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

Happy Sunday! Happy Labor Day weekend for those in the U.S.!

ICYMI: Last week, we explored Monaco’s “Pin the Tag” action, turning top locks and aggressive off-ball defense into an advantage by forcing a low tag before flowing into a wide pin down. Read the full newsletter HERE.

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This Week at a Glance:

👀 SG SoCal Coaches Summit!

🔒 SG Plus Content: Coaches Roundtable - Establishing Your Culture​

🎧 Slappin' Glass Podcast: Dan Earl {Chattanooga}

📢 Hudl Instat

🥇 Best of the Week: Horns Entry & "RIP to Gets"​

📚 Interesting Reads

Let's dive in...

This upcoming weekend is our 2nd Annual Slappin’ Glass SoCal Coaches Summit!

The event is now sold-out!

This invite-only event is designed to bring some of the best basketball minds together for a full day of sharing, connecting, and growing.

This year’s confirmed lineup includes (🎙 denotes SG Podcast conversation):

• ​Jerrod Calhoun 🎙– Head Coach, Utah State
• ​Johnny Tauer 🎙– Head Coach, University of St. Thomas
• Eric Glass – Assistant Coach, Miami Heat
• Zach Guthrie – Head Coach, South Bay Lakers
• ​Drew Dunlop 🎙– The Pro Lane / Skill & Performance Trainer
• ​Brittany Loney 🎙- Elite Cognition/Special Forces

The DNA of Elite Cultures

Whenever a group of coaches from around the world gets together on a late August call before the season starts, a crucial topic always seems to float to the forefront: culture building. Whether you had access to your players during the offseason or not, the moment a team officially gathers to start the year it can feel like a race to establish culture and cohesion—on and off the floor—as quickly as possible. This process of designing how a group of individuals forms durable and healthy bonds to prepare for the volatility of the season ahead is unique and interesting at all levels, and the approaches are a useful topic to explore.

We discussed some tremendous ideas in last week's SG Coaches Roundtable on how coaches are approaching the crucial building blocks of culture at the start of their seasons. As the conversation unfolded, some clear themes and takeaways began to emerge across levels, leagues, and countries. Here are a few...

Establishing And Developing Leaders

A major component of culture building is identifying the culture carriers within a team and developing leadership from the inside out. Every group dynamic is different, and each season challenges coaches to determine which players will embody the program’s standards and values—not only through their words, but by modeling behaviors and holding teammates accountable. Throughout our Roundtable discussion coaches shared tremendous insight on activities and practices they deploy to help identify, select and groom leadership within the group.

One-Word Storytelling

​Coach Chris Mayes described an exercise that not only helps deepen connection but also helps reveal emerging leaders. At the very start of the season, each player and coach is asked to choose a single word that represents their personal journey to this point. After everyone has shared their word, each player follows up by telling a short story that connects back to it, with only a few minutes to speak. The simplicity of the format forces authenticity and allows teammates to see who communicates with clarity, who struggles under pressure, and who naturally commands attention. Beyond the stories themselves, the exercise becomes a subtle leadership filter—spotlighting players who can articulate values and connect with others, while giving every individual a voice in shaping the foundation of the team’s culture.

Captain Interviews

While there are many ways to decide captaincy, coaches agreed that the role carries more weight when it’s earned through the team rather than appointed by the staff. The challenge, however, is that team votes can easily slip into popularity contests. To counter this, one coach shared a structured “interview” process: players interested in captaincy present to the team on why they believe they’re fit for the role, followed by a Q&A where teammates can ask direct questions. This approach reframes captaincy as a responsibility rather than a title—pushing candidates to articulate how they will lead, model standards, and drive winning, while giving teammates a more informed voice in the decision.

Captain Actions

Deciding who your captains are is only the first step—equally important is giving them a framework for how to lead and grow. Another coach shared the concept of “Captain Actions,” which are clear, actionable "recommendations" given to captains to reinforce leadership behaviors. Early in the season, these might come as prompts from the coaching staff—organizing a team meal, checking in on younger players, or making sure workouts happen outside of practice. Over time, the goal is for these actions to become habits, establishing a rhythm of routine leadership. By making expectations tangible, captains are not only positioned to succeed but also given opportunities to grow into the role.

We’ve all heard it before, but it bears repeating—everyone in the locker room is a leader, whether they wear the title of captain or not. One way to reinforce this idea is by assigning ongoing ownership roles across the roster. From organizing the bench before games, to checking equipment, to maintaining locker room cleanliness (especially on the road), these tasks may seem small, but they create real buy-in. When every player—from the leading scorer to the last man on the bench—has a responsibility that impacts the program, it builds pride, accountability, and a shared sense of belonging. Leadership becomes less about titles and more about daily actions that strengthen the team.

Weekly Awards And Recognition

One of the biggest trends in locker room culture right now is the use of weekly or post-game awards. While some teams still give out a traditional “Player of the Game” or “Player of the Week,” many coaches are moving toward awards that highlight the less-glamorous but essential pieces of winning. These awards focus on things like hustle, unselfishness, leadership, or other intangibles that don’t show up in the box score but are keys to winning internally.

To maximize impact, it’s important to structure these awards so that every player has a chance to win them. If only starters or high-minute players are eligible, buy-in can fade. But when the 12th man can compete for the same recognition as the leading scorer, it strengthens investment across the roster.

A second hallmark of these awards is the use of creative, symbolic “trophies” rather than plaques or certificates. Hard hats, lunch pails, chains, figurines, or even berets have all been used to represent values like toughness, work ethic, or connection. During our Roundtable, coaches shared several unique approaches they’ve put into practice:

Role Player Award (Rolling Pin) – given weekly, signed by winners, sparks conversations about defining and celebrating role players.

"Gas Tank" Award – peer-voted, recognizing whoever “emptied the tank” (effort, energy, or relationships) that week. Winner signs a gold gas tank.

Connector of the Week – for players building meaningful teammate connections (e.g., helping freshmen, tutoring, spending time off-court). Recognized with a symbolic chain link.

This may sound like something reserved for youth or college programs, but even professional teams at the highest level are leaning on this simple concept to reinforce culture. And the truth is, players of all ages often buy into these fun, creative ways of acknowledging winning traits.

When coaches talk about their team’s culture awards—or more specifically, their trophy—it usually begins with, “I know it’s silly, but…”

And that’s exactly what makes them powerful. For something to have real meaning within your team, it probably has to look a little strange from the outside. The uniqueness is what gives it weight. Don’t be afraid to create something new, fun, or even a little “cringey”—because those are often the traditions that players cherish most. (Last week's podcast with Coach Scott Lagas discussed his programs use of a ringing cowbell in honoring high value shots!)

Like the goofy matching pajamas your family wears on the holidays: it might not make sense (or seem "cool") to anyone else, but inside your group, it becomes a symbol of connection and pride. Thanks Mom.

Building Culture On The Court

When it comes to early-season culture building, much of the conversation naturally gravitates toward off-court activities. That makes sense, but culture between the lines also needs to be established. Just as we want our players to know each other deeply as people, we also want them to know each other as players.

Practice time is always limited, and the crunch feels even greater before the season begins. Once players finally get on the court, a central question emerges:

How much do you immediately install your style of play while simultaneously letting players build chemistry and learn each other’s games?

On one side, there’s the argument that with such limited time, you must dive straight into teaching system concepts and triggers. On the other, if player chemistry is a priority, accelerating it can be done through small-sided games.

Small-Sided Games

Small-sided games (1v1, 2v2, 3v3) increase touches and reps, forcing players into primary actions and exposing natural tendencies. For example, as a Coach shared in the Roundtable, starting a 1-on-1 possession by letting the offensive player pick their spot immediately shows preferences and go-to moves. As you scale into 2v2 or 3v3, asking the offensive team to choose an initial action—like a ball screen, wide pin, or handoff—not only sparks decision-making but also encourages communication before, during, and after possessions.

One wrinkle is flipping the choice: let the defense decide what they want to guard. Watching three players who barely know each other agree on whether to defend a double drag, a Spain pick-and-roll, or a post entry reveals tendencies, preferences, and leadership traits quickly.

Holding the Standard

Beyond chemistry, small-sided games also create an ideal environment to instill accountability. One coach noted the importance of defining the standard for each drill—whether it’s flying past the gap in shell drill or sprinting to contest a shot—and then putting the responsibility on players, not coaches, to enforce it. If someone cuts corners and no one speaks up, the drill stops and attention turns to the leaders: the standard was clear, so why wasn’t it upheld? This practice not only accelerates skill and chemistry but also builds the expectation that players will hold each other accountable from day one.

In short, small-sided games deliver more touches, more communication, and more accountability than traditional 5-on-5 play—making them a valuable starting point for building culture on the court.

At every level of the game, the first few weeks of the season sets the tone. Whether it’s developing leaders, recognizing the right behaviors, or holding one another accountable between the lines, the consistent message from coaches around the world is clear: culture isn’t built by accident—it’s built daily, with intention.

To gain more insight and thoughts on culture, SG+ Members can now view the full August Roundtable replay now on SGTV!

Together with Dr. Dish

Slappin’ Glass subscribers get ready to score back to school savings with Dr. Dish! Unlock $2,000 off the Dr. Dish CT+ to prepare your team for the upcoming season, plus an additional bonus discount when you mention the Slappin’ Glass Podcast. Score these savings before August 31st!

Slappin' Glass Podcast

🏀 Slappin' Glass Podcast w/Dan Earl

This week on the Slappin’ Glass Podcast, we sit down with Chattanooga Mocs Head Coach, Dan Earl, for a masterclass in offensive creativity, teaching, and decision-making.

Coach Earl dives deep into the evolution of his Princeton-influenced offense, where the five-man acts as the hub—a quarterback-like figure who randomizes actions, flows into concepts, and keeps the ball moving with spacing, cutting, and decision-making at the center of everything. He details how to teach bigs to pass, pivot, cut, and make reads, while also emphasizing the importance of allowing freedom and randomness within structure.

We discuss:

• Randomizing offense through the five-man: spacing, ball screens, and empowering skilled centers.
• Teaching cutting, screening, and timing—why Chattanooga was one of the most efficient cutting teams in the nation last year.
• Shot selection and assist stats: how Coach Earl teaches decision-making and efficiency without overloading players.
• Late-game conundrums: fouling up three, defending full-court situations, and the eternal debate of putting a defender on or off the inbounder.
• The role of relationships and trust in building a successful program.

From X’s and O’s to late-game philosophy, Coach Earl offers both practical teaching points and big-picture lessons that coaches at every level will take something from.

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.

Tactical

📺 Horns Entry - Pin the Tag • Chase • Spain ​

"A nice added layer to the "Pin the Tag" concept, transitioning into a step up Spain screen."

✚ Pair With: A deceptive RIP screen for the center coming out of the Horns entry.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on defending the Spain Screen using the "Hedge & X-Out."

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📺 RIP to Get - Twist • Burn & DHO • Gortat​

"Twisting the Get back towards the full side of the floor to play a DHO with the 4-man."

✚ Pair With: Penn State's Iverson Out entry, setting the RIP to Get action.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on the art of space-clearing rim seals to support rim penetration.

Interesting Reads

📚 Little Rules About Big Things​

People have vastly different desires, except for three things: Respect, feeling useful, and control over their time. Those are nearly universal.

There’s a sweet spot where you grasp the important stuff but you’re not smart enough to be bored with it.

People learn when they’re surprised. Not when they read the right answer, or are told they’re doing it wrong, but when they experience a gap between expectations and reality.

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📚 The Confrontation Obligation ​

No one likes confrontation. But mediocrity creeps in when conflict ends. And if you want to be a great leader, that is not your fault…but it is your problem.

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📚 Via Negativa​

Since we know what is fragile, eliminating fragilities by reducing downsides is in itself a good winning strategy. For example, removing a bad hire or a bad leader is thus far more effective than adding good hires or appointing good leaders. Similarly, not doing what we know is wrong is far more effective than doing what we think is right.

Quote of the Week

Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan, Pat, and Eric

info@slappinglass.com

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