In this special episode, "Bouncing Through Life: A Dad and Daughter's Tale of Basketball Triumphs and Challenges," Garry and Zach invite Garry's daughter, Lexy, a successful Division 1 basketball player, to share her unique perspective on their journey together. In this heartwarming and engaging episode, Garry, Zach, and Lexy delve into the complex…

In this episode, we explore the world of college transfer portals and address misconceptions that some parents may have. We discuss a parent's perspective on students allegedly abusing the system and reveal the truth about one-year scholarships. We also highlight the importance of performance in securing a spot on a team and how coaches play a role…

Episode 30 (or Pertty 30 as the gang refers to it ) is here and we’ve got a special guest with us. Kristina Donza, an All-Time Leading scorer in HS and current WBB player at Slippery Rock joins Zach and Garry this week. After a quick recap of the week, the guys and Kristina dive into the difference and benefits of Bubble training. Having experience…

Welcome to Episode 29. After recapping the week, Zach and Garry jump into one of the hottest topics in the basketball world - the recent mishaps by Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant. The guys break down their thoughts but the discussion turns into the importance of the people close to you and your circle of family and friends. Leave us your thoughts and…

Another one! The guys start the pod recapping the week and celebrating more 1,000 point scorers. Talking in depth about the dedication of players and how the rewards follow after sacrificing so much. Zach and Garry discuss a clip that surfaced of MJ speaking about the need to have parents simplify things - making sure kids understand that failure i…

Big week for the Hoop Lab family as Zach’s HS alma mater makes an appearance onto ESPN’s SportsCenter and we also celebrate a few 1000 point scorers. Zach and Garry dive into this week’s discussion on overbearing parents and the effects it has on their children as they navigate through their basketball journey. The guys give 4 Reasons why parents c…

(Previously recorded BEFORE the Super Bowl and Lebron’s Record Breaking Night) The guys start the podcast discussing the Philadelphia Eagle’s success and hopes for the Super Bowl. Topic of the week, Zach and Garry talk about the power of positive self-talk. How positive self-talk can make a big difference for today’s players. So many of today’s pla…

A little late but better late than never. The guys are here to give you the 5 Essential Ball Handling Techniques and why every player needs them. Adding even more value, Zach and Garry break down the Top 3 Skills every young player needs to develop. And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zachleach Twitter: @_za…

In Episode 24, the Hoop Lab guys dive into the different things that parents should expect when looking for basketball training. And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zachleach Twitter: @_zachleach Garry "TakeFlight" Linton IG: @takeflightcoach Twitter: @whoistakeflight…

A new year is here and we’re back with a new episode. Zach and Garry recap the holiday and their goals for the new year. The guys offer their prayers for Demar Hamlin as he recovers from his horrific injury on the field. First on the table, the guys offer their advice on how players and parents can measure progress and its importance. Afterwards, t…

Hot topic - the guys discuss how they feel about teams running up the score. Is it ok? Should good players be punished by playing less when games get out of hand? Zach and Garry give their "Top 5 Reasons Players Should Play 3v3". And last but not least, a surprise / huge announcement for Hoop Lab. Stay tuned. Merry Christmas to all. Have a safe and…

This week's pod starts with some updates as well as a heartfelt rest in peace to SYTYCD's Twitch. The guys remind players near and far they always have a place to reach out to if ever in need. The Hoop Lab guys give their take on the state of middle school basketball. Are we in a good state? Can it get better? What changes can we make? Second on th…

The guys are back! After a hiatus, Zach and Garry are back and the pod is here. Things kickoff by explaining the hiatus. The guys also react to the news that Britney Griner is home. First topic on the table for discussion, the negative affects of parental pressure during training, practices and games. Are parents putting too much pressure on the ki…

Fresh from a busy week, the guys are back with an insightful pod. We welcome guest Jada Bonner as we discuss the 4 most important areas of development. Breaking down the 4 areas, we look close at how each play an important role and equally important as players develop. And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zac…

The Dishin' Dimes guys are back after taking a week off. The guys jump right into a discussion about knowing your value. It's important for everyone, whether it's on the court or off, to understand how valuable they are in any given situation. It may be coaches or teams looking to take advantage of your value for their benefit. The same applies in …

On this weeks episode, a very special guest joins the Dishin’ Dimes crew. Friend of the show, former Kentucky player and coach Brad Calipari, chats with the guys about his basketball journey, the benefits of skill enhancement, advice for younger players and more. And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zachleach…

And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zachleach Twitter: @_zachleach Garry "TakeFlight" Linton IG: @takeflightcoach Twitter: @whoistakeflightBy Hoop Lab HQ

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we couldn’t be more proud to share this incredible episode. In the past few months, we’ve been devastated with news stories of college athletes losing battles with mental health. In this episode we start by discussing the unfortunate news of JMU softball player Lauren Bernett’s death. A student …

Special week at Hoop Lab as Zach’s dad (Bob Leach) was in town visiting. We sit down and talk about parenting an athlete, mental toughness, and facing life’s challenges. Bob gives an inside look into Zach’s childhood and how it has shaped who he is today. Also, we talk to student-athlete, former NJ Hoop Star, and soon-to-be Quinnipiac University gr…

This week's episode may be the realest conversation that we've had to date. The theme for this week is "Sacrifices". The guys get deep into their lives and discuss the personal sacrifices they've had to make in order to pursue their dreams as well as reach a certain level of success. Zach and Garry also discuss some of the sacrifices players will n…

The biggest difference that most parents will discover in trainings is in the attention and details. In many instances, parents will sign kids up for a clinic or camp but unknowingly find they've signed up for a babysitting camp instead. The guys discuss the differences and things to look out for as parents and players search for training opportuni…

The Hoop Lab guys are back with part 2 of their ultimate guide to youth basketball. Breaking down Middle School basketball and AAU at that age level. Along the way the guys find their way diving into the thought of AAU as a whole. The question arises - Are there too many teams? And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach …

Fresh off of the heels of St. Peter’s Tournament run, the guys decide to give the ultimate guide to youth basketball. How should parents get there kids started with basketball and at what age? What’s a good age to start looking at AAU? And much more. _____________________ Hoop Lab IG: @hooplab_ Zach Leach IG: @_zachleach Twitter: @_zachleach Garry …

This week the guys take a deep dive into one of the most talked about and controversial topics in basketball today - the transfer portal. We’ll explain what the transfer portal is and how it’s affecting high school recruits. This is a must listen for everyone looking to hopefully snag a college scholarship in basketball - no matter the age. Unless …

In episode 8, the guys dive into the types of coaches that you might see. Is your coach there to help you or are they focused on building their resume? Is the win for them more important than the preparation for the next level. Should there be a coordinated effort between coaches and trainers to help prepare kids? Zach and Garry also discuss some o…

This episode may be one of the most personal episodes to date as the guys talk about some things near and dear to them. The guys start off with some heavy topics as they discuss the anniversary of Wes Leonard's passing, a friend and former teammate of Zach's. The significance of his passing and the importance of AED's. Jumping into more news items,…

This week the guys start with a breakdown of NBA’s All-Star Weekend. Congratulations to our guy Karl-Anthony Towns who took home the trophy for the 3 point competition. Later the discuss “Club-Hoppin’” or players that jump from team to team and the long term effects. Zach and Garry also talk about the mindset of parents wanting their kid to be the …

This week the guys discuss the difference between Skill Enhancement & Game Enhancement. Which one is better? What are the benefits of each? Later in this episode, Zach and Garry talk about the importance of creating an environment where players can succeed. So much to unpack in this episode so give it a listen and let us know what you think. Hoop L…

"If you're just paying for training, you're overpaying." The guys talk about how the role of a trainer is more than just training. How much are trainer's involved in the day to day life of a player's life - on and off the court. Player rankings in youth basketball, to many, hold a high priority in many player's and parent's journey. Are rankings go…

This week the guys discuss the viral video of the coach and the ref altercation that resulted in both choking each other at a youth basketball game? Has youth basketball gotten out of control? Has the behavior on the sidelines become too much? Both with dreams of playing in the NBA, the journey for the guys changed when reality set in. Zach and Gar…

This week's episode Zach and Garry start by reflecting on the life and legacy of Kobe Bryant as January 26th marks 2 years since his passing. Later we discuss the impact and message of the King Richard film which is based on the true story of the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. The conversation leads to the Hoop Lab guys sharing t…

A common theme amongst young basketball players today is the "Fear of Failure". Zach and Garry "TakeFlight", discuss how this fear is delaying the growth of many players. We discuss how the constant fear of making a mistake and the repercussions of those mistakes takes a toll on many players in practice, in training, as well as their games. Later i…