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

05:30 – Why movement quality is the foundation of performance and injury prevention

08:00 – Common mistakes in traditional strength and conditioning programs

10:30 – The role of assessment: identifying dysfunction before it becomes injury

13:00 – Why “less is more” in training and avoiding overcomplication

15:30 – Integrating movement-based training into basketball practice environments

18:00 – How poor movement habits develop and how to correct them early

21:00 – The connection between mobility, stability, and athletic performance

24:00 – Teaching athletes body awareness and ownership of their movement

27:00 – Practical drills and routines coaches can implement immediately

30:00 – Transformative Tip





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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

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 develop skills while encouraging players to solve problems in real time

06:43 – The “lightbulb speed” concept: designing tasks that trigger quick thinking and reaction

10:20 – Essential elements every effective warmup should include for both physical and mental readiness

11:44 – The unwritten rules of warmups that help practices flow smoothly and stay productive

15:13 – Building progression and flow within warmups to prepare players gradually for the main practice

16:53 – Movement variability and how diverse movements support player health and long-term development

19:27– Why novelty and new challenges can boost engagement and keep players motivated

23:00 – Encouraging player autonomy by allowing athletes to figure things out rather than over-instructing

23:37 – Recognizing when warmups aren’t working and how coaches can quickly adjust

24:40 – The “Razzle Dazzle Football” example and how creative games can energize a team

26:47 – Designing constraints and achievable goals to guide learning without limiting creativity

27:32 – Timeboxing warmup games to maintain focus, intensity, and pacing during practice

28:37 – Favorite warmup game setups that coaches can easily implement with their teams

29:56 – “Basketball Volleyball” and other crossover-style games that build skills in fun ways

31:47 – Multi-basket possession play and how it increases decision-making and awareness

33:51 – Why warmups matter more than coaches realize and how small changes add up over time

37:25 – Transformative Tip

Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book:

https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7

Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources:

https://transformingbball.com/products/



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

In this episode, George is joined by Felix Engel to explore the inner game of basketball and how awareness, mindset, and learning environments shape player development. Felix shares insights from his experience coaching youth players and working with coaches around the world, explaining why the best coaches focus less on control and more on helping players discover solutions themselves.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Felix and his coaching background

02:00 – What the “inner game” of basketball means for coaches and players

04:00 – Why awareness is a key driver of player development

06:00 – Moving from instruction-based coaching to discovery-based learning

08:00 – Helping players solve problems instead of giving them answers

10:00 – Building trust and autonomy in young athletes

12:00 – The coach’s role in shaping effective learning environments

14:00 – Balancing structure with player freedom in practice

16:00 – Encouraging decision-making through game-like situations

18:00 – Differences between coaching youth and more experienced players

20:00 – Practical ways to apply inner-game principles in everyday practice

22:00 – Creating practices that encourage curiosity and experimentation

25:00 – Long-term player development vs short-term performance

27:00 – Transformative tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

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

In 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



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

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

In this episode, George is joined by Mfon Udofia, head coach of the Long Island Nets to share insights from his journey as a player and coach. He discusses the importance of building coaching philosophies based on personal experiences, the significance of accountability and communication with players, and effective strategies for teaching decision-making in a conceptual offense. Mfon also delves into the intricacies of the pick and roll, his experiences leading the Nigerian national team, and the valuable lessons learned from renowned coaches.



Chapters:

01:00 – Introduction to Mfon Udofia and his journey from Georgia Tech point guard to G League head coach
02:00 – How playing experience shapes (and doesn’t shape) his current coaching philosophy
03:00 – Making effort non-negotiable: defining and tracking Winning Momentum Plays (WMPs)
04:00 – Building accountability through consistency, communication, and individual development plans (IDPs)
06:00 – Creating player buy-in by understanding individual goals at the G League level
07:00 – Teaching decision-making within conceptual offense using game-like practice situations
09:00 – Nonverbal communication, spacing, and flowing offense without scripted sets
10:30 – Key principles for teaching pick-and-roll offense: setup, screening angles, and reads
12:00 – Defending the pick-and-roll: communication, drop coverage, late reds, and up-to-touch concepts
15:00 – Lessons from serving as head coach of the Nigerian National Team and leading under pressure
17:00 – Learning from elite coaches and the importance of preparation, organization, and attention to detail
19:00 – Reevaluating basketball staples: why Mfon moved away from the three-man weave
21:00 – Transformative coaching tip



Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/

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