Hiland coach Schlabach brings home new techniques after basketball camp in Italy

Hiland girls head basketball coach Brady Schlabach has experienced plenty of success in gleaning knowledge from his dad Dave, who took the Lady Hawks to six state championships during his career at Hiland.

However, the younger Schlabach traveled a little farther from home this August to pick up more, heading overseas to Italy to attend a camp led by Alex Sarama, a basketball teacher who brings some new insights into the game.

Sarama, a Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach who was recently tabbed as the new head coach of the WNBA’s new franchise the Portland Fire, brings a fresh perspective to the coaching ranks with something called the constraints-led approach.

“I saw him speak at the Ohio Coach’s Clinic last year and started following him,” Schlabach said, noting he quickly purchased Sarama’s book, “Transforming Basketball.”

While following Sarama’s social media advice, Schlabach saw where he was hosting a new camp in Europe, a five-day camp where coaches from around the world go to learn and participate as active teachers.

The five days were similar, Schlabach noting it was up at sunrise for an early European continental breakfast, followed by two hours at the gym, lunch, gym in the afternoon for two more hours, and then to the beach or off to see the sights of Italy until bedtime.

“It’s pretty special that he is willing to create something like this that not only helps the kids, but provides some incredible insight into the game for the coaches who attend,” Schlabach said.

Schlabach said much of the time spent in the gym as coaches meant paying attention and observing instructions. Much like the players, they too were there to learn. He said the coaches also helped run the drills, so he got some hands-on experience.

The concepts Schlabach returned home with were many, but he said one particular concept was something he was eager to initiate into his own practices.

“He has a unique way of reteaching the game of basketball, and it’s all live-action type of drills,” Schlabach said. “It’s a lot of two-on-two, three-on-three type of stuff with different scenarios there the kids have to learn how to adjust and play and make decisions on the fly. I got to learn how to coach it and teach it, and it was cool to see it work firsthand.”

Schlabach returned from Italy and said he and his staff have talked at length about how these new techniques will benefit his players and his team as a whole.

He said not only will it help in player development, but also much of what he brought back will have an impact on the flow and style of play the Lady Hawks produce on the floor.

“I think the end goal will be to look like the (Cleveland) Cavaliers, but we don’t have a lot of 7-footers,” Schlabach said. “But the different actions and techniques that he’s been coaching them are the same principles we’re hoping to instill in our kids.”

He said the big takeaway is that during live game action, his girls won’t have to be calling out as many plays because they will understand the flow of the action taking place and better understand when and how to react properly to find success.

“The girls don’t always have to be looking over to the sideline at me for a play. They can just go play, which I think is really cool,” Schlabach said.

He said not only is it a cool way of playing, but also it brings a sense of fun and joy to the game.

“It plays faster with a little more freedom,” Schlabach said. “You have to do it a ton, and repetition is key to understanding exactly what is going on, but it gives our kids more ownership of what is taking place on the floor.”

Schlabach said he and Sarama continue to stay in contact including invitations to watch a Cavs training camp practice. He said understanding these nuances adds to the pleasure of watching a Cleveland NBA game as he picks out the various techniques being used.

“The creativity of it was so neat to see,” Schlabach said. “Even something as simple as adding different movements and other sports into warm-ups is great. He showed us that it’s OK to have fun and be a little silly. The kids are warming up and laughing, and it adds to their joy for the game.”

He said he learned much of what is taking place during these intentional silly moments is an opportunity to teach parts of the game, and the players may not even realize it because they are having so much fun.

He also said while he has learned much playing and coaching alongside great coaches like his dad Dave and uncle Mark Schlabach, it’s always good to glean from other sources, and no coach does everything exactly like their father or mentor.

“You find what fits your team, and you pick out what works and make it your own,” Schlabach said. “If we can just be a little bit good at what Alex is teaching, I think it’s going to be exciting.”