Explore every episode of the podcast Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast

Welcome to the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast!

Join Coach Mike MacKay and Coach Brandon Brock as they preview and setup the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast. Look forward to weekly episodes including conversations with coaches from across the country and debrief conversations around new concepts in the game of basketball.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike MacKay sits down with Mike Meeks, the Assistant General Manager of Men's High Performance at Canada Basketball. Coach Meeks, who shares his journey in basketball from a young athlete to a successful coach. They discuss the influence of coaches, the differences between North American and European coaching styles, and the importance of developing young athletes through the Junior Academy. Meeks emphasizes the need for a long-term approach to athlete development and the significance of building a supportive environment for aspiring players. The conversation highlights the evolution of coaching and the collaborative effort required to nurture talent in basketball.

Topics Discussed:

• Basketball opening doors.
• Influential coaches shape future athletes.

• Coaching is about giving back to the community.
• European coaching focuses on business and precision.
• Long-term development is crucial for young athletes.
• Creating a love for the game is essential.
• Building trust among athletes, parents, and coaches is key.
• Holistic training approaches are becoming more common.
• A supportive environment fosters growth and success.

The Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast is all about having conversations that help to connect, inspire, and build a better basketball for the future.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Murriel Page, Assistant Coach for the Senior Women's National Team.

The conversation explores the unexpected journey of a coach from Mississippi State to Team Canada, emphasizing the importance of building relationships with players and specializing in post play. Murriel reflects on her pride in coaching and the unique experiences that shaped her approach to the game.

Other conversation topics include:

• Staying present in the situation you're in
• Building transformational relationships
• Striving to be the best
• Thriving as an Assistant Coach

There's lots to learn in this episode, be sure to check it out!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Brandon and Mike sit down to chat about Stewardship in the Game of Basketball.

Mike provides a recap of his recent clinics in Montreal, Victoria, and Toronto which all surround the idea of building Stewardship. He follows up the learnings from those clinics with some stories that help to bring home the idea along with why it's so important.

Be sure to tune in!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike sits down with Micaëlla Riché — former NCAA Division I athlete, coach, Executive Director of Layup Basketball, and now a doctoral researcher exploring coaching methodology and athlete psychosocial needs.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Coaching as Stewardship & the Human Side of the Game

Micaëlla and the hosts explore why coaches must act as protectors of the sport — especially for young athletes navigating pressure, ego, NIL culture, social media influence, and performance environments.

2. Her Playing Journey & Shift into Leadership

Micaëlla shares her early start in basketball, development at Louis Riel with coach Andre, her NCAA career at Minnesota, working as a GA at Kansas State, and her overseas stint in Greece — and how each experience shaped her understanding of strategy, constraints, and player freedom.

3. Layup Basketball: Access, Belonging, and Community Stewardship

She breaks down Layup’s mission and model — using basketball as a vehicle to teach life skills, build community pride, and develop youth coaches from within the neighborhoods they serve.

4. Creating Psychological Safety & Trauma-Informed Coaching

The conversation dives deep into:

• limbic system responses (fight/flight/freeze/fawn)
• why kids’ “misbehavior” is often stress-based
• rhythmic activities for regulation
• interpreting behaviour through cultural and developmental lenses
• the importance of co-regulation, compassion, and avoiding public punishments

5. Autonomy, Competence & Relatedness (Self-Determination Theory)

A major thread throughout the episode is Micaella’s research focus:

• Autonomy: Asking questions, offering choices, building decision-making
• Competence: Designing challenges that match ability levels and celebrate progress
• Relatedness: Building trust, belonging, and meaningful team roles These three psychosocial needs form the foundation of athlete motivation, learning, and well-being.

6. Coaching Methodology & the Constraints-Led Approach

Through examples from her U12 girls team, Micaëlla describes how she uses:

• game-based learning
• small-sided constraints
• perceptual cues
• wobbling and scaffolding to build decision-makers, not robots.

7. The Cook → Chef Coaching Continuum

Together, Mike and Micaëlla unpack the analogy that new coaches start as “cooks” following recipes, but over time become “chefs” who can adapt, create, and elevate training based on the players in front of them.

8. Regenerative Leadership & Co-Constructed Learning Communities

Micaëlla outlines her doctoral plans:

• building a community of coaches
• co-creating best practices
• integrating reflective tools, video, and real-time evidence

9. Helping Kids Fall in Love with the Process

The group discusses modern challenges — transfer portals, year-round play, pressure to specialize — and why cultivating enjoyment, resilience, rest, and perspective is essential.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation is a masterclass in modern coaching that centres human development over tactics. Whether you coach elite athletes or 6-year-olds at a community centre, Micaëlla offers a powerful roadmap for creating environments where kids feel safe, motivated, connected, and inspired to grow — on and off the court.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Phil Jevtovic, Assistant General Manager of Men's 3x3 and High Performance Analytics to talk about Phil's journey in basketball and how he ended up as an Assistant Coach with the Senior Men's National Team.

This episode does a deep dive into using 3x3 to teach the game as well as using performance analytics in basketball. Tune in, this is a good one!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Keira Dyck, a Master's student at the University of Saskatchewan and Provincial Team assistant coach to discuss her journey in basketball, along with her research surrounding coaching with compassion.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast Mike and Brandon sit down to review some of the trends in basketball from the past year. From the resurgence of motion offenses and zone defenses, the coaches explore some of the big concepts that really took off.

Happy Holidays

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon sit down to reflect on the episode with Keira Dyck and explore more concepts around Performance Safety. The coaches chat through some important concepts like coaching through Clarity, Compassion, and Curiosity, as well as balancing the Challenge and Support the athletes we work with are facing.

On this Episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Marlo Davis, the Head Coach of the U19 Women's National Team to talk about his journey from playing to coaching, coaching styles, and building relationships with the athletes he works with.

Editor Notes: This was an episode recorded back in 2025 before the team competed.

Tune in and enjoy!

Visit gameplanbasketball.ca for more information.

Ever wonder what goes into the decision-making process for officials when making close calls in a split second?

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching podcast, Coach Mike is joined by Dave Maxin, the Manager of Officials Development at Canada Basketball. On this episode, Dave breaks down what criteria fouls are in FIBA and what the difference is in the game.

This podcast has lots of video involved, so to see the full podcast, head to gameplanbasketball.ca to sign-up and watch the podcast and clips that Mike and Dave are discussing.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Ashley Hoitink, winner of the Mike MacKay Transformational Coaching award and Manitoba Provincial program coach.

Ashley shares her journey in coaching, ways in which she emphasizes building relationships, and planning to compete at a summer nationals.

*Note this episode was recorded in the Spring of 2025.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball coaching podcast, Mike and Brandon follow-up on the episode with Phil Jevtovic that focused on Performance Analytics to talk about Tracking and Monitoring. In the episode, the coaches explore the importance of planning and environment design as well as the surprising role that interventions play in our coaching (it's not what you think). Then they explore different ways coaches can apply Tracking and Monitoring to their practices.

On this Episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Carly Clarke, to talk about her coaching journey, building relationships, establishing culture, and stories from a long career. Carly also explores developing assistant coaches and navigating the highest pressure moments in the game.

This is a podcast you won't want to miss!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon explore coaching in the storm of the game. Importantly, they explore the different practice environment coaches can design to help encourage the type of learning and transfer that can help get the concepts taught in practice to show up in the game. There are lots of visual elements in this podcast and if you're looking to see them, you can head to gameplanbasketball.ca to check them out.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Brandon and Mike sit down with Isabel Ormond to explore the ideas, habits, and philosophies shaping her growth as a coach and educator. From metacognition to mentorship, and from reading widely to embracing imperfection, Isabel offers clear, thoughtful insights that coaches at every level can learn from.

Key Topics Discussed

• The Scholar-Coach Mindset Isabel reflects on why coaches must continue learning, questioning assumptions, and exploring ideas from multiple fields—not just basketball.
• Asking Better Questions Inspired by mentors like Dr. Jim Denison, Isabel highlights the value of challenging inherited coaching practices and thinking critically about the "why" behind what we do.
• Learning from Other Sports and Disciplines She shares how insights from soccer, football, and even classroom teaching inform her coaching approach.
• Metacognition & Moving From “Cook” to “Chef” Mike and Isabel dive into the idea of thinking about your thinking, and how reflective practice accelerates coach development.
• Izzy’s Top Recommended Reads
  • The Language of Coaching — for biomechanics, cueing, and effective feedback
  • Range by David Epstein — on the value of diverse experiences and broad learning
• Advice for New Coaches Starting Their Seasons Isabel breaks down two powerful reminders:
  1. You can’t do everything at once — do less, better.
  2. Perfection is not the goal — give yourself the same grace you give your players.
• What She Hopes Athletes Take Away From Playing for Her A focus on fun, passion, belonging, pride, and self-compassion.
• The Power of Mentorship Isabel describes the importance of mentors who welcome deep questioning, share stories, and provide space for meaningful dialogue about both technical and relational aspects of coaching.

Why You’ll Love This Episode

This conversation showcases Isabel’s humility, curiosity, and commitment to thoughtful, purpose-driven coaching. Coaches, teachers, and leaders across sport will find tons of practical wisdom and reflective prompts in her answers.

The Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast is all about having conversations that help to connect, inspire, and build a better basketball for the future.

On this Episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast Coach Mike is joined once again by Manager of Officials Development David Maxin from Canada Basketball. On this episode, Mike and Dave discuss the National Points of Emphasis that the referees across the country have been focusing on this past season. This is a great one for coaches who are looking to understand more of the language and rules that referees are using and how to support the athletes they work with to play within them.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay sits down with Christa Eniojukan, Head Coach of the York University Women's Basketball team. Christa shares her journey from playing to coaching, her time as a teacher, her time with the National team, and balancing wearing multiple hats as a coach and mother.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Brandon and Mike explore ideas around team selection. The podcast explores topics that a coach might want to consider when it comes to selecting a team. What to consider before your tryout starts, how to facilitate a tryout with performance safety, and most importantly, how to select and deselect athletes with dignity.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon sit down to chat through getting a team up and running for the spring season and the intentional thought process that goes into Planning a Practice. This is Part 1 of a 2 Part series on Practice Planning and is designed to help coaches consider some critical pre-planning elements before they get to a practice.

On this Bonus episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon sit down for a quick catchup on what's been happening in basketball in Canada. On this episode, Mike and Brandon will recap their recent trip to Kimberley BC, the Women's USports National Championship, and some of the recent NCAA basketball games.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike is joined by Dianna Ros, Head Coach of the University of Toronto Women’s Basketball team. Dianna shares her path through the game—from being a standout player at McGill University to national team involvement, her first head coaching opportunity at Bishop’s, and now guiding the University of Toronto Varsity Blues program. Together, they unpack the experiences that have influenced her growth as a coach and leader.

Dianna shares a ton of her learning, experience, and advice for coaches in this one.

For more coaching resources, check out gameplanbasketball.ca

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon continue their discussion on intentional practice planning. This episode does a much deeper dive into the what's and the how's of practice planning and encourages coaches to consider the smaller details of what they include in their plans to ensure that their activities align with their intention and intended impact.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike explores his recent Points to Ponder Blog Posts on the NCAA Division 1 Men's and Women's Championship teams. Specifically on the growth that those coaches and teams experienced that allowed them to have success.

If you're interested in reading the full Blog Post, head to gameplanbasketball.ca.

If you're looking to receive the Blog Post immediately once it's sent out, sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Alan Keane, performance psychologist, coach developer, and co-founder of MVMT Sports, to discuss coaching with care, developing self-aware athletes and coaches, and designing learning environments that translate to performance in the storm. Their conversation explores the principles of care in coaching, including empathy, motivational displacement, and athlete empowerment, while diving into topics such as reflection, decision-making, confidence versus competence, and the role of connection in high-performance environments. Alan shares practical frameworks and research-informed insights on how coaches can better support athlete growth, build meaningful relationships, and create environments where learning, adaptability, and performance can thrive.

On this Episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike share his most recent blog post remembering some of this mentors who have recently passed away.

Sign-up to receive the blog post as soon as it comes out here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares another Point to Ponder. This time, on his observations watching a Youth 3x3 event. Listen and consider some of the benefits that 3x3 can provide your basketball programs!

If you're interested in receiving the text version of this blog post, subscribe to receive them here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike and Brandon dive into the concept of motivation through a practical coaching lens, exploring how everyday coaching decisions can shape, shift, and sometimes unintentionally disrupt athlete motivation. Building on ideas from self-determination theory, they unpack the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and introduce the concept of “motivational displacement”, how drills, constraints, and coach behaviours can redirect what athletes are actually motivated to do.

Through real coaching examples, they explore how environments can either foster autonomy, confidence, and connection, or create fear, compliance, and short-term thinking. The conversation challenges coaches to reflect on their own motivations, the impact of reward and punishment, and how to design practices that truly support athletes in learning, adapting, and performing in the storm.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares his recent Points to Ponder Blog post titled are we Guiding or are we Guessing, which explores the intentionality of coaching and teaching. This is a great quick episode if you're thinking about the ways in which you implement your coaching.

Sign-up to receive the Points to Ponder Blog as soon as it's released by signing up here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

Research paper: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Christopher-Janelle/publication/5878313_Perceptual-Cognitive_Expertise_in_Sport_A_Meta-Analysis/links/58e505f6a6fdcc6800b038c0/Perceptual-Cognitive-Expertise-in-Sport-A-Meta-Analysis.pdf

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike sits down with Betsy Butterick, coach, communication specialist, and author of Kids These Days, to discuss how coaches can better connect with and coach today’s athletes. The conversation explores co-creation, communication, emotional regulation, failure recovery, and the importance of care and connection before challenge. Betsy shares practical strategies for coaches who feel like what used to work no longer works, and offers ideas to help coaches communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and create environments where athletes can perform and grow.

For coaches interested, there is a 15% off discount link for the purchase of "Kids These Days" here: Canada Basketball Podcast Discount Link

In this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Brandon Brock and Mike MacKay explore reflection as one of the most important, and most overlooked, skills in coaching. Moving beyond the traditional end-of-practice debrief, they unpack how reflection can be used before, during, and after training to help athletes think more critically, make better decisions, and take greater ownership of their learning. Through practical tools like Notice, Name, Navigate, See–Feel–Need–Do, and AAA (Ask, Anchor, Action), Brandon and Mike share how coaches can build reflection into the flow of practice to develop more adaptable players and more thoughtful leaders. They also explore reflection as a coaching skill, discussing journaling, mentorship, and the discomfort of growth through the lens of “learning like a lobster”, a powerful reminder that meaningful development often requires vulnerability before progress.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Coach Mike MacKay shares another one of his Points to Ponder. This time, he shares an AI analogy, of Vibe Coding and how it relates to coaching Basketball. This one will really get you... pondering!

If you're interested in receiving the written versions of the blog, sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, we are extremely excited to welcome Jon Goodwillie onto the podcast. This is the first episode of a 2-part sitdown with Jon that explores his coaching journey as well as stories from his time coaching in the NBA and with the National team. This is an episode you do not want to miss!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast Mike shares another Point to Ponder, this time on the Social System that exists within teams.

To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching podcast, Brandon and Mike talk through the important topic of Leadership. Through leadership, they explore Mike's 4 Levels of Leadership along with the core tenants of Transformational Leadership. Then, as the episode wraps up, they hit the film room to break down some on-court concepts.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Jon Goodwillie is back in the studio to breakdown game film with Coach Mike MacKay. Jon and Mike chat through offensive and defensive transition concepts and provide coaches with ideas on what to look out for when watching film.

To view the video version of this podcast, head on over to Game Plan (gameplanbasketball.ca) and subscribe to Game Plan Pro!

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike shares another Points to Ponder, detailing his experience getting spend the weekend shadowing the Portland Fire's coaching.

To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, Mike and Brandon discuss the topics of delivering feedback to athletes to help prepare coaches for having those crucial conversations. Mike and Brandon explore different types of feedback, when to give feedback, and how to set yourself up for success ahead of time. Then, the coaches finish the episode with some scenarios that coaches may experience and provides some suggestions on how to work through them.

On this episode of the Canada Basketball Coaching Podcast, coach Mike shares another Point to Ponder on the importance of Clarity in delivering Feedback.

To get access to the written version of the Point to Ponder, subscribe here: https://mailchi.mp/2a41fa914c75/dtt92e5wlh

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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

Lifetime Game Plan Pro Membership (Available until June 15th, 2026): gameplanbasketball.ca

Free Game Plan account required to access the Lifetime Membership. Head to the Workshops tab to find the Lifetime Membership option.

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 coaching@basketball.ca with "Podcast Question" in the subject line.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 conversations, and how great coaching often begins with someone willing to see something in you before you see it in yourself.

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 meaningful experience for the local basketball community.

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

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.