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. Show Notes: Finding a mentor Opportunities to grow Little things that make you invaluable Utilizing analytics Do what others wont Teach better Pickup basketball ..read more

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 in their 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 •  ..read more

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. If this episode gets you excited about talking offensive, don’t miss PGC Coaching’s Upcoming Offensive Track. Score 7-10 more points next season, by joining the 4-Week Offensive Track for coaches. Go to pgccoaching.com/tracks by May 9th. Show Notes: • Flare Screens • Back Screens • Ball Screens • Combo & Iso Actions • 2-Man Actions • What’s ..read more

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 W ..read more

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. Listen: To take your defensive to the next level, join PGC Coaching’s 4-Week Defensive Strategies Track for coaches. Go to pgccoaching.com/tracksby April 4th. Watch ..read more

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 Regrets The Unique Nature of Coaching The Importance of Grounding and Perspective Player Reflections and Gratitude Reflecting with Staff and Players When to do Player Exit Interviews Changes in Pe ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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. Listen: Watch ..read more