EP128: Constraints, Curiosity, and Coaching: Ashley Cookson on Leading the Essex Rebels
In this episode, George Vaz sits down with Ashley Cookson, Head of Basketball Performance and Head Coach of the Essex Rebels women’s team. Ashley shares his journey through coaching in the UK, Sweden, Canada, and Australia, and how ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches shape his philosophy.
Chapters:
00:00 - Ashley’s coaching journey across the UK, Sweden, Canada & Australia04:00 - Discovering ecological dynamics & adapting traditional coaching methods07:00 - Designing transition-focused drills and using constraints in practice13:00 - Lessons learned from different coaching cultures abroad21:00 - Recruitment, core principles of play, and keeping strategies simple25:00 - Transformative Tip
Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/
Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball
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26:54
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26:54
EP127: Building a Championship Culture with Cameron Mitchell
In this episode, George is joined by Cameron Mitchell—two-time NWAC South Coach of the Year and head coach of Portland Community College’s Panther Basketball Program. He shares how he’s led his team to back-to-back region championships and the most successful two-year stretch in program history. Cameron also explains why embracing controlled chaos, implementing the Constraints-Led Approach, and giving players autonomy have been key to success.
Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Coach Cameron Mitchell & career highlights 02:10 – First-year challenges as a college head coach 05:20 – Building a winning culture from day one 09:05 – Balancing team goals and individual development 12:45 – Strategies for recruiting and developing talent 16:20 – Lessons learned from consecutive championship runs 20:15 – Transitioning to the G League with Rip City Remix 24:40 – Advice for new and aspiring coaches 28:00 – Transformative Tip: Focus on culture, not just results
Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/
Links:Website: http://transformingbball.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbballInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketballFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball
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28:12
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28:12
EP126: Q&A with Alex Sarama and Kerri Kuzbyt
In this episode, Alex and Kerri dives deep into the balance between player development and winning, how to teach functional skills without over-prescribing, and practical ways to apply the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) in real team settings. They also share tips on involving more players in the offense, integrating other sports for better movement patterns, and aligning athletic goals with basketball needs.
Chapters:00:00 – Why chasing wins can limit player growth
03:12 – The shift to a development-first mindset
07:40 – Using CLA & DL to create adaptable athletes
12:15 – Designing game-like practices
16:50 – Balancing competition and learning
21:08 – Helping players handle real-game pressure
25:35 – Final thoughts and key takeaways
Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/
Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball
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27:41
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27:41
EP125: Why Your Warm-Up Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It) with Martina Navarro
In this episode, George sits down with Martina Navarro to explore how coaches can use the Athletic Skills Model (ASM) to transform fundamental skills into functional movements, build movement versatility, and add variability to warmups and practices. They also dive into why falling is such an essential skill and how transfer of learning helps athletes thrive across multiple sports.
Chapters & Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Introduction
01:48 – Transforming Fundamental Skills into Functional Movements
05:00 – The Importance of Playing Different Sports
07:00 – Practical Ways to Introduce Movement Skills into Warmups
10:45 – The Athletic Skills Model Continuum
13:00 – The Fundamental 10 Explained
16:30 – Why Falling is a Critical Skill for Athletes
20:00 – The Concept of Transfer of Learning
23:30 – Applying ASM to Basketball Practice
27:00 – Martina’s Multi-Sport Background
28:30 – Long-Term Player Development & Relationships with Sport
29:00 – Transformative Tip for Coaches
Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book:
https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources:
https://transformingbball.com/products/
Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball
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30:00
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30:00
EP124: How Missouri Built One of the Nation’s Most Efficient Offenses with Matt Cline
In this episode, George is joined by Matt Cline to talk about building an elite offensive system at Missouri, creating a culture of connection, and coaching through creativity, freedom, and trust. They also explore how the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) has influenced Missouri’s training design and how empowering players has led to real transformation.
Chapters:
00:00 – Building Elite Offense at Missouri
01:48 – Creating Offense Through Behaviors, Not Plays
03:27 – Transitioning into a CLA Coaching Mindset
05:59 – Designing Practices Around Transfer and Decision-Making
09:09 – Culture of Connection at Missouri
12:36 – Developing a Shared Language with Players
15:14 – Player Autonomy & Leadership On-Court
21:00 – Using Constraints to Build Skills & Identity
28:51 – Growing as a Coach and a Human
41:41 – Transformative Tip
Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book:
https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7
Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources:
https://transformingbball.com/products/
Links:
Website: http://transformingbball.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball
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!
Italia