The Transforming Basketball Podcast

EP39: How Does a Small Italian Town Produce So Many Professional Players? With Francesco Rossi

Feb 6, 2024

Francesco Rossi, Youth Director of College Basket in Borgomanero, Italy, joins to discuss the success of the basketball program in producing professional players. They focus on the importance of player development and use of small-sided games like Cambio and Animals. Rossi also introduces his conceptual Princeton offense and shares information about his books.

24:03

Creator website

Episode guests

Francesco Rossi

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The success of the basketball program in Borgomanero is attributed to player development and allowing players to play freely.

Small-sided games like Cambio and Animals are effective in developing players' decision-making skills and basketball IQ.

Deep dives

Success in a Small Town

Despite being a small town, Borgo Manero has produced numerous pro basketball players. The key to their success is the methodology and game approach implemented by coach Francesco Rossi. Rather than focusing on individual coaching prowess, the emphasis is on letting players play and develop their skills. This revolutionary perspective prioritizes the player and their experience, rather than the coach's influence. By starting with games and creating small-sided games, Borgo Manero nurtures a generation of players who grow up with the sport, resulting in a basketball culture that produces top-level talent.

Introduction

3min

The Importance of Background Experience in Basketball

12min

Improving Vision and Tactical Decision-making with Warm-up Games

3min

Importance of Defense and Cage Dribbling in Small-Sided Games

3min

Discussion about the Author's Books and Invitation to Visit Boga Monero

3min

In this episode, Alex Sarama is joined by Francesco Rossi, the Youth Director of College Basket in Borgomanero, Italy. They discuss the astounding success of the basketball program in the small town of Borgomanero, which has produced numerous professional players despite its size. Francesco attributes this success to the methodology and game approach used in the program, emphasizing the importance of player development and allowing players to play freely. They delve into the use of small-sided games, such as Cambio and Animals, which have proven to be effective in developing players' decision-making skills and basketball IQ.

Need help with ideas for your next practice? Our FREE youth basketball practice book gives you 21 small-sided games which you can use instantly. Get your free copy here: https://education.transformingbball.com/21-SSG-for-Your-Next-Practice

Level up your coaching with our Amazon best selling book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7

Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

Key Takeaways:

3:20 - College Basket emphasis on play

8:00 - Players First Princeton Offense

11:30 - Team SSGs: Cambio, Slovenia and Animals

19:00 - Player Development SSG: Cage Dribbling

20:50 - Francesco Rossi's Books

Follow Francesco:

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/fracoachrossi?lang=en

Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZD8T7GN/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk?fbclid=IwAR1qAkA6RMa9sy2hVyxVw2_9tEOEakKPTNPw2lyKkYI78CFUiCoz99DIWzY

Links: