EP168: How to use the CLA to prepare players for game day

In this solo episode, George explores the concept of the "transfer gap" — the disconnect between what players can do in practice and what actually shows up on game day. Drawing from an ecological dynamics perspective, he breaks down why traditional practice environments often fail to prepare athletes for competition and shares practical strategies coaches can use to make training more representative, challenging, and transferable.    Chapters: 01:00 – What is the transfer gap and why it matters for player development 02:00 – Why traditional practice environments often fail to prepare players for games 03:00 – Replicating pressure, consequences, and emotional demands in practice 04:00 – Using game-like environments, routines, and constraints to improve transfer 05:00 – Introducing the Representative Dial and scaling practice complexity effectively 06:00 – Why small-sided games can accelerate learning and decision-making 07:00 – Creating realistic practice conditions through rebounds, transition, and officiating 08:00 – Training special situations, late-game scenarios, and sideline out-of-bounds actions 09:00 – Building more intentional 5-on-5 experiences that mirror competition  Level up your coaching with our Amazon Best Selling Book: https://amzn.to/3vO1Tc7 Access tons more of evidence-based coaching resources: https://transformingbball.com/products/    Links: Website: http://transformingbball.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/transformbball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformingbasketball/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transformingbasketball Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/transformingbasketball/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@transforming.basketball