Episodios

  • Ep 2817 How Do You Select the Right Defense for Your Team’s Personnel and Opponent?
    Jan 21 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Picking a defense is not about what you, as a coach, like to run; it is about what your current roster is physically and mentally capable of executing at a high level. A successful defensive identity begins with an honest "personnel audit" where you evaluate your team's lateral quickness, interior rim protection, and overall basketball IQ. If you have a roster full of long, rangy athletes but lack a traditional "big," a disruptive, switching Man-to-Man or a high-pressure 1-2-2 zone may be your best bet to force turnovers. Conversely, if you have a slower, more disciplined group, a "Pack Line" style or a 2-3 zone can help you wall off the paint and force opponents into low-percentage outside shots. By aligning your system with your players' natural strengths, you ensure they play with the confidence and aggression required to get stops. Beyond your own roster, selecting a defense for a specific game requires a deep dive into the opponent’s "shot profile" and offensive tendencies. In the heart of conference play in January, you must be prepared to pivot your defensive strategy to neutralize an opponent's primary threat. If you are facing an elite scoring guard who thrives on ball screens, you might choose to "Hard Hedge" or "Blitz" those actions to get the ball out of their hands. If the opponent struggles with perimeter shooting but dominates the glass, a sagging zone that prioritizes rebounding positioning might be the tactical edge you need. The best coaches have a "base" defense that defines their culture, but they possess the flexibility to implement "junk defenses" like a Box-and-One or a Triangle-and-Two to disrupt the rhythm of an elite individual scorer. Finally, the defense you pick must be sustainable and scalable throughout the duration of a long season. It is better to be elite at one defensive system than mediocre at four different ones. Simplicity in your defensive rules allows your players to communicate more effectively and react instinctively rather than thinking their way through a possession. As you move toward the postseason, your defense should become your team's "safety net"—the one thing they can rely on when the shots aren't falling. By using member calls and film study to refine your rotations and "closeout contain" techniques, you build a defensive unit that is difficult to scout and even harder to score against. Ultimately, the right defense is the one that your players "own" and believe in with absolute conviction. Basketball defense, picking a defense, 2-3 zone, man-to-man defense, pack line defense, basketball coaching, defensive strategy, youth basketball, high school basketball, defensive rotations, basketball tactics, personnel audit, box and one, triangle and two, defensive intensity, basketball drills, coach development, team culture, basketball IQ, ball pressure, defensive systems, scouting reports, match-up zone, rim protection, lateral quickness, coaching philosophy, coach unplugged, teach hoops, basketball success, defensive communication. SEO Keywords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    19 m
  • Ep 2816 What is the Red Car Theory?
    Jan 20 2026
    Teachhoops.com⁠ ⁠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-basketball/id1441192866⁠) Check out our Sponsors [HERE](https://drdishbasketball.com/) Mention Coach Unplugged and get 350 dollars off your next purchase basketball resources free basketball resources Coach Unplugged Basketball drills, basketball coach, basketball workouts, basketball dribbling drills, ball handling drills, passing drills, shooting drills, basketball training equipment, basketball conditioning, fun basketball games, basketball jerseys, basketball shooting machine, basketball shot, basketball ball, basketball training, basketball camps, youth basketball, youth basketball leagues, basketball recruiting, basketball coaching jobs, basketball tryouts, basketball coach, youth basketball drills, The Basketball Podcast, How to Coach Basketball, Funnel Down Defense FDD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 m
  • Ep 2815 How Can Elite Game Management Turn a Close Contest into a Decisive Victory?
    Jan 19 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Boosting athletic performance mid-season requires a strategic shift from building raw strength to maintaining explosiveness through "micro-dosing." Instead of long, taxing weight room sessions that can lead to heavy legs on game day, focus on short, high-intensity plyometric bursts and reactive agility drills integrated directly into your practice plan. These 5-to-10-minute segments keep the central nervous system sharp and ensure that your players maintain their vertical leap and lateral quickness. By prioritizing "quality over quantity" in January, you allow your athletes to stay bouncy and fast when opponents are starting to feel the cumulative fatigue of the conference schedule. Recovery and nutrition are the two "hidden" variables that dictate how much of that athletic performance actually shows up on the court. As the season grinds on, the margin for error with sleep and hydration shrinks; even a 2% drop in hydration can lead to a significant decrease in motor skills and decision-making. Coaches should implement a "recovery-first" culture where post-practice stretching, foam rolling, and proper caloric intake are treated with the same importance as shooting drills. When players view recovery as a competitive advantage, they are more likely to stay disciplined with their off-court habits, ensuring they have the energy reserves needed to execute high-level defensive rotations late in the fourth quarter. Finally, peak athletic performance is heavily influenced by "mental readiness" and the reduction of cognitive load. A player who is overthinking a complex defensive scheme will always move a half-step slower than a player who is reacting instinctively. Simplification of your tactical approach during the mid-season helps "unburden" the athlete, allowing their natural athleticism to take over. Use film study to build confidence and visualization techniques to help players "see" the play before it happens. When a player is physically recovered, nutritionally fueled, and mentally clear, they can perform at their absolute ceiling, giving your program the physical edge required to dominate the postseason. Basketball performance, mid-season recovery, athletic explosiveness, basketball conditioning, vertical leap, lateral quickness, player wellness, basketball strength, plyometrics, recovery protocols, high school basketball, youth basketball, basketball coaching, injury prevention, nutrition for athletes, basketball speed, mental toughness, coach development, team culture, basketball IQ, performance fueling, agility drills, coaching tips, basketball stamina, sports psychology, athletic development, teach hoops, coach unplugged, game readiness, basketball training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    22 m
  • Ep 2814 When Should You Pull the Trigger on Picking a Trap?
    Jan 18 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Picking the right trap is less about the "X's and O's" of the formation and more about the "Who, When, and Where" of the game's momentum. A trap is most effective when it serves as a calculated surprise rather than a predictable pattern; if you trap every possession, a disciplined team will eventually find the open man and make you pay. The ideal moment to pick a trap is often during a "dead-ball" transition or immediately following a made basket when the opponent's lead guard is slightly casual with their entry. By identifying the weakest ball-handler on the floor and timing your trap to catch them near the sideline or the "coffin corner," you maximize the psychological pressure and increase the likelihood of a panicked pass or a 10-second violation. The "Where" of the trap is just as critical as the "When," with the half-court line and the corners acting as your "third defender." A successful trap should aim to pin the ball-handler against a boundary, effectively cutting off their vision and limiting their passing lanes. Coaches should drill the "No-Split" rule, ensuring that the two trappers are knee-to-knee and utilizing active, high hands to mirror the ball without reaching for a foul. When you pick a trap in the mid-court area, it forces the offense into cross-court "skip passes" that are high-risk and high-reward for your interceptors. Mastering these specific "trap zones" in January ensures your defense has the versatility to disrupt an opponent’s rhythm during the high-stakes conference schedule. Finally, the decision to pick a trap must be rooted in your team's current personnel and the specific scouting report of the opponent. If you are facing a team with a dominant, high-IQ point guard, trapping may be your only way to get the ball out of their hands and force the "other" players to make decisions. However, a trap is only as good as the rotation behind it. Your three "interceptors" must be fully committed to reading the ball-handler’s eyes and anticipating the escape pass. By using member calls and film study to identify which opponents struggle with "hot" pressure, you can strategically implement different traps—like the "Diamond" or "1-2-1-1"—to turn a close game into a blowout in a matter of minutes. Basketball trapping, defensive strategy, half-court trap, full-court press, basketball coaching, defensive rotations, coffin corner, basketball pressure, turnover generation, basketball drills, youth basketball, high school basketball, trapping zones, 1-2-1-1 press, diamond press, defensive intensity, basketball IQ, coach development, team defense, basketball tactics, point of attack, sideline trap, basketball skills, coaching tips, game management, coach unplugged, teach hoops, defensive communication, scouting reports, basketball success. SEO Keywords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    20 m
  • Ep 2813 How Can You Strategically Boost Athletic Performance During the Mid-Season Grind?
    Jan 17 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Boosting athletic performance in the middle of a long basketball season requires a shift from "building" strength to "maintaining" explosiveness and optimizing recovery. By January, the initial gains from off-season conditioning often begin to plateau, and the cumulative fatigue of games starts to take a toll on a player’s vertical leap and lateral quickness. To combat this, coaches must implement "micro-dosing" of plyometrics and speed work within practice. Instead of long, grinding conditioning sessions, focus on short, high-intensity bursts that mimic the "sprint-and-recover" nature of the game. This approach keeps the central nervous system sharp and ensures that your players maintain their "game-day pop" without overtaxing their bodies before the postseason. Nutrition and hydration are the often-overlooked pillars of performance that can make or break a team’s success in February. As a coach, you should provide education on "performance fueling"—ensuring players are consuming the right balance of carbohydrates for energy and protein for muscle repair immediately following games and practices. Monitoring hydration levels is equally critical, as even slight dehydration can lead to a significant drop in cognitive function and shooting accuracy. By treating recovery as a "disciplined skill" rather than an afterthought, you empower your athletes to take ownership of their physical state. This commitment to the "off-court" details ensures that your roster stays resilient, healthy, and physically superior to opponents who may be neglecting their recovery protocols. Finally, boosting performance involves a mental component that is just as vital as the physical one. "Athletic performance" is deeply tied to confidence and mental clarity; a player who is overthinking their rotations or dwelling on a shooting slump will physically play slower. Incorporate "flow state" drills into your practices that encourage instinctive play and rapid decision-making. Utilizing tools like film study or AI-driven analytics can also help players visualize success and understand their efficiency zones, further narrowing their focus. When a team feels physically prepared and mentally unburdened, their performance naturally peaks. By prioritizing these holistic improvements in January, you ensure your program isn't just surviving the season, but gaining a competitive edge that carries you through the championship rounds. Athletic performance, basketball conditioning, mid-season recovery, basketball nutrition, explosiveness, lateral quickness, player wellness, basketball strength training, vertical leap, sports performance, high school basketball, youth basketball, basketball coaching, plyometrics for basketball, recovery protocols, basketball hydration, mental toughness, injury prevention, basketball speed drills, coach development, team culture, basketball IQ, performance fueling, basketball agility, coaching tips, basketball stamina, sports psychology, athletic development, teach hoops, coach unplugged. SEO Keywords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    44 m
  • Ep 2812 How Do You Navigate the Challenges of Moving Players Up a Level Mid-Season?
    Jan 16 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Moving a player up from Junior Varsity to Varsity or from a middle school squad to high school is a pivotal moment that requires careful management of both the individual and the team dynamic. When a player is "called up," the primary focus shouldn't just be on their physical talent, but on their ability to handle the increased speed of the game and the higher complexity of the scouting reports. It is essential to have a clear conversation with the player about their new role, which may transition from being a primary scorer on the lower level to a specialist or defensive "spark plug" on the higher level. By setting these expectations early, you help the athlete adjust their mindset and avoid the frustration that often comes with a decrease in playing time during the transition period. The integration process also involves managing the "locker room chemistry" of both teams involved in the move. For the team receiving the new player, current rotation players may feel threatened by the addition of a younger or newer talent, which can lead to friction if not addressed. As a coach, you must emphasize that the move is being made to strengthen the program’s overall "competitive floor" and that everyone’s role is vital to the team's postseason success. For the team the player is leaving, it’s an opportunity for other athletes to step into leadership roles. Balancing these social dynamics is just as important as the tactical integration, as a unified locker room is often the deciding factor in how quickly a newly moved-up player can find their rhythm. Finally, moving players up provides a "developmental laboratory" that benefits the long-term health of the entire program. It sends a powerful message to your younger athletes that hard work and high "Basketball IQ" are rewarded, creating a culture of internal competition. Use the first few weeks of the move to provide the player with extra film study and "mental reps" to catch them up on Varsity-level terminology and defensive rotations. By the time the postseason arrives, this player will have gained invaluable experience against higher-level competition, making them a more versatile asset for the championship run. Ultimately, a successful call-up is a win for the player's growth and a strategic advantage for the coach looking to maximize the program’s talent pool. Moving players up, basketball player development, JV to Varsity, roster management, high school basketball, basketball coaching, team chemistry, player roles, basketball talent, coaching philosophy, youth basketball, basketball IQ, mid-season call-ups, basketball leadership, basketball strategy, player progression, basketball culture, coaching tips, basketball rotations, developmental basketball, team dynamics, coach development, basketball mentoring, athlete growth, basketball transition, coaching advice, program building, basketball success, teach hoops, coach unplugged. SEO Keywords Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 m
  • Ep 2811 The Real Value of Coaching a Coach
    Jan 15 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/ Coaching a coach—often called mentorship—is the ultimate "short circuit" to achieving program success because it provides an objective mirror that you simply cannot see for yourself. Even the most experienced Hall of Fame coaches have blind spots in their tactical approach or their player management styles. When you engage in high-level mentorship, you aren't just getting another play to run; you are gaining a strategic partner who can identify the "leaks" in your program’s bucket. This external perspective transforms your decision-making process from one based on trial and error into one driven by proven, battle-tested principles, saving you seasons of frustration and missed opportunities. Beyond the Xs and Os, "coaching the coach" gives you an accelerated path to tactical mastery that usually takes decades to acquire through personal experience alone. It allows you to borrow the "eyes" of someone who has seen almost every defensive scheme, late-game scenario, and locker room crisis imaginable. This collaborative environment enables you to deconstruct your practice habits and offensive flow with a level of scrutiny that leads to immediate improvement. Instead of being isolated on an "island" as a head coach, you gain the confidence that comes from knowing your strategies have been vetted and refined by an expert, allowing you to lead your team with absolute clarity and conviction. Finally, the most profound gift of coaching a coach is the sustainability and longevity it adds to your career. The burnout rate in basketball coaching is incredibly high, often fueled by the isolation and pressure of making every decision in a vacuum. Mentorship provides the emotional support and professional community necessary to navigate the mid-season grind and the off-season stress. It turns the solitary job of "head coach" into a shared journey, fostering resilience and a renewed passion for the game. Ultimately, the best coaches are the best students; by being coached yourself, you model the growth mindset that you demand from your players, creating a culture of excellence that permeates every level of your program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    13 m
  • Ep 2810 How Can a Coaching Mentor Level Up Your Program? (Part 3)
    Jan 14 2026
    https://teachhoops.com/⁠ A TeachHoops mentoring call provides a rare opportunity to step out of the daily grind and gain direct, one-on-one access to Hall of Fame coaching expertise. These personalized sessions are designed to move beyond generic advice and tackle the specific hurdles you are facing, whether it’s a breakdown in team culture, a struggling offense, or the nuances of managing parent expectations. By having a seasoned mentor look at your program from an objective perspective, you can identify blind spots in your coaching philosophy and receive actionable feedback that is tailored to your unique roster and competitive level. During these calls, the conversation can dive into the granular details of your tactical systems, from fine-tuning a 2-2-1 press to adjusting your motion offense for a lack of height. Many coaches use this time as a "strategy lab" to review their upcoming scouting reports or to refine their practice plans for maximum efficiency. It is a collaborative problem-solving environment where you are encouraged to bring your toughest questions and most pressing concerns. This level of customized support ensures that the solutions you implement are not just theoretically sound but are practically applicable to your specific situation on the sidelines. The long-term value of consistent mentoring lies in the development of your own coaching "voice" and the confidence to lead your program through adversity. January and February often bring the most intense pressure of the season, and having a trusted advisor to lean on can be the difference between a mid-season slide and a late-season surge. These calls foster a sense of professional growth that extends far beyond a single win or loss, helping you build a sustainable, championship-caliber culture year after year. By investing in this high-level mentorship, you are not just improving your team; you are accelerating your own career and ensuring you have the tools to handle whatever the game throws your way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    29 m