Basketball Coach Unplugged

⁠https://teachhoops.com/ Keys to a Championship Team https://teachhoops.com/⁠ ⁠⁠Teachhoops.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠WintheSeason.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Dr Dish Website⁠⁠ ⁠⁠CoachingYouthHoops.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/kQ8zyxgfqwUA3ChU7⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Coach Collins Coaching Store⁠⁠ Check out.  [Teachhoops.com](⁠⁠https://teachhoops.com/⁠⁠) 14 day Free Trial Youth Basketball Coaches Podcast Apple link: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coaching-youth-hoops/id1619185302⁠⁠ Spotify link: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0g8yYhAfztndxT1FZ4OI3A⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Funnel Down Defense Podcast⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/funnel-down-defense/id1593734011⁠⁠ Want More ⁠⁠Funnel Down Defense⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://coachcollins.podia.com/funnel-down-defense⁠⁠ [Facebook Group . Basketball Coaches](⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/basketballcoaches/)⁠⁠ [Facebook Group . Basketball Drills](⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/321590381624013/)⁠⁠ Want to Get a Question Answered? [ Leave a Question here](⁠⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/Teachhoop

https://teachhoops.com/ On the Championship-Defining Moment When asked if there was a single moment during the tournament run where he knew his team had what it took to win it all, Coach Ryan Bleiker points to a specific timeout late in the state championship game. "We were in a dogfight, and the other team had just hit a big three to cut our lead. The atmosphere in the Kohl Center was electric. I called a timeout, and as I walked over to the huddle, I was ready to deliver a fiery speech. But before I could say a word, I saw our senior point guard already talking to the other four guys, completely calm, telling them exactly what needed to be done on the next defensive possession. There was no panic, no fear—just pure focus and trust. In that instant, I knew. They didn't need me; they had each other. That's when you know your team is truly special."

https://teachhoops.com/ On the Championship-Defining Moment When asked if there was a single moment during the tournament run where he knew his team had what it took to win it all, Coach Ryan Bleiker points to a specific timeout late in the state championship game. "We were in a dogfight, and the other team had just hit a big three to cut our lead. The atmosphere in the Kohl Center was electric. I called a timeout, and as I walked over to the huddle, I was ready to deliver a fiery speech. But before I could say a word, I saw our senior point guard already talking to the other four guys, completely calm, telling them exactly what needed to be done on the next defensive possession. There was no panic, no fear—just pure focus and trust. In that instant, I knew. They didn't need me; they had each other. That's when you know your team is truly special."

Teachhoops.com⁠ ⁠Dr Dish Website⁠ ⁠CoachingYouthHoops.com⁠ ⁠https://forms.gle/kQ8zyxgfqwUA3ChU7⁠ ⁠Coach Collins Coaching Store⁠ Check out.  [Teachhoops.com](⁠https://teachhoops.com/⁠) 14 day Free Trial Youth Basketball Coaches Podcast Apple link: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coaching-youth-hoops/id1619185302⁠ Spotify link: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0g8yYhAfztndxT1FZ4OI3A⁠ ⁠Funnel Down Defense Podcast⁠ ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/funnel-down-defense/id1593734011⁠ Want More ⁠Funnel Down Defense⁠ ⁠https://coachcollins.podia.com/funnel-down-defense⁠ [Facebook Group . Basketball Coaches](⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/basketballcoaches/)⁠ [Facebook Group . Basketball Drills](⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/321590381624013/)⁠ Want to Get a Question Answered? [ Leave a Question here](⁠https://www.speakpipe.com/Teachhoops⁠) Check out our other podcast [High School Hoops ](⁠https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/high-school-hoops-coaching-high-school-ba

https://teachhoops.com/⁠ On the Secret to a Championship Season When asked what the single biggest factor was in his team's run to a state title, Coach Matthew Klein dismisses the idea of a secret formula. "Honestly, it came down to a concept we preached from day one: competitive trust. It's easy to trust each other when things are going well, but we built a culture where our players trusted each other most in the toughest moments. It meant our best shooter trusted the 10th man on the scout team to push him in practice every single day. It meant the point guard trusted that if he made the extra pass, his teammate would be ready to knock down the shot. We didn't win because we had the most raw talent; we won because we were the most connected team, and that trust was our armor during the tournament."

https://teachhoops.com/ On the Secret to a Championship Season When asked what the single biggest factor was in his team's run to a state title, Coach Matthew Klein dismisses the idea of a secret formula. "Honestly, it came down to a concept we preached from day one: competitive trust. It's easy to trust each other when things are going well, but we built a culture where our players trusted each other most in the toughest moments. It meant our best shooter trusted the 10th man on the scout team to push him in practice every single day. It meant the point guard trusted that if he made the extra pass, his teammate would be ready to knock down the shot. We didn't win because we had the most raw talent; we won because we were the most connected team, and that trust was our armor during the tournament."

https://teachhoops.com/ A resilient person exhibits a collection of mindsets and behaviors that allow them to navigate, adapt to, and recover from adversity, trauma, and significant sources of stress. These tendencies are not innate traits possessed by a select few, but rather skills and habits that can be cultivated over time. Here are the key tendencies of a resilient person. One of the most fundamental tendencies of a resilient individual is their perspective. They operate with a sense of realistic optimism, believing that while situations may be difficult now, things will get better and that they have a role to play in that improvement. This is often tied to a strong internal locus of control—a belief that they can influence events and their outcomes, rather than being a passive victim of circumstance. Resilient people do not ignore or deny reality; instead, they practice acceptance, acknowledging the hardship of a situation without letting it define them. They view challenges not as insurmountable

https://teachhoops.com/ Phase 1: The Foundation (3-6 Months Before Camp) This is the crucial planning stage where you lay the groundwork for everything else. Define Your Camp's Identity: Niche: Is this a camp for beginners focusing on fundamentals? An elite shooting camp? A position-specific camp (e.g., for guards or post players)? Target Audience: Define your age groups (e.g., Grades 3-5, 6-8). This will dictate the curriculum, ball size, and rim height. Logistics and Legalities: Secure a Venue: Book a gymnasium well in advance. School gyms, community centers, or local sports complexes are great options. In Madison, facilities at local schools like Memorial or La Follette, or community centers like Goodman, are booked months ahead, especially for summer. Set Dates and Times: Check local school calendars (like Madison Metropolitan School District's) to avoid conflicts. Decide if it will be a half-day (e.g., 9 AM - 12 PM) or full-day (9 AM - 3 PM) camp. Get Insuran

Teachhoops.com⁠ Setting up a basketball offense begins with a clear philosophy that is tailored to your team's personnel. Before implementing any specific plays or formations, a coach must establish the core principles that will govern how the team plays. The most critical of these principles are spacing, ball movement, and player movement. Proper spacing ensures that players have clear lanes to drive, cut, and pass. Quick, decisive ball movement is essential, as the ball can always move faster than a defender, creating defensive rotations and open looks. Finally, purposeful player movement—cutting to the basket, setting screens, and relocating without the ball—prevents offensive stagnation and keeps the defense constantly guessing. These foundational elements create an offensive identity long before the first play is ever called. Once the core principles are established, a coach can implement a specific offensive system. The most common systems include motion offenses, set plays, and continuity offenses. A

https://teachhoops.com/ Players should not focus on complex team-specific plays, excessive high-intensity scrimmaging, or flashy, low-percentage "highlight" moves during the off-season. The goal of the off-season is to prioritize individual skill development, physical recovery, and building a strong fundamental base. The off-season is for individual growth, not for memorizing a team's playbook. Spending time practicing intricate 5-on-5 offensive sets or complex defensive rotations is inefficient for several reasons: You're Alone: You can't replicate these plays without four other teammates. Systems Change: Your coach might change the playbook next season, or you might even play for a different team. Wasted Time: The time spent on team plays is better used perfecting universal skills like shooting, dribbling, and footwork that fit into any system. Focus on becoming a better individual player, and you'll be able to learn any team's system much faster when the pre-season begins. W

Teachhoops.com⁠ We coach basketball for reasons that extend far beyond the final score on the scoreboard. On the surface, we coach because of a deep-seated passion for the game itself—the intricate dance of a well-run offense, the synchronized effort of a lockdown defense, and the thrill of competition. There is immense satisfaction in teaching the tangible skills of the sport: helping a young player perfect their shooting form, master a new dribble move, or finally grasp the nuances of help-side defense. Coaches are teachers of a complex craft, and they derive joy from seeing their players' hard work translate into on-court execution, watching a team grow and synergize as the season progresses. However, the more profound reason we coach basketball is for the opportunity to shape lives and build character. The court is a classroom for life, and coaches are among its most influential teachers. We coach to instill lessons that transcend the game: the discipline to show up every day, the resilience to bounce b

https://teachhoops.com/ hooting Mechanics and Repetition

Teachhoops.com⁠ Setting up a cohesive basketball defense is the cornerstone of any successful team, built on a foundation of communication, effort, and a shared understanding of core principles. Before deciding on specific formations, a team must commit to a defensive identity. This involves instilling fundamentals like maintaining a low, athletic stance, constant communication (calling out screens, cutters, and ball location), and understanding the importance of "help-side" defense, where players move in unison to support the on-ball defender and protect the paint. The primary goal is to make the offense uncomfortable, forcing them into contested, low-percentage shots and limiting them to one scoring attempt per possession by securing the defensive rebound. The two most fundamental defensive alignments are man-to-man and zone defense. In a man-to-man scheme, each defender is assigned a specific offensive player and is responsible for guarding them wherever they go on the court. This strategy emphasizes ind

https://teachhoops.com/⁠ Here is a generic take on an interview with a "Hall of Fame Coach AC." When asked what single principle defined his Hall of Fame career, the legendary Coach AC pauses, his gaze steady. "It was never about the X's and O's on the chalkboard; those change with the times. The foundation was always about accountability. I demanded that every player be accountable to the person next to them, both on and off the field. It’s about building a culture where the team's standards are more important than any individual's comfort. We didn't build teams; we forged chains, where every link was responsible for the strength of the whole. Talent can win you games, but it's that shared accountability and trust that wins you championships."

https://teachhoops.com/ Here is a generic take on an interview with a "Hall of Fame Coach AC." When asked what single principle defined his Hall of Fame career, the legendary Coach AC pauses, his gaze steady. "It was never about the X's and O's on the chalkboard; those change with the times. The foundation was always about accountability. I demanded that every player be accountable to the person next to them, both on and off the field. It’s about building a culture where the team's standards are more important than any individual's comfort. We didn't build teams; we forged chains, where every link was responsible for the strength of the whole. Talent can win you games, but it's that shared accountability and trust that wins you championships."

Zone Busters: A Blueprint for Attacking Zone Defenses A good zone offense is built on patience, purposeful ball movement, and a commitment to attacking the defense's inherent weaknesses. Rather than relying on a single set play, effective teams employ a system of principles designed to shift the zone and create high-percentage scoring opportunities. The primary objective is to get the ball into the vulnerable middle of the defense, typically the high post or short corner, forcing multiple defenders to commit and creating advantages elsewhere. This requires crisp, quick passes from side to side to make the defense shift, followed by players intelligently flashing into the gaps. A confident playmaker in the middle who can catch, turn, and see the floor becomes the ultimate zone buster, capable of hitting a midrange shot, driving to the rim, or finding open shooters spotting up on the perimeter. Once the ball enters the middle or a gap is penetrated, the offense must capitalize by making the simple, correct re

https://teachhoops.com/ A Legacy of Standards: An Interview with Coach Gene Durden ( Part 2) A Legacy of Standards: An Interview with Coach Gene Durden Sitting down with legendary Buford High School girls' basketball coach Gene Durden, it becomes immediately clear that his historic success is not built on complex plays, but on an unwavering commitment to foundational principles. In our conversation, Coach Durden emphasized that before any championship can be won, a culture of high standards must be meticulously crafted and fiercely protected. He spoke at length about "The Buford Way," a philosophy centered on discipline, relentless effort, and personal accountability that applies equally to every player, from the star starter to the last on the bench. He shared that the most crucial battles are won in the summer, establishing a non-negotiable work ethic and making it clear that playing for Buford is a privilege earned through sweat and commitment, not a right granted by talent alone. Delving deeper, Coach

https://teachhoops.com/ A Legacy of Standards: An Interview with Coach Gene Durden Sitting down with legendary Buford High School girls' basketball coach Gene Durden, it becomes immediately clear that his historic success is not built on complex plays, but on an unwavering commitment to foundational principles. In our conversation, Coach Durden emphasized that before any championship can be won, a culture of high standards must be meticulously crafted and fiercely protected. He spoke at length about "The Buford Way," a philosophy centered on discipline, relentless effort, and personal accountability that applies equally to every player, from the star starter to the last on the bench. He shared that the most crucial battles are won in the summer, establishing a non-negotiable work ethic and making it clear that playing for Buford is a privilege earned through sweat and commitment, not a right granted by talent alone. Delving deeper, Coach Durden explained how this championship culture translates directly to

https://teachhoops.com/ Turning a losing basketball program into a winning one is a monumental task that begins far from the scoreboard. The initial, most critical phase involves a complete cultural renovation, tearing down the existing apathy and replacing it with a foundation of accountability, discipline, and unwavering effort. This starts with establishing a clear, non-negotiable vision and standard of excellence for every aspect of the program, from practice intensity and locker room conduct to academic performance. The coach must tirelessly champion this new identity, securing buy-in from a core group of players who will serve as the first believers. This foundational period is less about complex schemes and more about instilling a resilient mindset and an undeniable work ethic, proving to the team that their value is first defined by their character and commitment, not the previous season's record. Once this cultural bedrock is set, the focus can pivot to tangible on-court improvement and building mo

From Our Huddle to Yours: Leading the TeachHoops.com Member Call During our exclusive TeachHoops.com member calls, we move beyond the static playbook and create a dynamic, interactive huddle for coaches dedicated to their craft. The primary goal is to foster a collaborative community where we can openly discuss the real-world challenges of coaching, from implementing a new offensive set to managing team dynamics and parent expectations. I guide the conversation through a mix of prepared topics, such as seasonal planning or developing mental toughness, and then open the floor to address the specific hurdles members are currently facing in their programs. It’s a dedicated time for us to share what's working, troubleshoot what isn’t, and ensure no coach feels like they are on an island. The true value of these calls lies in the collective wisdom and shared experience of the group, translating our discussion into actionable strategies for the upcoming week. When a coach brings a problem to the call, they receiv