Sammy Doucette on Intentional Leadership, Empty Side Ballscreens, and Game Planning Principles {Orange Coast College}

Slappin’ Glass sits down this week with the Head Coach of Orange Coast Community College WBB, Sammy Doucette! Coach Doucette has turned the OCC program into one of the best in the state of California this year and the trio dive into the areas of intentional leadership, managing a program, and discuss empty side ballscreens, efficient practices, and game planning principles during the always fun “Start, Sub, or Sit?!”

Inside the Episode

Orange Coast College WBB Head Coach, Sammy Doucette, has her program firing on all cylinders this season and ranked in the Top 3 in the state of California for Junior College basketball. This coming only a few years after she took over a program that had six players on the roster. This week we sat down with Coach Doucette to peel back some of the layers that have led to this turnaround as well as her thoughts on a number of topics including:

  • Program Management: As mentioned, Coach Doucette leads a community college program where players are only there for a couple of years before moving on. We explore her philosophy on program building and creating a atmosphere that players can thrive in during their short stint in the program. 
  • Intentional Leadership: Within our conversation about program management we also touch on how Coach Doucette fosters a “player-led” environment and how she helps mentor her leaders throughout the process. A great segment on actionable ways to empower young people to lead. 
  • Empty Corner PNR’s: During “Start, Sub, or Sit?!” we hear some of Coach Doucette’s thoughts on why she loves basing much of her offense on Empty Corner PNR’s, as well as teaching the art of the slip from the on-ball screener. 
  • Game Planning Principles: During “Start, Sub, or Sit?!” we also discuss how Coach Doucette approaches game-planning and the things she is most concerned about when putting it together. Great insights here on how much or little information to give players before games.