Free Play is undervalued. If adults realized how crucial free play is for the development of athleticism and creativity, they would start to find time more time for it. Listen in as to why free play needs to be a bigger part of the lives of our youth.     

Youth basketball has a problem. The cart is being put before the horse. If youth players can't make a left-hand lay-up or dribble with their left hand, why are they paying huge amounts of money to play in AAU tournaments? Learn my thoughts!

Any time we want to change something, we have to have a reason to do so. Parents who feel AAU is the only options need to know that it's one of the worst options for their child.  There are many more options than serving their child's current ability better. 

Only a few things can make me want to turn a basketball game off, and flopping is one. I have argued against it for decades. There is no denying that flopping ruins the game. It destroys games, seasons, and careers. Learn why flopping has to go to save the game. 

There has been a crazy trend of basketball coaches talking about not teaching their defenders to shuffle and ONLY laterally run. What a big mistake! Listen in as I break down many reasons why it's a big mistake. 

End your training sessions and practices with a WIN! Planning too much "stuff" in one practice is a sure way to eliminate wins. Concentrate on a few exercises and skills so the athletes can learn and remember the information. Always have a primary focus for the day and sprinkle in the secondary focus when appropriate. 

Give your basketball players better context when teaching them a new skill, concept, or method. It is crucial to "catch" them at the moment. This awareness is where the magic of learning occurs.   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

If you want to make more significant impacts with your programs, you need to consider running basketball camps. They are a great way to fund your team's expenses, support your staff, and build your overall basketball program. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity.   For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.    

We have to stop thinking the only way to build your basketball program is by subjecting parents and kids to expensive AAU programs that require long weekends, lots of travel, and stress. There is a much better way. Listen as I walk you through how I accomplished this with multiple programs.    For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Being on your toes is wrong! We have to stop telling players to get off their heels and way up on the balls of their feet. This position causes slower movements during COD and increases ankle sprains. The weight should be toward the ball of the foot with the heels down so the ankle is dorsiflexed. Listen in to learn why. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

How do you build a powerful basketball program without using AAU? Here is the 4-step system I have used for years to build a strong high school program.  

I hate when coaches make players run lines for honest mistakes. Why is attempting to make the correct decision but executed wrong, missing a shot, or making a turnover punishable by running lines? Punishment for these types of errors is what takes away confidence and creativity. There are many more effective ways to handle on-court mistakes and keep the players' confidence and performance headed in the right direction. 

I will make many people mad, especially in the Physical Education World, but the Beep Test needs to go! It teaches horrible running form, tells us what we already know- kids are not in shape. Coaches will use it to test conditioning and often never use it again. Let kids get in shape by playing small-sided basketball games, fast full-court drills, and scrimmages- Bingo! 

A coach's most significant role is to build a strong program from the feeder system through the varsity level. If not, the program will never be consistent. Don't confuse wins and loses with a well-run program. Listen to some crucial ideas to make sure on-court and off-court x's and o's are taken care of if you want a solid program.

It's tough to define a solid reason why NOT to strength training. It benefits in so many ways, and not being strong is showcased when seen—improvement of performance, reduction in potential injury, ability to withstand high force, and produce high forces. Strength Training scares people because it's often depicted as powerlifting. It isn't, and I'm going to share why. Listen In!   For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

There is way too much skill work going on for too long without live-action. Live-action teaches us if players are transferring the skill to game action usability. In the early stages, using a no-defense strategy to learn the skill is the way to go; however, the defense quickly must be included.   For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

It's sloppy coaching not to use specific or direct words to help athletes and other coaches understand what you want. When we use very general words, but the situation demands specific terms, we create confusion. This short but powerful message will improve your player to player, coach to player, and coach to coach communication.

This is a huge rant of mine—kids who are being punished because of low GPAs in schools and can't play basketball. If kids are simply not completing the work, exhibit poor behavior, and cause issues- then, by all means, they should be dealt with sternly. However, many students learn differently to have an arbitrary GPA dictating whether they can participate in sports. If coaches are unwilling to find out why their students are struggling, stop coaching or get rid of a GPA system.   For more...

Nothing infuriates me more than parents who yell, scream and belittle their youngsters when teaching them basketball. It is such abusive, irresponsible, and punishable behavior. We have to continue the education and mass marketing to get these parents to realize their lifelong damage to their children by constantly verbally abusing them when teaching them basketball.   For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

When coaching on-ball defense, you have to find players that are okay with getting beat now and again- and still willing to get back in the game and fight. Tactically, you have to support aggressive on-ball defense with smart help defenders who can take away penetration and rotate to help kick-out passes. Practicing on-ball defense is a must if you want players to know their options.

Listen to one of the greatest strength coaches of our time discuss how important learning is in a “chaotic” environment. When athletes are forced to solve problems they learn and become better!

One of the most fascinating interviews I have done on a topic we all need to understand. Coach Parisi goes deep into Fascial Training which is so important to all our movements and training. Great interview you won't want to miss.