Winning Hoops

Physically preparing athletes for the season ahead
Most people want to be given a plan, but I think it would help more in the long run to give coaches the principles to build their own performance programs moving forward. Here are three keys to getting players ready for the season: Build a plan t...

‘Fanorak’ app promotes fan attendance
Athletic director Ryan Anderson has big, interactive ideas about growing high school fan support. And with the help of a few of his students at Menomonee Falls High School (Wisconsin), he's been able to do just that. Students Connor Schmidt, Jonatha...

Training Never Ends
Across the country, countless players have been putting in work to prepare for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, coaches are eager to see how all the pieces will come together to develop their teams. A new season is an epoch of sorts. It marks a very ...

Making the case for cuts
One of the most difficult times for any coach is tryouts. Some schools have programs where the numbers dictate the need for making cuts. No coach enjoys this part of the job — not a single one. Making cuts is not only difficult for athletes and par...

Tournament Tough
As coaches and performance training professionals, we live and learn. During our first trip to the state tournament, we were just happy to be there. We felt like we belonged, but in hindsight we didn't do all the little things we could have to put o...

How Jim Crutchfield created one of basketball’s most explosive offenses at West Liberty
There's no telling what coaches might give to learn the secrets behind West Liberty's high-octane offense, but none of it would matter. You can't have them. It's not that men's basketball coach Jim Crutchfield isn't willing to help his colleagues. T...

Staying in postseason shape
As we head toward the postseason, the stakes grow higher and higher. With March Madness looming just around the corner, coaches and players alike are looking for every advantage. Just as coaches meticulously prepare scouting reports and game plans, ...

Getting on board with new technology in basketball programs
When Kyle Murphy began working at Hudl nearly seven years ago, it was led by no more than a handful of employees. The staff there today numbers more than 100, and Hudl has grown into one of the leaders in helping coaches analyze game film. That type...