A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Basketball
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 28. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-1-032-78072-6 (ISBN)
Description
A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Basketball provides coaches with both the theoretical and practical understanding of how to apply modern skill acquisition ideas to basketball coaching. To make sense of the theory, the book is complemented with numerous practical examples speci?cally for coaches working with novice, young adult, collegiate and professional players.
This new volume provides numerous insights into how constraints can be purposefully manipulated by coaches working at all levels of the game, serving to show how principles of play can be underpinned by ecological dynamics and questioning the notion that basketball needs to be played through overly controlled styles. The book explains how these principles of play can be developed using the constraints-led approach (CLA), referring back to on-court examples with players at the four di?erent levels of basketball.
A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Basketball is a practical book looking to bene?t from modern skill acquisition ideas, moving away from path dependency and the traditional, prescriptive coaching styles that dominate the basketball world. It is vital reading for academics, students and those working in the field of sport coaching.
This new volume provides numerous insights into how constraints can be purposefully manipulated by coaches working at all levels of the game, serving to show how principles of play can be underpinned by ecological dynamics and questioning the notion that basketball needs to be played through overly controlled styles. The book explains how these principles of play can be developed using the constraints-led approach (CLA), referring back to on-court examples with players at the four di?erent levels of basketball.
A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Basketball is a practical book looking to bene?t from modern skill acquisition ideas, moving away from path dependency and the traditional, prescriptive coaching styles that dominate the basketball world. It is vital reading for academics, students and those working in the field of sport coaching.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Academic, General, Postgraduate, Professional Practice & Development, and Undergraduate Advanced
Illustrations
45 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder, 35 s/w Tabellen, 45 s/w Abbildungen
35 Tables, black and white; 45 Halftones, black and white; 45 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
453 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-78072-6 (9781032780726)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Alex Sarama | Alex Lascu | George Vaz Rocha
A Constraints-Led Approach to Coaching Basketball
Book
approx. 09/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published
Persons
Alex Sarama is a professional basketball coach committed to the application of a constraints-led approach. Alex is currently the WNBA Head Coach of the Portland Fire, previously serving as Assistant Coach and Head of Player Development for the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. In addition to his coaching duties, Alex is the founder of Transforming Basketball, a coach education company helping to bring an ecological approach to the forefront of the basketball coaching world.
Alex Lascu is a sport scientist in learning design (skill acquisition) in Australia. Their Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Science centred on talent development and ecological dynamics, which led to working directly with professional, Olympic and Paralympic sport programs. They continue to research coach learning and development as an adjunct academic at the University of Queensland in Australia.
George Vaz Rocha is a basketball coach consultant, writer and clinician. He helps lead Transforming Basketball, hosting its podcast and delivering global workshops to help coaches and organisations translate modern ideas into practical, tangible results on the court.
Neil Houghton is a basketball coach in Melbourne, Australia, with the Knox Raiders representative teams playing in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL). Ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach underpin his roles as a Coach Mentor with the NextGen Coach education program and the Coach Development Coordinator with the Wildcats Basketball Club.
Alex Lascu is a sport scientist in learning design (skill acquisition) in Australia. Their Doctor of Philosophy in Sport Science centred on talent development and ecological dynamics, which led to working directly with professional, Olympic and Paralympic sport programs. They continue to research coach learning and development as an adjunct academic at the University of Queensland in Australia.
George Vaz Rocha is a basketball coach consultant, writer and clinician. He helps lead Transforming Basketball, hosting its podcast and delivering global workshops to help coaches and organisations translate modern ideas into practical, tangible results on the court.
Neil Houghton is a basketball coach in Melbourne, Australia, with the Knox Raiders representative teams playing in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL). Ecological dynamics and the constraints-led approach underpin his roles as a Coach Mentor with the NextGen Coach education program and the Coach Development Coordinator with the Wildcats Basketball Club.
Content
1. Introduction. 2. Theoretical Frameworks. 3. Using the CLA with Beginners. 4. Using the CLA with Youth Players. 5. Using the CLA with College and Professional Players.