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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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:
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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
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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:
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In this episode, George Vaz is joined by Robby Bostain, founder of Level 10 Basketball and former Division I and European pro. Robby shares how his holistic five-pillar approach—skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership—helps athletes level up on and off the court. He also dives into how the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) unlocked creativity in his coaching, why giving athletes ownership accelerates growth, and the power of experimenting across sports.

 
Bio:
Robby Bostain is the founder of Level 10 Basketball in Bakersfield, CA, where he trains athletes through a holistic, five-pillar approach: skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership. A former Division I player at Furman and a seven-year European pro, Robby blends high-level playing experience with a Kaizen-inspired “Level Up Plan” to help players improve daily. His training emphasizes mental resilience, game IQ, and complete player development.

Chapters:

01:00 – Robby’s journey from D1 to European pro and coaching transition

05:00 – Holistic challenges: skills, fitness, nutrition, mentality, leadership

08:00 – Teaching affirmations & leadership at a young age

10:30 – Discovering CLA & how it transformed his coaching

13:00 – Drawing inspiration from other sports & creativity in practice design

17:30 – Using constraints to teach offense/defense balance

20:00 – Incentivizing good decisions instead of penalizing mistakes

22:00 – Coaching with principles vs. rigid set plays

24:00 – Embracing variability in shooting & training chaos

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, George Vaz is joined by Norbert Opitz, a cornerstone of Alba Berlin’s youth development program. With over 20 years of experience, Norbert shares how Alba fosters player growth through representative practices, decision-making, and long-term development over short-term wins. He explains why Alba avoids “on-air” drills, how they use constraints to guide learning, and the importance of empowering players to play freely while building confidence in their shooting.

 
Bio:
Norbert Opitz is more than a coach—he's a cornerstone of ALBA Berlin’s developmental philosophy. With deep expertise in youth development, a strong emphasis on mental and physical growth, and a record of on-court achievements, Opitz continues to mold Berlin’s next generation of elite basketball players and coaches.

Chapters:

01:00 – Norbert’s coaching journey and philosophy at Alba Berlin
04:00 – What sets Alba apart: representative learning environments
05:00 – Using constraints to mirror real game challenges
08:00 – Building confident shooters and daily shooting focus
11:00 – Teaching decision-making and advantage creation
14:00 – Balancing freedom with guided coaching
16:00 – Integrating offense and defense in practices
21:00 – Generating quality shots against compact defenses
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, George Vaz is joined by Zay West, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Zay shares how evidence-based training, creativity, and environmental design can help athletes maximize performance, adapt faster, and return stronger from injuries.

Chapters:

01:30 - Zay’s coaching journey to the Atlanta Hawks
03:00 - Applying the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)
08:30 - Creativity in training & warm-ups
09:30 - Return-to-play progressions
13:00 - Scaling from control to chaos in drills
17:00 - Engaging warmup games (tag, tennis ball, volleyball)
22:30 - Teaching athletes how to fall safely
24:00 - Achilles injury trends & prevention
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