Lee Taft Performance Podcast

Episode 111: Free Play is More Important Than You Know

May 02, 2022 11:30 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MB

Free Play is undervalued. If adults realized how crucial free play is for the development of athleticism and creativity, they would start to find time more time for it. Listen in as to why free play needs to be a bigger part of the lives of our youth.

Episode 110: Can You Make A Left Hand Lay Up?

April 25, 2022 11:00 - 9 minutes - 8.79 MB

Youth basketball has a problem. The cart is being put before the horse. If youth players can't make a left-hand lay-up or dribble with their left hand, why are they paying huge amounts of money to play in AAU tournaments? Learn my thoughts!

Why There Are Better Options

April 13, 2022 11:24 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

Any time we want to change something we have to have a reason to do so. Parents who feel AAU is the only options need to know, it's one of the worst options for their child. There are so many more options that serve their child current ability better. Listen in!

Episode 109: Better Options

April 13, 2022 11:24 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MB

Any time we want to change something, we have to have a reason to do so. Parents who feel AAU is the only options need to know that it's one of the worst options for their child. There are many more options than serving their child's current ability better.

Episode 108: Stop Flopping

April 04, 2022 11:02 - 11 minutes - 10.6 MB

Only a few things can make me want to turn a basketball game off, and flopping is one. I have argued against it for decades. There is no denying that flopping ruins the game. It destroys games, seasons, and careers. Learn why flopping has to go to save the game.

Episode 107: Shuffle, Lateral Run, or Both?

March 28, 2022 17:00 - 6 minutes - 5.98 MB

There has been a crazy trend of basketball coaches talking about not teaching their defenders to shuffle and ONLY laterally run. What a big mistake! Listen in as I break down many reasons why it's a big mistake.

Episode 106: Primary and Secondary Practice Focus

March 21, 2022 23:30 - 12 minutes - 11 MB

End your training sessions and practices with a WIN! Planning too much "stuff" in one practice is a sure way to eliminate wins. Concentrate on a few exercises and skills so the athletes can learn and remember the information. Always have a primary focus for the day and sprinkle in the secondary focus when appropriate.

Episode 105: How To Give Basketball Players Context

March 14, 2022 12:30 - 6 minutes - 5.51 MB

Give your basketball players better context when teaching them a new skill, concept, or method. It is crucial to "catch" them at the moment. This awareness is where the magic of learning occurs. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Episode 104: Running Basketball Camps

March 07, 2022 12:30 - 6 minutes - 6.33 MB

If you want to make more significant impacts with your programs, you need to consider running basketball camps. They are a great way to fund your team's expenses, support your staff, and build your overall basketball program. Don't miss out on this golden opportunity. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Episodes 103: Building your Basketball Program with a Phone Call

February 28, 2022 12:30 - 10 minutes - 9.48 MB

We have to stop thinking the only way to build your basketball program is by subjecting parents and kids to expensive AAU programs that require long weekends, lots of travel, and stress. There is a much better way. Listen as I walk you through how I accomplished this with multiple programs. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Episode 102: Just Say No to Toes (With Lee Taft)

February 21, 2022 12:30 - 6 minutes - 5.82 MB

Being on your toes is wrong! We have to stop telling players to get off their heels and way up on the balls of their feet. This position causes slower movements during COD and increases ankle sprains. The weight should be toward the ball of the foot with the heels down so the ankle is dorsiflexed. Listen in to learn why. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Episode 102: Just Say No to Toes

February 21, 2022 12:30 - 6 minutes - 5.82 MB

Being on your toes is wrong! We have to stop telling players to get off their heels and way up on the balls of their feet. This position causes slower movements during COD and increases ankle sprains. The weight should be toward the ball of the foot with the heels down so the ankle is dorsiflexed. Listen in to learn why. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com.

Episode 101: Building a Strong Basketball Program without AAU

February 14, 2022 12:30 - 13 minutes - 12 MB

How do you build a powerful basketball program without using AAU? Here is the 4-step system I have used for years to build a strong high school program.

Episode 100: Don't Punish for Doing the Right Thing (With Lee Taft)

February 06, 2022 12:30 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MB

I hate when coaches make players run lines for honest mistakes. Why is attempting to make the correct decision but executed wrong, missing a shot, or making a turnover punishable by running lines? Punishment for these types of errors is what takes away confidence and creativity. There are many more effective ways to handle on-court mistakes and keep the players' confidence and performance headed in the right direction.

Episode 100: Don't Punish for Doing the Right Thing

February 06, 2022 12:30 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MB

I hate when coaches make players run lines for honest mistakes. Why is attempting to make the correct decision but executed wrong, missing a shot, or making a turnover punishable by running lines? Punishment for these types of errors is what takes away confidence and creativity. There are many more effective ways to handle on-court mistakes and keep the players' confidence and performance headed in the right direction.

Episode 99: Ban The Beep Test

January 31, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MB

I will make many people mad, especially in the Physical Education World, but the Beep Test needs to go! It teaches horrible running form, tells us what we already know- kids are not in shape. Coaches will use it to test conditioning and often never use it again. Let kids get in shape by playing small-sided basketball games, fast full-court drills, and scrimmages- Bingo!

Episode 99: Ban The Beep Test (With Lee Taft)

January 31, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.43 MB

I will make many people mad, especially in the Physical Education World, but the Beep Test needs to go! It teaches horrible running form, tells us what we already know- kids are not in shape. Coaches will use it to test conditioning and often never use it again. Let kids get in shape by playing small-sided basketball games, fast full-court drills, and scrimmages- Bingo!

Episode 98: Building a Program Not a Team (With Lee Taft)

January 24, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MB

A coach's most significant role is to build a strong program from the feeder system through the varsity level. If not, the program will never be consistent. Don't confuse wins and loses with a well-run program. Listen to some crucial ideas to make sure on-court and off-court x's and o's are taken care of if you want a solid program.

Episode 98: Building a Program Not a Team

January 24, 2022 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.46 MB

A coach's most significant role is to build a strong program from the feeder system through the varsity level. If not, the program will never be consistent. Don't confuse wins and loses with a well-run program. Listen to some crucial ideas to make sure on-court and off-court x's and o's are taken care of if you want a solid program.

Episode 97: Why Not Strength Training for Basketball

January 17, 2022 12:00 - 5 minutes - 4.91 MB

It's tough to define a solid reason why NOT to strength training. It benefits in so many ways, and not being strong is showcased when seen—improvement of performance, reduction in potential injury, ability to withstand high force, and produce high forces. Strength Training scares people because it's often depicted as powerlifting. It isn't, and I'm going to share why. Listen In! For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Episode 97: Why Not Strength Training for Basketball (With Lee Taft)

January 17, 2022 12:00 - 5 minutes - 4.91 MB

It's tough to define a solid reason why NOT to strength training. It benefits in so many ways, and not being strong is showcased when seen—improvement of performance, reduction in potential injury, ability to withstand high force, and produce high forces. Strength Training scares people because it's often depicted as powerlifting. It isn't, and I'm going to share why. Listen In! For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification...

Episode 96: When to Go Live on New Skill (With Lee Taft)

January 10, 2022 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.42 MB

There is way too much skill work going on for too long without live-action. Live-action teaches us if players are transferring the skill to game action usability. In the early stages, using a no-defense strategy to learn the skill is the way to go; however, the defense quickly must be included. For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Episode 96: When to Go Live on New Skill

January 10, 2022 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.42 MB

There is way too much skill work going on for too long without live-action. Live-action teaches us if players are transferring the skill to game action usability. In the early stages, using a no-defense strategy to learn the skill is the way to go; however, the defense quickly must be included. For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Episode 95: Words to Help Communicate Our Training

January 03, 2022 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.36 MB

It's sloppy coaching not to use specific or direct words to help athletes and other coaches understand what you want. When we use very general words, but the situation demands specific terms, we create confusion. This short but powerful message will improve your player to player, coach to player, and coach to coach communication.

Episode 94: Get Rid Of GPA to Play (With Lee Taft)

December 28, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.16 MB

This is a huge rant of mine—kids who are being punished because of low GPAs in schools and can't play basketball. If kids are simply not completing the work, exhibit poor behavior, and cause issues- then, by all means, they should be dealt with sternly. However, many students learn differently to have an arbitrary GPA dictating whether they can participate in sports. If coaches are unwilling to find out why their students are struggling, stop coaching or get rid of a GPA system. For mo...

Episode 94: Get Rid Of GPA to Play

December 28, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.16 MB

This is a huge rant of mine—kids who are being punished because of low GPAs in schools and can't play basketball. If kids are simply not completing the work, exhibit poor behavior, and cause issues- then, by all means, they should be dealt with sternly. However, many students learn differently to have an arbitrary GPA dictating whether they can participate in sports. If coaches are unwilling to find out why their students are struggling, stop coaching or get rid of a GPA system. For more...

Episode 93: Pre-Ads and Basketball (With Lee Taft)

December 20, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.24 MB

Nothing infuriates me more than parents who yell, scream and belittle their youngsters when teaching them basketball. It is such abusive, irresponsible, and punishable behavior. We have to continue the education and mass marketing to get these parents to realize their lifelong damage to their children by constantly verbally abusing them when teaching them basketball. For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Episode 93: Pre-Ads and Basketball

December 20, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.24 MB

Nothing infuriates me more than parents who yell, scream and belittle their youngsters when teaching them basketball. It is such abusive, irresponsible, and punishable behavior. We have to continue the education and mass marketing to get these parents to realize their lifelong damage to their children by constantly verbally abusing them when teaching them basketball. For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Words to help communicate our training

December 16, 2021 14:43 - 8 minutes - 7.36 MB

It's sloppy coaching to not use specific or direct words to help athletes and other coaches understand what you want. When we use very general words, but the situation demands specific words, we create confusion. This is a short but powerful message that will improve your player to player, coach to player, and coach to coach communication.

Episode 92: Tactical On-Ball Defense

December 13, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.09 MB

When coaching on-ball defense, you have to find players that are okay with getting beat now and again- and still willing to get back in the game and fight. Tactically, you have to support aggressive on-ball defense with smart help defenders who can take away penetration and rotate to help kick-out passes. Practicing on-ball defense is a must if you want players to know their options.

Episode 92: Tactical On-Ball Defense (With Lee Taft)

December 13, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.09 MB

When coaching on-ball defense, you have to find players that are okay with getting beat now and again- and still willing to get back in the game and fight. Tactically, you have to support aggressive on-ball defense with smart help defenders who can take away penetration and rotate to help kick-out passes. Practicing on-ball defense is a must if you want players to know their options.

Special Episode: Ty Terrell, Trevor Rappa, and Lee Talk Agility

December 10, 2021 12:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MB

Sit in on a Virtual Round Table Conversation with two top professionals - you don't want to miss this! Ty, Trevor, and I dove deep into the various components of agility and what makes it different from other forms of training.

Episode 91: How to Properly Use Drills and When to Use Them

December 06, 2021 12:30 - 8 minutes - 7.46 MB

The problem with drills is they often become the lead. Coaches tend to use drills more than"Live Situations." Players end up not learning how to read their environment and make decisions. They look great in practice but lost during games. Listen as I share with you how and when to use drills. For more information on becoming a basketball performance expert, check out www.BasketballSpeedCertification.com

Episode 90: Moving into Open Space (With Lee Taft)

November 29, 2021 12:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

Coaches often get in their own way when it comes to coaching movement on offense. They have their players cut non-stop. In theory, it sounds great, but what happens is players often are in the ideal spot, and they cut out of it into a more difficult spot. Cutting and moving is about knowing what the job of the defense is. If we know what the defense is supposed to do and where they must cover, the offense can be way more effective. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit...

Episode 90: Moving into Open Space

November 29, 2021 12:00 - 11 minutes - 10.2 MB

Coaches often get in their own way when it comes to coaching movement on offense. They have their players cut non-stop. In theory, it sounds great, but what happens is players often are in the ideal spot, and they cut out of it into a more difficult spot. Cutting and moving is about knowing what the job of the defense is. If we know what the defense is supposed to do and where they must cover, the offense can be way more effective. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit B...

Episode 89: Basketball Drill Selection (With Lee Taft)

November 22, 2021 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.97 MB

We must stop picking drills randomly off the internet. If you know exactly what you are looking for, feel free to use the internet to find it. Basketball coaching is about solving problems, and the drills you select should be an integral part of solving those problems. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 89: Basketball Drill Selection

November 22, 2021 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.97 MB

We must stop picking drills randomly off the internet. If you know exactly what you are looking for, feel free to use the internet to find it. Basketball coaching is about solving problems, and the drills you select should be an integral part of solving those problems. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 88: Big Rocks First

November 15, 2021 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.85 MB

When teaching basketball players a skill, focus on the big rocks to have single attention during the learning phase. If you try to coach all the big rocks and little rocks simultaneously, they can't absorb much of anything. Give them wins every day! For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 88: Big Rocks First (With Lee Taft)

November 15, 2021 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.85 MB

When teaching basketball players a skill, focus on the big rocks to have single attention during the learning phase. If you try to coach all the big rocks and little rocks simultaneously, they can't absorb much of anything. Give them wins every day! For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 87: Being a Basketball Mentor

November 08, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.36 MB

Being a mentor might be the most important aspect of the coaching profession. Basketball coaches need to take this role seriously. Too many coaches take the job for granted and are not the leader players, and staff needs to grow. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 87: Being a Basketball Mentor (With Lee Taft)

November 08, 2021 12:00 - 10 minutes - 9.36 MB

Being a mentor might be the most important aspect of the coaching profession. Basketball coaches need to take this role seriously. Too many coaches take the job for granted and are not the leader players, and staff needs to grow. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 86: Basketball Planning - Allow the Ugly

November 01, 2021 11:30 - 9 minutes - 8.79 MB

Some of the greatest basketball players have never had formal coaching. They learned from the streets! They mastered the game because they stayed on the courts. When we put our practice or training plans together, we need to allow some ugliness to come into the session. The practice must have some live competitive situations where the players must be forced to make hard decisions. The results of this strategy usually cause some ugly plays to come about. That is what learning is all about. All...

Episode 86: Basketball Planning - Allow the Ugly (With Lee Taft)

November 01, 2021 11:30 - 9 minutes - 8.79 MB

Some of the greatest basketball players have never had formal coaching. They learned from the streets! They mastered the game because they stayed on the courts. When we put our practice or training plans together, we need to allow some ugliness to come into the session. The practice must have some live competitive situations where the players must be forced to make hard decisions. The results of this strategy usually cause some ugly plays to come about. That is what learning is all about. Al...

Episode 85: Why Train Basketball Deceleration

October 26, 2021 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.39 MB

Deceleration, for a basketball player, has two purposes. The first is to physically train the CNS and muscular system to be able to hand load. The second is to prepare the player for a change of direction and agility as the game unfolds. If you are not highly knowledgeable in these two areas, I highly encourage you to listen and learn. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 85: Why Train Basketball Deceleration (With Lee Taft)

October 26, 2021 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.39 MB

Deceleration, for a basketball player, has two purposes. The first is to physically train the CNS and muscular system to be able to hand load. The second is to prepare the player for a change of direction and agility as the game unfolds. If you are not highly knowledgeable in these two areas, I highly encourage you to listen and learn. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 84: Teaching both Technical & Tactical Skills (With Lee Taft)

October 18, 2021 16:00 - 10 minutes - 9.12 MB

When improving the retention of your basketball players, it's essential to give them context. A way to accomplish this is by putting them in a tactical situation to see the need for proper technical footwork. Teaching and learning are best when a connection as to WHY something must be done. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 83: Defensive Culture

October 12, 2021 17:00 - 10 minutes - 6.5 MB

You can't just say you want a better defensive culture, and it will happen. You MUST be willing to create the habits that will ultimately lead to a better culture on defense. Learn some fundamental strategies that can build your team's defensive culture. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 83: Defensive Culture (With Lee Taft)

October 12, 2021 17:00 - 10 minutes - 6.5 MB

You can't just say you want a better defensive culture, and it will happen. You MUST be willing to create the habits that will ultimately lead to a better culture on defense. Learn some fundamental strategies that can build your team's defensive culture. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 82: Flexibility & Fundamentals (With Brady Howe)

October 04, 2021 09:00 - 36 minutes - 23.8 MB

Come and enjoy a great talk with Brady Howe, VP of Health and Performance for the Phoenix Suns. Brady shares what it is like to be adaptable and flexible to ensure players get what they need. He also speaks about the value of fundamentals and never allowing those to stray. For more knowledge about basketball performance, visit BasketballSpeedSpecialist.com

Episode 81: Prepare the Feet & Ankles (With Lee Taft)

September 27, 2021 15:30 - 10 minutes - 7.03 MB

In my mind, the most crucial area to prepare a basketball player in is their feet and ankles. If they have the appropriate range of motion and stability in the feet and ankles, they can move efficiently. When the foot quickly strikes the ground, it tells the rest of the body what to do- making it essential to allow the foot and ankle to send the right message up the chain. For more about moving efficiently on the court, check out www.BasketballSpeedSpecialist..com