The Basketball Podcast Chris Holguin on NBA Defense and Using CLA (EP390)
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Sep 17, 2025 Chris Holguin, the Los Angeles Clippers assistant coach, shares a decade's worth of insights on defense and player development. He discusses how listening and curiosity shaped his coaching path, emphasizing defense's importance in building team chemistry. Holguin reveals effective defensive principles that improved the Clippers' ratings, focusing on accountability and anticipation in player positioning. He also explores the innovative Constraint-Led Approach in training, highlighting tailored drills that cater to both rookies and veterans, ensuring adaptability in skill development.
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Learn By Listening First
- Chris Holguin treats every day as a learning opportunity to absorb the Clippers' culture and coaching methods.
- He listens first, gathers evidence, then forms his own philosophy over time.
Use One Clear Cue
- Use concise, shared terminology across staff so players get one clear cue during games.
- Coach your staff to use two-word or single-word cues to speed adjustments and reduce communication clutter.
Fundamentals Drive Defensive Jumps
- The Clippers improved defense by mastering fundamentals: transition, rebounding, and avoiding careless fouls.
- They added physicality and ball pressure while taking away the offense's preferred spacing.