EP137: Q&A with Alex Sarama (Part 1)

In this episode, Alex Sarama hosts a Q&A workshop where coaches dive deep into transition offense, spacing concepts, pistol actions, and defensive principles like tagging up. The conversation explores practical teaching points for youth basketball, how to structure practice planning, and ways to blend conceptual offense with structured actions.   Chapters:00:50 – Transition spacing explained: “traffic light” approach (green = dominoes, yellow = triggers, red = sets) 03:00 – Teaching lag-free reactions & spacing rules on rebounds and makes 05:40 – Kick-ahead passes, two-side advantages, and early decision-making in transition 08:10 – Handling overloads and principles for positioning (corner vs. 45 cuts) 10:20 – Transitioning from offense to first trigger actions without delays 13:00 – Pistol action variations: get game, flare screens, Ricky rescreens & inverted setups 17:20 – Teaching timing on cuts, flare actions, and spacing constraints 20:30 – Communication, signals, and scripting vs. conceptual flexibility in pistol offense 23:50 – Transition defense: tagging up vs. emergency system, how to teach both 27:00 – Planning an annual coaching framework: practice planning, principles of play, and sticky-note hierarchy for team priorities   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George sits down with Nathanial Mitchell, head coach for Canada Basketball’s Senior Men’s National Team and former NBA assistant with the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets. Nathanial shares lessons from coaching across the NBA, G League, international basketball, and now the Chinese Basketball Association, emphasizing how connection, accountability, and continuous learning shape his coaching philosophy.Bio: Toronto’s Nathanial Mitchell has coached at every level — from the NBA with the Raptors and Hornets to leading and assisting Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team across the FIBA AmeriCup, World Cup, and Olympic stages. Nate is currently the head coach of the Guangzhou Loong Lions in China’s CBA. In this episode, he shares how he builds transformational environments through sweat equity, trust, and a constraints-led approach that develops both the player and the person.   Chapters: 01:00 – Coaching Canada at the AmeriCup and representing the country on the world stage 03:00 – Adapting to short national team windows and learning from elite head coaches 04:30 – “Sweat equity” and why showing up physically for players builds trust 06:00 – Balancing individual development with team success 07:30 – Coaching challenges and leadership lessons from the CBA in China 09:00 – Co-creating player development plans and identifying priority skills 11:30 – Using constraints and competition to shape decision-making 16:00 – Working with Canadian stars like RJ Barrett, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Pascal Siakam 18:00 – Bridging the gap between skills trainers and team coaches 23:00 – Aligning player ambition with team roles and offensive systems 28:00 – Transformative Tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George sits down with Adam Bauman, Director of Scouting and Analytics for the Alabama Men’s Basketball Team. Adam shares how analytics shape Alabama’s explosive offense, how player development is guided through data-driven shot type reports, and why simplicity is key when communicating with players. He also discusses building stronger relationships with athletes, balancing analytics with coaching feel, and how competition drives culture in practice.    Chapters:01:00 – Building player trust and relationships beyond basketball 03:30 – The role of analytics in Alabama’s success 07:00 – Using data to prepare for opponents and find edges 09:00 – Practical ways coaches can start using analytics 10:30 – Tracking off-ball assists and creating team advantages 14:40 – Shot type reports & customized player development 16:30 – Using numbers to educate, not restrict, players 20:00 – Practice design, player load, and managing exertion 22:30 – Accountability through blue-collar stats and player load 23:30 – Using analytics in the transfer portal to find undervalued players 25:00 – Transformative Tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George welcomes Coach Nick Hauselman, founder of BBall Breakdown, to discuss revolutionary changes in defensive principles of play and shooting. With over 20 years of coaching experience, Coach Nick shares insights on the evolution of shooting, using variability, and the creation of his innovative defensive scheme that challenges traditional methods. Nick also addresses how the mental aspect and internal cues play a critical role in player development.   Bio:Nicholas “Coach Nick” Hauselman is the founder of BBALLBREAKDOWN, one of the most influential platforms for basketball analysis with millions of views across YouTube and social media. With over 20 years of coaching and consulting experience, Coach Nick has become known for his ability to simplify the game — breaking down shooting, offensive flow, and defensive systems in ways that resonate with players, coaches, and fans alike.In addition to his teaching on shooting rhythm and variability, Coach Nick has developed a unique defensive system inspired by the Amoeba Defense and the point zone concept, challenging many of basketball’s long-standing traditions. His work continues to shape the way coaches think about skill development and strategy in today’s game. Chapters:01:17 -  Evolution of Shooting 03:02  - Variability Training in Basketball 07:54 -  Mental Aspects of Shooting 12:43 -  Observing Professional Players 19:54 -  Empowering Players Through Feedback 22:42  - Life Skills Through Basketball 23:17 -  Personal Anecdote: Learning Basketball Late 25:14  - Defensive Strategies: A New Approach 26:19  - Innovative Zone Defense: Behind the Ball 28:26 -  Practical Implementation and Player Response 35:11 - Transformative Tips   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George delves into the significance of manipulating constraints to guide player behavior and skill development. Through practical examples, the episode outlines various task, environmental, and individual constraints that can be applied during your practices. Listen to learn more about constraints in practice like variable shot clocks, shrinking the court size, and tying constraints to your principles of play. Chapters:00:00 - Understanding the Purpose of Constraint Manipulation02:42 - Practical Examples of Task Constraints03:15 - Environmental and Individual Constraints05:21 - Principles of Play and Shot Selection Constraints07:33 - Advanced Constraint Techniques10:59 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George Vaz is joined by Robby Bostain, founder of Level 10 Basketball and former Division I and European pro. Robby shares how his holistic five-pillar approach—skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership—helps athletes level up on and off the court. He also dives into how the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) unlocked creativity in his coaching, why giving athletes ownership accelerates growth, and the power of experimenting across sports.  Bio:Robby Bostain is the founder of Level 10 Basketball in Bakersfield, CA, where he trains athletes through a holistic, five-pillar approach: skills, fitness, mentality, nutrition, and leadership. A former Division I player at Furman and a seven-year European pro, Robby blends high-level playing experience with a Kaizen-inspired “Level Up Plan” to help players improve daily. His training emphasizes mental resilience, game IQ, and complete player development. Chapters: 01:00 – Robby’s journey from D1 to European pro and coaching transition 05:00 – Holistic challenges: skills, fitness, nutrition, mentality, leadership 08:00 – Teaching affirmations & leadership at a young age 10:30 – Discovering CLA & how it transformed his coaching 13:00 – Drawing inspiration from other sports & creativity in practice design 17:30 – Using constraints to teach offense/defense balance 20:00 – Incentivizing good decisions instead of penalizing mistakes 22:00 – Coaching with principles vs. rigid set plays 24:00 – Embracing variability in shooting & training chaos 26:00 – Transformative tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George Vaz is joined by Norbert Opitz, a cornerstone of Alba Berlin’s youth development program. With over 20 years of experience, Norbert shares how Alba fosters player growth through representative practices, decision-making, and long-term development over short-term wins. He explains why Alba avoids “on-air” drills, how they use constraints to guide learning, and the importance of empowering players to play freely while building confidence in their shooting.  Bio:Norbert Opitz is more than a coach—he's a cornerstone of ALBA Berlin’s developmental philosophy. With deep expertise in youth development, a strong emphasis on mental and physical growth, and a record of on-court achievements, Opitz continues to mold Berlin’s next generation of elite basketball players and coaches. Chapters: 01:00 – Norbert’s coaching journey and philosophy at Alba Berlin04:00 – What sets Alba apart: representative learning environments 05:00 – Using constraints to mirror real game challenges08:00 – Building confident shooters and daily shooting focus 11:00 – Teaching decision-making and advantage creation 14:00 – Balancing freedom with guided coaching 16:00 – Integrating offense and defense in practices21:00 – Generating quality shots against compact defenses26:00 – Transformative tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George Vaz is joined by Zay West, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Atlanta Hawks. Zay shares how evidence-based training, creativity, and environmental design can help athletes maximize performance, adapt faster, and return stronger from injuries. Chapters: 01:30 - Zay’s coaching journey to the Atlanta Hawks03:00 - Applying the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA)08:30 - Creativity in training & warm-ups09:30 - Return-to-play progressions13:00 - Scaling from control to chaos in drills17:00 - Engaging warmup games (tag, tennis ball, volleyball)22:30 - Teaching athletes how to fall safely24:00 - Achilles injury trends & prevention28:00 - Transformative tip Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George Vaz sits down with Ashley Cookson, Head of Basketball Performance and Head Coach of the Essex Rebels women’s team. Ashley shares his journey through coaching in the UK, Sweden, Canada, and Australia, and how ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches shape his philosophy.    Chapters: 00:00 - Ashley’s coaching journey across the UK, Sweden, Canada & Australia04:00 - Discovering ecological dynamics & adapting traditional coaching methods07:00 - Designing transition-focused drills and using constraints in practice13:00 -  Lessons learned from different coaching cultures abroad21:00 - Recruitment, core principles of play, and keeping strategies simple25:00 - Transformative Tip   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball

In this episode, George is joined by Cameron Mitchell—two-time NWAC South Coach of the Year and head coach of Portland Community College’s Panther Basketball Program. He shares how he’s led his team to back-to-back region championships and the most successful two-year stretch in program history. Cameron also explains why embracing controlled chaos, implementing the Constraints-Led Approach, and giving players autonomy have been key to success.   Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Coach Cameron Mitchell & career highlights 02:10 – First-year challenges as a college head coach 05:20 – Building a winning culture from day one 09:05 – Balancing team goals and individual development 12:45 – Strategies for recruiting and developing talent 16:20 – Lessons learned from consecutive championship runs 20:15 – Transitioning to the G League with Rip City Remix 24:40 – Advice for new and aspiring coaches 28:00 – Transformative Tip: Focus on culture, not just results   Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/ Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball