Using Attacking Offenses To Build Confidence, Turbocharge Your Program's Culture & Win More Games!

with Landry Kosmalski, Swarthmore College Head Men's Coach;
2020 NABC Division III National Coach of the Year;
3x Regional/District Coach of the Year (2017, 2019, 2020);
4x Centennial Conference Coach of the Year (2016, 2017, 2019, 2020);
2019 NCAA Division III National Champion Runners Up;
NCAA Tournament Appearances in 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20;

One of the most important things to a basketball program's success is its team culture. It is a driving force that can make or break any team. As coaches, one of the most critical components for building up a program is to try to find ways to strengthen and bolster a culture for sustainable success. Landry Kosmalski built a culture of success at Swarthmore College by adopting and creating an attacking style of offensive play. The 2020 NABC Division III National Coach of the Year says that two things led him to this decision;

1) Players love to play fast, and 

2) All players want more playing time. 

Therefore, adopting an aggressive style of play on offense and defense provided opportunities to accomplish both!

Developing Culture

In a presentation format, Coach Kosmalski explains the valuable lessons learned in his coaching journey that have assisted him in creating the strong culture at Swarthmore College. He credits the coaches he has played for and coached alongside. One that had a major impact was his mentor, Bob McKillop, the head coach at Davidson. Kosmalski discusses how coaches should express gratitude and instill it throughout their program.

Kosmalski outlines the critical importance of building relationships that withstand adversity. Creating a team of players who understand the impact they have on one another is essential to long-term success, as is the concept of ‘being a part of something bigger than yourself’ – which helps players to understand sacrifice for their team and teammates.

Kosmalski then reveals a fascinating inside look at the growth he, his players, and his coaching staff gained from participating in ‘The Program’ – a training session taught by Navy Seals. The coach shares valuable insights and teaching points he has adapted from The Program that you can implement as a basketball coach.

Positive Psychology, Attacking Offense

Positive psychology is a staple of Coach Kosmalski’s teaching style. In this section of the video, he provides valuable insight into the impact that using positive psychology has had on his team and program as they turned a program with a losing record into a respectable powerhouse. Kosmalski also shares six aspects of positive psychology that he uses both weekly and daily to motivate players and build his team.

To close the presentation, Kosmalski outlines the offensive system he uses with his teams at Swarthmore College. He discusses how he adopted much of his attacking philosophy based upon things he learned from Bob McKillop, but also how he incorporated many ideas from General George S. Patton’s theory of combat in warfare. 

After running an aggressive style of play, Kosmalski has found that constant pressure on defense in the full court has subsequently helped his teams in the half court when his defense gets back and packs in. He also talks about the importance of counter punches and change ups on offense to keep opposing defenses honest, while always maintaining an aggressive mindset.

If you want proven ways to improve your basketball program’s culture and do so by making a positive impact on everyone involved in it, then this is the video for you! 

43 minutes. 2022.