Hardwood Hustle

Whether it’s parents, recruiting, or analytics the game is changing, and this week TJ and Sam discuss how it’s affecting coaching at all levels.Show Notes:• More changes more rapid then before • Coaches staying and going • Players skill level • Parents investing in athletic careers• AAU basketball a waste? • Recruiting today • Freedom and transfer dilemma • Emotional investment in coaching • Officials - Who wants that job... • Women’s hoops • AnalyticsSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Sam is joined by Coach Graham Maxwell to discuss in-game and late-game coaching tactics that we often see in March or tournament time with our teams.Show Notes:Inbounds underneath / BLOBsShot selectionUsing timeoutsLate clock Fouling up 3Stopping their best playerHaving a non-free throw shooter in the gameSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week Sam is joined by Josh Merkel, Head Men’s Coach at Randolph-Macon to discuss end of season evaluations, off-season plans, and ways to continue improving your program.Show Notes:• Postseason feelings• Locker room after your last game• Finding 1%ers• How do you talk about championship goals• Value of player IQ• Getting better during the season• Getting player feedback• Off-season goals• Leadership lessons• Evaluating and implementing changes• Josh's off-season plan• Implementing shooting challenges• Sam's practice shooting routines• Evaluating offensive and defensive systems• Finding the curve ball• Taking notes from March Madness• The hedgehog concept• Knowing your strengths and who you are• Focusing on the most important thingsMore about Head Coach Josh Merkel and his program.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Having just finished their seasons, TJ and Sam discuss how they process that end of season feeling we all have as coaches.Show Notes:• The feeling of it being over• Approach to the locker room • Expressing gratitude• Modeling for your players• Approaching individual players• Adapting to the new reality• How recruiting has changed• Transitioning to a new routine• Turning the page to growth• Finding shortcuts and mentors• Post season evaluations and exit interviews• How to helpful feedback• Committing to telling the truth• Putting yourself out there• The opportunity to impactSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week we’re joined by Coach Charli Turner Thorne winningest coach in Arizona State program history and now assistant coach with the Phoenix Mercury. In this episode she shares both successes and learnings from her long coaching career.Show Notes:• What's changing in the game• Everyday fundamentals• Characteristics of the best teams• Investing in your culture• Role of rest and recovery• Creatively holding your team accountable• How to build toughness• EFT • Helping your players perform• Investing in relationships with players• Fatigue in coaching• Leading yourself well• Being a learner• Book recommendations• What it takes to develop leadersAbout Coach Charli Turner Thorne:• 2024 Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Inductee• WNBA Phoenix Mercury Assistant Coach• The winningest head coach in ASU women’s basketball history and No. 2 all-time in career wins (488) by a Pac-12 coach, Two-time Pac-12 Coach of the Year, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, 3 Pac-12 championships (two regular season titles and the league’s

This week TJ and Sam share 3 tips for your late season and postseason success. To finish on a high note they discuss how to rebound well, keep your team fresh, and strategies for performing under pressure.Show Notes:• Double down on rebounding• The little things win games• Habits and desire• Utilize your best rebounding lineups• Celebrating rebounding• 3 winning stats to know• Fresh February• Why teams get worn down• Player check-ins & getting pulse of your team• It's never too late - keep fighting for what is right• Handling pressure• Focus on the right things• Coaches - understand how you show up• Players - keep it simple• Where you put the extra energy• Calming your team downSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Whether it's a game plan, season plan, or plan for your program, at some point when it doesn't go well we're all faced with questions, concerns and challenges about if our plan should change. In this week's episode TJ and Sam discuss how coaches adapt and assess while also staying true to who they are.Show Notes:• The skill of being adaptability as coaches• Culture & Leadership are the base• Failure to adapt• When to change strategies and schemes• How to assess the situation• Style of play• What type of coach are you?• Fringe things v. winning habits• When your adjustments won't make a difference• Preparing for the best teams• Winning multiple waysSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week, in order to unpack some best practices and strategies to coach development and growth, TJ and Sam reflect on 4 ways coaches can choose the best approach.Show Notes:Intro to topic, different approaches to takeHow to pick the right oneFind your authentic voiceWhen it's time to reinvent yourselfKnowing yourselfIdentifying your gifts & blind spotsCoaching to your North starDeveloping coaching skillsApologizing to your former playersLoving, hostile, firm, and permissiveRecapSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week, Coach Graham Maxwell joins Sam and TJ to discuss how your leadership and team culture affect your Xs and Os, especially your team’s shot selection.Show Notes:• The art of coaching - mastering all facets• Identifying what each team needs• Getting buy-in about shot selection• Playing CIA - Confident, Intelligent, and Aggressive• FG%'s - Educating players and coaches• Hearing the player's perspective• How players earn freedom• Being able to 'show' players• Playing fearless and riding the edge• Transparency with the team• Being able to back it up with the #'s• Teaching shot selection• Do you know your team?• Letting players in on your coaching• Heartset and mindset• Film sessions focused on when they're getting it right• The fundamental of winning and losing• Talented v. less talented teams• Every player should anticipate shooting• Adjusting game to game - season to season• Confident yet responsibleSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info

This week, Sam and TJ discuss 4 important tips and strategies for your player development that you’re going to want to incorporate right away.If you're interested in going deeper on this topic, or joining our community of coaches, go to https://coach.pgcbasketball.com/ to learn more about upcoming coaching tracks and membership.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.Mark your calendars! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball camp this summer will receive FREE tuition!  2025 camp dates and locations will be announced Jan 21st and registration opens Monday, Jan 27 at 9am EST. Spots sell out fast!Go to https://PGCbasketball.com/coaches/ to learn more and see why over 12,000 coaches have attended a PGC camp.

This week, is a reminder of the importance of the mindset and approach you bring to every practice and every game throughout the entire season. TJ and Sam discuss how to avoid complacency and maintain enthusiasm for the standards.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.Mark your calendars! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball camp this summer will receive FREE tuition!  2025 camp dates and locations will be announced Jan 21st and registration opens Monday, Jan 27 at 9am EST. Spots sell out fast!Go to https://PGCbasketball.com/coaches/ to learn more and see why over 12,000 coaches have attended a PGC camp.

For most of us, the off-season is closer than we think. This week we’re joined by Mano Watsa, president of PGC Basketball to discuss how players, coaches, and parents can focus on the most important aspects of player development. Show Notes:• Introduction• Preparing players• Personal trainers and how to utilize them• Overskilled and underdeveloped• The quality of the experience: Time, Energy, and Money• Dreams, Direction, and Discipline• Matching the player's aspirations, not the parent's• Increasing passion and confidence• The camp experience• Why PGC•. Go to https://pgcbasketball.com/ to find out moreSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.Mark your calendars! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball camp this summer will receive FREE tuition!  2025 camp dates and locations will be announced Jan 21st and registration opens Monday, Jan 27 at 9am EST. Spots sell out fast!Go to https://PGCbasketball.com/coaches/ to learn more and see why ove

This week TJ and Sam discuss coaching tips and strategies that impact winning and can make a big difference for your team and season.Show Notes:• Playing harder• Play hard, smart, and together• What loses• Coaching effort• Coaching examples• Identifying the standard without emotion• Avoid coaching out of frustration• The game is held hostage• Coaching the mistake• The role of analytics• Effecting winning - What gets lost• Shot generation & Shot selection• Getting the map right• Substitutions and balanceSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.Mark your calendars! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball camp this summer will receive FREE tuition!  2025 camp dates and locations will be announced Jan 21st and registration opens Monday, Jan 27 at 9am EST. Spots sell out fast!Go to https://PGCbasketball.com/coaches/ to learn more and see why over 12,000 coaches have attended a PGC camp.

This week we discuss a quote from UCONN Men’s Coach, Dan Hurley about wanting his players to be obsessed, how we agree and disagree with his statement, and what that might look like for your team.Show Notes:• Coach Dan Hurley's quote• Helping your players love the game• Baseline standards and expectations• Understanding individual player perspectives• Not wanting obsessed players• How to help players who aren't as committed• Players want high standards• Identify your non-negotiables• Modeling love for the game• Knowing what matters mostSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.Mark your calendars! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball camp this summer will receive FREE tuition!  2025 camp dates and locations will be announced Jan 21st and registration opens Monday, Jan 27 at 9am EST. Spots sell out fast!Go to https://PGCbasketball.com/coaches/ to learn more and see why over 12,000 coaches have attended a PGC camp.

This week is a 4 quarters episode with TJ and Lisa discussing ball pressure, preparation, rebounding, and what we do in our culture when we’re winning versus when we’re losing.Show Notes:• Ball pressure• Compete and anticipate• Anticipate what they do if you apply pressure• Changing pressure – keep offense guessing• Mental pressure = mental fatigue• Teach players the nuance of pressure• What types of teams to pressure• Preparation & Scouting• What you do physically to prepare matters• Layer it in and build – grow over time• Emphasis everything and get nothing• Implications of switching• Rebounding• Habits & Individual Approaches• Mentality & Urgency• Personnel options• Playing the percentages & angles• Culture – When you’re winning v. losing• Focusing on the process• The importance of honesty• Knowing the heartbeat of the team• Meeting your standards every daySend us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam hit on an important topic for coaches which is how you confront your players and be honest with where they’re at while also creating a team culture that genuinely cares about each other. Send us a Message.

Coach Micah Mills is back on the show to discuss troubleshooting your offense and player development in order to find solutions to your offensive frustrations midseason.Show Notes:3 ways to look at offensive problem solving"Identify the problem so we can prescribe the right medicine"Being a "Defensive coach"Balance in using Sets Determining your offensive identity Start with understanding how you will generate shotsRole identificationGiving players "freedom" on offense is overratedClarity on what we are hunting Getting the ball to the paint is half the battle Skill Development and 18 ways to finish "Why are you working on that?"Money actionsWhat do we do best? How do we do it more?Timeout playsBe an expert on your teamSend us a Message.

This week TJ and Sam discuss managing your roster in terms of number of players along with playing time decisions in order to limit the headaches and maximize the potential of your team.Send us a Message.

This week we’re talking about aspects of your program that make for a winning culture such as setting high standards, building accountability, and growing through conflict and adversity.Show Notes:Intro episodeLevels to coaching and winningReality of Accountability and holding the line on standardsBeing unattached emotionally to standards Standards vs RulesSetting the BarHaving a powerful WHYRelationships and RebellionCoach mode at homeTransformational v Transactional Approach to AdversitySend us a Message.

Joined by special guest, Jason Peery, this week we dive into how he built a successful high school program as he shares his best practices when it comes to creating drills, teaching the game, and developing players.  Show Notes:Coach Jason Peery's backgroundBlood DrillsYour motive in care is really important Creating Connection Clear expectations Positive, negative or neutral coachingCoachabilityTeaching the little things What basketball can learn from pickleball Naming your drills Mental toughness vs emotional toughness More about Jason Peery:Currently assistant varsity coach at American Heritage High School in Utah under head coach Paora Winitana. Both of us have sons on the team.Former Head Coach at Pinewood High School (CA)Consulted Stanford Men's (Johnny Dawkins) and Women's Basketball (Hall-of-Face coach Tara Vanderveer) teams in 2013-2014, installing Triangle Offense in both programs, which went to Sweet 16 and Final Four respectively that year. Article in NY Times, "Riding the Tria