Practical Ideas
Apr 27, 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.
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!
Mar 13, 2024
Alex Sarama
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What is ecological dynamics and how is it connected to a constraints-led approach?
Dec 8, 2025
George Vaz
Are you searching for the best small sided games (SSGs) to improve your basketball practices? Want to replace boring, low-transfer drills with competitive games that actually develop player decision-making and in-game skills?
In this post, I’m sharing my top 5 favorite small-sided basketball games—designed to teach core concepts like closeouts, pick-and-roll, advantage creation, and transition offense and defense. These basketball SSGs are intense, purposeful, and built around real-game actions.
Whether you're coaching youth basketball, high school, or pros, these top small sided games will make your sessions more effective, more engaging, and more fun—for both players and coaches.
Let’s break down each game and how it can transform your practices.
Aug 4, 2025
George Vaz
Whether you’re coaching in the NBA, EuroLeague, or youth basketball, one thing remains universally true: the worst transition offense is still more efficient than the best half-court offense. Yet, many teams still struggle to fully capitalize on transition opportunities, often opting to slow down the game instead of pushing the pace. The question is, why? By running more intentionally, teams can create easier scoring opportunities. So why do some teams hesitate?
Apr 7, 2025
George Vaz
Spacing has changed the game. NBA offenses today look nothing like they did in the ’90s—more threes, better efficiency, and smarter shot selection. But why? The key lies in how teams use space to create and capitalize on advantages.
Mar 31, 2025
Simon Caret
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.
May 1, 2024
Alex Sarama
Approaches within the basketball industry are predominantly based upon experiential knowledge and traditions.
