The Basketball Podcast Chris Holm on Shifting Team Culture (EP381)
Jul 16, 2025
Chris Holm, head coach of the Ibaraki Robots in Japan’s B.League, shares his insights on transforming team culture and enhancing performance. He emphasizes the importance of player engagement and realistic goal-setting, especially in overcoming season challenges. Holm discusses the role of effective communication in team development, particularly in a diverse environment. The conversation also covers strategic defensive techniques, the significance of player development for creating scoring opportunities, and the exciting rise of basketball culture in Japan.
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Starting Culture Shift With Buy-In
- Chris Holm started culture shift by getting team captain's buy-in and showing defensive analytics showing where they stood.
- He emphasized improving daily by 1%, promising growth if they gave full effort, to gain player trust and focus.
Use Data To Motivate Growth
- Show individual player improvements daily to motivate growth and create competition for playing time.
- Use small measurable goals like limiting points allowed to demonstrate progress even if wins are not immediate.
Balance Offense Continuity and Defense
- Keep offensive continuity when possible to allow quick implementation, especially with familiar players.
- Prioritize defensive fundamentals first, then tweak offense based on roster changes and injuries.