In this powerhouse episode of Basketball Body and Mind, we sit down with Laimonas Eglinskas – pro basketball coach with experience across Lithuania, Australia, and now the London Lions.

🎙️ Stan’s first-ever coaching partner joins the podcast to break down what it really takes to go pro in basketball. From mastering discipline and understanding your role to standing out even when no one's watching – this episode is a goldmine for serious hoopers.

💡 Whether you're a young player, aspiring coach, or just love the game, this is a must-listen. We dive deep into:

What defines a true professional athlete

How to earn your coach’s trust

The mindset that separates pros from amateurs

Real stories of youth players who made it big

🔥 Plus, Laimonas shares lessons from Euro League players, talks about talent vs. hard work, and gives advice to those without access to elite training facilities.

📌 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe. Every share helps us grow the hoop community!

📍 CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Laimonas Eglinskas
00:52 – Coaching across leagues & countries
01:53 – What professionalism really means in basketball
04:17 – How to train when no one’s watching
05:24 – Learning by watching greats like Kobe
06:30 – How coaches lead the game off-court
08:24 – Lifelong learning and self-growth
10:25 – Accepting roles as a young player
12:05 – Making the most of “garbage time” minutes
17:33 – Real success stories: Panagiotis Kalaitzakis & more
20:15 – No court? No problem: How to train anywhere
24:19 – Common struggles youth face going pro
27:55 – Sacrifices & the Mamba Mentality
34:16 – Success can come in unexpected forms
40:00 – Be elite at something, even if it’s not talent
43:20 – If you don’t believe in yourself, why should your coach?
47:15 – Some players settle too early
53:50 – Recap: Discipline, Roles, Effort & Patience
54:29 – Outro: How to follow or contact Laimonas

Summary

In this episode, basketball coach Mate Jakab shares his insights on the transition young players face when moving to professional basketball. He discusses the importance of understanding new roles, the significance of communication with coaches, and the differences in coaching men and women. Jakab emphasizes the need for consistency and hard work, as well as the importance of basketball IQ in making quick decisions on the court. He also highlights the growing popularity and success of women's basketball. In this conversation, Mate Jakab discusses the multifaceted aspects of basketball, emphasizing the importance of basketball IQ, film study, and the development of soft skills. He highlights how daily routines and consistency are crucial for both players and coaches, and how understanding one's role within a team is essential for success. The impact of coaching on a player's career is also explored, along with the significance of tactical understanding for youth players transitioning to higher levels of play.

Key Takeaways

• Young players must adapt to new roles in professional teams.
• Choosing the right club and coaching staff is crucial for development.
• Communication with coaches is essential for understanding roles.
• Consistency in training and performance is key to success.
• Basketball IQ can be improved through practice and experience.
• Women's basketball has made significant strides in viewership and success.
• The transition from youth to senior basketball can be smoother with synchronized programs.
• Players should approach coaches for clarity on their roles and expectations.
• Understanding scouting reports is vital for player development.
• Physical preparation and individual skill development are important during transitions. Basketball IQ encompasses understanding the game and opponents.
• Film study helps players understand their decisions and improve.
• Soft skills like energy and communication are vital for team dynamics.
• Daily routines and consistency are crucial for professional success.
• Players should study their own games to identify areas for improvement.
• Coaches play a significant role in shaping a player's career.
• Tactical understanding is often lacking in youth players.
• Players must know their roles and responsibilities on the team.
• Off-court work is essential for overall player development.
• Identifying problems without overreacting is key to improvement.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mate Jakab and His Experience
01:21 Transitioning to Professional Basketball: Key Challenges
03:27 Understanding Roles in Professional Teams
05:20 The Importance of Communication with Coaches
09:22 Synchronizing Youth and Senior Programs
14:26 Differences in Coaching Men and Women in Basketball
19:40 Traits of Successful Basketball Players
22:48 Improving Basketball IQ: Skill or Talent?
25:01 Understanding Basketball IQ
28:09 The Importance of Film Study
30:51 Soft Skills and Team Dynamics
33:05 The Role of Daily Routines
37:57 Key Qualities for Professional Players
42:08 The Impact of Coaches on Player Development

Keywords

basketball, coaching, professional players, youth basketball, women's basketball, men's basketball, player development, basketball IQ, transition to professional, coaching strategies, basketball IQ, film study, player development, coaching, routines, soft skills, youth basketball, professional players, team dynamics, coaching impact

Summary

In this episode, strength and conditioning coach Manuel Lopez Ramirez discusses the often neglected areas of training for basketball players, emphasizing the importance of foot and ankle strength. He advocates for barefoot training to enhance foot function and performance. Manuel highlights the significance of discipline and work ethic in players, noting that these qualities often lead to greater success. He also contrasts traditional and innovative training methods, explaining how to balance foundational exercises with more dynamic movements. Finally, he shares insights on off-season versus in-season training for young athletes, encouraging a multi-sport approach during developmental years. In this conversation, Manuel discusses the importance of a balanced approach to strength and conditioning for young athletes, emphasizing the need for play and multi-sport participation. He contrasts in-season and off-season training strategies, highlighting the necessity of adapting training loads based on game frequency. The discussion also touches on various training practices, including the role of static stretching and recovery methods, culminating in key takeaways for aspiring basketball players.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Strength and Conditioning in Basketball
01:08 Underworked Areas in Basketball Training
05:24 The Importance of Barefoot Training
08:25 Key Qualities of Successful Players
12:34 Teaching Discipline and Work Ethic
18:41 Balancing Traditional and Innovative Training Methods
27:50 Off-Season vs In-Season Training for Young Athletes
31:50 Strength and Conditioning for Young Athletes
34:36 The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation
39:34 In-Season vs. Off-Season Training Strategies
44:06 Rapid Fire Questions on Training Practices
50:00 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Keywords

basketball, strength training, conditioning, injury prevention, player development, barefoot training, discipline, work ethic, training methods, off-season training, basketball training, youth athletes, strength and conditioning, multi-sport participation, in-season training, off-season training, coaching strategies, player development, sports performance, recovery methods

Summary

In this solo episode, Stan reflects on the key themes from previous episodes, emphasizing the importance of work ethic over talent, the significance of routines, and the unique paths of individual players. He discusses insights from a pivotal article on talent identification, highlighting that progress and improvement are more crucial than early success. Stan also challenges listeners to evaluate their screen time and encourages them to invest that time into productive activities that enhance their basketball skills. The episode concludes with motivational takeaways aimed at inspiring young players to believe in themselves and their potential for success.

Takeaways

Work ethic beats talent every time.
Your path is unique; don't compare yourself.
Progress matters more than where you are now.
Build routines early for success.
Invisible training matters more than talent.
Master the basics before flashy exercises.
Failure is a tool for learning.
Your rate of improvement is key.
Small habits separate elite players from average ones.
Believe in yourself; no one else will.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Solo Episode
12:41 Insights from the Article on Talent Identification
19:00 The Importance of Routines in Basketball
24:55 The Challenge of Screen Time and Productivity
35:34 Final Takeaways and Motivation

Keywords

basketball, work ethic, talent, routines, youth players, motivation, success, training, improvement, mindset

Keywords

mindset coaching, sports psychology, mental training, athlete performance, self-improvement, visualization techniques, mindfulness, overcoming mistakes, self-awareness, breathing techniques, visualization, sports psychology, mindset training, emotional resilience, growth mindset, performance techniques, athlete success, game day nerves, mental toughness, breathing techniques

Summary

In this episode, mindset coach Kerdu Lenear discusses the importance of mental training for athletes. She shares her journey from being a professional basketball player to becoming a mindset coach, emphasizing that the mind can be trained just like the body. Kerdu explains various techniques for improving focus, handling pressure, and transforming mistakes into learning experiences. She also highlights the significance of self-comparison and offers practical breathing techniques to help athletes manage stress and enhance performance. The conversation concludes with insights on daily mind training and the power of visualization. In this conversation, Kerdu Lenear discusses the importance of visualization and mindset training for athletes. He emphasizes how visualization can enhance performance by mentally preparing athletes for game situations. Techniques for managing nerves and emotional resilience are explored, along with the significance of focusing on controllable aspects of performance. The discussion also highlights the development of a growth mindset in young athletes and the lifelong journey of mindset training. Quickfire questions at the end provide concise insights into effective practices for mental toughness and emotional management.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mindset Coaching
03:00 Understanding Mindset Training
05:59 The Mind as a Supercomputer
08:59 Transforming Mistakes into Learning
11:49 The Importance of Self-Comparison
16:00 Techniques for Mindfulness and Focus
22:58 Practical Breathing Techniques
29:08 Daily Mind Training and Visualization
33:11 The Power of Visualization in Sports
39:14 Techniques for Managing Game Day Nerves
44:43 Mindset Training: A Lifelong Journey
48:40 Developing a Growth Mindset in Young Athletes
52:46 Emotional Resilience in Teen Athletes
57:04 Quickfire Questions on Mindset and Performance

Summary

In this episode, strength and conditioning coach Domantas Tautkus shares insights on the mental and physical attributes that contribute to the success of young athletes. He emphasizes the importance of mental strength, self-discipline, and a supportive environment, while also discussing the significance of mastering fundamental skills and maintaining a balanced lifestyle. The conversation covers various aspects of training, nutrition, and the challenges young athletes face in managing their school and sports commitments.

Takeways

• Mental strength is crucial for success in sports.
• Self-discipline helps athletes manage their lifestyle effectively.
• Being coachable is essential for growth and improvement.
• Trusting the training process is vital for development.
• Nutrition plays a significant role in athletic performance.
• Young athletes often lack recovery and nutrition habits.
• Mastering fundamental movement patterns is key to athletic success.
• Balancing school and training is important to prevent burnout.
• One-on-one conversations can greatly influence athlete development.
• Avoid specializing in one sport too early.

Summary

In this insightful conversation, professional basketball player and development coach Ishmael Fontaine shares his journey and experiences in the world of basketball. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, discipline, and culture in becoming a successful player. Fontaine discusses the challenges faced by young athletes, particularly in British basketball, and the need for attention to detail and patience in their development. He also highlights the significance of mental resilience and the role of coaches in shaping players' careers. The conversation is filled with valuable advice for aspiring basketball players and coaches alike.

Takeaways

Being a professional is a mindset, not just a league.
Young players must understand their roles on the team.
Discipline and culture are crucial for success in basketball.
Attention to detail in training leads to better performance.
Mental resilience is key to overcoming challenges in sports.
Consistency in practice helps build a winning culture.
Players need to be proactive in their development.
Coaches play a vital role in preparing players for the next level.
Patience is essential for long-term success in basketball.
The journey to becoming a professional player is filled with challenges.

Chapters

00:00 The Mindset of a Professional Basketball Player
05:54 The Journey of Becoming a Player
13:04 Challenges Faced in British Basketball
21:01 Understanding Professionalism in Basketball
25:24 Building a Winning Culture
32:15 Attention to Detail and Patience
39:47 Mental Resilience in Basketball

Connect with Ishmael on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ishmaelfontaine/

Connect with Stan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/balticmove/

Summary

In this episode, Stan interviews Armand Vincent, a strength and conditioning coach at the France National Institute of Sport (INSEP). They discuss the keys to success for young basketball athletes, emphasizing the importance of talent, work ethic, and consistency in training. Armand shares insights on the training structure at INSEP, the significance of developing good habits, and the transition from youth to professional leagues. The conversation also covers conditioning tests, training regimens, and the importance of mastering basic movements in the weight room. Armand highlights the need for athletes to balance hard training with recovery and the role of physical preparation in their transition to professional play.

Takeaways

Talent is important, but work ethic is crucial.
Consistency in training leads to better results.
Small habits can build a strong foundation.
INSEP trains athletes for both sports and academics.
First-year athletes focus on learning basic movements.
Conditioning tests help assess readiness for competition
Recovery is as important as training intensity.
Transitioning to professional leagues requires physical readiness.
Athletes must adapt to the speed and physicality of the game.
Mastering the basics is essential for long-term success.

Conditoning test 30-15 Intermittent Fitness test by Martin Bucheit -https://www.scienceforsport.com/30-15-intermittent-fitness-test/


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Armand Vincent and INSEP
01:01 Keys to Success for Young Athletes
03:48 The Importance of Consistency and Work Ethic
05:39 Understanding INSEP's Training Structure
07:29 Training Regimen for First-Year Students
11:14 Assessing Young Athletes: Habits and Testing
14:06 Conditioning Tests and Standards
15:24 Improving Conditioning for Underperformers
18:34 Balancing Hard Training and Recovery
21:30 Transitioning to Professional Leagues
23:12 Physical Preparation for Professional Play
26:24 Basketball Skills vs. Physicality in Transition
29:11 Weight Room Principles for Different Age Groups
34:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Insights


Connect with Armand on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/armand_vncnt/

Connect with Stan on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/balticmove/