Talking Split

One of the areas we noticed athletes were lacking on our last return to sport, was confidence. We delve into how as coaches we can build it, how we create environments where it’s a growth mindset for athletes, and how our actions and reactions as coaches can influence it amongst our teams.

Back in the mailbag this week, where we discuss at what age should Strength & Conditioning be taught, is conditioning acceptable as a punishment at training sessions, how to manage athletes that are in foul trouble, session planning and working with your Director of Coaching and how different season timing and models may help player development.

Thanks to the listeners for their mailbag questions this week, as we delve into the Talking Split Mailbag Part 1. We go over on trials, playing time, statistics, and player motivation whilst we bid farewell a podcast favourite with a special guest...

Dr.Alex Roberts is a Lecturer at La Trobe University, and a member on the Executive Advisory Board for the Womens Coaches Association, and today joins us to discuss parts of her theses on “The Coaches Eye – Exploring Decision Making During Talent Identification”. Alex takes us through some great topics that coaches need to consider such as their coaching bias, what they’re selecting for, long term talent identification and their own development as a coach. You’re able to have a look at Alex’s theses via this link: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/2391/ and would encourage everyone to follow Alex (@AlexHRoberts) and the Women Coaching Association (@coaching_womens) on Twitter for some content that will be helpful to your coaching.

Fresh off the silver medal at the FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup, we chat to Head Coach Dave Herbert about the lead up and the playing of the tournament, and how the team achieved such a great result winning a silver medal. We look at some of the things that worked, some things that junior coaches can focus on, and some things athletes can do to get them to that level. Rob & Zoe discuss the reaction to the size 5 basketball for U12 and younger and dispel a few of the myths that have been raised on social media.

We are joined by Jontee Brown, BV's newly appointed Diversity and Inclusion Officer who takes us through how he got started playing wheelchair basketball and how players and coaches can get involved in the wheelchair basketball coaching pathway. For anyone wanting to get involved, get in contact with Jontee - jontee.brown@basketballvictoria.com.au

Lockdowns continue, and now that the Olympics have finished what is there to do? Talk about the Olympics of course! We take our chances on Jenni having paid her electricity bill and the dial up internet in Clyde and recap on a great tournament from the Boomers earning their first medal, closing the gap on the USA, shooting percentages, 3x3 vs 5x5, continuity in National team programs, junk defences, pressing defences and offensive style of play from the various countries.

Whilst the days, weeks, months, and year has moved quickly, there is a certain time of year that remains the same... July and August are the time for basketball coach job applications. We've got a few pearls of wisdom on how to give yourself the best possible chance to get that job you want! Hint: Leaving a rating and a review on the Talking Split podcast will definitely help*. Good luck coaches! *DISCLAIMER – it won’t, but it would be appreciated all the same!

It’s been a long time in the making, but we have finally had Victoria’s greatest basketball writer (excluding BV’s Jarrod Potter of course), Jack Fleming on the podcast. We get to cover off how Jack started in coaching with the Greenhills Beavers, through to his latest role as the Assistant Coach of the Tasmania JackJumpers. Youth League Coach of the Month Ash Arnott shamelessly seeks sponsorship after an online shopping order goes wrong, and we get a quick snapshot of the Boomers and Opals progression in Tokyo so far.

Every 4 (or 5 – Pandemics *sigh*) years we get an Olympic tournament, and we are lucky enough to be in a very kind time zone for the Tokyo Games. We have our tournament specialists in Jenni & Coops on deck today to talk us through team selection, culture setting and tournament navigating. Really encourage as many as possible to tune in and support the Opals and Boomers on their quest for podium finishes, and it’s great professional development for all coaches to see the best in the world compete! If you too would like to donate to Lifeline for the copious amounts of name drops on this pod, can you do so far this link: https://www.lifeline.org.au/get-involved/make-a-donation/