Loading episode…
Loading episode…

Basketball
Episode context
Listen here or keep browsing the show and related sport coverage from here.
https://teachhoops.com/
Are You Punishing the Exact Mistakes That Would Make Your Team Better?Tryout week, the quick hook, and what happens to a player who learns that trying something is dangerous.
Show Notes
A quick hook feels like standards. This episode argues it is often just fear, and that the lesson a player actually takes from it is that trying something is dangerous. With tryouts here, it is worth asking what your sideline reaction is teaching.
What we cover:
Sorting mistakes of aggression from mistakes of selfishness, and why only one earns a seat
Telling players out loud what you want them to risk this week
The mistake budget, and using practice as a lab instead of a courtroom
Why your face coaches louder than your voice
Separating sloppy from brave, and why the player you will not trust in November is the one you need in February
This week's challenge: run one practice where you never stop play for a mistake of aggression. Let it go, then write down what you saw.
Resources: Practice plans, drills, courses, on court clinics, and the coaching community at https://teachhoops.com/
Recorded at the Fifth Quarter Studios in Madison, Wisconsin.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Next listen
Ep 2025 Should You Be Teaching Fundamentals or Running Your Offense?
Listen guide
"Ep 2024 Are You Punishing the Exact Mistakes That Would Make Your Team Better?" is an episode of Basketball Coach Unplugged (A Basketball Coaching Podcast). Runtime 6 min. Published September 25, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.