In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Marcus Ludwig, head assistant coach for the boys varsity program at Baldwinsville High School in Syracuse, NY, for an honest, coach-to-coach conversation about growth, perspective, and player development.

This episode is for middle school, JV, and varsity coaches — especially those early in their coaching journey who are still figuring things out.

We talk about:

- What young coaches often misunderstand early on
- Why coaching is more than wins, losses, and the scoreboard
- The difference between being a head coach and an assistant coach
- How pressure, ego, and expectations change over time
- When to coach, when to stay quiet, and how players actually learn
- How small-sided play and 3on3 basketball can support long-term development

This isn’t about systems or schemes.
It’s about experience, growth, and learning how to coach the right way.

🎙️ Hosted by Kevin Roberts and Coach J
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Homeschool 3x3 basketball, skills clinics, and a different approach to player development.

In this episode, Kevin and Coach J talk through what they’re building with each one of their 3on3 basketball programs and the 3on3 Hoops Nation — including homeschool 3x3 play labs, skills clinics, and why 3v3 continues to be one of the best teachers of the game.

This is a wide-open conversation about:
• Using 3v3 to develop confidence and decision-making
• Creating real opportunities for middle school players
• Why fundamentals and application matter more than flashy moves
• Building sustainable pathways through skills clinics and small-sided games
• What 3on3 Hoops Nation is becoming — and how coaches and parents can be part of it

This episode isn’t about one drill or one system.
It’s about building basketball the right way.

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Inside the community you’ll find practice ideas, resources, and ongoing conversations for coaches and parents who care about development over hype.

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast as we continue Season 3 with more conversations, breakdowns, and interviews.

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In this continuation of our Coaches Q&A series, Kevin Roberts and Coach J dig into the questions every coach eventually faces but rarely talks about openly:

- How do I keep growing without a mentor?

- How do I get my players to play more aggressively?

- How do I balance development and winning?

- How do I keep players motivated when minutes aren’t equal?

- And how do I deal with parents who think their kid should play more?

It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about building awareness, composure, and connection. This episode is packed with real experiences, humor, and insight from two coaches who’ve lived it on every level.

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#3on3Basketball #YouthBasketball #CoachingTips #PlayerDevelopment #ParentCommunication

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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 of growth, this one’s for you.

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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 figure things out.

Whether you’re a coach, parent, or player, this episode will challenge you to rethink what great coaching really looks like.

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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

- How measuring courage (instead of just stats) transforms team culture

This episode will challenge the way you think about confidence, failure, and development as a coach, parent, or player.

Watch & listen at 3on3HoopsNation.com

For more information on Coach Shawnee Harle: https://www.shawneeharle.com/

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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 can use to help athletes face fear, self-doubt, and mistakes

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Coach Shawnee, and it’s packed with lessons for players, parents, and coaches who want to build resilience, confidence, and emotional intelligence on and off the court.

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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 their own youth basketball league.
Coaching Confidence — Breaking down a powerful IG post from Coach Dave about building confidence in young players.

If you’re a coach, parent, or player passionate about hoops and player development, this episode’s for you!

Become a part of the nation! → https://3on3hoopsnation.com

📌 Follow us on IG → @3on3hoopspod
📌 Get our free “7 Proven 3on3 Drills” guide → https://3on3hoopsnation.com

#3on3basketball #3x3basketball #3on3hoopsnation #YouthBasketball #Big3

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