In this episode, Justin Lovvorn shares his approach to basketball skill acquisition and how he builds long-term development pathways for athletes. He dives into driving skill through simplicity, discusses the overlooked positives of AAU basketball, and gives his perspective on how strength and conditioning can best support skill development.

Justin is the Owner of Shooters HQ in Dallas, TX, and was recently named Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Fort Worth Southwest Christian School.

This podcast evolved from my book, Strength In Numbers — the ultimate mentorship guide for coaches.

Featuring insights from 100+ ELITE coaches across every level and sport, it’s an encyclopedia of coaching wisdom built to help you grow your career, navigate failure, and find long-term coaching success.

👉 Grab your copy of Strength In Numbers [by clicking here].

Chapters

02:26 Transitioning to Head Coach

03:49 Philosophy of Coaching and Player Development

05:49 Understanding Individual Players

07:56 The Entrepreneurial Journey of Shooters HQ

10:10 The Importance of Ownership in Coaching

11:30 The Journey of Developing Shooters

17:09 Cutting the Fluff in Training

21:18 Developing Skills Independently

23:41 Understanding Game Context and Personal Development

26:45 The Balance of Skill Development and Autonomy

27:11 Pathways to Long-Term Player Development

30:42 Defining Roles in Player Development

31:58 Scaling Development for Different Skill Levels

33:57 The Role of Strength Training in Basketball

35:50 Navigating the AAU Landscape

40:14 Creating Diverse Learning Environments

40:51 Closing the Skill Gap

43:23 Influential Figures in Coaching

45:33 The Importance of Dependence and Identity