In this episode of the Pacey Performance Podcast, Molly Binetti, Director of Women’s Basketball Performance at the University of South Carolina, discusses the transformation of the women’s basketball program under Coach Dawn Staley. With two national championships and record-breaking attendance, the program exemplifies success through holistic athlete development, individualized training, and strong relationships.

Molly emphasizes the importance of blending skill development with athleticism, focusing on movement quality and creating engaging training environments. By fostering autonomy and incorporating athlete feedback, the program builds trust and enhances player engagement. Individualized training allows athletes to choose exercises that suit their preferences while targeting specific performance outcomes.

Prioritizing athlete health has been crucial to the program’s success, with a player availability rate exceeding 98% over seven years. Flexibility in training and open communication among staff ensures that recovery and performance are balanced without overtraining. Informal assessments, including sprint testing and jump evaluations, are used to tailor programs and address individual needs.

Molly highlights the value of variation in training to prepare athletes for the unpredictability of competition. Machines like the leg press are used to strengthen lower bodies safely while preserving skill development. Distinct positional needs, such as conditioning for guards and strength for post players, are addressed to optimize on-court performance.

By combining holistic athlete development, data-driven insights, and a collaborative approach, South Carolina’s program continues to set a benchmark for excellence in women’s basketball.

Main talking points:

• Holistic development for athlete performance and growth
• Blending skill development with athleticism
• Athlete autonomy through feedback and engagement
• Informal assessments to tailor individual training programs
• Variation in training for adaptability and resilience
• Using adaptation as the driver for exercise selection
• Positional needs for guards and post players
• Movement quality over just strength and power
• Setting benchmarks for excellence in women’s basketball programs