Hardwood Hustle

Episode 551 - Building Mental Toughness with Matt Phillips

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Matt Phillips from Pro Athlete Advantage to talk about the secret to peak performance, mental toughness. In this episode M...

Episode 550 - Intensity, the X-Factor

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re discussing how intensity can be your team’s separator next season. In a sports culture where players are playing so many games and...

Episode 549 - Making Practice Fun

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss how coaches strike a balance between creating an intense hard-working and competitive environment with ensuring your play...

Episode 548 - Matthew Smith, Washington State University

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the Hardwood Hustle we’re joined by Coach Matthew Smith from Washington State to discuss analytics, propelling your coaching career and...

Episode 547 - Creating an Off-Season Player Development Plan

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to go through the off-season just checking boxes... Ball handling drills, check. Passing drills, check. Shooting drills, check. But to ...

Episode 546 - Offensive Actions

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss what makes offensive actions work including how to utilize different types of screens, combining actions together, person...

Episode 545 - Developing Shooters with Coach Dave Love

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by NBA Shooting Coach, Dave Love to discuss the most important aspects and essential  teaching points of developing better s...

Episode 544 - Iowa Women's BBall and the Read & React Offense

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Iowa women’s basketball just made another run to the National Championship Game, and did you know they run the Read & React offense? This week, ...

Episode 543 - Having Courageous Conversations with Mano Watsa

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On the other side of a breakdown is a breakthrough and this week, PGC President, Mano Watsa joins the show to share how having courageous conversation...

Episode 542 - Reflecting on the Season

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There can be a lot of mixed emotions when the basketball season finally comes to an end. In this week’s episode, TJ shares personal reflections on h...

Episode 541 - The Many Hats of Coaching

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam discuss how coaches show up as leaders. Consistency matters, but so does the ability to see a need and fill a need for your team...

Episode 540 - Optimizing Your Coaching with Cody Royle

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined once again by special guest, Cody Royle, a former professional head coach who now works full time helping coaches perform at ...

Episode 539 - Putting Culture First with Casey Kushiyama & Chad Songy

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam are joined by PGC Director Chad Songy, and Puget Sound Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Casey Kushiyama. In his 7th year as head...

Episode 538 - Playing v. Competing

27 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We believe competitiveness is a skill that can be taught and this week Sam and TJ discuss the difference between playing and competing and popular mis...

Episode 537 - What's Underrated in Practice

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Usually it's the little things that can have the biggest impact on your team's performance. TJ Rosene and Sam Allen discuss four underrated ...

Episode 536 - 4 Postseason Mistakes Coaches Make

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do you know your team is ready for the postseason? Whether you’re the underdog or the favorite, in this episode, Sam and TJ discuss 4 mistakes t...

Episode 535 - Coach Greg Tonagel, Indiana Wesleyan University

06 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're joined by Greg Tonagel, head men's basketball coach at Indiana Wesleyan University.  With over 500 wins and 3 national cham...

Episode 534 - In-Season Support: Accountability & Fighting Complacency

30 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week we dive into current events with Sam and TJ’s teams to see if you can relate as a leader and coach as we discuss a variety of topics inclu...

Episode 533 - Managing Player Expectations

23 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Managing your player’s expectations as well as your own can be one of the toughest tasks as a coach.  From social media influences, the role of par...

Episode 532 - Is Talent Overrated?

16 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Talent is overrated… A statement that TJ and Sam explore in this episode how in a given coaching career you can experience the highest levels of suc...

Episode 531 - Winning Offensive Habits

09 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, TJ and Sam discuss winning offensive habits as they each draft their top five habits, including valuing the ball, playing with pace, ...

Episode 530 - NOT Having All the Answers

02 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's power in being able to say, "I don't know." This week Sam and Lisa dive into the topic of leadership and the importance of...

Episode 529 - In-Season Decisions & Adjustments

20 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Sam and TJ discuss frustrations and questions coaches face during seasons as we try to problem solve strategy and scouting decisions as wel...

Episode 528 - The Sports Parent Solution with J.P. Nerbun

13 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, JP Nerbun is back to help us discuss the important topic of working with and ultimately building partnerships with parents. If we can get t...

Episode 527 - Style of Play

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss style of play and the advantages and disadvantages of varying styles as well reasons for adjusting, changing, or doubling...

Episode 526 - Read & React Offense with Rick Torbett - Part 2

27 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part 2 of the Read & React offense with Rick Torbett, celebrating 20 years since its creation and impact on the basketball communi...

Episode 525 - Read & React Offense with Rick Torbett - Part 1

23 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by the creator of the Read & React Offense and founder of Better Basketball, Rick Torbett. Over 20 years ago Coach Rick a...

Episode 524 - Mentoring Players Through Adversity

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Every season has its own challenges and as we know, adversity is coming for us and our players. This week TJ and Sam discuss how to navigate and mento...

Episode 523 - In-Game Coaching & Adjustments

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss In-Game coaching strategies including making strategic adjustments, how and when to use timeouts, managing our emotions a...

Episode 522 - Competitiveness, Character and Cheating

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Show Notes:• Intro Topic• Injured player example• Michigan football stealing signs• Justifying breaking rules• Rick Majerus example• Readi...

Episode 521 - From Quitting to State Championship with Jonas Allen

24 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Coach Jonas Allen. With years of high school and college coaching experience, Coach Allen was in his second year as a head...

Episode 520 - Executing Your Offense

17 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam dive into the details of what will make your offense work this season. They discuss spacing, screening angles, timing, assessing ...

Episode 519 - Great Teams Have Great Teammates

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With all the 'Me First' influences we have in our culture, it can be even more challenging to develop great teams and great teammates in our...

Episode 518 - Rebounding Tactics

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s episode is about offensive and defensive rebounding strategies and tactics including things you can try with your team and lessons learn...

Episode 517 - Staff Dynamics

26 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This we discuss staff dynamics and how both assistants and head coaches can lead well and bring the best out in each other even when it comes to disag...

Episode 516 - Maximizing Your Leadership with Todd Gongwer

19 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Todd Gongwer, a best-selling author, speaker and teacher on leadership and cultural development. He wrote one of our favor...

Episode 515 - Zooming Out On Offense

12 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam zoom out on offense and discuss different approaches coaches take in choosing their offensive strategy. They discuss what works a...

Episode 514 - Evaluating Your Team

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss the importance of how a coach evaluates their team throughout the season. Specifically we dive into evaluating games, practices, ...

Episode 513 - Hall of Fame Talk

30 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss whether individual stats or team success get you in the hall of fame, what it means to impact winning, and how to get our...

Episode 512 - Player-Coach Dynamics

21 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we kick off the episode discussing a recent event in coaching where a professional football player went to the head coach to complain about ...

Episode 511 - Dean Lockwood, Michigan State

16 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Coach Dean Lockwood from Michigan State who has 40 years of coaching experience in both men’s and women’s college bask...

Episode 510 - Choosing Your Influences

08 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve heard it said, you become like the 5 people you spend the most time with and in this episode, Sam and TJ discuss what that means for you and y...

Episode 509 - Picking Your Starting 5

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It takes some work to get the pieces of our teams to come together and complement each other. In this week’s episode, we discuss what factors into p...

Episode 508 - Keeping it Simple

26 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s episode, Sam and TJ discuss how we can maximize our team’s potential by keeping it simple both on and off the court and why it’s ...

Episode 507 - Gavin Petersen, University of Utah

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Associate Head Coach from Utah Women’s Basketball, Gavin Petersen joins the show. Coach Petersen has over 20 years of  Division I coachin...

Episode 506 - Troubleshooting: Your Team Comes Out Flat

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss how to prevent your team from coming out flat, what to do tactically during the game to get them out of it, and how to ap...

Episode 505 - Tracy Mason, Southern Utah

05 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Head Coach Tracy Mason, formerly Tracy Sanders. She has a long list of accolades as a player and coach, most recently this...

Episode 504 - What's Overrated & Underrated in Coaching

27 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss what’s overrated and underrated in coaching. They cover off spending time on strategies and tactics as well as the inta...

Episode 503 - Stats Don't Tell the Whole Story with Dylan Kurt

23 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Coaches are always looking for creative ways to get their message across to their athletes. This week, Sam and TJ talk to Dylan Kurt who’s written a...

Episode 502 - Player Problems

13 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Sam and TJ talk about player problems. It’s something every leader faces, and very pronounced for coaches season after season leading you...

Episode 501 - Jim Boone, Pack Line Defense

07 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam discuss Pack Line Defense with Head Coach Jim Boone. Coach Boone has almost 40 seasons of head coaching experience with over 600...

Episode 500 - Celebrating 500!

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the Hardwood Hustle team reflects on past learnings and present applications - sharing how the podcast has evolved and the listening coachi...

Episode 499 - Cody Anderson, Morgan County HS

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re joined by Coach Cody Anderson, former Division I assistant coach and now head coach at Morgan County High School. In this episode, ...

Episode 498 - Player Development with Angie Sun

16 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by Angie Sun, Director of the Northwest Select basketball club in Portland OR. She’s trained and coached youth through ...

Episode 497 - Coaching Wisdom

09 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam share some coaching wisdom from legendary coach and Hall of Famer, George Raveling discussing various quotes of his on leadershi...

Episode 496 - The Scouting Edge with Bob Starkey, LSU

02 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bob Starkey joins once again this week to discuss opponent scouting. Spurred on by a recent twitter storm from Coach Starkey, we discuss how to approa...

Episode 495 - Championship Learnings with Bob Starkey, LSU

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Bob Starkey, Associate Head Coach for LSU Women's Basketball joins us again for the first of two episodes. In this episode Coach Stark...

Episode 494 - A Fresh Perspective on Player Development

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam are joined once again by PGC Director and now professional pickleballer, Kyle Koszuta to talk player development. With examples ...

Episode 493 - Is There Room for Trash Talk?

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam tackle whether there's room for trash talk in the game of basketball. The distinguish the difference between it being used ...

Episode 492- The Truth About Culture

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It’s easy to see the challenges, issues, and uphill battles for coaches trying to build a great team environment. This week, TJ and Sam share what l...

Episode 491- No Excuses

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss what it means to have no excuses as a coach and focus on nothing else this off-season except getting better by finding creative ...

Episode 490 - Learnings from March Madness

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam discuss recent March Madness events and coaching strategies. In this episode they cover off rebounding, 3 pt shooting, game pres...

Episode 489 - Season's Over - What's Next?

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we discuss what’s next when your season has just ended including where to start your post season evaluations and how to have the right co...

Episode 488 - Better Coaching with Craig Nickel, PGC Director of Basketball Development

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re joined by Craig Nickel, PGC Director of Basketball Development. As a coach and now leading PGC Director team, Craig shares insights...

Episode 487 - 4 Building Blocks for Coaches with Mark Jarram, Loughborough University

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we have a conversation with Mark Jarram, former college and professional basketball coach, and now Head of Coaching and Performance Develop...

Episode 486 - Making a Coaching Move

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Coaching changes happen every season. This week, TJ and Sam discuss how you should go about evaluating where you’re at and whether or not a coaching...

Episode 485 - Peaking at the End of Your Season

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we dive into coaching the mental side of the game in hopes of helping your team peak at the end of your season including, continuing to have...

Episode 484 - Winning Streaks & Losing Streaks

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss how to handle winning streaks and losing streaks as the leader of your program. Topics we touch on in this episode:Setting a foun...

Episode 483 - In Game Coaching Decisions

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam dive into the decisions coaches have to make in games. From substitution patterns to managing player fouls, running set plays ver...

Episode 482 - Coaching Offense with Dustin Aubert

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

"Your offense is only as good as your ability to create, recognize, and use an advantage." - This week, PGC Director, Dustin Aubert joins TJ...

Episode 481 - Building Great Team Habits

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us know from experience, what we see out on the floor on game day is the product of what we do or don’t do in practice. As coaches, we can i...

Episode 480 - 5 Ways to Level Up Your Coaching

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam dive into how we can better ourselves as a coach. To be the leader most of us want to be, we should aim to be someone people wan...

Episode 479 - Coach C White, Bentley University

03 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, We’re joined by Coach C White from Bentley University, a Division II program that’s has a history of success including a National Champ...

Episode 478 - The Good and Bad of Coaching

23 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Sam and TJ discuss what we love about coaching, why we get into it, why we stay in it. And then on the flip side,  what’s challenging ab...

Episode 477 - 3 Lessons from the NBA

13 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Sam and TJ discuss three different situations in the NBA with Trae Young missing a game day walkthrough, Russel Westbrook in a 6th man role...

Episode 476 - Coaching And Authenticity

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam discuss what it takes for coaches to be their authentic selves. If we want to be the best leader we can be, we have to build tru...

Episode 475 - Skills, Reads, & Decisions

29 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Sam and Lisa discuss the difference between developing skills, reads, and decision-making. It's important for coaches to decide ...

Episode 474 - How Pickleball Can Improve Your Coaching

22 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Lee Whitwell, an accomplished tennis player turned Major League Pickleball MVP. In this episode TJ, Sam, and Lee discuss h...

Episode 473 - Transition Offense Strategy

15 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss basic philosophies around transition offense. Transition is one of the parts of the game that happens the most, and being...

Episode 472 - Preseason Growing Pains

08 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With the season gearing up, this week TJ and I discuss what we’re going through in our respective preseasons. Your strategy and philosophy are often...

Episode 471 - Defining Your Scoreboard with Marke Freeman

01 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re talking about leadership in coaching with Marke Freeman. You may know her as a PGC Director, but she’s also author of the Champion...

Episode 470 - Playing Out of the Post

25 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week’s conversation is about maximizing your offense by playing out of the post in a variety of personnel situations. Whether you have a domina...

Episde 469 - Be the Expert

18 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Another season is just around the corner and our job as coaches and leaders is to be the expert. We don’t have to have all the answers, but it does ...

Episode 468 - You're Fired

11 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is a fresh set of eyes what you need to be the best version of yourself? It's time to find out and evaluate the way you're thinking and how ...

Episode 467 - 5 Ways to Lose Games

04 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The truth is, most of us want to win more games, but do we fully understand what’s losing us game? This week, TJ and Sam discuss 5 critical aspects ...

Episode 466 - Comparing Half Court Defenses

27 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam compare different half court defenses. They cover off advantages and disadvantages to multiple styles and share helpful things t...

Episode 465 - Developing Mental Skills - Part 2

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most under coached areas of the game is the mindset and mentality that is needed to perform at our highest level. This week we finish our s...

Episode 464 - Developing Mental Skills - Part 1

13 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we start a 2 part series on the mental side of the game. As coaches we know how important it is, but we don’t always know how to practical...

Episode 463 - Micah Mills, Wilmington College

06 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Coach Micah Mills, a long time PGC Family member who shares his journey in coaching as he steps into his first year as the...

Episode 462 - The New Reality - Player Demands & Transfers

30 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ and Sam discuss players making demands. We’re currently seeing the affects of  player movement in the NBA and the transfer portal in c...

Episode 461 - Choosing Your Offensive Actions

23 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, TJ and Sam talk Xs and Os on the offensive side of the ball. Specifically how can coaches evaluate and choose the best offensive actions fo...

Episode 460 - Building a Great Program with Coach Corey Lowery

16 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by Coach Corey Lowery who has over 22 years of coaching experience and has received coach of the year honors 9 times. Most re...

Episode 459 - Coaching Your Best Season

09 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Each season brings a unique set of challenges and experiences. While we know there will be ups and downs, how are we preparing to be at our best this ...

Episode 458 - Assistant Coach Development

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we discuss the role of assistant coaches. There are takeaways for both head and assistant coaches on how to lead and support the program by ...

Episode 457 - Devin Durrant, The Values Delta

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we welcome leadership expert, Devin Durrant to the show. An All-American at BYU, former NBA player, successful real estate investor, and ins...

Episode 456 - John Baines, Elmhurst University

20 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Sam welcomes Head Coach John Baines to the show to talk Xs and Os. Coach Baines is entering his 10th as the head coach at Elmhurst Universit...

Episode 455 - Building Confident Athletes with Paige Tonz

12 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week TJ welcomes back Paige Tonz to discuss some important topics around the mental side of the game. We all want more confident athletes, but as...

Episode 454 - J.P. Nerbun, The Culture System

04 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, J.P. Nerbun returns to the Hardwood Hustle. He's the Founder and President of Thrive on Challenge, Author of Calling Up, and Host of t...

Episode 453 - Executing Better Practices - Part 2

28 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode is part of a 2 part series with TJ and Sam as they continue to share what it looks like to execute better practices. In part 2 today, the...

Episode 452 - Executing Better Practices - Part 1

21 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The practice court is the coach's classroom. As we travel through our coaching careers how do we ensure we're getting better in this critica...