In this episode, Alex Sarama joined by Ty Keck, a basketball coach from Idaho Falls. Ty shares his journey of implementing the Conceptual Offense and Constraint-Led Approach (CLA) with his team and the positive impact it has had on their performance. He discusses the challenges he faced in transitioning from a traditional coaching approach to a more player-centered approach and how he overcame them. Ty also emphasizes the importance of creating a transformational coaching environment and...

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Tyler Yearby, a Skill Acquisition Specialist and Co-Founder of Emergence. They discuss the role of a skill acquisition specialist (SAS) in basketball and how to overcome the challenges of introducing new ideas to practitioners who have been using a different approach throughout their careers. Tyler emphasizes the importance of transparency, open-mindedness, and collaboration in order to create a positive and effective working environment.   Key...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Shawn Myszka, Founder of Emergence, to discuss the concept of alive movement problems and its application in basketball performance. They explore the ecological dynamics framework and how it impacts the way coaches and practitioners approach skill acquisition in basketball. Shawn emphasizes the importance of creating practice activities that are alive, dynamic, and allow for emergent...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by George Galanopoulos, the Associate Head Coach at Rip City Remix. They discuss the application of contemporary skill acquisition ideas within the G League. George highlights the importance of education and understanding in player development. Alex and George also delve into the practical aspects of skill acquisition, including pre-practice and pre-game warm-ups, as well as the significance of clear communication and terminology in coaching principles...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by interviews Nabil Murad, an Irish basketball coach currently coaching in Austria. Nabil shares his journey of discovering and embracing a contemporary approach to coaching, influenced by ecological dynamics. He discusses the challenges coaches face in adopting this approach and the reasons why many coaches are hesitant to change. Nabil also shares his experiences and insights on applying ecological dynamics to various aspects of basketball, including...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Felix Engel and Niklas Geske from Germany to discuss player perspectives of a differential learning approach. They explore how differential learning can impact shooting performance and share their experiences and insights. Niklas talks about his journey as a professional player and how he discovered differential learning through a seminar. Felix explains the concept of differential shooting and the benefits of adding variability to shooting practice....

In this episode, Alex Sarama welcomes back Dr. Alex Lascu as a guest. They discuss an upcoming coach development workshop called CLA Playing by the Rules, which aims to provide coaches with an interactive and genuine experience of using the ecological dynamics framework in basketball. They emphasize the importance of creating a supportive environment for coaches to learn and apply new concepts. They also explore the challenges of coach development and the need for ongoing support and...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Patrick Burnett, an applied sport and exercise nutritionist. They discuss the importance of nutrition in basketball and how it can be integrated into basketball programs at all levels. Paddy shares practical strategies for optimizing nutrition, including the use of external cues, hydration stations, electrolyte drinks, carbohydrate and recovery snacks, and travel strategies. They also explore the concept of constraints and how it applies to nutrition...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Martin Andrade, a coach that is known for his creative and innovative approach to skill acquisition and player development. Martin shares how he came across the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) and ecological dynamics, and how it has transformed his coaching style. He discusses the importance of creativity in coaching and how he designs practice activities and constraints to help players develop functional solutions on the court. Martin also shares his...

Transforming Basketball: Changing How We Think About Basketball Performance by Alex Sarama is now available! Alex Sarama's new book provides tangible strategies that have the potential to transform the basketball world.  These transcend to the front office, athletic performance, physical therapy, analytics, and virtually every area of an organization. Transforming Basketball exists to bridge the gap between research and practice. Within this book, readers can learn more about the true...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by  Daniel Muntz to discuss the application of an ecological approach in the field of physiotherapy, specifically in the context of basketball. They explore the traditional approach to physiotherapy and how it can be transformed to focus on prevention rather than just reactive treatment. Daniel shares his insights on recovering from ankle sprains and how to apply a constraint-led approach to rehabilitation. They also discuss the importance of integrating...

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Gray Thomas and they talked about the principles of ecological psychology and its application in the context of basketball. Gray explains how ecological psychology challenges traditional cognitive theories and offers a fresh perspective on perception, action, and memory. They discuss the concept of affordances and how it influences player performance and decision-making on the court. Their conversation in this episode highlights the importance of...

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Jonas de Bruyne, a basketball coach who has experienced a significant shift in his coaching philosophy. Jonas shares his journey from traditional drill-based coaching to adopting a games-based approach influenced by ecological dynamics. He discusses the impact of perception-action coupling and the importance of incorporating defenders in training sessions. Jonas also talks about his current coaching role in Germany and how he has implemented a creative...

In this episode, Alex Sarama and Adam, address common challenges and questions they have received regarding the application of contemporary skill acquisition ideas in basketball. They discuss obtaining results versus following science, how players can learn a skull without explicit instruction, the concept of learning styles, and the reinvention of fundamental skills by youth players. Through their conversation, they provide answers to these common questions/rebuttals with practical...

In this episode, Alex Sarama welcomes back Markus Klusemann, Director of Health Performance Development at OTE, to discuss the upcoming Coach Education Workshop. The workshop aims to bridge the gap between science and coaching by providing coaches with a holistic overview of player development and practical strategies they can implement on the court. Markus and Alex also delve into the challenges and differences in player development across different basketball environments, such as North...

  In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by  Zico Coronel and Adam Omiecinski to discuss the alignment of principles of play with an ecological approach to skill acquisition. They delve into the concept of coverage solutions in basketball and how they can be enhanced through a comprehensive understanding of principles of play. They explore the importance of spacing, different coverage solutions, and the role of target players in executing effective offensive strategies. Throughout the...

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Marti Canellas, the host of "The Fosbury Flop" podcast. Marti shares his background as a basketball player and coach, discussing how his curiosity and insecurity led him to explore different approaches to coaching. He highlights the importance of understanding the cultural influences and forms of life that shape our coaching practices. Marti also delves into the concept of complex systems and how it relates to coaching, emphasizing the need to view...

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Adam De Groot, a physical education teacher, basketball coach, and owner of Nightshade Training. Adam shares his journey of discovering and applying an ecological approach to coaching and teaching. He discusses how he incorporates the principles of ecological dynamics into basketball practices, athletic performance training, and even his interactions with his own children. Adam emphasizes the importance of creating environments that allow athletes to...

In this episode, Alex, Adam & Gray delves into the concept of TWIT coaching. TWIT is an acronym highlighting a coaching method: Tell, Watch, Inform (of mistakes), and Tell (how to do it better). They touches on five immediate actions to improve coaching in the US, encompassing coach education, changing rules, adjusting equipment, and educating parents against early sports specialization. They also highlights notable examples of professional athletes like Kobe Bryant and Hakeem Olajuwon,...

In this very special episode, Alex announces the release date of his book "Transforming Basketball: Changing How We Think About Basketball Performance." Alongside Transforming Contributors Gray Thomas and Adam Omiecinski, Alex, Adam and Gray take you behind the scenes of how the book came to be. From the initial writings in Italy in the spring of 2023 to its release this April, the book has had a tremendous impact on Alex and he hopes it will have an equal impact on the basketball world at...

In this episode, Alex Sarama interviews Tony Holler, the creator of the "Feed the Cats" program. Tony shares his insights on the flaws of traditional conditioning methods in sports and how they can hinder player development. He emphasizes the importance of rest, recovery, and prioritizing athleticism in training. Tony challenges the notion that hard work and constant grinding are the keys to success, advocating for a smarter and more efficient approach to practice. He also discusses the need...

In this episode, Alex Sarama talks about the traditional notion of fundamentals in basketball. He discussed the concept of fundamentals, as commonly understood, holds back the development of skillful and adaptive basketball players. Alex emphasizes the importance of reframing the idea of fundamentals and adopting a more ecological perspective on skill acquisition. He explores the problems with the traditional approach to teaching fundamentals and highlights the need for a more functional and...

In this episode, Alex Sarama and Adam discuss the use of constraint manipulation in basketball training. They question the validity of point systems and suggest alternative ways to manipulate constraints to enhance player performance. By shaping the boundaries of the game rather than changing how players think and engage with the game, coaches can create a more effective learning environment. They provide practical examples, such as using turnover as an immediate consequence instead of a...