Sam Allen

@BCBball_ @Hardwood_Hustle podcast, Click👇 for bball training or BCB travel ball ?’s #MasterTheBoring

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

COMPETING is a skill

It can be trained. It can be developed.

As coaches, sure sometimes we inherit kids who have “it” already & some don’t

If you are a coach, hopefully you have the mindset you can teach your players how to play defense, how to improve footwork on shooting, or use a ball screen

Teach Competing by celebrating it & coaching it, and be specific in your language.

Avoid general coach speak that leaves players in the dark

[Hardwood Hustle @Hardwood_Hustle]

Teaching a play takes a day. Teaching players to read the defense takes time.

@CoachSamAllen on building habits that last, and the question every coach should ask in the first two weeks of practice.
- Ep. 675

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Tough conversations with your players are tough

What’s tougher is if you choose not to have the tough or courageous conversation

It will make the future tougher

Choose which tough moment(s) you pick wisely

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Reminder

Stay focused on your focus

Haters will hate - just a sign that people are noticing.

Let the purpose & the mission stay at front of mind…time spent on folks talking negatively are outside your control

Focus on the things you have the ability to influence

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Excited to talk Hoops tonight with over 1,500 coaches

@RickTorbett and I will be talking offense

[PGC Coaching @PGC_Coaching]

Coach, your offense doesn’t have to fall apart when the defense takes something away.

The question is whether your players know what to do next.

That’s what Sam Allen and Read & React creator Rick Torbett will break down in this free live training.

You’ll learn 4 simple actions that help your players keep spacing, keep moving, and know what to do next when the defense adjusts.

Grab your free seat here:
https://t.co/ReJviu25ul

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Coachable vs Respectful

A lot of kids have been taught how to be respectful. How to “play the part”
Yessir, yes mam. Even look in the eyes. Maybe hear ya but don’t listen

Coachable is listening to instruction & then applying

I’d rather you be coachable than respectful

Doing both is ideal but if picking one, be coachable - let’s do what we are trying to do

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Firm & Flexible

Strong & Humble

Caring & Accountable

Good Leaders learn how to do both

They learn how to meet those they lead where they are while instilling their principles & standards

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Goal:
Offense
1- work on driving & beating on-ball defender
2- finishing at rim
3- catch & shoot 3s
4- moving off penetration
5- reading help defense

Defense
1- guarding in space
2- gap defenders learning how to help and recover, stunt and stay home
3- communicate

Only 2 shots allowed
1- rim finishes
2- catch shoot 3s

Can only catch outside 3pt line

There are some other progressions but that’s the main game

[Benson Bautista @BBautista19]

@CoachSamAllen What’s 3 v 3 Kickout?

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

OFFENSE

If I only had 5 drills or games to play in practice to build out my offense, here the are

1v1 games (4 games)
(No dribble finishes at smile, 1v1 DHO, 1v1 toss & play-3 dribble max, 5pts no dribble, 1v1 burn cut finishes

3v3 kickout
Rules: 2 shots only rim finish & 3pt catch shoot

4v4 (scoring incentives for cuts (Laker, 45, corner, pass/cut)

4v4 with emphasis on our primary action(s), principle(s)

5v5 full court shot selection game
9pts = WOLU (+2 make)
7pts = IRA (+3 make)

What am I missing?

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

DEFENSE

If I only had 5 drills or games to play in practice to build out my defense, here they are

What am I missing?

1) 1v1 games (1v1 toss & play) or 1v1 spin ball. With some off constraints & def scoring system

2) 3v3 KILL drill - 3 stops in row
Violations & progressions
Ex: game 1 = must talk, must be in bubble in less than 2 seconds on catch

3) 3v3 or 4v4 help the helper w/ off advantage to start

4) 5v5 trans drill with 5v4 advantage to start

5) 5v5 full court games with off and def scoring incentives to create habits we want for our defense

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

@CoachTLMack Yes. That’s good stuff and thanks for sharing

No doubt incorporating some off actions, especially DHO and Ball Screens

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

DEFENSE

If I only had 5 drills or games to play in practice to build out my defense, here they are

What am I missing?

1) 1v1 games (1v1 toss & play) or 1v1 spin ball. With some off constraints & def scoring system

2) 3v3 KILL drill - 3 stops in row
Violations & progressions
Ex: game 1 = must talk, must be in bubble in less than 2 seconds on catch

3) 3v3 or 4v4 help the helper w/ off advantage to start

4) 5v5 trans drill with 5v4 advantage to start

5) 5v5 full court games with off and def scoring incentives to create habits we want for our defense

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Players

Want to win more or impact winning more?

Play hard & compete on DEFENSE

Especially HS players desiring to play in college

Too many players just play & wait until their team gets the ball back

Too many players filling up stat sheets but not winners or putting up stats & losing games

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Dj is one of the better shooters in GA

He puts in the work. He moves well off the ball coming off screens and getting out in transition

He has also improved his all around game of putting it on the floor and taking pride in his defense

I’m excited to see him have a big Senior year for @pickensbball

Keep growing. Keep working @Djmitchell0

[SEBA Atlanta @SEBARoundball]

SEBA All-Star Shootout

Class of 2027 Standout

DJ Mitchell (6’1, Guard; Pickens HS) came into camp with a reputation as one of the State’s Top Shooters. His performance backed that up. A true flamethrower, he shoots the three-ball with deep range and high accuracy. Can reel off several in a quick span. Uses screens well to set up his shot, but also can create jumper off the bounce. Penetrates well enough off the dribble to keep defense honest. Has a solid frame and uses body well. Plays with good court presence. 3.9 GPA in classroom.

@Djmitchell0
@CoachSamAllen
@Coach_H1

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Grateful for our @PGC_Coaching community

We had an amazing weekend of impact and connection

S/O to @CoachTJRosene on opening his home to all the coaches

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Great day to 2b Alive!

U only get 1 chance to do Sept.19, 2026.

Might as well go LIVE it, enjoy it & make a positive impact on ppl around you

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

@Codie_Sanchez OWN

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

Yessir Bo

Thanks for having him Billy & SEBA

Bo plays with high motor, shoots the ball at high level snd checks all the intangible boxes that help a coach and program build strong culture

Some guys are high maintenance
Some guys are low maintenance
And then you have your no maintenance—that’s BO

[SEBA Atlanta @SEBARoundball]

SEBA All-Star Shootout

Class of 2027 Standout

Bo Reid (6’2, Guard; Creekview HS) is a player who made a very favorable impression on our panel of evaluators as well as several of the College Coaches in attendance. Good size at guard spot with strong frame and solid athleticism, he displayed a well rounded scoring arsenal. Knocking down treys, attacking the paint, and getting to the rim. Plays with good intensity, but within himself, and doesn’t force the issue. Made good decisions with the ball in his hand and sets up teammates well. Certainly one of the more underrated ‘27 prospects in the State of Georgia and a player worthy of close looks from high academic programs (4.0 GPA and 1160 SAT).

@bo_reid_2027
@CreekviewHoops
@CoachSamAllen

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

The MULTIPLIER EFFECT

If we take the actions, behaviors of 1 individual & multiply it by the rest of the # of members of a team or organization, would that be a positive or negative?

Thats an important question that leaders and really all team members should be asking

Example:
Player A shows up early, gives great effort, encourages teammates, has a great attitude - let's say there are 12 players on this team. If we multiply that by 12, what type of team would we have?

Example #2:
Player B shows up just on time, sometimes late, sometimes a good attitude, sometimes a bad teammate, sometimes competes but not great effort all the time (lots of Gray areas) - Multiply that out - what type of team would we have?

This requires consistent evaluation. Needs consistent truthful conversations.

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

@PhilBeckner lol. What happened?

[Sam Allen @CoachSamAllen]

SPACING

Offense
More spacing = more oxygen for players to stress the defense

Defense
Close space, less room for offense to operate = shrink the floor

Key is to design systems & teach players the importance of spacing on both sides of the ball