In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we sit down with Coach Ras Vanderloo, longtime head coach at Sioux City East High School, USA Basketball coach, and one of the most respected voices in high school basketball.

Coach Vanderloo has:

- Over 300 wins as a head coach (as of February 2026)
- Multiple state tournament appearances
- Named the State of Iowa Coach of the Year in both 2018 and 2023.
- USA Basketball: Since 2019, he has served as a coach for the USA Men's
Junior National Team minicamps and has been a featured speaker at various USA Basketball Coach Academies.
- Assistant coach for the Men’s 3x3 Nation’s League

But in this conversation, we focus on something that might surprise some traditional coaches…

Why 3x3 basketball is one of the most powerful development tools available today.

We talk about:

- How Coach Ras’ view of player development has evolved over time

- What he first noticed when he saw players compete in 3x3

- What 3x3 teaches that 5-on-5 often doesn’t (or doesn’t teach as quickly)

- How 3x3 forces decision-making and problem-solving

- Where middle school and JV coaches can implement 3x3 in practice

- Common misconceptions coaches have about 3x3

- Why adaptability and lifelong learning matter more than ever

If you’re a middle school, JV, or varsity coach looking to develop smarter, tougher, more adaptable players — this episode is for you.

We’re building a community of coaches who care about development, basketball IQ, and creating better learning environments through 3on3 Hoops Nation.

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Follow Coach Ras:
https://www.instagram.com/rvanderloo/

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In this episode of the 3on3 Hoops Pod, we take the conversation international.

We’re joined by Martin Dyan, founder and CEO of Rise 3x3 in the UK — a year-round 3x3 basketball organization dedicated to growing the game from grassroots to elite.

Martin shares:

- How 3x3 first captured him
- The emotional story behind his first tournament
- Why he believes 3x3 is more than just a format
- The challenges of building a movement from scratch
- How 3x3 can create opportunities for players, coaches, officials, and communities

This isn’t a USA vs UK conversation.

It’s about vision.
It’s about passion.
It’s about building something meaningful around the game we love.

If you care about the future of basketball — this one’s for you.

Follow Martin:
https://www.instagram.com/martind3x3/
https://www.instagram.com/rise3x3/
https://www.instagram.com/3x3pod/

Rise 3x3
https://www.rise3x3.com/

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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
🌐 Join the community at 3on3HoopsNation.com

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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.

👉 Join the free 3on3 Hoops Nation newsletter:
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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.

Join the NATION! 3on3HoopsNation.com

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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.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 3on3HoopsNation.com

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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.

👉 Subscribe at 3on3HoopsNation.com
to join the movement and get weekly resources for player development, basketball IQ, and 3on3 culture.

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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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