EP153: The Gold Standard with Don Showalter
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
Release Date: 03/04/2026
EP164: Gabriel Solé Head S&C Coach for Ourense Baloncesto in Spain’s Primera FEB
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Gabriel Solé, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for Ourense Baloncesto in Spain’s Primera FEB, to explore how blending traditional strength work with ecological dynamics and game-like movement solutions can create more adaptable, resilient basketball players. Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Gabriel Solé and his coaching background 02:00 – Discovering ecological dynamics and blending traditional training methods 03:30 – Structuring weight room sessions: preparation, auxiliary, and main lifts 05:00 – Using variability, movement...
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EP163: England Youth National Team Assistant Antony Distras on Transforming Player Development
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Antony Distras, a championship-winning coach and England U15 assistant, to explore how shifting from traditional drills to a decision-based, game-realistic approach can transform player development. Antony shares how trusting players, embracing mistakes, and designing practices around real-game chaos helped lead his U14 team to an undefeated championship season. Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Antony Distras and his coaching journey 02:00 – Early coaching experiences and learning through trial and error 03:30 – Moving away from copying drills...
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EP162: Winning a State Title with James Anderson
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by James Anderson, a high school coach and state champion, to explore how conceptual offense, practice design, and intentional culture-building can transform a basketball program. James shares how embracing chaos, empowering players, and focusing on relationships helped elevate both performance and team identity. Chapters: : 01:00 – Introduction to James Anderson and his coaching journey 02:00 – First exposure to Transforming Basketball and shifting coaching philosophy 03:00 – Transitioning from structured systems to conceptual offense and player...
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EP161: High School Coach of the Year Carson Huelle on Applying CLA Principles
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Carson Huelle, head coach of Fort Collins High School Girls Basketball. They talk about implementing constraints led approach (CLA) principles into his practice environment; this has fostered a player-first culture rooted in trust, growth, and creativity that led to a successful turnaround season. Chapters: 00:01:00 – Returning to coach at his alma mater, Fort Collins High School, and taking on his first head coaching role 00:02:00 – How skill acquisition and the Constraints-Led Approach became central to daily practice plans 00:03:30 –...
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EP160: Representative Shooting Drills with Arkansas State Assistant Coach Anthony Goods
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Anthony Goods to explore representative shooting, scouting insights, and how coaches can better prepare players for real game conditions. They dive into contested shooting, decision-making, and the importance of designing practices that truly reflect the chaos and demands of competition. Chapters: 00:00 – Overview of Anthony’s background as a Stanford player, overseas pro, NBA scout, and now assistant coach 01:10 – What Anthony looks for in recruiting and scouting 06:30 – Breaking down shooting data from elite players 10:00 –...
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EP159: Understanding Non-Linear Pedagogy with Dr. Matt Bowers from the University of Texas
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by returning guest Dr. Matt Bowers to dive deeper into the practical application of Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP) and the Constraints-Led Approach in basketball coaching. At its core, NLP focuses on five key principles to drive skill acquisition: Representative Learning Design: Ensuring practice environments contain the same information and "cues" found in a real game. Constraints Manipulation: Strategically adjusting task, environmental, or individual constraints to guide players toward functional solutions. Functional Variability: Encouraging...
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EP158: Transforming Team Offense: A Guide to implement the CLA and Conceptual Offense
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this solo episode, George Vaz addresses the common challenges coaches face when transitioning from traditional pattern-based offenses to a conceptual offense using the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA). He discusses how to handle the "messy phase" of implementation, strategies for gaining stakeholder buy-in through transparency, and practical ways to use constraints and small-sided games to build a fluid, decision-based system. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction: Navigating the mess of adopting the CLA and conceptual offense. 01:30 - The Transparency Presentation: Educating parents and...
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EP157: Coaches' Essential Takeaways from the Transforming Summer Camp
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Coaches Jared, Tom, and Henry to reflect on their experiences at the Transforming Basketball Summer Camp. They share key takeaways around creativity in practice design, the use of constraints and small-sided games, and the importance of curiosity and collaboration among coaches. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the coaches and overview of the Transforming Basketball Summer Camp 02:30 – First impressions and key learnings from the camp experience 05:00 – Rethinking practice design: creativity and “repetition without repetition” 07:30...
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EP156: Transforming the Athlete: NBA/NFL Consultant Dr. Craig Liebenson’s Holistic Approach
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by Dr. Craig Liebenson, a renowned chiropractor, movement specialist, and performance expert, to explore how movement quality, injury prevention, and holistic training approaches can transform basketball performance. Craig shares insights from decades of working with elite athletes, emphasizing why fixing movement patterns—not just treating pain—is key to long-term success. Chapters: 01:00 – Introduction to Craig Liebenson and his background in performance and rehab 03:00 – The difference between treating pain vs. fixing movement patterns...
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EP155: Warm-up Design with German Pro League Coach Domenik Theodorou
The Transforming Basketball Podcast
In this episode, George is joined by performance coach Domenik Theodorou to share innovative warm-up strategies, the importance of movement variability, and how to keep players engaged through creative game design. Discover practical tips for enhancing practice efficiency, reducing injury risk, and fostering a fun, dynamic environment for basketball players. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction and setting the stage for a discussion on rethinking basketball warmups 01:21 – Why traditional warmups often become boring and repetitive for players over time 05:36 – Using warmups to...
info_outlineIn this episode, George is joined by legendary coach Don Showalter to explore what truly transforms a basketball program. With over 40 years of high school coaching experience and 20+ years with USA Basketball — including 10 gold medals — Coach Don shares powerful insights on standards, skill development, communication, and building a culture that lasts. He discusses why players never “graduate” from fundamentals, how to teach in soundbites, and the two things every coach must bring to practice every day.
Chapters:
01:00 – Introduction to Coach Don and his USA Basketball journey
02:00 – Standards vs. rules: building culture through accountability, not control
04:00 – Holding players accountable without lowering expectations
06:00 – Creating energy and enthusiasm in long practice environments (Snow Valley insights)
08:00 – The five traits of great coaches: teacher, authentic, organized, humble, adaptable
10:00 – Why humility is the foundation of long-term coaching growth
12:00 – International basketball lessons: pace, shot clock, and player ownership
14:00 – Players never graduate from skills: refreshing fundamentals all season
16:00 – Structuring practice: balancing skill work, team offense, and team defense
18:00 – Teaching in soundbites: the 7-second communication rule
20:00 – Using terminology to improve practice pace and clarity
22:00 – Small-sided games, constraints, and accountability through 3-on-3
25:00 – Avoiding positional “boxes” in youth development
28:00 – Transformative coaching tip
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