
The Coach Dave Love Podcast
Evidence based basketball shooting insights from an NBA Shooting Coach.
Join NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love, host Matt Robertson, and guests for discussions about basketball shooting development.
Latest episodes

6 snips
Aug 13, 2024 • 58min
Quiet Eye Research with Dr Derek Panchuk PhD
Dr. Derek Panchuk, a sports psychology expert, discusses the transformative concept of Quiet Eye and its significance in enhancing athletic performance. He highlights how a steady gaze can improve accuracy, especially for basketball shooters. The conversation reveals practical tips for integrating Quiet Eye techniques into training, like focusing on targets versus following the ball. Additionally, Panchuk emphasizes the role of eye-tracking technology in advancing coaching methods and improving players' skills, urging coaches to embrace these underutilized strategies.

Aug 6, 2024 • 53min
Common Mistakes I See Coaches Making
Join NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson in this crucial episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," where they discuss "Common Mistakes I See Coaches Making." This episode sheds light on frequent errors in coaching methods and provides valuable insights to help coaches refine their approach and enhance player development.
Key Points of Discussion:
Defining Habits: Coach Love highlights the importance of defining the habits coaches are trying to instill. He points out that many coaches fail to clearly define any habit, while others overload players by trying to correct every possible habit simultaneously. This segment offers advice on finding the right balance to effectively target and improve specific skills.
Variability and Accountability: The episode examines common pitfalls related to practice variability. Some coaches stick rigidly to repetitive drills with no variability, which doesn't prepare players for the unpredictable nature of games. Others introduce too much variability without a clear purpose, lacking focus on reinforcing key habits. Dave discusses how to integrate the right amount of variability into practices while maintaining accountability to ensure that essential habits are being developed.
Coaching Perfection in Imperfect Situations: Coach Love sheds light on the overemphasis on achieving technical perfection in aspects of play that will inherently be imperfect in actual game situations. He uses examples like the starting point of a shot and wrist bend, explaining why striving for perfection in these areas can be counterproductive. Instead, he suggests focusing on practical, game-relevant skills that enhance performance under pressure.
This episode is packed with practical advice for coaches at all levels who aim to avoid common mistakes and adopt more effective training strategies. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned coach, these insights will help you improve your coaching efficacy and player development.
Be sure to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more in-depth discussions on basketball coaching techniques and philosophies. Tune in to learn how to avoid these common coaching errors and better support your players' growth.

Jul 30, 2024 • 59min
Knowledge of Process vs Results
Explore the essential concepts of Knowledge of Process (KoP) and Knowledge of Results (KoR) in this insightful episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," hosted by NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson. In "Knowledge of Process vs. Knowledge of Results in Basketball Shooting Development," they delve into what these types of feedback mean and why they are crucial for player development.
Key Points of Discussion:
Understanding Knowledge of Results: Dave explains the basics of KoR, which focuses on the outcomes of shooting actions—whether the shot goes in, the results of drills, and player statistics. This type of feedback provides immediate insights into performance, essential for goal setting and performance tracking.
Exploring Knowledge of Process: The episode also covers KoP, emphasizing the steps and movements involved in shooting. KoP guides players to refine their technique, ensuring a consistent and efficient shooting form, and builds a strong foundation for long-term skill development.
Benefits and Drawbacks: Learn about the advantages of both KoP and KoR, such as immediate feedback and guided improvement, as well as their potential drawbacks, including the risk of neglecting technique or overemphasizing it.
Practical Applications: Dave and Matt provide insights on when to use each type of feedback, balancing them in practice sessions and games. They discuss common misuses by coaches and offer practical advice on integrating both types of knowledge to support player development.
This episode is packed with actionable advice on effectively using feedback to enhance player performance and development. Understanding and implementing the right balance between Knowledge of Process and Knowledge of Results can transform training approaches and elevate player performance in critical game moments.
Be sure to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more in-depth discussions on basketball shooting techniques and training philosophies. Tune in to keep up with the latest trends and methods in basketball coaching.

Jul 23, 2024 • 1h 2min
Perception/Action Coupling
Explore the critical concept of Perception/Action Coupling in this enlightening episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," hosted by NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson. In "Perception/Action Coupling," they delve into what this theory is and why it is essential for basketball shooting development.
Key Points of Discussion:
Understanding Perception/Action Coupling: Dave starts by explaining the basics of Perception/Action Coupling — the idea that the perceptions (what we see and feel) directly inform the actions (how we react and execute skills) in sports. This connection is fundamental to training athletes to make split-second decisions under game conditions.
From Isolation to Game-Representativeness: The episode covers the transition from practicing basketball skills in isolation to incorporating more game-like scenarios. Dave and Matt discuss how creating practice environments that mimic game situations can significantly improve a player's ability to perform under pressure.
Practical Applications: Learn specific ways to apply Perception/Action Coupling in basketball training. The hosts provide insights into training techniques for complex movements like fade-aways, emphasizing how to integrate perceptual cues into the shooting process effectively.
This episode is packed with actionable advice on enhancing the way players practice by making training sessions more representative of actual game play. Understanding and implementing Perception/Action Coupling can transform training approaches and elevate player performance in critical game moments.
Be sure to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more in-depth discussions on basketball shooting techniques and training philosophies. Tune in to keep up with the latest trends and methods in basketball coaching.

Jul 16, 2024 • 60min
I Don't Do Drills Anymore
In this transformative episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson discuss a significant shift in Coach Love's coaching methodology. "I Don't Do Drills Anymore" delves into why Coach Love has moved away from traditional drills and embraced a more dynamic approach to training basketball players.
Key Points of Discussion:
The Evolution of Workouts: Dave explains the transition from using specific, repetitive drills to adopting a more fluid workout structure. He shares how this new approach allows for continuous adjustment and adaptation to the players' needs and the situations at hand.
Emphasizing Variability and Challenge: Learn about the importance of incorporating variability in training sessions. Dave discusses how creating diverse scenarios within practices can better prepare players for the unpredictability of actual games.
Challenge Point Theory: The episode explores the concept of the Challenge Point Framework, where the difficulty of the tasks is tailored to match the skill level of the player. This method ensures optimal learning and improvement by pushing players just beyond their current abilities without overwhelming them.
This innovative approach aims to make workouts more engaging and effective by mimicking game-like conditions and encouraging players to adapt and solve problems on the fly.
Tune in to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more in-depth discussions on modern coaching techniques and insights into basketball training. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more dedicated coaches and players.

Jul 9, 2024 • 54min
The Two Most Important Connections
In this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast," NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson delve into the critical connections that form the foundation of effective shooting: how the feet connect to the floor and how the hands connect to the basketball.
Key Discussions Include:
Feet to the Floor: Dave explains why the connection between a player's feet and the floor is essential for balance, stability, and power in shooting. He shares what he looks for in foot placement and movement, and why these aspects receive the most attention in his coaching.
Hands to the Basketball: The hosts break down the importance of how a player's hands interact with the basketball. They discuss grip, finger placement, and the feel of the ball, highlighting how these factors influence shot accuracy and consistency.
Focus Areas: Dave shares the specific elements he prioritizes in these connections, providing insights into what truly matters for improving a player's shot. He also contrasts his approach with common coaching practices, explaining what he might not emphasize as much as other coaches.
This episode offers valuable perspectives for coaches and players alike, emphasizing the foundational aspects of shooting mechanics that can make a significant difference in performance.
Don't miss this deep dive into the fundamentals of shooting. Be sure to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more expert advice and practical tips. Please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more basketball enthusiasts!

Jul 2, 2024 • 55min
Why I Don't Coach the Follow Through
Join NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson for a thought-provoking discussion in this episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast." Titled "Why I Never Coach a Follow-Through," this episode challenges traditional coaching wisdom by questioning the effectiveness of focusing on the follow-through in the shooting motion.
Key Discussions Include:
Reassessing the Follow-Through: Dave explains why he believes coaching the follow-through isn’t the most effective way to improve a player’s shot. Instead, he uses the follow-through as a diagnostic tool to identify underlying issues in the earlier parts of the shooting motion.
Diagnostic Insights: The episode dives into specific examples of poor follow-throughs and what they can reveal about a player's shooting technique. Dave and Matt discuss how these insights can guide coaches to the real areas of concern that need addressing.
Building Better Habits: Learn about actionable strategies and coaching cues that can help players break bad habits and improve their overall shooting mechanics. The hosts provide practical advice on how to develop cues that directly impact the critical phases of the shooting process.
This episode offers a fresh perspective on basketball shooting coaching, emphasizing a more analytical and holistic approach to diagnosing and correcting shooting techniques.
Be sure to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more innovative coaching insights. Don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform to help us reach more dedicated basketball players and coaches!

Jun 25, 2024 • 1h 1min
Shooting Development in a Team Practice
NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and Matt Robertson discuss challenges in improving shooting skills during team practices. They cover obstacles, core principles like consistency and feedback, and practical solutions for maximizing practice time. Coaches will find valuable insights on enhancing players' shooting abilities in a team environment.

4 snips
Jun 18, 2024 • 58min
One Motion vs Two Motion Shots
NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson debate the nuances between one motion and two motion shooting styles. They discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method, highlighting which players may benefit most from each style based on size, playing style, and position. Perfect for players and coaches looking to optimize shooting strategies.

Jun 14, 2024 • 12min
NBA Pre-Draft Workouts
Step behind the scenes with NBA Shooting Coach Dave Love and co-host Matt Robertson in this insightful 12-minute mini-podcast episode of "The Coach Dave Love Podcast." In "NBA Pre-Draft Workouts," Dave and Matt pull back the curtain for the average NBA fan, offering a rare glimpse into the intense and secretive world of NBA pre-draft workouts.
This episode explores the varied nature of these workouts across the league. From potential lottery picks to late second-round draft picks, each player's experience can differ dramatically depending on the team and the specific goals of the coaching staff. Dave and Matt discuss:
What NBA Pre-Draft Workouts Entail: Learn what these workouts include and how they are structured to test the capabilities and potential of each prospect.
Differences and Similarities: While the approach can vary significantly from team to team, there are common threads that bind these workouts together. The hosts explore these similarities and why they are critical to assessing draft prospects.
Insights from Behind the Scenes: Gain insights into what teams look for during these sessions and how they tailor workouts to evaluate everything from physical abilities to mental toughness.
This mini-pod is a must-listen for anyone curious about the less visible but crucial aspects of NBA operations and player development. It's an excellent opportunity for fans to understand more about what goes on behind the closed doors of NBA facilities during one of the most pivotal times of the year for upcoming talent.
Don't forget to subscribe to "The Coach Dave Love Podcast" for more behind-the-scenes insights and expert analysis. Please rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, and sign up for our newsletter at https://www.coachdavelove.com to stay updated on all things basketball shooting.
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