In this episode, Joe Riley from the Vermont Vultures shares how a simple moment with an under-9 player shaped his whole coaching philosophy — that everything starts with the fundamentals. Drawing on his years of experience coaching junior boys and his own time as a player, Joe talks about why skills like dribbling, footwork, and layups form the real foundation of the game.

He explains how confident ball-handling not only helps kids score but also builds their presence and confidence on the court — turning hesitant players into assertive ones and keeping defenders on their toes. Joe also shares practical advice on keeping fundamentals fun, from disguising repetition as games and races to structuring sessions so that half the drills involve dribblingwithout players even realising it.

It’s a great conversation for anyone coaching younger age groups — full of simple, actionable ideas on how to help players build strong habits early and set themselves up for long-term success.