Jordan Gold

Share your coaching journey and experience.
Played basketball since a young kid all the way through Highschool. Played as a practice player for temples woman’s basketball team. Coached middle school girls to city semis at Tilden Middle school in college. After college I coached 1st-3rd grade t-ball, soccer and basketball until I found CAL where I wanted to focus strictly on basketball in a more competitive arena.

What sparked your passion for basketball coaching?
Always wanted to give back to the kids and lead the next generation of hoopers from my area. If I only one athlete takes what I’m trying to teach them and finds success from that then that would be enough for me.

Why did you choose Cal Sports Academy?
Focus strictly on basketball in a more competitive arena with an older age group.

Describe your coaching style and principles?
I see myself as more of a motivator than an Xs and Os Coach. I try to get kids to build their confidence up to show them they belong.

How do you emphasize player development?
I try to give players goals to accomplish for the session or for the game depending on situation. If you’re struggling dribbling I want to see you bring it up the court. If your struggling shooting I want to see a couple in the game.

What’s your approach to building team chemistry?
I challenge the better players to get the not-so-great players involved. You need kids interested otherwise they will check out and not be of service to the team. Kids will check out if they don’t touch the ball.

Walk us through a typical practice session?
Warm up. Skill drill whether it’s dribbling shooting or a combination of both. Then will add to the skill drill by adding a competitive element either 1v1, team vs team, etc., then I will finish with a game either a scrimmage or a fun competitive game to get the fire going in the athletes.

Favorite drills for improving shooting/passing-defense?
1 hand form shots no jump. 2 hand form shot no jump. 2 hand regular jump shot. 5 mid-range spots around the horn. 5 shots each form.
3v2 for passing to find open man. Defense also learns proper rotations and help defense.

How do you incorporate strength and conditioning?
Running laps for failing drill goals and push ups

How do you analyze opponents’ strengths-weaknesses?
Can they shoot? Can they use both hands to dribble and layup either side?
In-game adjustments and strategic decisions.
Try not to change to much as there is a wide range of IQ within the athlete pool.

Your approach to end-game situations?
Fouling up three with minimal time left to not allow three-point shot (hopefully I got some big-time rebounders). No fouling jump shooters.

Assessing player potential and areas for growth?
Can usually tell what a kid has whether it’s heart, skill or both. Always assessing whether athletes are good dribblers shooters and whether or not they have a higher feel for the game.

Helping players overcome challenges?
Always encouraging and trying to give tips here and there to help the athlete and give reasons as to why they should do something a certain way. It’s one thing to teach them proper footwork and another to teach them why they need proper footwork for example.

Encouraging leadership and teamwork?
Like I said previously, always trying to get better players to look for not so great players to try and get them involved to keep them engaged.

Goals for the basketball program?
Keep improving the athletes we know want to be coached and become successful. Foster a fair/fun environment for all athletes even the ones that are just there for a good time without higher aspirations to be basketball players at a higher level.

Incorporating academy values?
Always promoting teamwork and leadership to athletes. Also promoting being committed to the work by being enthusiastic about hard drills and challenging kids to work on things at home. Also letting kids know it’s more than basketball and about being a good person all around on and off the court.

Most memorable basketball moment?
When a little girl named Gia said “Hey, Coach Michael Jordan…”

Influential coach or mentor?
Mr. Glover, Wilson Middle School 2004-2006
Coach Fergus North Penn High School 2008
Coach Corey of course

Advice for aspiring basketball players?
Fall in love with the work. Everyone has the will to win, not everyone has the will to prepare.