Home Podcasts The Transforming Basketball Podcast
The Transforming Basketball Podcast

The Transforming Basketball Podcast

Transforming Basketball 170 Episodes Aug 19, 2026

Transforming Basketball is all about breaking away from the status quo by helping the basketball world make sense of evidence-based ideas. Within the podcast, contemporary skill acquisition ideas are introduced to change the way we think about basketball performance. If you're ready to join us in our quest to transform the basketball world, challenge the way things have always been done, and reflect deeply on our coaching and organisational approaches, then this is the podcast for you!

Episodes

EP176: How to approach Player development during the Off-season with Adam Omiecinski
EP176: How to approach Player development during the Off-season with Adam Omiecinski Aug 19, 2026 12:06 In this episode, George is joined once again by Adam Omiecinski to discuss how coaches should approach player development during the off-season versus the in-season. Adam explains why the off-season is the ideal time to encourage exploration, experimentation, and failure, allowing players to expand their solution space without the pressure of winning games.    Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction & Why
EP175: Former France National Team Head Coach Vincent Collet on the Evolution of Principles of Play
EP175: Former France National Team Head Coach Vincent Collet on the Evolution of Principles of Play Aug 12, 2026 39:23 In this episode, George is joined by Vincent Collet, one of Europe's most accomplished basketball coaches and former head coach of the French National Team, to discuss what modern team defense really looks like. Vincent shares how his defensive philosophy has evolved from teaching fixed systems to defending offensive threats, why transition defense and paint protection are the foundation of elite
EP174: Mike Mackay: Culture Building Through The BioPsychoSocial Lens
EP174: Mike Mackay: Culture Building Through The BioPsychoSocial Lens Aug 5, 2026 33:42 In this episode, George is joined by Coach Mike Mackay, one of Canada's most respected coach developers and former Canada Basketball coach educator, to explore what it truly means to create transformational coaching environments. Coach Mike shares why playfulness, curiosity, and connection are essential for learning, how coaches can design practices that better transfer to games, and why developin
EP173: Functional Perception Action Coupling with Adam Omiecinski
EP173: Functional Perception Action Coupling with Adam Omiecinski Jul 22, 2026 09:40 In this episode, George is joined by Adam Omiecinski for a deep dive into one of the most common practice design mistakes coaches make: creating defensive environments that are too predictable.    Chapters: 00:00 – Adam Omiecinski Returns 01:00 – Functional Perception-Action Coupling Explained 02:00 – When Skill Drills Accidentally Become Capacity Drills 03:30 – Why Predictable Defenders Limit Dec
EP172: NBA and WNBA Skills Coach Chris Palmer Designing Rich Learning Environments
EP172: NBA and WNBA Skills Coach Chris Palmer Designing Rich Learning Environments Jul 15, 2026 28:14 In this episode, George is joined by Chris Palmer, NBA and WNBA skills development coach and founder of Pure Performance Basketball, to discuss how coaches can design practice environments that truly transfer to games. Chris explains how he uses film, data, and representative learning design to create individualized training sessions that develop better decision-makers, not just better technicians
EP171: NBA G-League Coach of the Year Vitor Galvani on Player Development and Style of Play
EP171: NBA G-League Coach of the Year Vitor Galvani on Player Development and Style of Play Jul 8, 2026 32:28 In this episode, George is joined by NBA G-league Coach of the Year Vitor Galvani to explore the balance between player development and winning, the differences between coaching youth and professional athletes, and how creating decision-rich environments can accelerate learning. Vitor shares insights from his work developing young talent in Brazil and building culture with the NBA's G-League Mexic
EP170: Liam Jefferson on Using Set Plays Creatively
EP170: Liam Jefferson on Using Set Plays Creatively Jul 1, 2026 35:19 In this episode, George is joined by Liam Jefferson, Head Coach of the Oakland Wolves Academy, to explore the balance between structure and freedom in modern offense. Liam talks about how he applies a "set play offense" with his teams, how it differs from running triggers out of known 'shapes', and discusses the importance of intentionality behind set plays. He also talks about  flow offense princ
EP169: Alex Sarama on Principles of Play and his Coaching Journey
EP169: Alex Sarama on Principles of Play and his Coaching Journey Jun 24, 2026 34:33 In this episode, George is joined by Alex Sarama, Founder of Transforming Basketball, to share his insights from his coaching journey with the Portland Fire. Alex shares insights to the Principles of Play he is using with the Fire. Alex also talks about what he learned in Cleveland with the Cavaliers and how he is combining it all together in his role as the head coach of the Fire. He discusses wh
EP168: How to use the CLA to prepare players for game day
EP168: How to use the CLA to prepare players for game day Jun 17, 2026 12:32 In this solo episode, George explores the concept of the "transfer gap" — the disconnect between what players can do in practice and what actually shows up on game day. Drawing from an ecological dynamics perspective, he breaks down why traditional practice environments often fail to prepare athletes for competition and shares practical strategies coaches can use to make training more representati
EP167: Barking Abbey Academy Coach Rikki Broadmore - Winningest Academy in UK History
EP167: Barking Abbey Academy Coach Rikki Broadmore - Winningest Academy in UK History Jun 10, 2026 33:22 In this episode, George is joined by Rikki Broadmore to explore how empowering players, creating player-led environments, and teaching through concepts rather than control can transform team development. Rikki shares lessons from building successful programs, giving players ownership, and designing practices that encourage decision-making, creativity, and adaptability on the court.    Chapters: 01
EP166: Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber on Improving Mental Performance
EP166: Mental Performance Coach Michael Huber on Improving Mental Performance Jun 3, 2026 26:46 In this episode, George is joined by Michael Huber to explore how mental performance training can help athletes become more present, resilient, and adaptable under pressure. Michael shares practical strategies for mindfulness, self-talk, visualization, and communication, while also discussing how coaches can build mentally challenging practice environments that better prepare players for real-game
EP165: Constraints, Movement Layering, and Conceptual Basketball with Erick Vigansky
EP165: Constraints, Movement Layering, and Conceptual Basketball with Erick Vigansky May 27, 2026 25:46 In this episode, George is joined by Erick Vigansky, founder of Athletes on the Rise, to explore the balance between skill development, strength and conditioning, and creating environments that maximize learning. Together, they dive into optimal learning, constraint-led coaching, player development progressions, and how coaches can better design practices that encourage adaptability, resilience, a

Recommended