Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast

Mike MacKay & Brandon Brock
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Join Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock as they dive into weekly conversations about transformational coaching, stewardship, and performance safety. The Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast is a place for all coaches to join in on a conversation to help grow the game of basketball. Look forward to weekly episodes including conversations with coaches from across the country and around the world engaging in conversations around new concepts in the game of basketball. visit Game Plan (gameplanbasketball.ca) for more resources

  1. 1d ago

    Robert Simmons - Stories From a Lifetime of Coaching Around the World

    On this episode, Coach Mike sits down with Robert Simmon who reflects on a coaching journey that has taken him from Canadian basketball courts to schools and programs around the world. He shares how early experiences at Olympia Sports Camp, Lakehead, and alongside influential coaches helped shape his belief in mentorship, curiosity, and continual learning. Robert discusses how coaching and working in Ukraine, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, China, and other international settings challenged him to adapt his approach to leadership and player development. The conversation explores the differences between North American and international basketball systems, including skill development, school versus club sport, and the value of creating environments where players can learn through exploration. Robert and Mike also examine the importance of coaching the person first, allowing young coaches to make mistakes, and moving beyond rigid systems or simply copying what works at higher levels. They reflect on the unique role school sport can play in developing resilience, accountability, leadership, and a lifelong connection to sport, regardless of whether an athlete reaches the next level. Ultimately, the episode is a reminder that great coaching is less about having all the answers and more about staying open to learning, building meaningful relationships, and creating positive experiences for athletes and coaches alike.

  2. 5d ago

    Points to Ponder - What Does it Mean to be Physical?

    In this Points to Ponder, Coach Mike explores the definition and language around what it means to play with physicality.

  3. Oct 19

    Kerri Kuzbyt - Transforming Basketball & Head of Player Development with the Scottish Basketball Federation

    In this episode, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Kerri Kuzbyt, a former University of Winnipeg and professional player who is now Head of Player Development with the Scottish Basketball Federation. Kerri explains how the constraints-led approach transformed her own game and now shapes the way she develops athletes. Together, she and Mike explore why failure should be treated as useful information, how playful environments can produce deeper learning, and why coaches need to value long-term development over short-term perfection. They also discuss creating healthy competitive environments for girls and women, helping athletes become resilient without treating them as fragile, and giving players the autonomy to discover solutions that fit their individual abilities. This conversation offers practical ideas for coaches who want to make learning more engaging, embrace the messiness of development, and lead with curiosity, compassion, authenticity, and courage.

  4. Oct 15

    Point to Ponder - Coach the Interaction, Not Just the Play

    On this Point to Ponder, Coach Mike builds on the conversation with Kareem Kalil on feedback and breaks down one of his favourite basketball movie scenes!

  5. Oct 12

    Kareem Kalil - Exploring Questions around Feedback

    Coach Mike MacKay welcomes coach, researcher, and PhD candidate Kareem Kalil to explore the complex dynamics of coach-athlete communication. Drawing from his experiences as a player, teacher, school leader, and coach, Kareem shares the inspiration behind his doctoral research, which examines how coaches' intentions and athletes' interpretations can either align or diverge during key coaching interactions. Together, they discuss trust, empowerment, feedback, non-verbal communication, and the importance of understanding the athlete's perspective. This thought-provoking conversation challenges traditional views of coaching and offers valuable insights into creating more meaningful and effective coach-player relationships. Catch up with Kareem on Twitter https://x.com/KareemKalil14 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kkalil Learn more about the work Kareem is doing here: https://kalilwnba.substack.com/p/studying-the-art-of-coaching

  6. Oct 8

    Point to Ponder - What happens when interested coaches gather?

    Coach Mike shares a Point to Ponder on a recent informal clinic that he attended and reflects on the impact and power of informal environments for sharing ideas and collaborating in basketball.

  7. Oct 5

    FIBA Women's World Cup, European Travels, & Film Breakdown

    On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike and Coach Brandon sit down to discuss Mike's recent travels in Italy, Germany, and Denmark and Mike's time at the FIBA Women's World Cup. Mike shares everything from his favourite moments travelling, to the best food that he ate, and of course his observations watching the top women's basketball games. Then, Mike dives into some video breakdown from the Gold Medal game of the world cup and explore the power of on-ball defense and the ability to adapt in the heat of the storm. Checkout the new Canada Basketball eLearning on Developing Mindset by heading over to gameplanbasketball.ca

  8. Oct 1

    Points to Ponder - Nothing Soft

    On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another Point to Ponder. This time, Mike talks about the power of "soft" skills, and how they aren't soft at all.

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Join Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock as they dive into weekly conversations about transformational coaching, stewardship, and performance safety. The Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast is a place for all coaches to join in on a conversation to help grow the game of basketball. Look forward to weekly episodes including conversations with coaches from across the country and around the world engaging in conversations around new concepts in the game of basketball. visit Game Plan (gameplanbasketball.ca) for more resources

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