Frankfurt Skyliners Host Final Coach Clinic on Oct 19
Two practical sessions at Basketball City Mainhattan focus on small-sided games and passing culture for license renewal.
Key points
- The final Frankfurt Skyliners coach clinic takes place on October 19 from 19:00 to 22:00 at Basketball City Mainhattan.
- Samara Tunnell leads the first session on small-sided games, followed by Troy Culley’s workshop on building a passing culture.
- The event is conducted in English and counts toward the renewal of D and C coaching licenses with the Hessian Basketball Association.
The gym floor at Basketball City Mainhattan holds its breath as the final session of the year’s training series arrives. Monday, October 19, marks the end of the line for the Frankfurt Skyliners' coach clinics, a stretch of professional development that closes with two hours of high-intensity, hands-on instruction.
From 19:00 to 22:00, the air will hum with the squeak of sneakers and the sharp thud of leather against hardwood. Coaches from schools and clubs gather here not for passive lectures, but for active engagement. This fourth and final clinic is designed as a participatory format, demanding movement and immediate application of tactical concepts.
Funnell refines small-sided game dynamics
Samara Funnell, an assistant coach for the Frankfurt Skyliners, takes the floor first. Her session, titled “Small-Sided Games 2.0,” runs from 19:00 to 20:30. Building on work she began in January 2026, Funnell presents a suite of exercises and game forms that target fundamental basketball skills. The focus is dual: sharpening technical ability while simultaneously injecting joy into the play for young athletes.
The atmosphere shifts from structured drills to fluid, chaotic competition. Funnell’s approach emphasizes the feeling of the game, ensuring that drills do not feel like chores. The goal is to make the love of the sport visible in the eyes of the participants, turning practice into a space where creativity and skill grow in tandem.
Culley builds a passing culture
At 20:30, Troy Culley, head coach of the Skyliners Juniors in the second professional league, takes over. His block, “Beyond the Assist: Building a Passing Culture,” runs until 22:00. Culley demonstrates how to cultivate a team environment where ball movement and smart decision-making become second nature. He provides practical exercises to anchor these principles in daily training, moving beyond simple mechanics to the mindset of the collective.
The session is about weaving a culture of cooperation into the fabric of the team. It is not just about passing the ball, but about understanding the space and the rhythm of the game. Culley’s methods aim to make teamwork an instinct rather than a directive, creating a seamless flow of play that is difficult to disrupt.
English delivery ensures license recognition
Both sessions are conducted entirely in English, a standard that reflects the international nature of modern basketball coaching. The event holds specific administrative weight for participants. It is recognized by the Hessian Basketball Association for the extension of D and C licenses. This makes the evening not just a learning opportunity, but a necessary step for many coaches seeking to maintain their professional credentials.
