Episodes
-
We are fortunate to have Bill Himmelberg on this episode.
Himmelberg is the head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana. The Argos made their way to this year’s NAIA National Championship game, but fell to No. 1 Dordt University by 4 points.
Himmelberg is entering his 15 season as Providence’s head coach. He also has experience coaching at the high school level.
--
Check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
1:45 - Was playing for an NAIA title expected at the beginning of the season
2:40 - Determining when your team might be a championship-level team
4:15 - Discussing championship possiblities with your team
7:45 - Where owning restaurant franchises and college basketball meet
12:50 - Developing an offensive identity through early offense and player freedom
18:15 - Building confidence in younger players in a conceptual system
22:35 - Flowing from 5-out to 4-out seamlessly
31:05 - Packaging actions and naming them for easy communication
35:15 - Introducing concepts throughout the season
37:35 - The benefits for two-way teaching
40:00 - Using a 5-out to attack a zone defense
42:15 - Percentage of time practicing against a zone defense
44:05 - Area of study as a coach for the upcoming season
-
We are fortunate to have Ryan Josephson on this episode.
Josephson is the head boys coach at Camas High School near Vancouver, Washington.
Since starting as an assistant coach for the boys, the Papermakers have enjoyed unprecedented success in their school’s basketball history, including a sixth place finish in the 2023 4A State Tournament.
Over the last 4 years, Camas has averaged more than 70 points per game.
--
Check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
SHOW NOTES
2:05 - Path toward a conceptual offense and using CLA concepts
4:55 - Main principles of the Camas offense
11:00 - Identifying primary triggers for a conceptual offense
19:15 - Using Ghost Screens as a secondary action
23:10 - Other secondary actions to keep flow
27:25 - SSGs that lead to secondary actions
31:40 - Conceptual offense with multiple talented players
33:50 - Identifying good shots in a conceptual offense
37:25 - CLA’s impact on player shot selection
39:00 - Forecasting for the future with a conceptual offense
47:30 - Working with your coaching staff in implementation
51:05 - Growth areas as a coach
-
Missing episodes?
-
We are fortunate to have Kirby Schepp on this podcast.
Schepp is the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Manitoba. Schepp has coached at all levels in his more than 3 decade of coaching, including stints with national teams of Canada and Egypt.
Most people know Schepp from his online coaching clinics, including the presentation “Don’t Teach Them Plays, Teach Them “How to Play,” which has more than 1 million views on YouTube.
Schepp covers a lot for coaches to consider throughout this episode. The main focus of the discussion is Zone Offense Concepts.
--
Check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
SHOW NOTES
1:30 - Coaching at a national team level
3:40 - Coach Schepp’s basketball journey
5:30 - Putting in the time as a coach
10:40 - Breaking down concepts for players
13:30 - Growing as a coach
14:50 - Building player’s knowledge of zone offense
21:15 - Offense that zones don’t like
23:15 - Concepts that will distort a zone
27:25 - Game planning & adjusting to a zone
31:50 - Teaching shot selection in zone offense
36:35 - A system vs. player strengths
41:10 - Blobs vs. a zone defense
45:05 - Finding inspiration for zone offense
48:20 - Olympic basketball breakdown
51:10 - Growth areas as a coach
53:15 - Keys to re-evaluating your system
-
We are fortunate to have 2 guests for this episode.
The first guest is James Anderson, who has appeared on two episodes of the podcast. Anderson is the head boys coach at Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Our second guest is new to the podcast. Adam DeGroot is the head coach at Joliet Catholic in Joliet, Illinois.
Both coaches run conceptual offense, and in many ways, run conceptual defense. The episode is a mid-summer check-in to discuss what we've learned.
--
Check out our newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
3:15 - Developing a long-term plan for program building
5:00 - Reasons for leaning toward conceptual play
7:20 - The role of the “Connector” position
10:30 - Developing the “Connector” in practice
13:20 - Second-year development of offense
15:40 - Distribution of triggers and shots
18:40 - Stacking triggers together
21:55 - Introducing Conceptual Offense to younger players
27:45 - Summer surprises - good & bad
31:45 - Describing a conceputal defense
36:50 - How players have picked up the conceptual defense
39:35 - Getting your coaching staff up to speed
-
We are fortunate to have Brian McCormick on this episode. McCormick name is probably familiar to you. He has coached players at all levels all over the world for several decades, and his impact on the game is remarkable.
McCormick, who has a PhD in Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Utah, released his 27th book for basketball coaches in March. NADA is his first book to focus on defense.
--
Check out our newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
SHOW NOTES
1:55 - The evolution of NADA
5:45 - 3 differentiators between NADA & traditional systems
20:40 - No Advantage vs. Defensive Advantage
30:10 - Antiquated Defensive Principles
41:40 - When incorrect decisions are the preferred decisions
45:20 - Using NADA in your program
51:10 - 1v1's Role in Improving Defense
56:50 - Offseason focuses
-
We are fortunate to have Chris Cheng on this episode to talk about 5-Out Trigger Offense.
Cheng is the head men’s coach at the University of Windsor in Ontario. He also happens to be the head coach of Canada’s U17 National team which will be competing at the World Championships later this summer.
--
Check out our newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
--
SHOW NOTES
2:10 - Pathway to a 5-Out Offense
4:30 - Evolution in Offense
5:50 - Offensive DNA
7:55 - Drill to teach pace
8:30 - Drill to game transfer
11:15 - Relocation for proper spacing
13:25 - Second Attacks: NBA
15:50 - Coverage solutions for triggers
18:55 - Off-ball players responsibilities
20:25 - Who decides triggers?
22:25 - Pre-Trigger actions
24:20 - Where players struggle
27:55 - Preparing Canada’s U17 team
29:25 - Establishing roles on a national team
30:25 - The growth of basketball in Canada
32:15 - Talent level in Canada’s college game
34:10 - Coaching growth area
-
We are fortunate to have Jason Hardy back on the podcast. The pride of Valley High School joined us last April to discuss how to use data to game plan and program build.
Hardy was the manager for the Idaho men’s program while going to school in Moscow. Most recently, he was a grad assistant for the Toledo women’s team.
Hardy is also a player development coach for CoachSessions.
--
Topic Breakdown
1:40 - Defining Early Offense
2:35 - Early offense and offensive efficiency
5:15 - Keys to playing fast
6:25 - Principles of early offense
9:55 - Shot selection in early offense
13:30 - Playing out of advantage
15:35 - Benefits of teaching advantage
16:40 - Numbers behind early offense
19:55 - Early offense drills
23:30 - Teaching decision making
24:25 - Tulsa’s transition offense
--
Subscribe to the newsletter: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/
-
We are fortunate to have Liam Jefferson on this episode.
Jefferson is a head coach with the London Lions boys academy. Prior to that he spent 12 years as an assistant and head coach at Loughborough University.
Jefferson also was an assistant coach on Great Britain’s U20 staff last summer.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
1:40 - The state of basketball in Great Britain
3:40 - Reasons for taking the London Lions job
5:55 - The purpose of the youth academy
7:50 - Roster rules for BBL teams
9:30 - Takeaways from using the CLA in development
12:50 - How the coaches are working together
14:50 - Areas that have been harder to implement
18:35 - A typical week for players
21:05 - Comparisons with England’s soccer academies
22:00 - Practice planning and implementation
26:10 - Individual development plans
29:50 - Connection between academy & the top team
32:05 - Categorizing player’s roles
35:05 - Using the CLA to teach players (PnR)
39:50 - Purposeful feedback in practice
42:15 - The bridge between practice & games
44:40 - Using film to guide development
48:35 - Personal development as a coach
-
We are fortunate to have Drew Dunlop on this episode.
Dunlop is a co-founder of The Pro Lane, a development facility in Wisconsin that works with players at all levels.
Dunlop has coached around the world and is recognized for his modern approach using a Constraints-Led Approach for Skill Acquisition.
At The Pro Lane, he helps designs training environments that allows players to explore solutions that transfer to the game.
https://twitter.com/CoachDrewD
https://twitter.com/TheProLane
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
1:30 - Path from player to development coach
3:35 - Confidence as a coach to try something different
5:40 - Identifying that this coaching method works
6:50 - The process of making a learning environment
9:00 - The importance of whiteboards during training
10:35 - Using questions to guide learning
12:30 - How technology factors into development
15:00 - Emphasizing modern game skills
16:50 - Teaching players adaptability in finishing
18:45 - When in doubt, add a defender
19:55 - Teaching off-ball screening
21:25 - Methods for teaching players
22:35 - Teaching players about off-ball cutting
24:00 - The role of defense in the training
25:40 - Incorporating rebounding in development
27:25 - Including common triggers and actions
28:50 - Teaching spacing in development sessions
29:25 - The amount of off-court time as development coach
30:20 - From idea to implementation
31:40 - Teams, players to watch
32:40 - Growing as a coach & business
35:05 - Creating a focus for a development session
-
We are fortunate to have Nathan Williams on this episode. Williams is the head coach at Bonners Ferry High School. He helped guide the Badgers to their first state title in boys basketball last month.
Prior to that, Williams has coached at a variety of levels, including seven years as the head coach in Stanfield, Ore. Williams was also a standout basketball player in high school and was member of the Whitworth team that played for an NAIA championship in 1996.
1:35 - First State Title for Boys Basketball
2:40 - Characteristics of the 2023-24 team
7:20 - The role of older siblings & toughness
9:10 - Approach after finishing second the previous year
11:30 - Preparing a team for what they might see at state
15:30 - Coaching influences growing up
18:25 - Changes as a head coach from previous stops
21:20 - Teaching aspects of the game
23:40 - Culture building at Bonners Ferry
29:10 - Lessons from playing higher level teams
30:25 - Developing lateral quickness
32:00 - Preferred offensive attack
33:55 - Creating confusion for the defense
35:30 - Advantage situations in the post
37:00 - Preferred defensive approach
40:25 - Lessons learned from coach sons
42:15 - Having a son who is a college prospect
44:50 - Looking ahead to next season
-
We are fortunate to have Andy Harrington on this episode. Coach Harrington is the head boys coach at Owyhee High School in Meridian. The Storm just concluded a dominate season and are now celebrating their second 5A state title in the last three years.
This marks Coach Harrington’s third state title as a coach. And, of course, we have to mention that he is an OG when it comes to the podcast, having appeared on Episode 7 of the podcast.
2:15 - This year’s state title run 4:00 - The importance of offense 5:40 - Vision of the Owyhee administration 8:15 - Influential people & resources 10:25 - Getting ahead of player issues 12:20 - Determining roles & playing time 14:25 - Giving assistant coaches subbing duties 16:15 - Other assistant coach responsibilities 21:10 - Fundamental work in practice 22:20 - Building offensive responsibilities 24:00 - Favorite offensive actions 24:50 - Defensive priorities for players 28:25 - Teaching rebounding 29:20 - Cutting back on film 32:40 - Liam Campbell attributes 35:20 - Prepping for next season 37:05 - Storm troopers 38:45 - Organizing a big tournament 41:10 - Motivations as a coach 43:00 - Growth areas since 2020 44:10 - The importance of having a vision -
We are fortunate to have Tyrel Derrick on this episode. Derrick is the head girls coach at Lakeland High School in Rathdrum.
In his second year, Derrick guided the Hawks to the 4A state tournament where they lost to Pocatello in the third place game. Prior to coaching girls, Derrick was an assistant for the Lakeland boys team.
Derrick was a very talented guard at Lakeland in high school who surpassed 1,000 points in his career and went on to play at Wheaton College.
-
We are fortunate to have Jon Yu on this episode.
Yu is passionate about teaching the game through a Constraints-Led Approach. Much of this episode focuses on Yu's use of the CLA, especially when it comes to shooting.
Yu is from British Columbia, Canada who is coaching this year in Vietnam for the Saigon Heat and as a player development coach for The Performance Lab. Prior to moving to Vietnam, Yu was held the same role for College Prep Italy under friend of the pod, Alex Sarama.Yu also has coached high school and AAU basketball in Canada.
-
Alex Sarama from Transforming Basketball joins the podcast again for a Thanksgiving discussion.
Sarama discusses his roles with the London Lions, Portland Trail Blazers, and Rip City Remix. He also reflects back on lessons learned while leading College Prep in Italy. Finally, he shares information on his new venture, Transforming Basketball.
Did you know that the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast has a newsletter? Be sure to subscribe at coachingidaho.substack.com.
-
We are fortunate to have Phillip O’Callaghan on this episode.
O'Callaghan is a tennis coach and secondary PE teacher in Cork, Ireland. He has a popular twitter account and Substack newsletter dealing with skill acquisition.
NOTE: There are a couple of minor technical issues involving the audio.
EPISODE TOPICS
1:20 - O’Callaghan’s interest in skill acquisition 3:25 - How frustration led to a better way to train 5:00 - Skill acquisitions impact on other aspects of coaching 6:16 - Defining some skill acquisition terminology - Ecological Dynamics, Non-Linear Pedagogy, Constraints-Led Approach 8:15 - More terminology - Affordances & Scaling 11:30 - Individual development vs. Team development 12:30 - How to use CLA when introducing athletes to a sport 14:50 - Why should you use a defender to train an athlete a new skill 16:45 - The principle of representative learning design 18:30 - Using CLA with advanced athletes 20:25 - The role of decision-making in practice planning 22:15 - The role of the coach in using CLA in development 24:05 - Evolving as a coach using a CLA approach 25:20 - Thinking of constraints as opportunities 27:30 - Giving players freedom to play 28:30 - What coaches can expect from players using a CLA approach 31:45 - Can there be some wrong ways to use the CLA 32:45 - Untraditional ways to success are OK 34:00 - Using the Practice Activity Continuum 36:20 - The process of planning a practice 38:50 - Why players enjoy learning in a CLA environment 42:00 - Why you shouldn’t jump head first into CLA -
We are fortunate to have Nicole Symons on this episode of the podcast.
Symons is the head girls coach at Coeur d’Alene High School. She led the Vikings to a 24-2 record and the 5A state title in Idaho this past season. It was the first state title for Coeur d’Alene since 2014.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN
2:20 - Approach to turning a program around
4:25 - Timeline for competing for a state title
6:55 - Selling players on the hard work
10:50 - Bring swagger and confidence into a program
15:00 - How do you make practices harder than games
18:10 - Building a relationship with players so they work hard
20:25 - Helping players become the right type of leaders
24:45 - Keys to coaching your child
28:25 - Having two parents as basketball coaches
30:20 - Deciding to come back after your child has graduated
32:45 - What’s the role of the high school team for high-level recruits
36:00 - Determining team concepts with a D-1 recruit
40:30 - Dealing with expectations after a state title
43:50 - Advice to yourself: Dealing with Parents
---
The Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast has a newsletter. Check it out here: coachingidaho.substack.com
-
We are fortunate to have Kurt Guelsdorf on this episode of the podcast.
If you are like me, you’ve probably used one of Coach G’s resources, especially if you run any Dribble Drive action.
Guelsdorf was a very successful high school coach in Oregon. He is now the associate head coach at Clackamas Community College.
In this episode, we talk some Dribble Drive but also hit on a number of topics of interest for coaches young and old.
Episode Topics
1:30 - The impact of asking why as a coach
3:30 - Experience leads to simplification
4:00 - Willingness to share concepts & ideas with others
7:45 - The role of reading in success
9:15 - Advice to first-year head coaches
11:10 - Thoughts on choosing a system as a head coach
14:50 - Deciding when it might be time to move on from a program
18:40 - Environment vs. Culture and its importance in success
23:55 - Planning for the upcoming season in late summer
27:30 - Filtering what you’ve learned into a workable format for the season
31:30 - What is that intrigues you about the dribble drive?
33:40 - The evolvement of spacing concepts in the dribble drive
36:25 - Defenses that can disrupt a dribble drive offenses
39:00 - Melding different systems with the dribble drive
42:55 - Thoughts on implementing press defenses
47:42 - Shot-clock considerations: 2v1s, end of shot clock considerations
51:15 - Incorporating special situations into practice
The Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast now has a newsletter.
The newsletter has a bunch of great resources including drills and concepts that I use with my program. It also includes write-ups to help you become a better coach.
To subscribe to the newsletter, go to CoachingIdaho.substack.com. There you will find an archive of the past newsletters.
-
We are fortunate to have Christian Narciso on this episode.
Narciso is professional basketball coach from Italy who has had the opportunity to coach at different levels across Europe.
Most recently, Narciso was a head coach in Malta where his team enjoyed a successful season, including claiming the Louis Borg Cup.
The Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast is now on Substack. Subscribe today at CoachingIdaho.substack.com/
-
We are fortunate to be visiting David Arseneault Jr. for today’s episode.
Coach Dave is the head men’s basketball coach at Grinnell College in Iowa where he was a standout player for his father.
Grinnell, of course, is know for its System — a fast-paced style that employs trapping all over the court and quick shooting.
Before taking over at Grinnell, Arseneault was the head coach or the Reno Bighorns for two years, including a season where they set a D-League record for offensive efficiency.
-
We are fortunate to have Carly Clarke on today’s episode. Clarke is the head coach at Toronto Metropolitan University. She lead TMU to an undefeated season and national title in 2022.
Clarke is also a coach with Canada Basketball. She’s an assistant for the senior women’s national team, and this summer she will coach Canada at the FIBA U19 World Cup.
In this podcast, we talk about the rise of the women's game, developing a process as a coach, providing and receiving feedback, and the role of a mental performance coach.
Be sure to check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast Newsletter. https://coachingidaho.substack.com
- Show more
