In Part 1 of our Coaches Q&A series, Coach Kev and Coach J get real about the questions every youth coach faces but rarely admits: - How do I know when I’m coaching too much? - How do I get players to think for themselves without losing structure? - What’s the right balance between teaching and letting them play? - Why communication (not drills) can make or break a team culture. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re talking too much, correcting too fast, or leading with ego instead ...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, Coach Kevin and Coach J unpack one of the biggest coaching traps in youth basketball: overcoaching. They share real stories from their own sidelines about how constant talking and correcting can actually slow down player growth, and why the best coaches often say less and observe more. You’ll hear how silence, patience, and trust can unlock confidence and leadership in players, and how 3on3 basketball naturally forces coaches to step back and let players...

In Part 2 of our interview with Olympic coach and mental toughness expert Shawnee Harle, we dive deeper into the psychology of sports: - Why confidence is overrated and the real difference between confidence and self-esteem - How athletes can replace the “voice of fear” with their “voice of courage” - What bench players should really be learning when they’re not on the court - Why coaches must face their deepest fear — losing — before they can build long-term toughness in their athletes ...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Shawnee Harle, one of the most respected mental toughness coaches in basketball. With over 30 years of elite coaching experience, including two Olympics with Team Canada, Shawnee shares her powerful insights on: - Why athletes lose confidence under pressure - The truth about the “emotional storm” players face in big moments - Why “Fake it till you make it” doesn’t work....and what to do instead - Tools parents and coaches...

In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we mix things up and cover a little bit of everything happening in the world of basketball and coaching: Big3 Champions & Takeaways — Our thoughts on the championship game, storylines from this season, and get into a little 1v1 basketball discussion. Youth Basketball Growth — Coach J shares big news about his new league partnership and how it’s creating more opportunities for kids. Mailbag Q&A — We answer a listener’s question about starting the...

Confidence can make or break a young player’s development, on and off the court. In this episode, Kevin and Coach J dive deep into why kids lose confidence in basketball, the subtle signs coaches and parents should watch for, and practical ways to help players rebuild their belief in themselves. From personal stories to real coaching strategies, we cover everything from body language and missed shots to off-the-court pressures like school, social media, and parental expectations. ...

In this episode, we step inside the Basketball Film Room to break down real game footage and reveal why so many 5-on-5 mistakes happen and how 3-on-3 habits naturally fix them. Coach Kevin and Coach J walk through specific plays while focusing on spacing, decision-making, communication, and reading the defense. Whether you are a coach, parent, or player, you will walk away with practical takeaways you can apply right away and see why we believe 3-on-3 basketball is the secret sauce to player ...

In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite conversations with legendary USA Basketball coach Don Showalter. A 10-time gold medal winner and one of the most respected leaders in youth development, Coach Showalter has coached countless NBA stars before they became household names. We talk about: - Why 3on3 is such a powerful teaching tool for basketball - How it accelerates player development at every level - Practical advice for coaches and parents to help kids grow in the game - Whe...

In this solo episode, Coach Kevin opens up about his personal journey from falling in love with basketball as a kid, to rediscovering his purpose through coaching, to launching a 3on3 league that’s giving overlooked players new hope. If you're a coach, parent, or player who's ever questioned the youth basketball system or wondered if there’s a better way...this one’s for you. Download our free 3on3 drill guide: https://3on3hoopsnation.com Join the 3on3 Hoops Nation community: Leagues. Coa...

Episode 33 of the 3on3 Hoops Pod is here, and we couldn’t let “33” go by without making it something special. This episode is your 3on3 Starter Kit -how to begin using 3on3 in your practices, in your driveway, or at the park with your kids. Here’s what you’ll hear: Why 3on3 accelerates player developmentThe best formats and rules to start withHow coaches can blend 3on3 into practiceWhat mindset makes 3on3 most effective👉 Get the FREE 7 Proven 3on3 Drills PDF at 3on3HoopsNation.com Send us a t...

What do college coaches really look for in high school players... and how can 3on3 basketball help prepare them? In this episode, we’re joined by Coach Kendrick Wilson - former college coach, player, and now a consultant for high school and college programs. Coach Wilson breaks down how the game is evolving, what it really means to be a “smart player,” and why 3on3 basketball is such a powerful teaching tool. We talk about: - How 3on3 builds basketball IQ and decision-making - What stands...

What exactly is basketball IQ...and how do you teach it? In this episode, Kevin and Coach J break down what makes a player “smart” on the court, and why 3on3 basketball is the fastest way to develop high-IQ players. From spacing and anticipation to decision-making and communication, we cover the traits that separate good players from great ones....and give coaches and parents real ways to develop those skills. Plus: Signs of low and high basketball IQWhy great passers are often the smartest p...

3on3 or 5on5? This episode breaks down what each format teaches best — and how to use both to develop smarter, more confident players. We talk about game flow, player roles, skill reps, and real-time decision-making. Plus: how to structure your practices to get the best of both worlds. Join the Nation at 3on3hoopsnation.com Send us a text

In this episode, we’re reacting to our powerful 2-part interview with Coach Dave, breaking down the biggest stories in 3x3 basketball from Big3 brawls to FIBA World Cup stunners. - What we learned from Coach Dave - Why 3x3 is the ultimate "reset" for players - Our take on the Dwight Howard–Lance Stephenson scuffle - Historic FIBA 3x3 upsets — including Mongolia’s magical run - What USA 3x3 teams need to catch up Become part of the movement: https://3on3hoopsnation.com Send us a text

In Part 2 of our interview with Coach Dave (Founder of Northwest 3on3 and Purpose Driven Athlete), we discuss what it means to support young athletes beyond the game. We talk about: - What to do when you get burned out as a coach - How parents can help kids rebuild their belief after a tough season - The most common mindset struggles kids face today — and how 3on3 helps address them - The powerful life lessons that can come from a 3on3 basketball league This episode is for coaches, pare...

In this special interview, we sit down with motivational speaker, certified mindset coach, and founder of Northwest 3on3 (Coach Dave) to explore how 3on3 basketball can unlock growth in players that traditional formats often miss. We discuss: Why quieter kids often thrive in 3on3How confidence and identity are built through setbacksWhat burnout looks like for coaches — and how to push throughHow 3on3 changes the way we define success in youth sportsCoach Dave brings powerful insights, r...

Confidence isn’t built on the bench. In this episode, Coach Kev and Coach J break down how 3on3 basketball helps players find their voice through more touches, more reps, and more involvement. They share stories from their programs and practical ways to build confidence in every player — especially the quiet ones. Includes a powerful clip from Coach Nick Logalbo (USA 3x3) on how 3on3 helped one of his stars unlock her leadership. Subscribe, share, and join the movement: 3on3hoopsnation.com Se...

In this episode, we share real examples of how to use 3on3 in your practice — from cutthroat defense to screening actions and more. Plus, we announce 3on3 Hoops Nation and wrap with a personal Off the Court convo. Subscribe at 3on3hoopsnation.com and follow @3on3hoopspod on Instagram. Send us a text

In this episode, Coach Kevin and Coach J break down why 3on3 basketball is one of the most effective formats for player development. They explore how more touches, faster decision-making, improved spacing, and increased confidence make 3on3 a powerful complement to traditional 5on5 basketball. Whether you're a coach, player, or parent, this episode offers practical insight into how small-sided games can lead to big-time growth. Follow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3o...

(EP 23) Welcome to the 3on3 Hoops Pod! In this (Season 2 kickoff) episode, Coach Kevin Roberts (3on3 Live) and Coach J (ScoreHoops 3on3) reunite with a fresh mission — to make this podcast the go-to voice for all things 3on3 basketball. Whether you're a coach, player, or parent, this episode lays the foundation for what’s coming: real talk, practical insights, and a deeper look at why we believe 3on3 is the most powerful format in basketball today. 🎙️ We talk about: • Why we’re bringi...