In this episode, George is joined by Felix Engel to explore the inner game of basketball and how awareness, mindset, and learning environments shape player development. Felix shares insights from his experience coaching youth players and working with coaches around the world, explaining why the best coaches focus less on control and more on helping players discover solutions themselves.
Chapters:
01:00 – Introduction to Felix and his coaching background
02:00 – What the “inner game” of basketball means for coaches and players
04:00 – Why awareness is a key driver of player development
06:00 – Moving from instruction-based coaching to discovery-based learning
08:00 – Helping players solve problems instead of giving them answers
10:00 – Building trust and autonomy in young athletes
12:00 – The coach’s role in shaping effective learning environments
14:00 – Balancing structure with player freedom in practice
16:00 – Encouraging decision-making through game-like situations
18:00 – Differences between coaching youth and more experienced players
20:00 – Practical ways to apply inner-game principles in everyday practice
22:00 – Creating practices that encourage curiosity and experimentation
25:00 – Long-term player development vs short-term performance
27:00 – Transformative tip
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