In this episode, George and Jon Giesbrecht explore the concept of mental toughness in sports, emphasizing resilience, routines, and energy regulation. They discuss the importance of co-regulation between athletes and coaches, the process of subbing in and out during games, and the need for athletes to find their own paths rather than following someone else's blueprint. The conversation also touches on how to challenge fear and embrace mistakes, ultimately leading to a state of playing free on the court.

Chapters:
00:00 - Understanding Mental Toughness in Sports

02:56 - The Importance of Routines and Energy Regulation

05:47 - Co-Regulation and Communication with Coaches

08:48 - The Process of Subbing In and Out

12:00 - Finding Your Own Path: Avoiding the Kobe Trap

14:39 - Challenging Fear and Mistakes in Performance

17:45 - Defining Freedom in Play

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Links:
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In this episode, George is joined by Jon Giesbrecht, founder of Play Free Basketball, Director of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Bandits, and author of Free Your Mind: Overthinking Athletes. Jon shares how mindfulness and emotional regulation can transform both coaches and players. He explains how to bridge the gap between basketball coaching and mental performance, build player awareness through breathwork, and use journaling as a tool for self-discovery and growth.

Chapters:
00:00 – Jon’s journey from coaching to mindfulness and mental performance

02:00 – How Alex Sarama influenced his shift toward holistic coaching

03:30 – Developing personal identity as a coach & embracing growth

05:00 – Integrating psychology and spirituality into coaching

07:00 – Why self-awareness is key to helping athletes thrive

08:30 – The connection between mental state, perception, and performance

10:00 – Tools for mindfulness: breathing, awareness, and regulation

14:00 – The pendulation principle: balancing stress and relaxation

17:00 – Inside the Free Your Mind Journal: nervous system mastery & growth mindset

21:00 – Building emotional regulation into team culture and daily routines

26:00 – Practical techniques for grounding athletes before practice or games

30:00 – How touch, safety, and co-regulation impact team connection

32:00 – Why mental performance is essential for modern basketball

34:00 – Transformative Tip 

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George sits down with Tim Fanning, associate head coach at BYU and former coach at Maccabi Tel Aviv and Overtime Elite. Tim shares his global coaching journey across Spain, Israel, New Zealand, and the U.S., and how principles like intensity, IQ, and simplicity guide his coaching philosophy. He dives into player development at the elite level, building competitive cultures, and how watching practice film daily transformed his coaching.

Chapters:

01:00 – Discovering the Constraints-Led Approach & Spanish influences
03:30 – Coaching abroad & evolution through European basketball
05:00 – Developing elite prospects at Overtime Elite & BYU
07:00 – Defining “next step” development & aligning with players
09:00 – Lessons from Maccabi Tel Aviv: Culture of winning
10:30 – Coaching national teams: Simplicity under time constraints
14:00 – Core coaching pillars: Intensity & Basketball IQ
16:00 – Coaching shot selection, accountability & player standards
18:30 – Rebounding as a non-negotiable & how to reinforce it daily
19:30 – Evaluating practice effectiveness & watching every session back
22:00 – Networking & relationships: Authenticity over agenda
26:00 – Transformative Tip

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, Alex Sarama continues the Q&A workshop with coaches, diving deeper into how practice design, constraints, and teaching methods can drive player development. The conversation highlights how to balance principles with in-game adjustments, why autonomy and accountability matter, and how conceptual offense evolves through experimentation.

Chapters:
01:00 – Shifting the lens in practice: solving problems, not filling time
03:00 – Using players to officiate constraints and build accountability
05:00 – Balancing long-term principles with short-term game adjustments
07:00 – Observing player transfer: triggers, spacing, and early progress
09:00 – Evaluating the role and efficiency of DHOs in youth basketball
12:00 – Why uphill DHOs and retriggers can be more effective than perimeter ones
14:00 – Teaching solos, posts, and exploiting mismatches (turtle vs. mouse)
16:00 – Managing feedback, intentionality, and when to add detail
19:00 – The three stages of skill acquisition: coordination, flexibility, optimization
21:00 – Conceptual offense in practice: mixing structure with freedom

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, Alex Sarama hosts a Q&A workshop where coaches dive deep into transition offense, spacing concepts, pistol actions, and defensive principles like tagging up. The conversation explores practical teaching points for youth basketball, how to structure practice planning, and ways to blend conceptual offense with structured actions.

Chapters:
00:50 – Transition spacing explained: “traffic light” approach (green = dominoes, yellow = triggers, red = sets)

03:00 – Teaching lag-free reactions & spacing rules on rebounds and makes

05:40 – Kick-ahead passes, two-side advantages, and early decision-making in transition

08:10 – Handling overloads and principles for positioning (corner vs. 45 cuts)

10:20 – Transitioning from offense to first trigger actions without delays

13:00 – Pistol action variations: get game, flare screens, Ricky rescreens & inverted setups

17:20 – Teaching timing on cuts, flare actions, and spacing constraints

20:30 – Communication, signals, and scripting vs. conceptual flexibility in pistol offense

23:50 – Transition defense: tagging up vs. emergency system, how to teach both

27:00 – Planning an annual coaching framework: practice planning, principles of play, and sticky-note hierarchy for team priorities

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
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In this episode, George Vaz breaks down the concept of representative design in coaching — the idea that practice environments should mirror real game demands for true skill transfer. Drawing on ecological dynamics and research-backed insights, George explores how coaches can create more game-realistic drills, use task simplification over decomposition, and balance traditional and constraints-led approaches.

Chapters:

00:00 - Defining representative design and why it matters for skill transfer

01:00 - The problem with decontextualized drills and false learning

02:00 - How representative practice helps players adapt under real game pressure

03:00 - Simplifying tasks without losing game context

04:00 -  The “Representative Dial” – scaling from isolated drills to full 5-on-5 play

05:30 - Guided, scripted, and live defense: how to layer decision-making

07:00 - Designing small-sided games that replicate the chaos of real competition

09:00 - Practical tweaks: adding decisions, varying starts, and coupling skills to context

10:30 - Using constraints and consequences to simulate pressure situations

11:30 - Blending traditional and CLA methods through belief-driven practice design

12:00 - Transformative Tip

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George sits down with Nathanial Mitchell, head coach for Canada Basketball’s Senior Men’s National Team and former NBA assistant with the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets. Nathanial shares lessons from coaching across the NBA, G League, international basketball, and now the Chinese Basketball Association, emphasizing how connection, accountability, and continuous learning shape his coaching philosophy.

Bio:

Toronto’s Nathanial Mitchell has coached at every level — from the NBA with the Raptors and Hornets to leading and assisting Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team across the FIBA AmeriCup, World Cup, and Olympic stages. Nate is currently the head coach of the Guangzhou Loong Lions in China’s CBA. In this episode, he shares how he builds transformational environments through sweat equity, trust, and a constraints-led approach that develops both the player and the person.

Chapters:

01:00 – Coaching Canada at the AmeriCup and representing the country on the world stage

03:00 – Adapting to short national team windows and learning from elite head coaches

04:30 – “Sweat equity” and why showing up physically for players builds trust

06:00 – Balancing individual development with team success

07:30 – Coaching challenges and leadership lessons from the CBA in China

09:00 – Co-creating player development plans and identifying priority skills

11:30 – Using constraints and competition to shape decision-making

16:00 – Working with Canadian stars like RJ Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Pascal Siakam

18:00 – Bridging the gap between skills trainers and team coaches

23:00 – Aligning player ambition with team roles and offensive systems

28:00 – Transformative Tip

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George sits down with Adam Bauman, Director of Scouting and Analytics for the Alabama Men’s Basketball Team. Adam shares how analytics shape Alabama’s explosive offense, how player development is guided through data-driven shot type reports, and why simplicity is key when communicating with players. He also discusses building stronger relationships with athletes, balancing analytics with coaching feel, and how competition drives culture in practice. 

Chapters:
01:00 – Building player trust and relationships beyond basketball

03:30 – The role of analytics in Alabama’s success

07:00 – Using data to prepare for opponents and find edges

09:00 – Practical ways coaches can start using analytics

10:30 – Tracking off-ball assists and creating team advantages

14:40 – Shot type reports & customized player development

16:30 – Using numbers to educate, not restrict, players

20:00 – Practice design, player load, and managing exertion

22:30 – Accountability through blue-collar stats and player load

23:30 – Using analytics in the transfer portal to find undervalued players

25:00 – Transformative Tip

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George welcomes Coach Nick Hauselman, founder of BBall Breakdown, to discuss revolutionary changes in defensive principles of play and shooting. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Coach Nick shares insights on the evolution of shooting, using variability, and the creation of his innovative defensive scheme that challenges traditional methods. Nick also addresses how the mental aspect and internal cues play a critical role in player development.

Bio:
Nicholas “Coach Nick” Hauselman is the founder of BBALLBREAKDOWN, one of the most influential platforms for basketball analysis with millions of views across YouTube and social media. With over 20 years of coaching and consulting experience, Coach Nick has become known for his ability to simplify the game — breaking down shooting, offensive flow, and defensive systems in ways that resonate with players, coaches, and fans alike.
In addition to his teaching on shooting rhythm and variability, Coach Nick has developed a unique defensive system inspired by the Amoeba Defense and the point zone concept, challenging many of basketball’s long-standing traditions. His work continues to shape the way coaches think about skill development and strategy in today’s game.

Chapters:
01:17 -  Evolution of Shooting

03:02  - Variability Training in Basketball

07:54 -  Mental Aspects of Shooting

12:43 -  Observing Professional Players

19:54 -  Empowering Players Through Feedback

22:42  - Life Skills Through Basketball

23:17 -  Personal Anecdote: Learning Basketball Late

25:14  - Defensive Strategies: A New Approach

26:19  - Innovative Zone Defense: Behind the Ball

28:26 -  Practical Implementation and Player Response

35:11 - Transformative Tips

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George delves into the significance of manipulating constraints to guide player behavior and skill development. Through practical examples, the episode outlines various task, environmental, and individual constraints that can be applied during your practices. Listen to learn more about constraints in practice like variable shot clocks, shrinking the court size, and tying constraints to your principles of play.

Chapters:
00:00 - Understanding the Purpose of Constraint Manipulation
02:42 - Practical Examples of Task Constraints
03:15 - Environmental and Individual Constraints
05:21 - Principles of Play and Shot Selection Constraints
07:33 - Advanced Constraint Techniques
10:59 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball