Aaron M. Smith

Cori Close (@CoachCoriClose) shares a must-listen message on what it takes to be special. "Do you want special? Then you better get used to hard." "Tell me one person in this life, in any area of life, that did something special that didn't embrace hard. That didn't embrace the adversity." Success is earned in the struggle. "It's the people who embrace hard. Perseverance. All of those things that need to happen." Then she got honest about her own leadership: "Get ready to push that. Get ready to take that on for your players first so that they can see the role modeling of someone who faces hard, who embraces hard." Leaders go first. You can't ask your team to embrace hard if you're not willing to do it yourself. You have to be willing to embrace adversity. Adversity isn't a roadblock - it's the path. (🎥 USA Basketball)

These type of defensive drills are good enough for the best players in the world playing on Team USA You will still have high school and middle school kids going through the motions like they are a waste of time

Thanks to the @whhscbox for this nice article on my 8th grade girls basketball team at @walnutathletics ... definitely a fun season with this group. whhscbox.com/17606/showcase…

As an AD, the growing trend of individualism is making it harder to sustain winning programs. Great teams are built on sacrifice, accountability, and putting the program above personal goals. Championships still come from “we,” not “me.”

Circle Motion rewards IQ, timing, and trust

High school basketball isn’t won in the 4th quarter; it’s won every day in practice. - In the sprints when legs are tired. - In the film room when no one’s watching. - In the locker room when leadership matters most.

Want to win close games in March? Be boring. - play off two feet in the paint - throw on-target passes - hit free throws - take on balance, great shots - finish around the rim - secure rebounds with two hands - don’t gamble on defense Boring is cool. Boring wins.

What advice does Mark Pope have for young, aspiring journalists? I’m teaching an upper‑level journalism course at #UK this semester, and on Thursday, I took my class to Pope’s press conference. I asked him what guidance he’d give the next generation of journalists. His answer was worth hearing.

@BreakthruBball Press

5 Drills For A Punishing Press REPLY “PRESS” BELOW FOR A FREE PDF OF 5 DRILLS FOR A PUNISHING PRESS! (PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE FOLLOWING US SO WE CAN DM YOU THE PDF!) By implementing these 5 drills you will teach your players fundamental skills essential to elite pressing. These drills apply whether you run a zone press (like Coach Beucler) or a man press (like Coach Hilmer). Your players will learn concepts like proper trapping angles and rotations out of traps. They will build the skills, mindset, and habits necessary to press at an elite level.

@CoachLync Wright — Villanova Blueprint

Coaches keep asking for these. 🏈 BAMA — Alabama Program Manual (430+ Pages) 🏀 DUKE — Duke Basketball Library (150+ Pages) 🏈 MCVAY — Rams Offensive System (300+ Pages) 🏀 WRIGHT — Villanova Blueprint (120+ Pages) Claim your pick ⬇️

Well said… Clutch.. doing what you typically do in a pressure situation!

Tune in tonight at 9p to watch @OhioMBasketball hand Miami its first loss of the season in the #BattleoftheBricks … Let’s hear it for MACtion on the national stage! Go Bobcats! #OUohyeah

Most team culture problems aren’t player issues. They’re adult leaks. Watch closely. When parents… - question officials - criticize coaching decisions at home - make playing time the main topic Kids absorb it. Not because they’re weak. Because they’re wired to. Culture doesn’t stop at the locker room door. It lives in car rides. Group texts. Kitchen table conversations. If a parent’s identity is tied to their child’s role… That pressure shows up in body language. In frustration. In comparison. Here’s the shift: Instead of asking, “How do we control parents?” Ask, “How do we align adults around standards?” When parents understand: - roles are earned - growth > stats - adversity builds strength Everything changes. Team culture isn’t just what coaches allow. It’s what adults model. And kids are always watching. What’s one expectation you clearly communicate to parents before the season starts?

A serious question for parents… If your child can’t handle a minor hardship as a teenager, how are they going to handle a real hardship later in life? Don’t clear their path. You steal their self-worth and feed your own. Ask yourself: Will my decision help them in 10 years?

Coaching this team has been an absolute pleasure. The way they work, prepare, and support each other is truly special. On to the conference tournament! @walnutathletics @Coachlazar @CoachErinIs

Hey coaches I have High-IQ, I’m a versatile 5’11 power forward (2026) who impacts winning through scoring, defense, and leadership. I’m ready to work! #GirlsBasketball #2026Hoops #Uncommitted #PowerForward #TwoWay #HighIQHoops #OhioHoops #NextLevel

Basketball doesn’t just reveal character; it builds it. The kid who learns to box out on the court learns how to grind in life. The player who sacrifices for the team learns how to lead their family one day. Coaching is about preparing them for everything—not just the game.

Final run before tournament. Locked in 🔒 Let’s Go Eagles 🦅 💛💙 #SursamAdSummon @walnutathletics @CoachErinIs @Coachlazar @PGH_Ohio @JDabbs86 @PGHAkeem @onimpact3 @hubbywifey513 @ProspectShowcse @513hsh @ENQSports @SWOSportsDaily @iamcpsathletics @ECC_Sports

A basketball team isn’t 5 kids on the court. It’s every player ready to step up when their name gets called. It’s the bench standing, cheering for their teammates. It’s managers helping make practice great. Championship teams don’t just play together—they *are* together.

They doubted. She worked. Now they watching. 👀🔥 Buckets, vision, heart. This is just the beginning. 🏀✨ #Committed #HighlightSeason #NextLevel #BuiltNotBought #hardworkpaysoff