The Transforming Basketball Podcast

Transforming Basketball
  • 4.8 (42)
  • Basketball
  • Updated Weekly

Transforming Basketball is all about breaking away from the status quo by helping the basketball world make sense of evidence-based ideas. Within the podcast, contemporary skill acquisition ideas are introduced to change the way we think about basketball performance. If you're ready to join us in our quest to transform the basketball world, challenge the way things have always been done, and reflect deeply on our coaching and organisational approaches, then this is the podcast for you!

  1. EP166: Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber on Improving Mental Performance

    19h ago

    EP166: Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber on Improving Mental Performance

    In this episode, George is joined by Michael Huber to explore how mental performance training can help athletes become more present, resilient, and adaptable under pressure. Michael shares practical strategies for mindfulness, self-talk, visualization, and communication, while also discussing how coaches can build mentally challenging practice environments that better prepare players for real-game adversity.    Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Michael Huber and mental performance coaching 02:00 – Defining mental performance and helping athletes apply skills in competition 03:30 – Awareness, mindfulness, and learning to stay present under pressure 05:00 – Using breathing, self-talk, and visualization to regulate emotions in games 06:30 – Why meditation can strengthen focus, awareness, and emotional control 08:00 – Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and building stillness through daily routines 09:30 – Understanding "anchors" and creating intentional pre-game habits 11:00 – Using notebooks, intentions, and controllable goals before games 12:30 – Helping athletes focus on impact beyond scoring and statistics 14:00 – Why communication and role clarity are critical for coaches and players 15:30 – Lessons from podcast conversations about coaching, transitions, and leadership 17:00 – Preparing athletes mentally for the next level before they arrive there 18:30 – Why practice environments can never fully replicate game pressure 20:00 – Helping athletes balance personal goals with team systems and coaching styles 21:30 – Encouraging players to ask questions and communicate with coaches effectively 23:00 – Designing practices that intentionally build mental resilience and adversity 24:30 – Using constraints, penalties, and game-like challenges to train emotional control 26:00 – Transformative Tip Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    27 min
  2. EP165: Constraints, Movement Layering, and Conceptual Basketball with Erick Vigansky

    May 27

    EP165: Constraints, Movement Layering, and Conceptual Basketball with Erick Vigansky

    In this episode, George is joined by Erick Vigansky, founder of Athletes on the Rise, to explore the balance between skill development, strength and conditioning, and creating environments that maximize learning. Together, they dive into optimal learning, constraint-led coaching, player development progressions, and how coaches can better design practices that encourage adaptability, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.    Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Erick Vigansky and Athletes on the Rise 02:00 – Defining "optimal learning" and balancing success with failure 03:30 – Why simplifying 5-on-5 into smaller situations improves development 05:00 – Identifying foundational weaknesses before teaching advanced reads 06:30 – The role of frustration and adversity in building mental resilience 08:00 – Creating team cultures where players feel safe to fail and learn 09:30 – Establishing non-negotiables while still encouraging freedom and creativity 11:00 – Erick's "skill layering" approach to teaching movement and footwork 12:30 – Building movement patterns through rhythm, deceleration, and re-acceleration 14:00 – Using guided defenders and constraints to bridge drills into live play 15:30 – Exploring weighted basketballs and basketball-specific strength development 17:00 – Self-organization, external cues, and teaching functional movement patterns 18:30 – The downside of overusing internal cues and creating "choking" under pressure 20:00 – Structuring weekly practices with team sessions, skill work, and strength training 21:30 – Why George shifted away from heavily scripted set plays 23:00 – Teaching offensive concepts through triggers, domino principles, and spacing  24:00 – Using small-sided games and constraints to accelerate decision-making and adaptability Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    26 min
  3. EP164: Gabriel Solé Head S&C Coach for Ourense Baloncesto in Spain's Primera FEB

    May 20

    EP164: Gabriel Solé Head S&C Coach for Ourense Baloncesto in Spain's Primera FEB

    In this episode, George is joined by Gabriel Solé, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Ourense Baloncesto in Spain's Primera FEB, to explore how blending traditional strength work with ecological dynamics and game-like movement solutions can create more adaptable, resilient basketball players.    Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Gabriel Solé and his coaching background 02:00 – Discovering ecological dynamics and blending traditional training methods 03:30 – Structuring weight room sessions: preparation, auxiliary, and main lifts 05:00 – Using variability, movement solutions, and intention in the weight room 06:30 – Creating game-like athletic development through constraints and timing 08:00 – The "box rolling" drill and adding reaction-based elements to training 09:30 – Why coaches should prioritize adaptability over perfect movement patterns 11:00 – Integrating sprinting, agility, and competition through playful games 12:30 – Communicating with coaching staffs about load management and practice design 14:00 – Organizing weekly practice intensity using preparatory, load, tapering, and recovery sessions 15:30 – Monitoring player fatigue through wellness questionnaires and active minutes 17:00 – Why organic conversations and observation still matter most in performance coaching 18:30 – Transitioning from Brazil to Sweden and evolving beyond traditional training 20:00 – How experimentation and curiosity shaped Gabriel's coaching philosophy 21:30 – Adapting training to the cognitive and emotional demands of Spanish basketball 23:00 – Reducing monotony and using fun, instinctive games to increase intensity 24:30 – Why coaches should embrace creativity and stop fearing mistakes 26:00 – Transformative Tip    Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    28 min
  4. EP163: England Youth National Team Assistant Antony Distras on Transforming Player Development

    May 13

    EP163: England Youth National Team Assistant Antony Distras on Transforming Player Development

    In this episode, George is joined by Antony Distras, a championship-winning coach and England U15 assistant, to explore how shifting from traditional drills to a decision-based, game-realistic approach can transform player development. Antony shares how trusting players, embracing mistakes, and designing practices around real-game chaos helped lead his U14 team to an undefeated championship season.   Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Antony Distras and his coaching journey 02:00 – Early coaching experiences and learning through trial and error 03:30 – Moving away from copying drills to understanding the "why" behind coaching 05:00 – Why traditional drills (5-on-0, three-man weave) fall short in real games 06:30 – Embracing chaos: making practices more game-like and decision-driven 08:00 – Winning the championship: lessons from developing an inexperienced team 09:30 – Building player confidence by creating a safe environment for mistakes 11:00 – Shifting from constant correction to guided discovery and questioning 12:30 – Favorite small-sided games for skill development and team concepts 14:00 – Using constraints to improve pace, decision-making, and transition play 15:30 – Designing offense: spacing, triggers, and empowering all players as playmakers 17:00 – Encouraging fast play and maximizing transition opportunities 18:30 – The role of the coach: stepping back and letting players figure it out 20:00 – The downside of 1-on-0 training and building "false confidence" 21:30 – Creating better learning environments through decision-making and pressure 23:00 – Transformative Tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    25 min
  5. EP162: Winning a State Title with James Anderson

    May 6

    EP162: Winning a State Title with James Anderson

    In this episode, George is joined by James Anderson, a high school coach and state champion, to explore how conceptual offense, practice design, and intentional culture-building can transform a basketball program. James shares how embracing chaos, empowering players, and focusing on relationships helped elevate both performance and team identity.   Chapters: : 01:00 – Introduction to James Anderson and his coaching journey 02:00 – First exposure to Transforming Basketball and shifting coaching philosophy 03:00 – Transitioning from structured systems to conceptual offense and player empowerment 04:30 – How conceptual play accelerated development and improved team culture 06:00 – Managing growing pains and trusting the process through mid-season struggles 07:30 – Simplifying practice design with constraints and repeatable drill structures 09:00 – Why "less is more" in drills and focusing on key triggers and actions 10:30 – Embracing chaos: training for game-like environments with noise and pace 12:00 – Building a strong team culture through purpose, connection, and shared experiences 14:00 – Practical culture strategies: walk-and-talks, team rules, and off-court bonding 16:00 – Coaching non-negotiables: effort, unselfishness, and making the right play 18:00 – Adapting principles of play based on team strengths and season learnings 20:00 – Experimentation in practice: discovering impactful drills through trial and error 27:00 – Transformative Tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    29 min
  6. EP161: High School Coach of the Year Carson Huelle on Applying CLA Principles

    Apr 29

    EP161: High School Coach of the Year Carson Huelle on Applying CLA Principles

    In this episode, George is joined by Carson Huelle, head coach of Fort Collins High School Girls Basketball. They talk about implementing constraints led approach (CLA) principles into his practice environment; this has fostered a player-first culture rooted in trust, growth, and creativity that led to a successful turnaround season.   Chapters: 00:01:00 – Returning to coach at his alma mater, Fort Collins High School, and taking on his first head coaching role 00:02:00 – How skill acquisition and the Constraints-Led Approach became central to daily practice plans 00:03:30 – Lessons learned from working with Jeff Schmidt and how mentorship reshaped his basketball philosophy 00:06:30 – Practical small-sided games coaches can use to teach offensive actions like ball screens, Zoom action, and spacing 00:09:30 – Using fast-break scenarios and finishing games to develop decision-making and scoring creativity 00:13:00 – What it means to "meet athletes where they're at" and why every player needs to be coached differently 00:16:15 – How player empowerment, trust, and culture fueled a dramatic team turnaround 00:20:40 – Why Carson would add even more chaos and game-like environments into future practices 00:23:50 – His transformative tip: embrace basketball's unpredictability and never stop evolving as a coach 00:26:10 – Transformative Tip     Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    27 min
  7. EP160: Representative Shooting Drills with Arkansas State Assistant Coach Anthony Goods

    Apr 22

    EP160: Representative Shooting Drills with Arkansas State Assistant Coach Anthony Goods

    In this episode, George is joined by Anthony Goods to explore representative shooting, scouting insights, and how coaches can better prepare players for real game conditions. They dive into contested shooting, decision-making, and the importance of designing practices that truly reflect the chaos and demands of competition.   Chapters:  00:00 – Overview of Anthony's background as a Stanford player, overseas pro, NBA scout, and now assistant coach 01:10 – What Anthony looks for in recruiting and scouting 06:30 – Breaking down shooting data from elite players 10:00 – Preparing for imperfection in games 13:00 – Creative shooting drills and intentional misses 14:30 – Adding cognitive load and variability in training 17:30 – Managing player frustration in "messy" practice 19:00 – Adapting to constraints and improving over time 20:30 –  Encouraging players to self-diagnose and understand their own performance. 22:00 – Transformative Tip   Join Transforming Basketball's 2026 Summer Camp in Italy. Exclusive training for players and coaches with world-class methods and expert guidance. Book your spot now: https://transformingbball.com/residential-summer-camp   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    25 min
  8. EP159: Understanding Non-Linear Pedagogy with Dr. Matt Bowers from the University of Texas

    Apr 15

    EP159: Understanding Non-Linear Pedagogy with Dr. Matt Bowers from the University of Texas

    In this episode, George is joined by returning guest Dr. Matt Bowers to dive deeper into the practical application of Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP) and the Constraints-Led Approach in basketball coaching.   At its core, NLP focuses on five key principles to drive skill acquisition: Representative Learning Design: Ensuring practice environments contain the same information and "cues" found in a real game. Constraints Manipulation: Strategically adjusting task, environmental, or individual constraints to guide players toward functional solutions. Functional Variability: Encouraging "repetition without repetition" so players develop adaptable movement patterns rather than one "textbook" technique. Information-Movement Coupling: Linking perception directly to action; players learn to move based on what they see (teammates, defenders, spacing). External Focus of Attention: Directing a player's focus toward the intended outcome of a movement rather than internal body mechanics.   Building on their previous conversation, Dr. Matt Bowers breaks down how coaches can design more representative, game-like learning environments that empower players to solve problems, adapt in real time, and develop true basketball intelligence. Check their previous conversation here.   Chapters: 00:00 – Welcoming Matt Bowers as the first returning guest  02:00 – What is Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP)? 05:15 – Why "messy" practice leads to better learning 07:30 – The trap of traditional drills and non-representative training 08:10 – Constraint manipulation and defining success in practice 10:00 – Rethinking success: decision-making vs outcomes 15:00 – Player autonomy and reducing coach dependency 17:00 – Practical example: using scoring systems to shape behavior 20:00 – Rewarding process over outcomes in practice 21:30 – External vs internal focus of attention 25:30 – Does NLP actually work? (research insights) 27:00 – Functional variability: multiple solutions to the same problem 30:00 – Perception-action coupling and game-like decision making 31:30 – Increasing complexity to improve transfer to games   Join Transforming Basketball's 2026 Summer Camp in Italy. Exclusive training for players and coaches with world-class methods and expert guidance. Book your spot now: https://transformingbball.com/residential-summer-camp Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

    34 min
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4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

Transforming Basketball is all about breaking away from the status quo by helping the basketball world make sense of evidence-based ideas. Within the podcast, contemporary skill acquisition ideas are introduced to change the way we think about basketball performance. If you're ready to join us in our quest to transform the basketball world, challenge the way things have always been done, and reflect deeply on our coaching and organisational approaches, then this is the podcast for you!

Information

  • Creator
    Transforming Basketball
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Copyright Sarama SportsGroup, Trading as Transforming Basketball
  • Show Website
    The Transforming Basketball Podcast

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