NABC On the Court Open Practice with Kelvin Sampson: Transition Offense & Defense + Opponent Prep

with Kelvin Sampson,
University of Houston Head Men's Coach;
2025 NCAA National Runner-Up;
2025 CBS Sports National Coach of the Year
2025 Sporting News National Coach of the Year
2025 NABC Division I Gulf Region Coach of the Year
2025 Big XII Coach of the Year
2025 Big XII Regular Season Champions
2025 Big XII Tournament Champions
2024 NABC Division I Coach of the Year;
2024 Henry Iba Award;
2024 Big XII Regular Season Champions;
2024 Big XII Coach of the Year;
4x American Athletic Conference (AAC) Coach of the Year (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023);
2022 Ben Jobe Award;
2022 CBS Sports National Coach of the Year;
2021 Coach John McLendon Award;
2021 NCAA Final Four;
2021 & 2022 AAC Tournament Champions;
4x AAC Conference Regular Season Champions;
Houston Rockets (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2011 to 2014;
Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2008 to 2011;
Indiana Head Coach from 2006 to 2008;
Oklahoma Head Coach from 1994 to 2006;
2x Big XII Regular Season Champions;
3x Big XII Tournament Champions;
2002 NABC Division I Coach of the Year;
2002 NCAA Final Four;
1995 AP Coach of the Year;
1995 Henry Iba Award;
1995 Big Eight Coach of the Year;
Washington State Head Coach from 1987 to 1994;
1991 Pac-10 Coach of the Year;
Montana Tech Head Coach from 1981 to 1985;
2x Frontier Regular Season Champions;
3x Frontier Tournament Champions;
2x Frontier Coach of the Year;
Michigan State Graduate Assistant Coach from 1979 to 1980 (under Jud Heathcote);
played college basketball for UNC Pembroke

One of the rising programs in college basketball is the University of Houston, led by head coach Kelvin Sampson. Coach Sampson has a wealth of knowledge brought by years of experience at all levels of basketball, including coaching stints in the NBA. With this video, you will get an opportunity to watch as Sampson prepares his team for an upcoming game. Watch as they treat practice like a game day while reviewing their key concepts and offensive and defensive principles.

Warm-Up and Transition Drills

Practice begins with tried-and-true stationary ball handling drills that will help players develop hand-eye coordination and get their hands and feet ready for practice. Following ball handling, the Cougars move to full-court layups and fast break jump shots. Being able to move quickly and smoothly from one drill to the next keeps intensity and energy high during practice.

An emphasis on transition defense is made early on in this practice. A three-man weave drill that transitions into a 2-on-1 with a trailer works on communication and getting back to good defensive position. Keeping a focus on transition defense, the Cougars work through a 5-on-5 drill. To start every trip, Sampson has them run through an offensive set against half-court defense. Make or miss, the defense converts to offense and they are off to the races. Coach Sampson takes time to give valuable instruction to his players on transition defense principles, which is also worthwhile to hear for coaches.

The players are then put through a drill called Game Shots. Wing players and front court players split the court working on threes and post moves.

Halftime

Coach Sampson divides this practice into two halves, emphasizing the importance of coming out with intensity, energy, and focus right out of halftime. Players and coaches go into the locker room to simulate the real halftime and give teaching points and some expectations for re-entering practice.

Second Half of Practice

Players re-enter the court with a three-man weave drill with a set number of makes in one minute to show the kind of intensity that is needed to start a second half.

Next, Sampson puts his team through a 5-on-5 opponent prep where they discuss how they want to guard certain things and establish defensive match-ups for their upcoming game. A large portion of time is spent running through different offensive sets and transitioning to defense or guarding different sets and transitioning into offense.

This is a great opportunity to see how a Division I team preps during the week of a game. Coach Sampson does a great job emphasizing important aspects of the game as well as their team principles. You'll pick up valuable coaching nuggets and ideas for preparing for your next big opponent!

105 minutes. 2021.