Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast
Join Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock as they dive into weekly conversations about transformational coaching, stewardship, and performance safety. The Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast is a place for all coaches to join in on a conversation to help grow the game of basketball.Look forward to weekly episodes including conversations with coaches from across the country and around the world engaging in conversations around new concepts in the game of basketball.
Points to Ponder - What Does it Mean to be Physical?
In this Points to Ponder, Coach Mike explores the definition and language around what it means to play with physicality.
Kerri Kuzbyt - Transforming Basketball & Head of Player Development with the Scottish Basketball Federation
In this episode, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Kerri Kuzbyt, a former University of Winnipeg and professional player who is now Head of Player Development with the Scottish Basketball Federation.
Kerri explains how the constraints-led approach transformed her own game and now shapes the way she develops athletes. Together, she and Mike explore why failure should be treated as useful information, how playful environments can produce deeper learning, and why coaches need to value long-term development over short-term perfection.
They also discuss creating healthy competitive environments for girls and women, helping athletes become resilient...
Point to Ponder - Coach the Interaction, Not Just the Play
On this Point to Ponder, Coach Mike builds on the conversation with Kareem Kalil on feedback and breaks down one of his favourite basketball movie scenes!
Kareem Kalil - Exploring Questions around Feedback
Coach Mike MacKay welcomes coach, researcher, and PhD candidate Kareem Kalil to explore the complex dynamics of coach-athlete communication. Drawing from his experiences as a player, teacher, school leader, and coach, Kareem shares the inspiration behind his doctoral research, which examines how coaches' intentions and athletes' interpretations can either align or diverge during key coaching interactions. Together, they discuss trust, empowerment, feedback, non-verbal communication, and the importance of understanding the athlete's perspective. This thought-provoking conversation challenges traditional views of coaching and offers valuable insights into creating more meaningful and effective coach-player relationships.
Catch up with Kareem on...
Point to Ponder - What happens when interested coaches gather?
Coach Mike shares a Point to Ponder on a recent informal clinic that he attended and reflects on the impact and power of informal environments for sharing ideas and collaborating in basketball.
FIBA Women's World Cup, European Travels, & Film Breakdown
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike and Coach Brandon sit down to discuss Mike's recent travels in Italy, Germany, and Denmark and Mike's time at the FIBA Women's World Cup. Mike shares everything from his favourite moments travelling, to the best food that he ate, and of course his observations watching the top women's basketball games. Then, Mike dives into some video breakdown from the Gold Medal game of the world cup and explore the power of on-ball defense and the ability to adapt in the heat of the storm.
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Points to Ponder - Nothing Soft
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another Point to Ponder. This time, Mike talks about the power of "soft" skills, and how they aren't soft at all.
Youth Rule Guidelines - Part 2 - Scoring, Strategies, Tactics, and Implementation
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike and Coach Brandon continue their conversation with Sandy MacIntosh, Director of Membership & Domestic Programs at Canada Basketball on the New Canada Basketball Youth Rule Guidelines. This part 2 of the 2-part conversation explores the Scoring, Strategies, and Tactical Youth Rule recommendations and the three coaches provide insight into ways coaches and organizations can implement them.
You can find a copy of the Youth Rule Guidelines document here:
English Youth Rules Guidelines
French Youth Rules Guidelines
Points to Ponder - The Gap is Where Adaptation Lives
On this Episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares a reflective blog on his own continued growth.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Canada Basketball's Youth Rule Guidelines - Part 1
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon sit down with Sandy MacIntosh, Director of Membership & Domestic Programs at Canada Basketball to talk about the newly released Canada Basketball Youth Rule Guidelines document.
You can find the Youth Rule Guidelines document by navigating to it on our new website here:
English
French
Points to Ponder - Then What?
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike follows-up in his series of blogs on WNBA/NBA (What is the Next Best Action, Next Best Action). This time, he shares a conversation around what happens next after the play.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Dave Maxin - 2026/2027 Referee Points of Emphasis - Impact for Coaches
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast Coach Mike is joined once again by Dave Maxin, the Manager of Officials Development at Canada Basketball. On this podcast, Dave walks Mike through the new Referee Points of Emphasis for the upcoming basketball season and explore what these new changes mean for coaches.
This podcast includes video elements, which can be seen over at gameplanbasketball.ca
Points to Ponder - The Play Before the Play
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder. This time, he shares his thoughts on the Play before The Play and how it relates in the world of Next Best Action.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Tyler Slipp - Lessons as a Coach, Administrator, and Parent from a career in Basketball
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike sits down with Tyler Slipp, former University Head Coach and now Director of Sport Participation and Development at Sport New Brunswick. Tyler shares stories from his coaching journey. From his start at UNB, to joining the NEDA program in Hamilton, joining the bench at SFU, taking a head coaching job at the University of Waterloo, to transitioning to the sport administration world as Executive Director of Basketball New Brunswick, and now in his current role with Sport New-Brunswick.
Tyler also shares his experience as a parent coach...
Points to Ponder - The Butterfly Effect
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares another Point to Ponder. On this episode, Mike shares the idea of the Butterfly Effect and his reflections from the 2026 Canada Basketball Nationals in Sherbrooke Quebec.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Kiera Lyons - Head Coach, Women's Basketball Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Brandon sits down to chat with Kiera Lyons, the Head Coach of the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Women's Basketball team. Kiera talks about her transition from athlete to coach, and the many roles in sport that she's held along her journey. She expands on building a program and establishing a culture for a young program and share stories on her experience as a colour commentator for basketball in Edmonton.
Point to Ponder - We Are All Learners
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares another Point to Ponder. This is another reflection from his time spent in Italy this summer at the Transforming Basketball Camp, working with coaches and athletes from around the world.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Jason & Danah Arnold - Performance Safety
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Jason and Danah Arnold. Jason and Danah hold many roles including as Team Managers for the Women's High Performance Program as well as running their own swim school, called True Blue Swim School. Jason and Danah are true pioneers in the world of Performance Safety and explore the ideas behind coach, athlete, official, and parent behaviours. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
Points to Ponder - Space, the Final Frontier
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder. This time from his experience at the Canada Basketball National Championships in Sherbrooke Quebec. Mike explore his thoughts on space and spacing.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
CB Nationals Recap & The New Train to Train
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon catchup and debrief the conclusion of the Women's Canada Basketball Nationals Championship in Sherbrooke Quebec. They share some stories, some of the stories from the week, and what they love about Nationals. Then, they transition to sharing about the new revised Train to Train workshop and what coaches can expect if they register to take the workshop.
Points to Ponder - The Fingerprints Behind the Photo
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares a point to ponder on his reflection from his trip up to Yellowknife. This blog highlights all of the people who help make the game a great place to be.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Ajay Sharma - Interim Head Coach, Women's Basketball Brock University
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay talks with veteran coach Ajay Sharma about a career built through mentorship, film study, and hard-won lessons from national championship runs. Ajay shares insights from legends like Anson Dorrance and Bobby Knight, the power of simple, repeatable language like "win the fight," and how competitive drills such as Game to Three and Seven Stops train players to manage pressure, discipline, and decision-making before it matters most. The conversation also covers coaching the "amygdala hijack" in high-pressure moments, building team culture through shared experiences off the court, and...
Points to Ponder - Playing the Course You're On
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares a story of his time up in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and how his time playing golf, allowed him to reflect on the various theories around skill acquisition.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Pauline Lordon - From Player to Coach Developer
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Pauline Lordon, longtime coach, educator, mentor, and learning facilitator who has coached at every level of the game, from community basketball to university and national team programs. Pauline shares lessons from her coaching journey, the mentors who shaped her, and her thoughts on mentorship, building trust, creating learning environments, and why joy and relationships are at the heart of coaching.
Points to Ponder - The Beautiful Game
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another Points to Ponder, this time about his reflection on the FIFA World Cup.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Chantal Vallee - Head Coach, University of Windsor Women's Basketball
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, we are joined by Chantal Vallee, Head Coach of the University of Windsor Women's Basketball Team. Chantal joins the podcast to share her extensive journey and history in coaching. She recounts stories of winning 5 straight USports National Championships, being the first Female head coach in the CEBL, and her new book that she recently published Dare to Win.
If you're interested in the book, you can find it here: https://www.amazon.ca/Dare-Win-Blueprint-Performance-Championship/dp/1770418253
Points to Ponder - Defending Your Position
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Points to Ponder, this time on what it means to Defend Your Position. This episode does a deep dive on the intricacies of supporting athletes to become more intentional in guarding the ball.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Jhanelle Peters - Mental Performance in Basketball
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Jhanelle Peters. Jhanelle is a registered Psychotherapist and is the former Mental Health Clinician for the Toronto Raptors. She talks about about helping athletes perform under pressure and explores why anxiety isn't the enemy but useful information. Jhanelle also breaks down her "normalize, reframe, refocus" framework for shifting athletes from fear-based thinking to fact-based confidence. The conversation covers individualizing coaching styles to fit different athletes' needs, why coaches should ask rather than assume, how a coach's own body language shapes a team's response under...
Points to Ponder - Batman and Robin, the Dynamic Duo
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares a Point to Ponder about Batman and Robin, Yes, you read that correct, but it's not quite what you think. Tune in to learn more about how the goal should be to develop athletes who can be both!
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Marissa Lindquist - Head Coach, Women's Basketball University of Alberta Augustana
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Marissa Lindquist, the Head Coach of the Women's Basketball team at the University of Alberta Augustana. Marissa was also the head coach of the 17U Team Alberta Women's team that won Gold at Canada Summer Games in 2025. Marissa explores her coaching journey as a former athlete and taking over a program for the first time.
Points to Ponder: The Missing Link in the Constraints-Led Approach
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Points to Ponder. This one revolving around the idea of using the Constraints-Led Approach in basketball and what we as coaches might be missing in our application.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
BONUS - Community Super Clinics and Kimberley Super Clinic Recap
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock share exciting news about Canada Basketball’s new partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities to offer more Community Super Clinics across the country. From there, Coach Mike reflects on the meaning of stewardship, why it matters in sport, and how we can all play a role in leaving the game better than we found it. Mike and Brandon then connect with several key people from Kimberley, B.C., who helped bring the Kimberley Super Clinic to life and made the event such a me...
Jodi Gram - National Team Coaching, Mentorship, & Reflection
In this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike MacKay sits down with longtime coach, educator, and mentor Jodi Gram to explore the relationships, risks, and reflections that have shaped her coaching journey. From being tapped on the shoulder for opportunities she never thought she was ready for, to leading in high-performance environments and now mentoring the next generation of coaches. Jodi shares honest reflections on confidence, leadership, parent relationships, mentorship, and the overlap between teaching and coaching. Together, she and Mike unpack what it means to build people through sport, why curiosity and communication matter in difficult...
Points to Ponder - Gordie Herbert Podcast #2 Planning with Clarity
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another Points to Ponder, this time reflecting on his second conversation with Senior Men's National Team Head Coach Gordie Herbert.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Gordie Herbert Part 2 - Style of Play, NBA and FIBA differences, and much more
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike MacKay sits down with Senior Men's National Team Head Coach Gordie Herbert for a second conversation to dive deeper into Coach Herbert's coaching philosophy, style of play, NBA and FIBA differences, and much more. This is a great opportunity to get a glimpse into the mind of a National Team head coach and an episode you definitely won't want to miss.
Points to Ponder - Gordie Herbert Conversation Follow-up
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike Mackay shares another Point to Ponder. This time, it's a follow-up on the conversation that Coach Mike had with Senior Men's National Team Coach Gordie Herbert and some of the lessons coaches can take away from his style and philosophy around the game.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Gordie Herbert Part 1 - Head Coach, Senior Men's National Team
On this special episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, we are extremely excited to welcome the new Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team, Gordie Herbert to the podcast. Coach Mike chats with Coach Herbert about his journey from playing on the National team, to coaching in Europe, to finding his way back to lead his country. Coach Herbert shares his personal coaching philosophy as well as what he believes makes great teams. This is an episode you do not want to miss.
Points to Ponder - Languishing in the Familiar
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder on the term, Languishing. Not familiar with Languishing? Listen to the podcast to find out!
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
Mailbag Episode - Answering Your Questions
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock take some time to answer some of the questions that coaches have submitted from across the country. The conversation covers all sorts of topics from Transition Defense to Performance Safety.
To submit a question of your own, send an email to [email protected] with "Podcast Question" in the subject line.
Points to Ponder - Defensive Decision Making
On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike explores the UAE compass as it relates to defensive decision making.
To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh
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