Exploring basketball's best ideas, strategies, and coaches around the world

Happy Sunday and welcome to all the new subscriberss from around the world!

ICYMI: Last week, we dove into Part 2 of our "Film Room" Series with Cal Poly SLO Assistant, Kyle Bossier. This is one of our favorite "Film Room" sessions of all-time, as Coach Bossier lays out everything about Cal Poly's dynamic offense.

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This Week at a Glance:

🥇 2025 Mid Year Summer Review

🎤 Slappin' Glass Podcast: John Patrick {International Pro Coach}

📚 Interesting Reads: Smarter Practices

Let's dive in...

2025 Summer Review

Summer...a great time of year for some vacation, recharging, and diving into special projects. While we're out here baking at Summer League we are taking time for our mid-year "Summer Review", filtering back through the most viewed, read, and discussed content from the platform over the first half of the year.

Below, you'll find a recap of some of the most viewed SGTV content you may have missed. Each concept includes videos, newsletters, and bonus material to help you rethink and retool for next season while sipping that Mai Tai.

Let's dive in!

🏀 Most Viewed Defensive Breakdowns of the Quarter

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🥇 Plugging the PG - Defensive Help Strategy​

"A scout-specific defensive strategy to gap off reluctant, low-volume shooting Point Guards in favor of walling off the paint, plugging gaps and all off ball action."

✚ Pair With: Finishing off the 1v1 defense by locking the opponent's pivot foot, closing space and preventing secondary finishes.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on the scout specific strategy to defend a stretch 5-Man with the "Box & 1."​

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on defending the off ball screen with Stunts and the "Next" defensive philosophy.

🗞️ Newsletter​

🥈 Post Defense - Double on the Cut​

"Doubling a dominant post player off the post-entry passer’s space-clearing cut."

✚ Pair With: How Fenerbahce has historically doubled down on the Post.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Stealing possessions with after quarter "Hits".

🗞️ Newsletter​

🥉 Jerrod Calhoun - 2-3 Match-Up Zone​

"Our breakdown into the rotations and responsibilities of Coach Jerrod Calhoun's unique 2-3 Match-Up Zone with Utah State."

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our "Film Room" session with Coach Tony Miller on the 2-1-2 Zone Defense.

🗞️ Newsletter​

Honorable Mention

​​"Jam" & Under - Defending Drag Screens​

"Defending drag screens with the "Jam" and Under coverage, focusing on the strategy and technique used to disrupt timing, control pace, and keep the ball out of the paint."

✚ Pair With: How Perth would "Ice and Switch" the Pop on the Drag Screen in transition

🔒 SG Plus Content: Defending empty-side drag screens with aggression on the ball and a strong load up from the full-side.

🗞️ ​Newsletter​​

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🏀 Most Viewed Offensive Breakdowns of the Quarter

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🥇 Slide Cutting - Full Side Spacing Automatic​

"Exploring the versatility and effectiveness of sending two cuts, a baseline cut and a corner drift, when penetration is occurring to the full side of the floor."

✚ Pair With: Baruch College creating space and scoring solutions within the two guard front with the Slide Cuts.​

🎧 Pair With: Our recent podcast with Coach Francesco Tabellini discussing the timing and effectiveness of Slide Cutting.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on strategies to defend the Slide Cuts.

🗞️ Newsletter​

🥈 Point Guard Stampedes - Step-Up Screens & Switch Attack​

"The value and effectiveness of shortening the pass back to the middle third with a Stampede catch in step-up screen–dominant offenses and when attacking perimeter mismatches."

✚ Pair With: A sneaky way to generate a corner stampede.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on the Iverson Entry in attacking through the middle 3rd of the floor.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on the value of the Stampede in attacking shell PNR coverages and late-clock retriggers.

🗞️ Newsletter​

🥉 Multiple Big Transition - Rim Run Stack Screens​

"A multiple big transition offense concept with a rim-running 4-man turning their rim seal into a Spain ballscreen."

✚ Pair With: Weakside screening in transition to punish defenses loading up to the ball.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Coach Kattash transition concepts and actions based around the various spacings of their two bigs.

🗞️ Newsletter​

Honorable Mention

​Punishing the Hedge - Slip Out Hook Screen​

"A coordinated screening action designed to punish the hedge coverage."

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on newly hired Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach, Tuomas Iisalo's "Hedge & Plug" defense.​

🗞️ Newsletter​

​Hook DHO​

"Exploring the Hook DHO and its value in countering a denial to create cleaner shots and improved driving angles."

✚ Pair With: Exploit non-shooting bigs spaced in the corner, dead corners, with a skip uphill DHO.​

🔒 SG Plus Content: The use of "Patient Pivots" and off ball cutting on high paint penetration to create "Cross Court" DHO opportunities.

🎧 Pair With: Our podcast conversation with Nazareth Head Coach, Kevin Broderick, on limiting turnovers and the "patient pivot."

🗞️ Newsletter​

Thank you all for your continued support and if you have further questions or want to discuss any of these breakdowns with us please feel free to reach out at info@slappinglass.com.

Together with Dr. Dish

Dr. Dish’s 4th of July Sale is here! 🇺🇸 Now until 7/31/25, you can save up to $4,000 on the top shooting machines chosen and trusted by thousands of coaches across the US. Secure your Dr. Dish CT+, All-Star+, or Rebel+ while supplies last.

Slappin' Glass Podcast

🎙️ Underrated Coaching Lessons from John Patrick

In our conversation this week with veteran European head coach John Patrick, we explored the philosophies behind his pressure-based defenses, disciplined offenses, and no-frills culture-building. Known for turning undervalued rosters into playoff contenders in Germany and Japan, Patrick blends structure with freedom and toughness with teaching.

Here are 3 underrated coaching lessons from the episode:

⚙️ 1. Offense Prioritizes Structure Before Freedom

Patrick believes in giving players structure—not to restrict, but to unlock them. His offensive systems (horns, floppy, delay) create rhythm and spacing, especially for players adjusting to international play.

🧩 Key Insight: Flow isn’t what happens when you remove structure—it’s what happens when structure removes hesitation.

🧠 2. Drill Decision-Making, Not Just Technique

Patrick's practices emphasize reading the game under pressure. Whether it's guarding a closeout or attacking a trap, players are taught to think while executing—not just repeat reps.

🧩 Key Insight: Decision-making beats technique when the lights are bright.

🗣️ 3. Leadership Is Shown in Response, Not Volume

Patrick values leadership that shows up in the hard moments—being benched, missing a rotation, or sitting during crunch time. He watches not just how players talk, but how they respond.

🧩 Key Insight: Leadership isn’t volume—it’s consistency under stress.

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For much more from Coach Patrick, please enjoy the entire conversation below...

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Together with Hudl

Hudl Powers Every Possession

If you’re already using tools like FastDraw, FastScout, or FastRecruit—you know how essential they are to your workflows. And now that they’re fully part of the Hudl ecosystem, they’re more powerful than ever. From film and play diagrams to scouting reports and custom recruiting boards, everything flows together. One system. Built for high-performance programs.

​Learn more about Hudl and their variety of products or subscribers to Slappin' Glass can also directly email Winston Jones of Hudl at winston.jones@hudl.com. has it all. Join the top teams who already rely on Hudl Instat to stay ahead of the competition.

Interesting Reads

📚 Previewing NBA Summer League, Where It’s Best to Just Embrace the Chaos​

Point Flagg. The bizarro Nets. The third-year “vets” making their last stands. Las Vegas summer league is brimming with intrigue, so long as you know where to look.
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📚 A Coach's Journey to Smarter Practices ​

Each principle is a room, a wall, a window in the house of athletic development. Combined, they create athletes who are not only skilled but adaptable, creative, and prepared for whatever the game throws their way.

Quote of the Week

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Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan and Pat

info@slappinglass.com

We're proud to partner with the leading Sports Travel company in the basketball world, Beyond Sports! Follow the link above to learn more about why more than 600 universities have trusted Beyond Sports for their team's foreign trips. Let them know Slappin' Glass sent you!

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