Talking Split

Joined on the pod this week by Nick Ferrier, a psychologist at Cede Nullis Psychology, who joins in discussing the post game conversation, which can be a point of tension for parents, players, coaches, and the hardest one of them all, the parent coach. In this pod we discuss how to make sure the love of the game and the relationship stays as strong as possible for everyone involved, with practical advice on how to make sure everyone has the best outcome by knowing what to say, and how to walk back anything that may have caused harm.

Joined this week on the pod by Will Vickery, Senior Advisor from the Australian Sports Commission, to talk about what success looks like for coaches from the grassroots level, through to the high performance level. This is part of a broader study that Will is working on trying to better understand how coaches conceptualise success at the level they're coaching at.

We recap the SDP Nando Cup (sponsorship pending, enquire within) from the weekend where each of our Country Hubs played against each other with some different rules. Then we dive into selection trials, which will be on us before we know it. We go over what it can be like from the player, parent and coaching lens, and try to remove a few of the myths that might be out there.

Rarely is there a quiet time in the Pathways Department, so there's no surprise that it's been so chaotic of late with Zoe heading away with the Sapphires to the Czech Republic for the World Cup, and then the Victoria Select girls team to Korea, and Dave heading to China with a Victoria Select boys team of his own. We unpack the different style of play experienced, how it relates to coaches in our programs, and what we can look to focus on in both play style and skill development with how the international game is played.

Back for Part 2 of the Groundhog Day topic, where we revisit some of the things in coaching that we feel like we go over continually. From using both sides of the body, to the speed of the development and even with a Rob's Rants cameo, there are a wide range of topics for coaches to dissect.

Sometimes repetition can be bothersome, sometimes it's part of the process, and sometimes you just feel like you keep saying the same things over and over again. In part 1 of this episode, we start unpacking what some of the repeatable areas are, and how we can work towards progression, rather than repetition. Part 2 will be coming soon, so if there is anything we haven't covered here, let us know!

As seasons are wrapping up and finals are starting, we visit what the end of season run home can look like from a coaching perspective. We discuss how to finish the season on a high, what can and can't be implemented at this point in the season, and how to manage both the physical and mental workload of your players and coaches in a stressful part of the season.

It's that time of year where coaching positions are being advertised and applied for, but the interview process can be incredibly daunting for those that don't go through it often. We enlist the help of Dom Linossier and Katherine Merson to take everyone through what to expect, and how to give themselves the best possible chance to have a good experience, be it as an interviewer, or an interviewee.

Coaching brings together a wide range of personalities — not just from the coaching side, but from the players as well. This week, the Talking Split crew create a handful of player personas (Rob lost count somewhere along the way) and discuss how they would coach each one to get the best out of them individually, while also helping the team achieve the best possible outcomes.

Sport should feel the same for everyone who loves it, and everyone should have the opportunity to play and excel. This week we sit down with Matt Cameron from VicHealth to unpack the Set The Standard campaign, a program built around exactly that idea, before hearing from Nya Lok, whose basketball journey offers a first hand perspective on why this work matters so much. Both Matt & Nya make a case for what greater understanding, acceptance and effort can look like on and off the court, and the role that coaches, Clubs & Associations can play. For more information and resources, head to the Set The Standard website linked below.Website: https://setthestandard.vic.gov.au/set-the-standards

Opinions are like clothes in a wardrobe, not all suit forever and some change as we evolve as coaches. This week we take a look back at some of the things we used to believe in as coaches, and how we have come to change over the years. Coaching, like playing is about growth based on experience, and potentially in a few years time we will change again!

This week Rob shamelessly grabs some content he heard on another podcast to use as a launching pad for the various trends we see in game play, skill development, and style of play in our coaching space. Meanwhile, Nick is all in on the Knicks making the NBA finals, and Zoe has a great attempt at stealing the “Rob’s Rants” mantle as her own!

It’s National Volunteer week, so we jump in to discuss the highs and the challenges that our grassroots coaches are facing. It sounds like a throwaway comment, but the sport would be lost without the hard work that our coaches put into it at all levels, so a huge thank you to everyone who gives up their time (and in some cases hairlines) to help out players that love the sport!

Sometimes there is a quote that just sticks with you, or is a way of shaping how you coach and live your life. The team has lots to unpack as we have Jenna’s farewell for Maternity leave, Rob’s Rants returning with Macklemore in his sights, and somehow, everyone’s favourite song for wrestling intros. If you’ve got a favourite quote, leave it in the comments for others to see!

Both internally, and externally, everyone expects something different from coaches. This week we unpack how to set yourself up as a coach for success in the preseason meeting with parents and players to make sure it’s a good environment for everyone moving forward, but also how to make sure you stay on track. We also discuss the African Australian CALD Camp, Robs Rants is back for another week, and some framework for difficult conversations.

Another week, another podcast debutant as the Metro State Development Coach, Nathan Geer, joins us this week. A piece of Coach Education that has been floating around for a few years gets a bit of a review from us this week, as we encourage coaches to think more like a farmer. There are various takes on weeds, fertiliser, the environment and why it’s usually not a great idea to shout at players, or plants if you want to see growth!

Sometimes it can feel a bit like you’re running in mud with your own development as a coach, and that you’re not progressing as quickly as you would like to. We discuss what you can do to address this and look at some of the reasons why it might be happening in the first place. DP also takes us through the Japan visit with the Victoria Select team and the experiences there.

Joining on the pod this week is Daniel Hamilton, the Director of the Ballarat (and Bendigo) Concussion Clinic. An unfortunate area of the sport is navigating head knocks, and Daniel talks us through some of the danger signs for diagnosing a concussion, symptoms to look out for, and the repercussions of not rehabbing from a possible concussion properly. With the long-term impact of a head knock being significant, it’s a pod not to be missed by coaches, players and parents to try and keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible!The link to the AIS resources on concussion are here: https://www.ausport.gov.au/concussion

Making sure we get the topics that the listeners want to hear about, we asked for some questions and the listeners delivered! We go on to discuss advice for U18 coaches, coaching your own child, timeout use and management and everyone's favourite topic, zone defence. And if anyone sees Brenton’s bike being ridden around, let us know!Guidelines for Supporting Coaches U18: https://api.basketballvictoria.com.au/api/assets/n9zest6u3y80c00oLink to coach at U14 Skills Days: https://www.playhq.com/basketball-victoria/register/ae02f8

In sport and likely in life, we all want things to happen for us as soon as possible. Coaches and players can fall victims to this, but in most cases the patient route is the better path for people to go down. We discuss some of the things that those in the sport need to be careful of, and how to avoid the pitfalls of fast tracking or being too transfixed on short term wins over long term development.

As we all return to coaching for another year, we delve into what we are going to focus on in 2026, and what are we looking forward to leaving behind? Coaching is all about growth and reflection, so there are no doubt things in your coaching world that can do with a little bit of a review to make your coaching better for the year ahead. Time to do a review, and work out what you’re going to apply for your own coaching this year!

You may have noticed this week that there was an announcement around the Coach Development Framework in Australia coming up, and we dive all the way into it to give all the coaches out there some insight into what is on the horizon, with Neil Gray from Basketball Australia.We discuss what it means for coaches, how they gain their accreditation, and how they can upskill to be the best coach they can be!

Final episode for the year, and we are catching up with the Melbourne Tigers Head of High Performance, Nick Abdicevic, to discuss all things coaching that he’s experienced in his 25 years at the helm. We discuss his history in coaching, various mentors he’s had and why they’re important, the role that the shuffle offence has played in his development, and his experiences in coaching from domestic basketball through to the senior level. Nick has been a key influence to a lot of players and coaches, and it’s great insight into the experiences of one of Victorian Basketballs elite coaches.

Whilst doing a bit of reflecting recently we looked back to some of the areas we wish we knew when we first started out as coaches. This probably could have gone on for a lot longer as there are a lot of things we have learned over the years, and we’ve all made a lot of mistakes. Reflection is one of the most important parts of being a coach, so hopefully this can help you avoid some of the mistakes we have made or at least speed up the process for you!

Making his podcast debut this week is Brenton O’Brien, the new Country Men’s Head Coach as we discuss some of the things that we as coaches can do, that might annoy our players. From subbing patterns, to communication, and delivering feedback there are plenty of mistakes we have made over the years, and some we probably weren’t even aware of that hopefully can allow coaches to reflect on their own coaching, and how we can be better with some changes!

It’s been a while of pre-recorded pods, but for better or worse, we are back this week to talk about an area of basketball we can sometimes get caught forgetting, the fun! Not the same for everyone, and players and coaches will potentially want to experience different things, but we discuss how each area can impact on the other, and some tools for making it more fun for everyone involved.

In this episode, we speak with Andy from The Hoops Geek tabout the development of digital tools designed to support coaches with diagramming, substitution management, and practice planning. We discuss how technology is influencing coaching workflows and how coaches can integrate these types of tools into their everyday practice.

Joined this week with Matt & Bo from Autism Spectrum Australia to discuss the impact that coaches can have when coaching people who has Autism. We unpack what Autism is, share some real-life examples for coaches to relate to, and practical steps and advice that coaches can use in their own coaching to make sport, and the experience more inclusive for everyone!

You’ve heard 5 experts talk about some of the things we could all be doing better and now hear from 3 non-experts on how we can put some of these things into action! We do a review of some of the information and takeaways, and how they can apply to our lives as coaches with the aim to make a positive change to the wellbeing of coaches everywhere. If you’re doing anything in this space in the month of November, make sure you tag us on socials to inspire others out there!

The last of our guests joins us this week, with Bec Mihai in to talk about sleep and the impact that it can have on us. We cover what good sleep hygiene looks like, the age old debate of quality or quantity, the different cycles that we may experience when daylight savings hits, or simply dealing with teenagers, and why a consistent sleep pattern might be the best thing for you. Sorry to all our parents of newborns out there (Nick included!)

This episode we are joined by Francielle Wilson from Inner Game Psychology for Coach Wellbeing Month, who brings a unique perspective on mental health and wellbeing, based on her elite sports background. Francielle discusses how self care matters, some strategies to be the best version of yourself, setting boundaries for yourself and how to manage white line fever!

Joined by Ben McKechnie from Space Between Psychology this week, to discuss the Mental side of Coach Wellbeing Month. Ben does a great job of unpacking how coaches can be the best versions of themselves when coaching, how a decline in mental health can impact on those around them, and how to cope with stress, especially differentiating between big, and small changes that occur in life.

Week 2 of Coach Wellbeing Month, and  we are joined by Durham McInnis from Core Advantage to talk to the physical side of wellbeing. Durham dives into where to start your fitness journey, what you can do to get the most bang for your buck, the part that nutrition and creatine can play, and of course, recovery and how to make sure you don’t overdo it.We are also joined by Luke Lehmann as he talks to us before his 24-hour run marathon in support of SmackTalk next week, and his call to action to Unplug from social media for 24 hours on the 24th October.

Up first this week for Coach Wellbeing Month, is Alex Parr from Eight Nutrition, talking all the good, and more moderately good things in food and drink! We get into when is the best time to eat, how to read food labels, fasting, meal preparation and how to live with a more sustainable and healthy diet in moderation.

It’s been a long run up from when the idea was first raised to now, but over the course of October we are focusing in on Coach Wellbeing. Over this month we are going to dive into 4 main areas that can impact on coaches, Nutrition, Physical Health, Sleep and Mental Health, with experts in the fields coming in to give some advice to coaches (or anyone in the sport) on how they can make some sustainable changes to habits, to live a healthier lifestyle.

Back for Round 2 this week of clips that we have heard on socials over the past little bit, and how they can apply to our coaching and basketball environment. The debut of a new podcast guest this week, with David Peters making his podcast debut after a year in the State Development Coach role, and now in the High Performance Coach for Vic Metro Men role.

This week we delve into some of the social media clips that have been doing the rounds over the years and discuss how they might apply to our situation as coaches, and some of the key points and takeaways. We didn’t manage to get all of them in this week, so stay tuned for Part 2 next week, and if there is anything you’ve come across send it through!

As many of our seasons are drawing to a close or deep in finals, we look at the role the coach has to play in conducting end of season reviews both with their players, their own role, the season as a whole, and what some PD and downtime can look like in the time that they have off.

A bit of a rom-com special this week, and not just about Zoe’s love of a BBQ brisket. The topic this week is “How To Lose A Game in 10 Ways”, and are we as coaches doing anything that can be contributing to our teams losing games? We bounce around several different topics that can make a big difference to the scoreboard over the course of a game, most of the things thankfully, are within our control! If you’ve got any others we haven’t thought of, drop them in the comments and we may end up with another pod around “50 First Mistakes” for the Adam Sandler fans…

Fortunate and grateful to be joined by Errol Amerasekera from Bluestone Edge this week on the podcast as we dive into how to best give feedback in coaching, the impact the brain can have when receiving feedback, creating and defining a psychologically safe environment for our players and coaches, and how we can help make the sport what our players need to thrive. Something for everyone in this one, if you’re a coach, parent, or casual observer of the sport.You can see and hear more from Errol here: https://www.youtube.com/@AtTheEdgeLessonsInCultureAndLe

When you lose one hyphenated named coach, it’s only right that you replace them with another, and this week we have the State Development Coach for Victoria Country, Fernando Rios-Rodriguez joining us for his podcast debut. The topic this week is something we have seen an abundance of at junior basketball of late, in zones and presses. We discuss some of the pros and cons of using them, the impact that it can have on player development, where they have a place in junior or senior basketball, and just as importantly, some teaching points you can use when playing against them.

Bit of an extended break between pods, but back this week to talk about U16 Nationals review, and the world of Assistant Coaches. We discuss what their role can be, some of the traits of a good assistant coach, how to create a cohesive working environment and how to make sure everyone is on the same page as a coaching staff to give the players the best experience.As you’ll hear, Besty has made the move to the US to take up an exciting opportunity coaching at a High School. Thanks to Darren for all his work and effort in the Basketball Victoria and podcast space over the years, and good luck to him and the family in the next chapter!

Making her podcast debut this week is Kat Gourley the Women’s & Girls Participation Manager at Basketball Victoria. The discussion this week is all around Women & Girls involvement in Basketball as players and coaches, and the role that coaches play in making the sport a safe space, including having male coaches as allies. If you coach women, girls, have a daughter playing, or want to make the sport a better place for everyone, there will be something to take out of this pod.

A podcast for everyone involved in the game, as we are joined by 3 time author, Gavin Freeman, to discuss Sports Psychology. There is something in there for coaches, players and parents, as we dive into how the mind works around sport, how starting or coming off the bench can impact on performance, the sometimes complex car ride to or from games, and how content at training sessions can help the brain – which can be lazy!

Delving into the world of coaching philosophies for this week. We discuss what they are, why they’re vital for coaches to have at all levels, how you would use it to work better with players, and how coaches can go about building one for themselves no matter what level they’re coaching at.It’s also a sad pod this week, as Coops is finishing one heck of a job at Basketball Victoria. Coops has brought energy, passion, knowledge and vulnerability to his time in the role and especially the podcast where he’s been a big part of educating coaches throughout the world. We can’t thank Coops enough for his contribution and wish him well on the future!

Great to welcome into the podcast Cassie Dover, Head Coach of the Women’s Indigenous Basketball Association (IBA) team. Cassie takes us through her pathway to get where she is, the experience she has had in coaching her own daughter, what she does in the coaches space, the work that the IBA is doing to promote basketball in the community for players, and how as coaches we can make an impact with our players.

Thanks to one of our listeners Coach Funz, we were made aware of a report commissioned by Luka Doncic on the state of the junior game around the world. It’s a fascinating look at what the landscape is in the sport, and the impact that we as coaches can have with our own development, but also player enjoyment. We unpack the 8 Core Principles of the Total Hoops Approach and how it applies to our landscape as coaches.If you’re interested, you can download the report here: https://lukadoncicfoundation.org/iyb-report/

With the back half of many seasons fast approaching we are anticipating some tight games, so we discuss what the late game tactics are that coaches might need to consider when the pressure comes on! Strap in as as Besty takes us through his recent Japan and US travels, some of the basketball experiences he’s had, and the different styles of basketball from around the globe.

For a lot of coaches, they’re approaching the mid-point of the season and what better time than now to get a check in with your players? It’s a great time to sit down with players and review goals from the start of the season, see if you can set new goals, find out more about your team culture, and give both coaches and players the opportunity to deliver and receive feedback to make it as positive an experience for everyone involved.