Coach development in basketball is evolving. To support coaches in becoming more reflective, insightful, and impactful, we now need tools that go beyond traditional workshops and observation checklists. That’s why we’re excited to announce the integration of SAM (Session Analysis Model), a Coach Logic product, into Basketball Australia’s new Coach Development Framework – which we believe is a significant leap forward in how coaches learn, engage, and grow.
What is Coach Logic and SAM?
Coach Logic is an established video learning and analysis platform, trusted across multiple sports for over a decade. It enables organisations to use video as a practical development tool rather than just a recording device.
SAM is a coach development product within Coach Logic. It uses AI to help coaches better understand their own coaching practice through objective insights linked directly to session video.
Coaches will access SAM through the Basketball Australia LMS. They will upload a session video and provide supporting context about themselves, their team, and their session intentions. SAM then analyses the session and returns structured insights that allow coaches to reflect with evidence rather than memory alone. Coaches then complete a session reflection and download a report to be shared back via the LMS.
The workflow is simple and repeatable:
- Upload a coaching session
- Add session context and intention
- SAM analyses the session
- Review insights alongside the video
- Complete a structured reflection
- Download a report to evidence learning
This process helps coaches to:
- Identify patterns in their coaching style
- Reflect on how they support learning
- Understand the impact of their behaviours
- Make informed adjustments for future sessions
SAM turns everyday coaching into a continuous learning cycle, supporting long-term development rather than a one-off evaluation.
Why Coach Logic Matters for Basketball Coaches
1. Scalable coach development
SAM enables Basketball Australia to support coach reflection at scale, without relying solely on time-intensive face-to-face observation. This allows more coaches to receive high-quality feedback consistently across the system.
2. Greater consistency and objectivity
By using a structured analysis model, SAM helps to reduce subjectivity in coach feedback. This supports more consistent standards across regions, programmes, and coach developers.
3. Stronger evidence for licensing and CPD
SAM provides tangible evidence of coach learning. Reflection reports can be used to support:
- Licence progression
- CPD requirements
- Ongoing accreditation
4. Data-informed education
Over time, SAM can help Basketball Australia better understand coaching trends across the country, supporting:
- Targeted education initiatives
- Better resource allocation
- Evidence-based programme design
The Impact in Practice
Faster learning cycles
Coaches can upload a session, receive insights, and reflect within a short timeframe – not months later.
More objective decision-making
Reflection is based on evidence, not perception.
Stronger reflective habits
Regular use of SAM helps coaches build sustainable reflection routines, a key marker of effective coaches.
Across all levels of basketball – from community to performance pathways, SAM supports better coaching behaviours and stronger learning environments for athletes.
How Coach Logic Fits Within the New Coach Development Framework
The Coach Development Framework aims to shift coach education from content delivery to ongoing, practice-based learning. Coach Logic, through SAM, fits this vision perfectly by:
1. Aligning with framework outcomes
The framework emphasises:
- Reflective practice
- Evidence-informed decision making
- Collaborative learning
- Player-centred coaching
Coach Logic’s SAM provides a practical environment where all of these outcomes are lived, not just talked about.
2. Supporting continuous learning
Rather than one-off courses, SAM enables coaches to learn from their own context – their own players and their own challenges. This makes development continual and relevant.
3. Embedding feedback into everyday practice
SAM turns routine training into development opportunities. Coaches can integrate feedback loops into their weekly rhythms, making growth consistent rather than sporadic.
What This Means for Coaches
For coaches at any stage – whether emerging, intermediate, or experienced – Coach Logic’s SAM is not another tool to learn; it’s a tool that helps you learn as you coach.
It supports coaches to:
- See and hear their coaching more clearly
- Reflect with structure and evidence
- Improve communication and feedback
- Demonstrate development for licence progression
- Build confidence in their coaching practice
By embedding SAM, into the Coach Development Framework, Basketball Australia is leading the way in modern, scalable coach development; ensuring learning is continuous, relevant, and evidence-based.
