Hardwood Hustle

This week TJ and Sam discuss the tension we all feel in coaching when you’re competing at a high level. This week they discuss how to have and handle healthy tension that’s going to benefit your team rather than hurt your team.Show Notes:Natural tension among team membersBenefits of healthy tensionCommunication is keyThe two sleeps ruleUnderstanding individual player dynamicsBalancing ambition and celebration of successBuilding trustA coach's approach to practiceCollecting informationAccountability and standardsGreat teams know how to handle tensionSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire whi

In-game coaching is usually a coach's biggest strength or weakness. This week TJ and Sam share 5 aspects of it that are crucial to growing in for your team’s success.Show Notes:SubstitutionsTimeoutsAdjustmentsPregame talksPostgame talksSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last! Learn how to build a championship winning culture, bring out the best in your players, and reignite your passion for coaching, at a PGC Basketball Camp this summer! The first 300 coaches to register for a PGC Basketball summer camp this January will receive FREE tuition!2026 camp registration opens M

This week we have a 4 quarters episode on applicable topics for in-season troubleshooting which are closeouts, exploiting matchups, scouting opponents, and developing point guards.Show Notes:Teaching closeouts within your strategy and philosophyExploiting matchups and offensive tacticsHow much of scouting is worth the effort?Scouting strategies and balancing informationDeveloping points guards and other players Providing clarity and keeping it simpleSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last! Learn how to build a championship winning culture, bring out the best in your players, a

Having the right conversations at the right time is crucial to your success as a coach. This week, TJ and Sam dive into the importance of player-coach conversations throughout the season and how to ensure they’re productive and helpful for you and your team.Show Notes:The Importance of Player-Coach ConversationsClarity and Alignment in CommunicationThe Art of Effective DialogueTruth, Love, and TransparencyFollow-Up and AccountabilityNavigating Honest ConversationsHead Coach Energy and EmotionFinal ThoughtsSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last!

This week TJ and Sam discuss how to make your practices more effective including setting up drills, reinforcing habits, teaching the game, and building culture.Practice is where coaches spend most of their timeBuilding relationships and having check-insDrills should supplement live play, not replace itIntentional coaching during live playMaking real-time adjustments to your practice planMotivating through creative scoring systemsStaying focused on the main objectivesEvaluating the effectiveness of drillsPlayer development in practiceMaking it fun and engagingSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquir

This week TJ and Sam discuss how to lead well through the ups and downs of a season. Whether it’s coaching style, your team’s identity, or diagnosing your Xs and Os, as they discuss, it all comes down to knowing how to get the best out of your team.Show Notes:Coaching is Teaching and Leading Leadership will get tested during your seasonCoaches are hardest on themselvesBasketball as a microcosm of lifeOptimist vs Realist Importance of being Determined Working through Fears and Doubts during Adversity Diagnosing what you need to get right firstProcess over outcomesImportance of a healthy mindset for coaches Importance of building healthy relationships Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in

This week we’re joined by Dr. Cindra Kamphoff. She’s a best-selling author, award-winning speaker, and founder of the Mentally Strong Institute. As an expert in helping teams and athlete reach their goals with mental skills, in this episode Dr. Kamphoff shares how to improve your players' performance by building grit and confidence in your athletes.Show Notes:Beyond GritHow do you develop Grit?Grit = Passion and perseverance towards your long term goals Grit comes from refarming difficulties Grit is powered by confidence and positive self-talk How can coaches help develop Grit in their players?I will, I can, I amThoughts direct feelingsHigh Achievers are over-thinkersLearn, Burn, Return Positive to negative feedback balanceDifference in Boys and Girls Truth Meter Learn more about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff and the Mentally Strong Institute here.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have un

This week TJ and Sam discuss the pros and cons of implementing pressure defense in your program and how to break it on offense.Show Notes:Offensive and defensive pressureHow to decide whether to press or notDevelopment and competitionImplications for the youth levelKnowing what and whyIs pressing helping your kids develop?Pressing at the high school and college levelFitting your offensive and defensive systems together Play your best players moreIs pressing too much for your team?Mindset shiftAttacking the press and turning it into an advantage on offenseHow to handle pressureSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbask

This week we have special guests, John Carter from Noah Basketball and Mano Watsa from PGC Basketball with us to discuss three specific ways you can improve team and individual scoring this upcoming season.Show Notes:• Introduction to scoring more points• Generating good shots• Understanding shot selection• Player development and shooting skills• Shooting mechanics• Ideal shooting arc and its impact• Giving players feedback on their shot• The value of technology in coachingSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire while supplies last!

This week we’re joined by Savannah Bix, who’s going into her 8th season as a high school head coach. She’s won four region titles and is a 5x Region Coach of the Year. She has experience rebuilding a program and shares how she builds her team culture and lays a foundation for success.Show Notes:Challenges in coaching today (Social media, transfers, parents)Leading parentsBuilding relationships with your playersCoaching hardBuilding toughnessTeam standards, fairness, and styleTeam bondingDifferences in coaching boys and girls Advise to your younger self Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.After analyzing over 100 million shots, basketball data scientists at Noah Basketball have uncovered the formula of the perfect shot, helping players on 28 of 30 NBA teams improve their accuracy faster than ever before.This same patented shot-tracking technology is now available to you in the Noah Backboard for a fraction of the cost. Learn more today at noahbasketball.com. Inquire whil

The keys to winning consistently and taking your program to the next level aren’t developed overnight. This week, TJ and Sam share how to cultivate a winning culture and set expectations.Show Notes:• Understanding player mentality and team focus• Sustaining success• The role of psychology in coaching• Building trust• Transformational vs. transactional• Establishing core values• Controlling what you can control• Developing consistencySend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

Going into the upcoming season, you probably have a list of things you’re looking to change or improve on. In this episode TJ shares 4 things he’s going to be implementing and adjusting with his team to inspire ideas for your coaching.Show Notes:Do you coach the same season every year?Hold true to time tested values Be intentional about what is changing and what is staying the same4 things TJ is Changing for his next season  Practice plans and how you start practice Starting practice with what will be your identity Player DevelopmentTransition DefenseFire Drills Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

In order to maximize our coaching experience, this week we discuss the things we wish we had known as a younger coach from both the assistant and head coach perspective.Show Notes:• Only one real shortcut in life - mentorship• Nobody is perfect• Be clear and connected to your Why as a coach• Bringing your gifts and talents to the table• Learn the heartbeat of your team• Unlocking people’s potential• What defines your coaching career• No is more important than Yes• Bring people in • What is the best ROI?Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week, TJ and Sam discuss the critical elements of running an effective basketball offense. They emphasize the importance of clarity in understanding roles, triggers for actions, and the pace at which the game is played. The highlight how clarity can lead to better decision-making and performance, while teaching triggers gives players the tools to react instinctively during games. Show Notes:• Clarity is essential for effective offensive execution.• Players must understand their roles within the offense.• Help players react instinctively during games.• Pace can vary; it’s not always about playing fast.• Good teams have clear triggers.• Adjusting roles based on player performance.• High clarity leads to high performance on the court.• Players need to think the game to play effectively.• Understanding triggers can simplify decision-making for players.• Effective offense requires a balance of clarity, triggers, and pace.Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

There’s more to defense than the system. This week we discuss how you teach and implement your defense and getting your team bought into the details that make it work.Show Notes:• Teaching Defense Better• Installing Your Defense• Getting extreme clarity• Don't leave home base • Having a communication system• Give them the Why• Developing terminology• Slow it down to speed it up• Player Development on the Defensive end• Getting players to stay engaged and aggressive• What should they be thinking and feeling• Guarding 1.5• Have to v. Get to• Giving your players the problem to fix• Teaching points from the group - Rebounding, Identifying the threat, Anticipation, Physical without fouling, Post defense, Knowing what to practice, 2nd Jumper• Closing thoughtsSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

If you want to maximize your practice time you have to focus on both the what and the how. In this episode, TJ and Sam share the 3 most important aspects of your practice plan to ensure you're not spinning your wheels.Show Notes:• Talking about “Practice"• Where you're spending the most time• What is your team's identity?• How many things can you work on in practice?• Discipline = Freedom in practice• After Action Report on your coaching• More sound bites less monologues • Culture happens in practice • Practice with urgency• Counting the cost of saying yes to something • Constant pursuit of improvementSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

A great way to maximize your upcoming season is by maximizing your team’s effort every possession. Though challenging, TJ and Sam share why it’s a worthwhile endeavor, and how to practically improve your team’s effort in practice.Show Notes:Playing hard is a SkillT.J. McConnell - Playing hard as a skill Coaching & Teaching it2-Way playersEffort and IQ not taught enough Coach Speak vs Teacher Talk Is your standard high enough?Practice shorter and harder Helping players understand the importanceSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week TJ and Sam go through 9 coaching questions from strategic scouting decisions to lifting on game days, there’s a lot you to be thinking about before your season starts.Show Notes:• Wall up?• Take out the other team's best player?• Choose not to guard a player on the other team?• Reminders v. complaining• Crash the boards even harder?• Lift weights on game day?• Zone every BLOB?• More time shooting in practice?• Emphasize drills or competing?Send us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.

This week the topic is about embracing the grind of coaching, but more importantly how to work hard while being at your best. Instead of going into survival mode during season, TJ and Sam discuss ways you can set expectations, make small changes, and gain advantages in creative ways.Show Notes:Are you a grinder?Is it worth it?Don’t deprive yourself of what you need to be at your bestThe cost of running a special programDo we need to be the last coach to leave the office?Gain Efficiency over time Early Morning vs Late night vs BothAreas you could be depriving yourselfThe grind is the expectation The “present” litmus testSmall changes can lead to massive results Small Habits and Deep DivesMentioned on the episode...Links to Episode 516 with Todd Gongwer: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5vGRyqhWCmyuXNZLTb6CAs?si=9c50c3ad631f457dApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/episode-516-maximizing-your-leadership-with-todd-gongwer/id658885222?i=1000628379428Send us a Message. If you'd like us

This week, Chad Warner, assistant coach at the University of Minnesota joins TJ and Sam to discuss all things coaching. In this conversation they touch on the pressures and anxieties of coaching, what Chad's learned throughout his long and successful coaching journey, and what wins on the court.Show Notes:• Working through the stress of coaching• Being transformationally driven• Applying talent and people skills to your coaching• Learnings from various coaches• Changing offensive systems and why• Staying ahead of the curve• Being creative without overcomplicating it• The value of having core values• Being respected and liked• Great teammates and great competitors• The value of shot selection• Being a set defense• Playing fast• Offensive rebounding philosophiesSend us a Message. If you'd like us to reply, include your contact info.