Blog

Elevate Your Game

Talk Early. Talk Often. Win Together.

by Shawn Jones on Mar 5, 2026

Communication is one of the most powerful tools a team can develop. First and foremost, off the floor, the number one component of effective communication is listening. Teach your players, and yourself, that listening is just as important, if not more important, than talking. Second,…

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The Coach’s Advantage (Ed. 10): The Little Things Win

by Shawn Jones on Mar 3, 2026

This week’s edition of The Coach’s Advantage is live on Substack — delivering another three-part edge: one play, one drill, and one mental strategy you can plug into your program immediately. Edition Ten focuses on the small details that separate good teams from great ones….

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How to Hold Players Accountable AND Keep Their Confidence Intact

by Shawn Jones on Mar 2, 2026

There is a fine line between holding players accountable and still allowing them the freedom to find confidence in themselves and their skills. Coaches want perfection, or at least they should. Will they ever get perfection? No. That’s why they should push for it and…

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The Coach’s Advantage (Ed. 9): Prepared Before the Pressure

by Shawn Jones on Feb 24, 2026

This week’s edition of The Coach’s Advantage is live on Substack — delivering another three-part edge: one play, one drill, and one mental strategy you can plug into your program immediately. Edition Nine focuses on preparation before pressure hits. We break down a Princeton quick-hitter…

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Discipline Wins. Relationships Sustain.

by Shawn Jones on Feb 24, 2026

I’ve been an Athletic Director and Head Coach in Texas for 30 years. Balancing discipline and accountability in your program is like walking a rope 30 stories above the ground. You either find balance, or you fall. Over the years, I’ve learned some valuable lessons…

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The Coach’s Advantage (Ed. 8): When It Matters Most

by Shawn Jones on Feb 10, 2026

This week’s edition of The Coach’s Advantage is live on Substack — delivering another three-part edge: one play, one drill, and one mental strategy you can plug into your program immediately. Edition Eight focuses on the moments that define seasons. We break down a late-game…

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Scout Smarter. Not Longer

by Shawn Jones on Feb 10, 2026

Whether you’re a high school or college coach, one challenge we all share is finding enough time to properly scout upcoming opponents. Today, let’s look at practical approaches to scouting — both live and recorded — that help you stay efficient without sacrificing thoroughness. LIVE…

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The Coach’s Advantage (Ed. 7): Compete with Intention

by Shawn Jones on Feb 2, 2026

This week’s edition of The Coach’s Advantage is live on Substack — delivering another three-part edge: one play, one drill, and one mental strategy you can plug into your program immediately. Edition Seven focuses on competing with purpose. We break down a 4-low BLOB set…

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Want Better Practices? Change the Flow, Not the Focus

by Shawn Jones on Jan 31, 2026

Want to get better? Focus on the same fundamentals day after day. Want to get better and make it fun while keeping your players engaged? Focus on the same fundamentals day after day but change up the flow and approach to keep them on their toes and their attention peaked. Just…

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The Coach’s Advantage: When the Game Gets Uncomfortable (Ed. 6)

by Shawn Jones on Jan 27, 2026

This week’s edition of The Coach’s Advantage is live on Substack — delivering another three-part edge: one play, one drill, and one mental strategy you can plug into your program immediately. Edition Six focuses on helping teams control the moment under pressure. We break down…

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