Transforming Basketball Blog

Jun 10, 2024

Alex Sarama

This blog explores Differential Learning (DL), as a method to develop adaptive shooters. Unlike traditional drills, DL introduces variability and "noise" to encourage players to discover their unique, effective shooting solutions. Read more to see how DL can revolutionize your approach to shooting practice!

Learn how offering misleading affordances, like no-look passes, can disrupt opponents and enhance gameplay. This blog explores practical coaching tips to foster deceptive behaviors, encouraging creativity and adaptability in both individual players and team strategies. Dive in to see how you can elevate your team’s performance with the art of deception!

deception in basketball blog cover 1

Jun 3, 2024

Alex Sarama

The NBA Combine's usage of reductionist athletic tests may overlook a true examination of the skilful behaviors that underpin effective basketball performance. Is it possible that the current NBA combine testing methods bias, rather than inform, front office decision-makers?

NBA Combine testing img

May 16, 2024

Alex Sarama

This article breaks down why pass and cut motion offense limits youth player development, and explores better ways to teach spacing, decision-making, and offensive creativity.

pass and cut motion offense blog cover

May 1, 2024

Alex Sarama

Even though positionless basketball challenges conventional player roles, many young bigs who often lack the versatility to adapt in multiple areas of the game due to forms of life related to how bigs should supposedly be developed. This blog shares ideas for how coaches can use constraints to design context-rich environments, streamlining the development of young bigs.

Apr 27, 2024

Alex Sarama

In the "Eco Player Series" Gray Thomas explores how basketball players like Jalen Williams utilize ecological principles to excel on the court, emphasizing dynamic perception-action coupling and adaptive decision-making over traditional drills.

Apr 6, 2024

Alex Sarama

Alex stresses the importance of reframing the youth basketball experience, with coaches needing to reconsider the importance of fun and player engagement. This naturally complements coaching methodologies such as the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), which create more enjoyable learning environments to keep children interested in the game.

Mar 20, 2024

Alex Sarama

Adam de Groot, a HS coach in Illinois, contributes this week's guest blog. Adam shares how the benefits of a CLA extend far deeper than just on the court, with practical examples provided of how the CLA impacts Adam's role as a parent, athletic performance coach, teacher and more!

CLA Transcends Basketball adam degroot

Mar 13, 2024

Alex Sarama

In this blog post, Alex outlines what coaches can expect in his new book. He previews some of the chapters while explaining what motivated him to write the book.

Transforming Basketball book by Alex Sarama skill acquisition coaching img cover

Mar 10, 2024

Alex Sarama

Jon Yu contributes this blog article on his experience working with Alex Sarama at College Prep. Jon shares his main takeaways and how he used the CLA and Differential Learning during his time in Italy.

Feb 29, 2024

Alex Sarama