# Ep 1914 Are Your Open Gyms Developing Players… or Developing Bad Habits?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/basketball-coach-unplugged-a-basketball-coaching-podcast-174496/ep-1914-are-your-open-gyms-developing-players-or-developing-bad-habits
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/basketball-coach-unplugged-a-basketball-coaching-podcast-174496/ep-1914-are-your-open-gyms-developing-players-or-developing-bad-habits.md
Podcast: [Basketball Coach Unplugged (A Basketball Coaching Podcast)](https://stenobird.com/podcast/basketball-coach-unplugged-a-basketball-coaching-podcast-174496)
Published: 2026-04-28T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/3154757013/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG7380719356.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/p.podderapp.com/3154757013/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/COMG7380719356.mp3
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Duration seconds: 543

## Resource

https://teachhoops.com/ The "Open Gym" is a double-edged sword in any basketball program. To the casual observer, it’s a sign of a "gym rat" culture—players taking initiative and putting in extra reps without a coach standing over them. However, if left unchecked, the unstructured open gym can become a breeding ground for the very habits that lose games in February: lazy transition defense, "hero-ball" shot selection, and a total lack of non-verbal communication. In this session, we break down how to move from "just playing" to "Purposeful Scrimmaging." The goal isn't to remove the fun; it’s to ensure that the fun is aligned with the Standard of Excellence your program requires. When players play without constraints, they naturally gravitate toward the path of least resistance. You’ll see players jogging back on defense, settling for contested "step-back" threes, and ignoring the "extra pass." This creates a "False Confidence"—players think they are getting better because they are scoring, but they are actually reinforcing a low-IQ style of play that won't survive a disciplined 2-3 zone or a physical man-to-man defense. As a leader, you must establish that the "Coach’s Shadow" is always in the gym. Even when you aren't there, the Energy Givers in your senior class must be the ones enforcing the "Next Play" speed and defensive intensity. The 3v3 Shift: Instead of a stagnant 5v5 game, encourage more 3v3. This increases Rep Density and forces every player to be involved in every action. There is nowhere to "hide" in 3v3; you have to defend, rebound, and move off the ball. Creative Scoring Constraints: Incentivize the behaviors you want to see. Make a "weak-hand layup" worth 3 points, or make a "paint-touch three" worth 4 points. By changing the math of the game, you force…

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## Transcript

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