Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast

"If you ask a good question, you need to give them time to think about it."We are fortunate to have JP Nerbun return to the podcast on this episode.NOTE: This episode was an in-person interview conducted after a coaches seminar at Sandpoint High School in Idaho.Nerbun first appeared on the podcast in June of 2022 to talk about his book, "The Culture System." The book gives readers a glimpse into and a guide for building successful team cultures.Nerbun consults with athletes, coaches and parents at every level on culture building and leadership coaching through TOC Culture Consulting.

Taylor Tucker, Associate Head Coach at Des Moines Area Community College and creator of the @Tucker_Thorson Twitter account, shares his expertise on basketball strategy. He dives into the concept of triggers, discussing their role in maintaining offensive flow and how to effectively recognize and implement them. Tucker also highlights the importance of closeouts, offering strategies for offensive exploitation. He shares tips on adapting plays to player strengths and emphasizes the value of embracing mistakes in the learning process.

We are fortunate to have Felix Engel on this episode. Engel is a former player and distinguished youth coach in Germany and recognized worldwide for his contemporary approach to coaching. In addition, Engel serves with a different organizations to help mentor youth coaches.

We are fortunate to have Brent Keener on this episode. Keener just finished his 18th season at Mountain Home High School. He led the Tigers to a 21-5 record and a third-place finish at the Idaho 5A State Girls Tournament. ---Subscribe to the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter.---EPISODE BREAKDOWN1:20 - What led you to an uptempo offense?2:15 - Changes adopted in a more uptempo system3:00 - Transition offense principles4:45 - Offensive geography6:40 - Practicing the 3 layers of offense7:40 - Game shot feedback9:00 - Teaching off-ball reads10:55 - Point guard responsibilities13:15 - A big’s responsibility in the offense15:25 - 2-person actions with wings16:20 - Ball movement in an uptempo offense18:05 - Teaching spacing principles19:55 - Practice focuses throughout the year20:40 - Favorite shooting drills21:40 - Earring a shooting license23:25 - Separating position players during practice24:25 - Developing  meaningful reps in practice26:05 - Defense that plays into the offense28:15 - Secrets to coaching longevity

We are fortunate to have Reid Ouse for this episode. Ouse is a former college basketball coach who is now the owner / director of Catalyst Training, which is based out of Minnesota. He has worked with some of basketball biggest names, but also offer development and training for coaches & players at all levels. — Subscribe to the newsletter: CoachingIdaho.Substack.Com — EPISODE BREAKDOWN 2:00 - Definition of success in player development 5:00 - The mindset of top players 7:00 - The role of the coach in player development 9:30 - A mix between skill development & game enhancement 12:50 - Manufacturing the right chaotic environment 16:00 - Determining a workout plan for players 18:10 - Best practices for communication 20:10 - Incorporating multiple activities within a drill 22:25 - Approach to shooting 27:00 - What’s available at Catalyst Training

We are fortunate to have Chris Oliver return to the podcast for this episode. Oliver, of course, is the basketball podfather with his own show, The Basketball Podcast, and website, Basketball Immersion, two of leading resources for coaches around the world. He also is a consultant with Nike & the NBA involving their youth basketball initiative which we will talk about a little later. --- Subscribe to the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter: coachingidaho.substack.com --- Episode Breakdown 1:45 - Changes in coaching philosophy over time 4:00 - Practice structure when installing a conceptual offense 6:00 - Teaching the game using coaching interventions 7:15 - What coaching interventions should look like 10:00 - Helping players develop their scanning skills 13:25 - Deeper conversations with players around development 14:15 - What teaching scanning looks like in practices 16:50 - The importance of playing 5v5 20:25 - The importance of connecting the different elements of play 21:15 - Ideas for developing a coaching filter for resources 23:05 - The importance of having a Principles of Play 24:30 - Partnership with Nike and the NBA 26:20 - Getting players to love practice

We are fortunate to have the return of Liam Jefferson on this episode.  The episode focuses on how Jefferson develops his practices using CLA methods to introduce conceptual principles in his new position. Jefferson was on earlier this year to talk about his role with the London Lions Youth Academy and installing a conceptual offense. It quickly became one of our most popular episodes. A lot has changed since that time. Jefferson is now the head coach of the Oaklands Wolves and clinician for Transforming Basketball.  --- Check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter at ⁠CoachingIdaho.substack.com⁠. --- 2:00 - Responsibilities with the Oaklands Wolves 3:50 - Working with inexperience basketball coaches 5:30 - Documenting offensive & defensive philosophies 6:50 - Introducing CLA & Conceptual offense to new coaches 8:30 - Evaluating success when taking over a new program 10:25 - Long haul vs. short haul when implementing a CLA & Conceptual approach 11:25 - Competition levels for basketball in England 12:50 - Structure of youth academy vs. senior team practices 14:00 - Keys to developing a practice plan 16:00 - Organizing practice activities over the season 17:30 - Practice planning for specific opponents 18:45 - Practice structure using the CLA 21:15 - The importance of pace in practices 22:30 - Individual development in practices 25:00 - Players response to this system 27:05 - Planning practice around intensity & workload

We are fortunate to have Ty Keck on this episode to discuss practice planning and structure.  Keck is the head girls coach at Skyline High School in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He led Skyline to a 4A state runner-up finishes in 2022 and 2024 and has been a great resource for coaches like myself who have adopted a conceptual offense and CLA principles. EPISODE BREAKDOWN 2:00 - General approach to developing a practice plan 3:10 - What’s a practice philosophy that’s changed for you over the years 6:25 - Development w/ younger players vs. older players 8:00 - Practice structure from day to day 9:55 - Adapting focus within a practice 11:55 - Creating the environment for a secondary trigger 15:25 - Ratio between 2v2, 3v3 vs. 5v5 17:20 - Ratio of teaching offense vs. defense 19:45 - Factoring conditioning into practices -- Be sure to subscribe to the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter at https://coachingidaho.substack.com/

We are fortunate to have John Adams on this episode. In fact, I was fortunate to spend an evening with Adams in Kenmare, County Kerry during my trip to Ireland. Adams is a co-founder and current chair of the Kenmare Kestrels Basketball Club. The club was founded in 2006 and boasts close to 350 members, with youth and adult teams competing in the KABB (Kerry Area Basketball Board). Adams, who is originally from Maine and has degrees from Notre Dame and Harvard, managed to fit in some time between practices for a short interview at his home. Our discussion focused on the history of the Kenmare Kestrels, how it fits a niche in a country dominated by other sports, and what he has learned as a coach to teams at various age levels.

We are fortunate to have Bill Himmelberg on this episode. Himmelberg is the head coach of the women’s basketball team at the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana. The Argos made their way to this year’s NAIA National Championship game, but fell to No. 1 Dordt University by 4 points. Himmelberg is entering his 15 season as Providence’s head coach. He also has experience coaching at the high school level. -- Check out the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast newsletter on substack: https://coachingidaho.substack.com/ -- 1:45 - Was playing for an NAIA title expected at the beginning of the season 2:40 - Determining when your team might be a championship-level team 4:15 - Discussing championship possiblities with your team 7:45 - Where owning restaurant franchises and college basketball meet 12:50 - Developing an offensive identity through early offense and   player freedom 18:15 - Building confidence in younger players in a conceptual system 22:35 - Flowing from 5-out to 4-out seamlessly 31:05 - Packaging actions and naming them for easy communication 35:15 - Introducing concepts throughout the season 37:35 - The benefits for two-way teaching 40:00 - Using a 5-out to attack a zone defense 42:15 - Percentage of time practicing against a zone defense 44:05 - Area of study as a coach for the upcoming season