My Basketball Soul

 Coaching today is about far more than tactics, playbooks, and physical performance. To truly lead, coaches must understand the people behind the game—their strengths, their challenges, and the dynamics that drive a team. Few people know this better than Ariane Riedl , founder of Me-We Coaching , who brings over a decade of HR leadership experience together with her passion for performance and leadership. In our conversation, Ariane shares how systemic coaching offers a fresh, solution-focused approach that helps basketball coaches (and beyond) unlock clarity, build trust, and create lasting impact both on and off the court. 1.  Can you tell us more about your background and how did you start with systemic coaching? I’ve spent more than 10 years in Human Resources most recently as Head of HR, working closely with C-level leaders and high performers in international companies. At the same time, I have always been enthusiastic about leadership and performance, and it was through...

  Basketball is a game of skill, speed, and strategy—but at its core, success comes down to fundamentals. No matter how talented a player is, without consistent practice through structured basketball drills , their potential will remain untapped. For coaches, the challenge isn’t just designing practices—it’s making drills purposeful, engaging, and effective. For players, the key is repetition with focus, not just “going through the motions.” In this guide, we’ll break down 10 essential basketball drills every player should master , complete with coaching tips to maximize improvement. Whether you’re working with beginners, youth teams, or advanced athletes, these drills will help build confidence, improve skills, and translate directly to game performance. Drill #1: Form Shooting Drill How to Do It Stand 2–3 feet away from the hoop. Use one hand to shoot, guide hand for balance. Focus on mechanics: elbow under ball, high follow-through, soft arc. Make 10–15 shots bef...

  Emma Meesseman & Tim Duncan: The Quiet Masters of Fundamentals In a basketball world that often celebrates flash and flair, there’s a quieter kind of greatness — the type built on precision, patience, and consistency. Two players embody that philosophy across different eras and leagues: Emma Meesseman and Tim Duncan . At first glance, comparing a Belgian forward in the WNBA and EuroLeague with an NBA Hall of Famer might seem bold. But watch them closely, and the parallels are striking. Both dominate with the subtle art of doing the little things right, over and over again. Photo: Emma Meesseman (cropped) by Lorie Shaull, licensed under CC BY-SA 2. The “Big Fundamental” Meets the “Modern Fundamentalist” Tim Duncan earned his nickname — The Big Fundamental — because of how simple yet unstoppable his game was. He didn’t need crossovers or deep threes. Instead, he mastered footwork, the bank shot, and positioning to out-think opponents. Emma Meesseman mirrors that mindset...

  Basketball: The Theatre of Dreams Basketball is much more than a sport—it’s art in motion. When you look closely, it shares a remarkable resemblance to one of humanity’s oldest forms of expression: the theatre. Both are stages where creativity, discipline, passion, and human connection come alive. Think about it. A basketball game and a theatre play are both performances, each with its own rhythm, characters, and storylines. The similarities go far beyond surface level; they shape how we experience and understand the game itself. The Coach as the Director In theatre, the director orchestrates the vision, guiding actors to bring the script to life. In basketball, the coach plays the same role—crafting the strategy, assigning roles, and ensuring that every movement contributes to the bigger picture. The coach, like the director, is rarely the star, yet without them, the production risks losing its soul and direction. Training as Rehearsal No great performance comes without pr...

  The Modern Big Man: Thriving in Today’s Up-Tempo Game Basketball is changing—and with it, the role of the “big man.” Gone are the days when size alone guaranteed a spot in the rotation. In today’s up-tempo, pace-and-space era, bigs must do more than clog the lane. They must be versatile, mobile, and skilled enough to contribute on both ends of the floor in dynamic ways. As coaches, we must ask: What does it take for a modern big to survive—and thrive—in the modern game? Offensive Demands on Today’s Bigs The modern offense doesn’t allow for passengers. Bigs must be active participants from the moment a possession begins: Quick Outlet Decisions : The rebound is only the start. A big who can secure the board and immediately trigger transition with a sharp outlet pass sets the tone for fast-break basketball. Transition Skills : It’s no longer enough to trail the play. The modern big must run the floor hard, apply pressure on the defense, and be comfortable dribbling or pas...

  In today’s game, the role of the guard has evolved far beyond simply bringing the ball up the court. Modern guards must be versatile, dynamic, and able to impact both ends of the floor. The demands are high — and so are the rewards for players who commit to developing a complete skill set. Whether you’re coaching youth players or preparing athletes for the next level, here are the offensive and defensive qualities every future-ready guard should master. Offensive Skills: More Than Just a Scorer Early Options in Transition A great guard gets open for the first or second pass in transition, giving the team immediate scoring opportunities before the defense sets up. Attack With the Dribble They use the dribble aggressively to push back defenders, break pressure, and create scoring chances. Move Without the Ball Guards create advantages not only with the ball, but also by making smart cuts — V-cuts, L-cuts, and backdoor reads — to free themselves. Shoot Before the ...