The Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast

BTG Basketball with Host Coach Furtado

Welcome to The Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast. The podcast goes beyond the game to uncover what it takes to create a transformative experience for athletes. Tailored for coaches and parents, this show empowers you to elevate your impact, helping athletes grow as leaders on and off the court. We dive into leadership, mindset, and holistic athletic development each week with insightful guests. Beyond the Scoreboard challenges you to think critically, lead purposefully, and transform the next generation of athletes. Checkout our website: btgbasketball.org

  1. Is Your Kid's Basketball Program Actually Helping? Why 90% of Players Are Being Left Behind

    Jun 10

    Is Your Kid's Basketball Program Actually Helping? Why 90% of Players Are Being Left Behind

    Is your club basketball actually built for your child? Learn why youth sports development models often fail the 90% of athletes.In this episode, Coach Justin Furtado, a youth basketball coach and player development advocate pulls back the curtain on the multi-million dollar club sports industry. We expose why the modern youth basketball model prioritizes early exposure over true skill development, forcing young players into mismatched tournament blowouts that ultimately kill their athletic confidence and passion for the game. Many families invest time and money into club basketball under the assumption that these programs are designed for every player. In this episode, we break down the reality of the current system, explaining how elite youth sports structures prioritize the top 10% of athletes while leaving the majority behind. By understanding the disconnect between youth basketball recruitment strategies and actual development needs, you can make better decisions for your athlete. If you are questioning whether your current basketball training path is worth the investment, this analysis provides the context you need to reevaluate your strategy.IN THIS EPISODE:- Why modern club sports prioritize showcasing the top 10% instead of developing the other 90%. - How mismatched, lopsided tournament games crush a young athlete's confidence. - A simple strategy to master current competition before moving up to harder leagues. - Why community-based programs offer a much healthier environment for middle-tier players to grow. - How to realistically balance a child's natural genetics and age with their high school varsity goals. - Practical ways to trade the "win at all costs" hype for character, skill, and fun.Stop chasing the toxic tournament hype. Hit play to transform your approach and craft a meaningful basketball experience that prioritizes true growth and confidence for your child!==========================================CONNECT WITH US!Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=enPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribeWebsite: https://btgbasketball.org/==========================================CONNECT WITH BTG BASKETBALL!If you are a parent on the West Side of Los Angeles looking for a basketball academy that develops athletes on and off the court, visit us at btgbasketball.orgSUPPORT OUR MISSION!Join us at the Beyond the Game Athletics Foundation and help keep elite coaching sustainable and accessible for the next generation.Support athlete scholars:https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/spring-summer-scholarship-fund==========================================Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard.#youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    10 min
  2. How to Prevent Athlete Identity Collapse After Their Sports Career Ends with Athletes' Soul

    May 20

    How to Prevent Athlete Identity Collapse After Their Sports Career Ends with Athletes' Soul

    What happens to a young person’s mental health when their sport ceases to be a game and starts feeling like a job? In this episode of Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast, Coach Justin Furtado connects with Tanya Nolan and Katie Hawkins from Athletes' Soul to dismantle the systemic identity crisis embedded in modern youth and collegiate sports. Founded by former elite competitors to address a critical gap in player support, Athletes' Soul is a dedicated non-profit organization on a mission to coach, educate, and empower the whole athlete through every stage of their athletic journey and subsequent retirement. Sharing their raw personal experiences navigating life after collegiate swimming and basketball, Tanya and Katie address the deep-seated mental health, body image, and behavioral challenges that occur when a person's identity is entirely wrapped up in an athletic persona. They provide concrete strategies for coaches and families to pivot away from hyper-critical, transactional coaching and move toward a model of self-discovery and player autonomy. What You'll Learn In This Episode: The Blueprint of Athlete Soul: How the organization uses specialized platforms and educational calls to help athletes smoothly transition out of sports and into the professional workplace. The Failure of Hyper-Criticism: Why sideline screaming and perfectionistic coaching styles backfire, destroying long-term intrinsic motivation and athlete retention. Breaking the Transactional Loop: The long-term psychological danger of tying financial or emotional rewards to stats, points, and scoreboards at a young age. Intent Alignment in Coaching: How to use curiosity-driven questions ("What did you learn today?" or "How were you a good teammate?") to protect player joy and foster absolute accountability. CONNECT WITH US! Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=en Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/ BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/ Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribe Website: https://btgbasketball.org/ Athletes' Soul Website: https://www.athletessoul.org/ Athletes Soul Membership: https://www.athletessoul.org/signup IG: https://www.instagram.com/athletessoul/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletessoul/ Katie Hawkins: https://www.instagram.com/healthcoachk8e/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hawkinskatie/ Tanya Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyanolan/ ========================================== CONNECT WITH BTG BASKETBALL! If you are a parent on the West Side of Los Angeles looking for a basketball academy that develops athletes on and off the court, visit us at btgbasketball.org SUPPORT OUR MISSION! Join us at the Beyond the Game Athletics Foundation and help keep elite coaching sustainable and accessible for the next generation. Support athlete scholars through the Spring–Summer Scholarship Fund: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/spring-summer-scholarship-fund Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard. #youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    47 min
  3. How Coaches Can Prevent Burnout Without Losing Their Passion for the Game with Coach Justin Furtado

    May 13

    How Coaches Can Prevent Burnout Without Losing Their Passion for the Game with Coach Justin Furtado

    Are you a coach who feels drained after every practice? Do you find yourself obsessing over the scoreboard while your own mental health takes a backseat? In this episode of the Beyond the Scoreboard podcast, Coach Justin Furtado gets real about the lumps of burnout and the pivotal shift he made in his seventh year of coaching to find more joy in the game than ever before. Whether you’re a volunteer parent, a club director, or a high school coach, the demands on your energy are constant. If you aren't investing in yourself, you aren't giving your athletes the best version of you. IN THIS EPISODE: Energy Management vs. Time Management: Why the 24-hour clock isn't your enemy, your energy output is. Learn how to identify what fuels you and what drains you.The Power of Letting Go: Why "joystick coaching" kills player development and how embracing the process (not just the wins) leads to better team camaraderie.Investing in the Person, Not Just the Coach: Coach Furtado shares his personal journey with therapy, physical fitness (running his first half marathon), and the importance of having a life outside the gym.Coaching is a giving job. But you cannot pour from an empty cup. Coach Furtado explains why saying "no" more often might be the best thing you can do for your team, your family, and your career. ========================================= CONNECT WITH US: Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=en Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/ BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/ Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribe Website: https://btgbasketball.org/ ========================================== CONNECT WITH BTG BASKETBALL! If you are a parent on the West Side of Los Angeles looking for a basketball academy that develops athletes on and off the court, visit us at btgbasketball.org. SUPPORT OUR MISSION! Join us at the Beyond the Game Athletics Foundation and help keep elite coaching sustainable and accessible for the next generation. Support athlete scholars through the Spring–Summer Scholarship Fund: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/spring-summer-scholarship-fundBeyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard. #youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    14 min
  4. The Simple Technique That Builds Better Social Skills in Young Athletes and Boosts Team Camaraderie with James McLamb

    May 6

    The Simple Technique That Builds Better Social Skills in Young Athletes and Boosts Team Camaraderie with James McLamb

    Most parents and coaches are missing the mark when it comes to inspiring hope and leadership in today’s youth. In this episode of The Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast, Coach Justine Furtado and James McLamb, founder of Generation Youth, reveals how a simple shift in mindset can transform the way we develop the next generation of leaders—starting with understanding the real meaning behind being a "coach" and how influence, not control, truly guides young people. His insights are a wake-up call for anyone working with or caring about youth success in a hyper-digital world. James McLamb is a Ziegler Legacy Certified Trainer, John Maxwell team member, and author of Tomorrow’s Youth. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in equipping adults with the tools to ignite hope, leadership, and social skills in young people, guiding them to fulfill their dreams and find their purpose. In this episode, James shares a powerful framework inspired by the Bible—hope isn't lost, it's just delayed. You’ll discover why today’s teens are a hope-deferred generation and how you can help bridge the gap between their current reality and their dreams. They break down the dangers social media poses to youth identity, relationships, and purpose—and how parents and mentors can foster healthier, more authentic connections. They also explore the psychological shift coaches need to truly connect, inspiring ownership rather than obedience—giving young athletes the influence to lead themselves and others. They discuss how to instill leadership, build trust, and influence through influence, not authority, transforming teams into family-like environments rooted in relationship rather than results. Plus, James emphasizes the importance of patience and consistency in planting seeds of character, with real-world examples that demonstrate how small actions create lifelong bonds. Why does this matter? Ignoring these risks a generation disconnected from their purpose, their community, and their potential. With the right tools, you can turn everyday interactions into moments of growth and influence, helping young people discover who they are and what they’re meant to do. Whether you're a parent, coach, or youth advocate, this episode offers actionable insights to lead with heart in a digital age—and to truly shape the future. In this episode: - The concept of a "Hope Deferred Generation" and how to restore hope among youth - The influence of social media on youth identity, relationships, and purpose - Effective coaching strategies focused on influence, ownership, and relationship-building - Activities to develop social skills and genuine connection among young athletes - How parents can rebuild trust and strengthen relationships outside of sports 👉 Ready to make sports fun again? ========================================== CONNECT WITH US: James LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mclamb-74a72746/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/james.mclamb1/ Website: https://www.generation-youth.com/ Pod: https://www.generation-youth.com/podcast Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=en Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/ BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/ Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribe Website: https://btgbasketball.org/ Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard. #youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    42 min
  5. How to Keep Youth Sports Fun Without Losing Competitiveness with Rhett Parker

    Apr 22

    How to Keep Youth Sports Fun Without Losing Competitiveness with Rhett Parker

    Ever feel like youth sports are turning into a mini–Super Bowl for 8-year-olds? In this episode of The Beyond the Scoreboard, Coach Justin Furtado and Rhett Parker, founder and director of Pacific Northwest Regional Baseball and former baseball player, and host of the Surviving Youth Sports Podcast, spill the real tea on why kids are quitting sports and how we can fix it. They dive into five big problems: adults obsessed with winning, fake rankings, year-round specialization, sky-high costs, and clueless coaches or “joystick” parents. You’ll hear raw stories (like a coach pushing an injured kid just to win a game) and hard facts. In fact, a recent survey found 45% of kids who quit sports said it got “too competitive” and lost its fun. Even worse, nearly 70% of youth athletes drop out by age 13, mostly because adults turned play into pressure. On this episode you’ll learn: How a win-at-all-costs mindset actually backfires and why even research shows it’s a big reason kids stop enjoying sportsWhy those “#1 ranked” banners and travel trophies can do more harm than goodThe truth about early specialization. The “more is better” is outdatedWhy playing multiple sports builds stronger, happier athletes, backed by the fact that most Olympians didn’t specialize earlyThe rising cost of youth sports (now $1,000+ per kid) and what it means for accessibility and inclusionThe real issue with undertrained coaches and overly involved “joystick” parentsWhy better education, for both coaches and parents, is key to keeping kids engaged in sportsIf you’re a sports mom, dad or volunteer coach who cares more about kids’ growth than trophies, this episode is for you! We’re keeping it real, entertaining, and packed with value (you might giggle at our stories, but you’ll walk away with practical tips). 👉 Ready to make sports fun again? 🚀Hit the FOLLOW for weekly episodes on coaching, leadership, and athlete development! ==========================================⁠⁠ Make Money Coaching Sports⁠⁠: https://www.makemoneycoachingsports.c... ========================================== CONNECT WITH US: Rhett IG: https://www.instagram.com/rhettparkerpnw/ Rhett X/Twitter: https://x.com/rhettparkerpnw?lang=en Website: https://pnwregionalbaseball.com/ Surviving Youth Sports Pod: https://surviveyouthsports.com/ Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=en Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/ BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/ Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribe Website: https://btgbasketball.org/ Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard. #youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    47 min
  6. The Recruiting Standard That's Taken UCLA to the Sweet 16 with Athletics Coach Tasha Brown

    Apr 15

    The Recruiting Standard That's Taken UCLA to the Sweet 16 with Athletics Coach Tasha Brown

    What if the best recruiting decision you ever make is the player you choose not to take? In this episode, Coach Justin Furtado and Coach Tasha Brown, UCLA Athletics Women's Basketball Coach, explores the coaching philosophy that has quietly made UCLA one of the most integrity-driven programs in college basketball. This conversation goes deep on what it means to put the person before the player, weekly one-on-ones, off-court trust-building, knowing the difference between team bonding and team building, and why Tasha believes players who leave college athletics damaged are a coaching failure, not an inevitability.In this conversation, you'll discover:— What alignment in recruiting actually means — and why talent alone isn't enough— How UCLA's mission (teach, mentor, equip) shapes every decision from recruiting to practice— Building self-image in competitive athletes — the daily work behind it— Reset routines: how to develop them, teach them, and get a whole team using them— Why coaching staff stability matters more than most programs realize— The advice Coach Tasha would give her younger coaching selfIf you've ever wondered whether you can win at a high level without compromising your values, this episode is your answer.==========================================⁠⁠Make Money Coaching Sports⁠⁠: https://www.makemoneycoachingsports.c...==========================================CONNECT WITH US:Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=enPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribeWebsite: https://btgbasketball.org/Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard.

    35 min
  7. Parental Entitlement vs. Athlete Growth: Fixing the "Win-at-all-Costs" Travel Ball Culture

    Apr 8

    Parental Entitlement vs. Athlete Growth: Fixing the "Win-at-all-Costs" Travel Ball Culture

    What happens when the adults in the gym become the biggest problem on the court? After this conversation, you will never look at a youth sports sideline the same way.Coach Justin Furtado sits down with Darrel Cole — 30-year coaching veteran, Thousand Oaks High School assistant, nonprofit travel program founder, and basketball dad — to talk honestly about what travel basketball culture is doing to our kids, and what coaches and parents can actually do about it.About Darrel: Darrel Cole walked onto the Oakland University basketball program after years of relentless work, went on to coach youth athletes at every level, and founded SoCal Splash to give underserved kids in both rural and urban communities a real shot at the game. He is as thoughtful as he is direct.Five Key Moments:0:00 — The Origin: How a chance meeting at a tournament led to this conversation about what youth sports has become2:00 — The Incident: Darrel describes a weekend tournament where a parent nearly attacked a coach, a ref said it was 'above my pay grade,' and the game just... kept going9:00 — The Walk-On Mentality: How being told 'no' repeatedly shaped everything Darrel teaches young athletes today14:00 — The Dad vs. Coach Tension: How Darrel navigates coaching his own son without projecting his own playing career onto him20:00 — The Kids Being Left Behind: Why the middle-talent athlete in rural and urban communities is the real gap in youth basketball development==========================================⁠⁠Make Money Coaching Sports⁠⁠: https://www.makemoneycoachingsports.c...==========================================CONNECT WITH US:Coach Darrel IG: https://www.instagram.com/darrelwcole/Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=enPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribeWebsite: https://btgbasketball.org/==========================================Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard.

    48 min
  8. Stop Joystick Coaching: How to Develop Youth Athletes Who Think for Themselves with Matt Poland

    Apr 1

    Stop Joystick Coaching: How to Develop Youth Athletes Who Think for Themselves with Matt Poland

    Most youth coaches are accidentally ruining their players' development.In this episode of the Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast, Coach Justin Furtado sat down with Matt Poland aka Coach Gaffa, head coach of FC Naples in USL League One and discuss the #1 mistake destroying youth athletes: joystick coaching.Here's the truth most coaches won't tell you: Your job isn't to win every game. Your job is to prepare players for the moments when you're not on the sideline. The moments when they have to problem-solve under pressure. The moments when they face failure and have to bounce back.Matt's philosophy is simple: Guide on the side, not sage on the stage. Stop micromanaging. Start asking questions. Teach the why. Create players who own their decisions.In this conversation, you'll discover:1. Sports must be more than the dream of going pro, use it as a microcosm to prepare athletes for life's obstacles, teamwork, and resilience2. When you don't communicate clearly, athletes will create their own narratives about your decisions, often spiraling in directions you never intended3. You can hold the same standard across your entire team, but how you coach each athlete to that standard must be completely individualizedWhether you coach recreational league or competitive travel teams, whether your kid plays soccer, basketball, or baseball, this episode will completely transform how you approach youth sports.It's time to play the long game. ABOUT COACH GAFFA: Matt Poland is the Head Coach and Sporting Director for FC Naples (USL League One). After a four-year professional playing career in Scandinavia, a catastrophic knee injury forced him into coaching at 24 — where he's built a reputation for player-first leadership and cultural intentionality. FIVE KEY MOMENTS: 1:22 — The Injury: When the dream ends and the pivot begins 4:22 — Trial by Fire: Coaching guys who were your teammates six months ago 6:15 — Sports as Life Prep: Why the scoreboard can't be the only goal 8:33 — The Communication Gap: What happens when you don't give clarity 10:50 — Same Standard, Different Roads: Coaching to the individual without compromising culture==========================================⁠⁠Make Money Coaching Sports⁠⁠: https://www.makemoneycoachingsports.c...==========================================CONNECT WITH US:Coach Gaffa Website: https://www.coachpoland.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachgaffaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-poland-9a7749172/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattpolandsoccer/Coach Furtado IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachfurtadoo/?hl=enPodcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/beyond_the_scoreboard_pod/BTG Basketball IG: https://www.instagram.com/btg_basketball/Newsletter: https://btgbasketball.org/bts-newsletter-subscribeWebsite: https://btgbasketball.org/Beyond the Scoreboard is the podcast for coaches and parents who know winning isn't the whole point. Hosted by Coach Justin Furtado of BTG Basketball, each episode digs into the leadership, mindset, and culture that shape young athletes into people, not just players. Because the most important things happening in youth sports never show up on the scoreboard.#youthsports #basketball #sports #sportspodcast #aau

    46 min
4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Beyond the Scoreboard Podcast. The podcast goes beyond the game to uncover what it takes to create a transformative experience for athletes. Tailored for coaches and parents, this show empowers you to elevate your impact, helping athletes grow as leaders on and off the court. We dive into leadership, mindset, and holistic athletic development each week with insightful guests. Beyond the Scoreboard challenges you to think critically, lead purposefully, and transform the next generation of athletes. Checkout our website: btgbasketball.org

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