Engaging youth practices
Who it's for
Coaches of young and beginner players.
Takeaway
How to keep youth practice fun and active while still developing real skill.
Transforming Clinician
George Vaz
Coach educator & host of The Transforming Basketball Podcast
Goiânia, Brazil
George Vaz is a basketball coach consultant and the host of The Transforming Basketball Podcast. Based in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil, he works with coaches, players and organizations — and as podcast host he explores the ideas behind modern, evidence-informed coaching with guests from across the game.
- Youth practice design
- Representative learning
- Conceptual offense
Experience at a glance
George's coaching background
- Basketball coach consultant
- Works with coaches, players and organizations on modern player development.
- Host of The Transforming Basketball Podcast
- Leads the conversations on the official Transforming Basketball show.
- Based in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
- Coaches and consults from Brazil, working with groups internationally.
George's work
Youth practice· 10:24
What YOUTH PRACTICES Really Need to Look Like — U11 Dribbling Activities with George Vaz
George leads a U11 practice built around engaging, game-relevant dribbling activities.
Watch on YouTubeWhat you can learn
What you can learn with George
Representative learning design
Who it's for
Coaches designing practice that transfers to games.
Takeaway
How to design activities that represent real game demands so learning transfers to play.
Introducing conceptual offense
Who it's for
Coaches moving a team toward a conceptual, principles-based offense.
Takeaway
How to introduce conceptual offense, work through the messy phase and earn buy-in.
Coaching in practice
Leading a U11 dribbling practice
Context
In this Transforming Basketball video, George leads a U11 practice built around dribbling activities designed for young players.
Approach
He uses playful, representative activities that keep young players engaged while still challenging real ball-handling and decision-making.
What coaches can explore
How to design youth dribbling practice that stays fun and game-relevant, and how activity design shapes what young players actually work on.
Learn with George
More from George on Transforming Basketball
Official Transforming Basketball videos and podcast episodes featuring George.
Podcast episode · 15 min
EP136: Traditional vs CLA Drills
George explains representative practice design and coaching to the demands of the game.
Listen on SpotifyPodcast episode · 13 min
EP158: Transforming Team Offense — Implementing the CLA and Conceptual Offense
George on transitioning to conceptual offense, the messy phase and stakeholder buy-in.
Listen on SpotifyAs a Transforming Clinician and the podcast's host, George brings youth-practice design and conceptual-offense ideas to camps and clinics, and helps coaches connect the show's conversations to what they run on court.
Articles by George
Showing 64–68 of 68 articles
Team offense
The Pick and Roll Spacings Every Coach Needs to Know
If you were to search for pick and roll spacings, the internet would give you a myriad of different spacings. We wanted to keep this blog simple and present four of the most common spacings in the modern game.
Mar 24, 20252 min read
Team offense
Teaching the Relay Pass through Small-Sided Games
This blog builds on the previous blog "what is the relay pass?" , focusing on ways to develop the relay pass through CLA practice environments.
Mar 17, 20252 min read
Team offense
What is a Relay Pass in the Pick and Roll?
The relay pass is becoming an increasingly important weapon in modern pick and roll offenses. This blog explains what a relay pass is, when to use it, and why it’s particularly effective against aggressive defensive coverages.
Mar 10, 20252 min read
Team offense
How Paris Basketball Dominates Offensive Rebounding with Tagging Up
How Paris Basketball Uses Tagging Up to Lead the EuroLeague in Offensive Rebounds How does Paris Basketball use “Tagging Up” to slow down their opponent's transition while generating more offensive rebounds?
Mar 4, 20253 min read
Coaching & leadership
Alex Sarama to Join Cleveland Cavaliers as Director of Player Development
We are delighted to announce that Transforming Basketball's founder, Alex Sarama, will be joining Kenny Atkinson's staff in Cleveland as Director of Player Development.
Sep 2, 20241 min read
Host a camp
Inquire about hosting GeorgeInquire about hosting George
Bring George to your club, academy or federation for a Transforming camp or clinic. Dates and clinician availability are agreed with our team when you inquire.