In this episode of the By Any Means Coaches Podcast, Tyler Clark and Coleman Ayers sit down with elite shooting coach Mitchell Kirsch (@hoopin_mitch) to dive deep into modern shooting development, learning theory, and what actually transfers to the game. The conversation breaks down how Mitchell’s approach to shooting has evolved, not through radical mechanical changes, but through a deeper understanding of physics, biology, and how humans truly learn movement in chaotic environments.

The trio explore differential learning, self-organization, and why confidence is more often a competence problem disguised as psychology. From NBA shooters like Duncan Robinson to youth players developing their first reliable jumper, this episode challenges traditional repetition-based training models and reframes shooting development around adaptability, representative environments, and emotional resilience.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and reconnecting with Mitchell Kirsch
02:30 Building training facilities and scaling basketball businesses
07:15 Overview of the BAM Coaches Podcast vision and direction
11:20 Mitchell’s evolution as a shooting coach
12:30 Function over form in shooting development
14:00 Release angle, exit velocity, and shot direction explained
15:20 Balancing chaotic game reps with technical focus
17:45 Differential learning vs representative learning environments
18:40 Self-organization vs muscle memory
21:00 Why variability accelerates learning and transfer
23:45 Stochastic resonance and finding your “true” shot
26:30 Problems with shooting machines and repetitive reps
28:30 Contested shooting and why it cleans up mechanics
31:45 Psychology vs biology in shooting performance
33:30 Why most “confidence issues” are really competence issues
36:00 Building real confidence through adaptable skill development
38:00 Applying ecological dynamics to team culture
40:30 Constraints-based approaches to joy, responsibility, and awareness

Coaching Resources: https://www.byanymeansbasketball.com
BAM Blueprint Book: https://www.byanymeansbasketball.com/blueprint

If this episode challenged how you think about shooting, confidence, or player development, share it with another coach, leave a review, and subscribe to the By Any Means Coaches Podcast. These conversations are shaping the future of basketball training, and you don’t want to be late to the shift.

In this solo episode of the By Any Means Coaches Podcast, Coleman Ayers breaks down the concept of nonlinear pedagogy, reframed as the nonlinear progression model, and explains why learning, development, and skill acquisition in basketball are rarely clean, linear processes. Drawing from research across sport, education, and motor learning, Coleman challenges the traditional “start simple and build up” mindset and makes the case for starting closer to (or slightly above) an athlete’s true challenge point to accelerate learning and improve transfer to the game.

Through practical basketball-specific examples like shooting footwork, ball screen decision-making, warmups, and youth development, Coleman explains how nonlinear structure and nonlinear progress work together. He outlines why struggle is not only acceptable but necessary, how regressions should often replace progressions, and why coaches must reframe expectations around visible improvement. The episode closes with actionable rules of thumb to help coaches design more efficient, engaging, and game-representative training environments.

Timestamps:

00:01 – Introduction to nonlinear pedagogy and why learning isn’t linear
01:28 – Nonlinear structure vs. nonlinear progress explained
02:39 – Traditional linear progressions and why they fall short
04:08 – Starting with difficulty and regressing instead of building up
05:09 – Inefficiency of linear models and wasted training time
06:32 – Engagement, autonomy, and mental toughness benefits
07:14 – Giving athletes time to struggle and self-organize
08:28 – Why linear progressions don’t transfer well to games
09:13 – Addressing concerns about bad habits and technique
10:58 – Confidence, psychological momentum, and game reality
11:50 – Example: shooting footwork and nonlinear application
13:00 – Example: handling aggressive ball screen coverages
15:19 – Starting live, then regressing with purpose
16:05 – Rules of thumb: start 10% harder, regress more than progress
17:25 – Finding challenge in warmups
18:41 – Whole–part–whole and play–drill–play frameworks
20:27 – When it makes sense to start simple
22:01 – Youth development, experimentation, and learning windows
24:25 – Advanced challenges making basic skills easier
26:34 – Nonlinear progress and managing expectations
28:00 – Spacing, consolidation, and why breaks matter
30:30 – Final takeaways on embracing the chaos of learning

Coaching Resources: https://www.byanymeanscoaches.com
BAM Blueprint Book: https://www.byanymeanscoaches.com/modern-basketball-blueprint

If this episode challenged the way you think about player development, be sure to check out the By Any Means Coaches Certification and Coleman’s book, The Modern Basketball Blueprint, where these concepts are explored in much greater depth. If you enjoyed the episode, share it with another coach, and we’ll see you next time on the By Any Means Coaches Podcast.

In this episode of the By Any Means Coaches Podcast, Coleman Ayers breaks down what creativity actually is—and more importantly, how coaches can systematically develop it. Rather than treating creativity as an innate talent or mysterious gift, the episode reframes it as a skill rooted in deep understanding, problem-solving, and exposure to diverse ideas. Through personal experience, coaching education, and the constraints-led approach, Coleman outlines why creativity is best built on strong foundations of knowledge, curiosity, and intentional learning.

The episode also explores practical ways coaches can unlock creativity in their daily work: aligning with the right people, starting with clear end goals, using constraints to force innovation, and diversifying how they think both inside and outside of basketball. From studying other sports and disciplines to embracing feedback and removing the fear of judgment, this conversation offers a framework for coaches who want to move beyond recycled drills and begin creating more adaptive, engaging, and effective learning environments.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and why creativity matters in coaching
00:51 – Why creativity is hard to explain but critical to develop
01:49 – Balancing practical takeaways with deeper education
02:38 – Creativity as intelligence having fun
03:26 – The role of learning and foundational knowledge
04:11 – The danger of creativity without understanding
04:54 – Letting intelligence “have fun”
05:28 – Aligning with creative people and environments
06:45 – Avoiding fixed-mindset coaching circles
07:42 – How collaboration sparks new ideas
08:47 – Learning from different thinking styles
09:35 – Don’t fear judgment or “bad” ideas
10:03 – Starting with the end goal, not the drill
10:45 – Working backward to design better solutions
11:48 – Why many creative drills miss the real problem
12:30 – Using the constraints-led approach for coach development
13:09 – Practical constraint examples for coaches
13:39 – How natural constraints build adaptability
14:34 – Applying lessons from travel and unfamiliar environments
15:07 – Training coaches the same way we train players
15:53 – Creating just to be creative
16:43 – Coach-to-coach experimentation sessions
17:19 – Exploring safely within trusted environments
17:57 – Avoiding stagnation with long-term athletes
18:24 – Diversifying your mind beyond basketball
19:43 – Learning through conversation and observation
20:24 – Watching basketball through a creative lens
21:11 – Studying different levels and styles of play
22:07 – Learning from other sports and disciplines
23:44 – Blending artistic and scientific thinking
24:46 – Systemizing creativity without killing it
25:55 – Fear of judgment as a creativity killer
26:24 – Owning ideas and building confidence
27:46 – Creating buy-in and embracing feedback
28:24 – Asking others to critique and improve your work
29:18 – Final thoughts on innovation and creative growth

Coaching Resources: https://www.byanymeansbasketball.com
BAM Blueprint Book: https://www.byanymeansbasketball.com/bam-blueprint

If this episode challenged the way you think about creativity as a coach, share it with someone who’s stuck recycling the same drills. For deeper frameworks, applied constraints, and hands-on coach development, explore our full resources and education pathways at By Any Means Basketball and subscribe to the By Any Means Coaches Podcast for more conversations like this