how to build relationships, best practices in leadership, and potential blind spots you may be missing with parents and admins. As a former coach, Ryan shares some best practices on both sides that can ensure you start this season off on the right track.Send us a Message.

TJ and Sam discuss how to strategize when it comes to your team's special situations. They dive into both the offensive and defensive side of inbounds plays and tactics as well as making considerations practicing and planning for end of games. Coaches should pay particular attention to how much time they spend in this area and in this episode, Sam and TJ share why it's the most important question for you to answer.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam have an in-depth discussion with Kevin Sutton from Florida Gulf Coast. Coach Sutton has 36 years experience of coaching at the high school and collegiate level both as a a head and assistant coach. I this episode he shares his wisdom about how to learn from the best, holistically develop players, and grow in your leadership as a coach.Send us a Message.

This week TJ, Sam and Lisa discuss the hot topic of games approached coaching and dive into the benefits and hurdles of this teaching method. What makes it work and how it can increase your efficiency in practice, as well as how it's misused and may even hurt your players' development. Join in the conversation and better apply a games approach in your upcoming practices this season.Send us a Message.

This week we have part 2 of Ideas and tips to improve your defense. In this episode TJ and Sam discuss the pros and cons of switching screens, the benefit of having erasers on on your team, and how and when to add a curve ball to your defensive system.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam discuss how you can take your team's defense to the next level for the upcoming season. Listening to this episode you'll get tips for enhancing your team's defensive communication, as well as teaching points and ideas for all positions on the floor.Send us a Message.

This week, Sam and Lisa dive into the topic of what makes a true competitor on the court. There's a lot of different opinions and maybe even myths out there about what a competitor looks and acts like, but how do we know? In this episode you'll hear about to address your own biases as a coach and the importance of defining competitiveness for your team and players.Send us a Message.

This week TJ, Sam, and PGC Basketball Director Kyle Koszuta discuss  whether or not it's important for your players to like you as a coach and to ultimately have fun in your program. In this episode you'll hear how you can create a fun environment and team culture while also holding high standards and work even more productively towards your goals as a team.Send us a Message.

Special guest, Head Coach Molly Miller from Grand Canyon University joins the podcast this week. Molly spent six years as the head coach for her alma mater, Drury University, averaging 30 wins before taking over at GCU in 2020. She's a 2 time Division II WBCA Coach of the Year, she holds the highest career winning percentage out of any men's or women's NCAA basketball coach and in this episode she shares why defense wins championships and the guiding principles she uses to build a program.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam are joined by Eric Duft, Associate Head Coach at Weber State University and they talk all things offense - how to implement a read & react system, the importance of prioritizing player development, and helping to grow the leadership of guys like Damian Lillard during their time at Weber State.Send us a Message.

Distractions are everywhere. This week TJ and Lisa discuss how distractions in coaching can derail us from keeping our focus on what's most important. Both on and off the court it's easy to get sidetracked. Listen now to better identify things that may be hindering your coaching and start preparing yourself and your players for distractions next season.Send us a Message.

This week we dive into another 4 quarter episode where we cover how you should approach leading a team that may be lacking in talent, height, heart, or resources. There's not a one-size-fits-all answer, but TJ, Sam and Lisa share the best strategies to take back to your team in each of the four areas.Send us a Message.

This week TJ and Lisa are joined by Graham Maxwell, Associate Head Coach at Emmanuel College to discuss staff dynamics and how to address the gaps that exist between assistant coaches and their head coach. In this episode we share what makes for a great assistant and how to create an environment for everyone to thrive in. Tune in to ensure you max out in your role and better serve your program.Send us a Message.

This week we're joined by Kirsten Moore, 2021 NAIA National Championship Head Coach at Westmont College. She just completed her 16th season and has guided the program to two NAIA National Championships and is a two-time NAIA Coach of the Year. In this episode she shares how her team has battled through adversity to achieve their biggest successes, what gives them a 10-point advantage come tournament time, and how they build leaders who set the tone for their program each season.Send us a Message.

This week we're joined by Matt Lewis, Head Coach at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In his first year as the interim head coach, Matt Lewis led his team to a DIII National Championship. In this episode he shares how they win on the court with their systems and strategies, how they maintain championship standards, and he utilizes a 'menu' in their player development. There are some great ideas and practical applications you can take back to your team in this episode.Send us a Message.

This week TJ & Sam discuss the role of set plays within a team's offense. Should your offense be entirely made up of set plays, or should you put your energy and effort into a continuity offense that focuses on teaching reads and develops decision-making? Whatever your philosophy is, this episode will help you create a well thought out approach to knowing why, when, and how you want to use set plays in your offense.Send us a Message.

This week we're joined by Head Coach, Steve Gomez. With over 30 years of experience Coach Gomez is headed into his 19th season as head coach at Lubbock Christian University. They recently transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA Div. II level and in their 6 seasons of being eligible for postseason, they've won 3 National Championships. They're also the first Division II program to have two undefeated seasons. In this episode we talk about fast paced practices, how they teach and execute over 100 set plays, and the importance of senior leadership in their program.Send us a Message.