It seems so simple, right? It's "free" after all, so why do so many games come down to missed free throws? In this podcast we discuss the importance of free throw shooting and why it should be part of your daily routine in practice, tips for better free throw shooting and ways that you can unconventionally add free throw shooting to your team's daily workouts. In addition, we've got a great quote from Emma Hayes, and we discuss one of the absolute legends of the game, Pat Riley!

One of the "boring" things that you need to do as a program is to keep fresh gear in the hands of your players and fans; they want to show off the program, and it's an easy way for you to sell the program! In this episode, we talk about ordering procedures, what not to do, how you take responsibilities off of your plate, and taking care of your staff and their famillies. In addition, we've got a great quote from James Clear and a discussion on one of the forgotten great coaches of the game, Ralph Miller!

Time is our most precious commidity, and in the game of basketball, nothing is more valuable for the coach to use to affect the game than their timeouts! In today's podcast, we're going to discuss how you should use your timeouts, how to organize timeouts and how to communicate in your timeouts. We also have a great quote from the legendary Larry Bird, and we study one of the most successful people in the history of the game of basketball, Kim Mulkey!

A great way to break down early season communication barriers and allow people to have the chance to really invest in your program is to open up your practices and teams for all to see. In this episode, we discuss having an "Open Practice" for your parents to come in and watch their children play and how you can make that a positive experience for everyone. We also discuss having a "Community Night" involving young people and your team and building support from your community members. In addition, we've got a great quote and a study of one of the toughest coaches in NBA history, Jerry Sloan.

It is really a full circle moment this week as we host Charlie Wallrapp, MBB AC at Northern Illinois University, who also just happens to be one of my former students at Skutt Catholic here in Omaha! We discuss a variety of topics, including Charlie's journey, turning around Malone University in a short amount of time, going back to being an assistant coach, offensive basketball and set plays and much more! This was a lot of fun to discuss life and hoops with one of the best up and coming assistant coaches in the country!

Like we've discussed every time the term "transition" comes up, offensive transition is one half of your transition game that you're going to do anywhere from 55-70 times a game. In today's podcast, we examine different ways that you can beat teams in offensive transition, why it's better to play fast than slow (if possible) and keys to a great transition game. In addition, we have a really good quote from Jim Calhoun on playmakers, and we take a look at Brenda Frese, the terrific WBB HC at Maryland University.

Thinking ahead right now will help you with alot of stress later in the season, especially when you're thinking about implementing particular X's and O's and getting your playbook where you want it going into the postseason. In today's podcast, we discuss your overall calendar for the entire season, what you should be thinking about and how thinking backwards from the postseason will help your team develop as the season progresses! We also have a really good quote about thinking from Henry Ford, and we take a look at one of the great pioneers of the Title IX era, Sue Gunter. Enjoy today's pod!

A great tool to use for your shooters to get better is Dr. Dish, but it also has it's detractors and faults. In today's podcast, we discuss those pros and cons of using Dr. Dish and how you can integrate Dr. Dish into your practices. In addition, there will be a video on "The Opening Tip" with some of my favorite Dr. Dish drills! We also have a great quote from Warren Bennis and a study of Jim Boeheim, one of the most successful and loyal coaches of the last 50 years of the game!

One of the best ways that you can help yourself going into the season is going out and watching other coaches work their own practices! Today, we talk about what you should do when it comes to watching practices, from asking for permission to attend to what you should do during practice and what you should be looking for as coaches work. We also have a great quote from Socrates to tie into observing others work, and we also have a study of one of the most unique coaches in the history of the game, Larry Brown. Enjoy!

One of the best ways you can bring your team together is through a planned team excursion that often combines team bonding and basketball. In today's podcast, we look at why team excursions are important, what it takes to put one together and possible destinations or ideas that you can use to bring your team into a great environment outside the gym. In addition, we've got a great quote from Kelvin Sampson about team achievement (or lack thereof), along with a study of one of the most consistent coaches of the late 20th century, Eddie Sutton. Enjoy!