

The Transforming Basketball Podcast
Transforming Basketball
Transforming Basketball is all about breaking away from the status quo by helping the basketball world make sense of evidence-based ideas. Within the podcast, contemporary skill acquisition ideas are introduced to change the way we think about basketball performance.
If you’re ready to join us in our quest to transform the basketball world, challenge the way things have always been done, and reflect deeply on our coaching and organisational approaches, then this is the podcast for you!
If you’re ready to join us in our quest to transform the basketball world, challenge the way things have always been done, and reflect deeply on our coaching and organisational approaches, then this is the podcast for you!
Episodes
Mentioned books

9 snips
Mar 29, 2024 • 23min
EP54: An Ever Evolving Coach with Jonas de Bruyne
Jonas de Bruyne, a basketball coach, discusses his shift to a games-based approach in coaching, influenced by ecological dynamics. He talks about incorporating defenders in training, his player development program in Germany, and shares practical examples of innovative training sessions like Tennis Basketball with a Defender and Snake & KOB Finishing.

Mar 26, 2024 • 15min
EP53: How to Overcome Challenges Implementing the CLA
Skill acquisition expert Alex Sarama discusses implementing CLA in basketball, addressing challenges like obtaining results vs. following science, teaching skills without explicit instruction, learning styles, and reinventing fundamental skills by youth players.

Mar 22, 2024 • 23min
EP52: How OTE are Developing The Next Generation of Pro Players with Markus Klusemann
Markus Klusemann and Alex Sarama discuss player development at OTE, focusing on bridging the gap between science and coaching. They explore challenges in player development across different basketball environments and the concept of minimal effective instructions. The importance of queuing and attentional focus in coaching, as well as the impact of the CLA lens on health and performance development, is also highlighted.

4 snips
Mar 19, 2024 • 57min
EP51: How Basketball Coaches Can Implement Clear Principles of Play with Zico Coronel
Exploring alignment of principles of play with an ecological approach in basketball. Discussion on coverage solutions, spacing, offensive strategies, and player decision-making. Practical insights on building coverage solutions and adapting to different defensive coverages. Emphasis on balance between freedom and structure in player development.

5 snips
Mar 15, 2024 • 39min
EP50: “Invisible Backpacks” and Forms of Life with Marti Canellas
In this podcast, Marti Canellas discusses his basketball background, the cultural influences on coaching, and the importance of questioning beliefs. He emphasizes viewing basketball as a complex system, understanding individual intentions, and focusing on the game and players' needs.

Mar 12, 2024 • 31min
EP49: How to Apply the CLA in Multiple Parts of Daily Life with Adam de Groot
Alex Sarama interviews Adam De Groot, a PE teacher and basketball coach, about applying an ecological approach to coaching. Adam discusses creating environments for athletes to self-organize, matching offenses to players, and structuring variability in training. He also shares how he explores this approach with his own children and offers training tips through Train Your Brain.

Mar 8, 2024 • 20min
EP48: How to Avoid Being a TWIT Coach
Discussing TWIT coaching method, improving youth coaching in the US, advocating for multi-sport participation, highlighting Kobe Bryant and Hakeem Olajuwon as examples, and promoting player-centered coaching style.

Mar 6, 2024 • 17min
EP47: What I’ve Been Working On For The Past 2 Years: BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT!
In this very special episode, Alex announces the release date of his book "Transforming Basketball: Changing How We Think About Basketball Performance." Alongside Transforming Contributors Gray Thomas and Adam Omiecinski, Alex, Adam and Gray take you behind the scenes of how the book came to be. From the initial writings in Italy in the spring of 2023 to its release this April, the book has had a tremendous impact on Alex and he hopes it will have an equal impact on the basketball world at large. In this episode, the three reflect on the first few drafts to what the final product became, favorite chapters and how the book can help change the way the game is coached and played going forward.
Key Takeaways:
01:05 - Book announcement and reflections
10:46 - How the writing process changed Alex
12:40 - How important is to understand the why behind each activity
PRE-ORDER HERE:https://education.transformingbball.com/book-landing-page
Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

6 snips
Mar 1, 2024 • 33min
EP46: FEED THE CATS - How to Train Smarter with Tony Holler
Tony Holler, creator of 'Feed the Cats', challenges traditional conditioning methods in sports, emphasizing rest and athleticism in training. He advocates for a smarter approach to practice, promoting a 4-day work week and prioritizing sleep. Discusses the need for coaches to embrace player-centered coaching and efficiency in training methods.

4 snips
Feb 27, 2024 • 23min
EP45: Why Basketball Fundamentals are Outdated
Exploring the flaws in traditional basketball fundamentals teaching, emphasizing the need for adaptable and functional skill development. Alex Sarama discusses the importance of ecological perspectives on skill acquisition and the drawbacks of rigid coaching methods. The podcast advocates for a shift towards game-based training and individualized player development, challenging linear pedagogy in favor of dynamic and versatile skill enhancement techniques.