In this episode of The Hours Podcast, Mark and Tyler of SAVI Basketball dive into Part 2 of their series on special situations in coaching. They challenge coaches to not only have a pre-determined philosophy for these critical moments but also to actively "test and teach" it to their teams. This episode moves beyond late-game scenarios to cover situations that happen every single game, including pre-game, halftime, and post-game management. They use real-world examples to illustrate how small, well-prepared adjustments can make the difference between a win and a loss, emphasizing the importance of staying true to your team's core principles.

Key Points

(0:23) Test and Teach Your Philosophy

(7:02) Pre-Game Special Situations

(12:16) Halftime Management

(14:45) Post-Game Routine

(17:47) Why Teams Lose Big Leads

(20:50) How to Play When You're Down

(23:40) When to Call a Timeout

(26:51) In-Game Substitutions

Action Items for Coaches

💥Document Your Philosophy: Create a clear, written philosophy for common special situations, including pre-game, halftime, and late-game scenarios.

💥Practice with Purpose: Don't just walk through plays. Run them in a way that simulates the pressure and competition of a real game.

💥Use Frameworks & Routines: Implement a consistent framework for your pre-game and halftime speeches (e.g., "Start, Stop, Keep"). Establish a predictable routine for players to follow before, during, and after games.

💥Get Your Sub Plan Ready: Know in advance who you'll sub in for different end-of-game situations (when you are up vs. when you are down).

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Are you leaving opportunities on the court? Most coaches are great at preparing for "first-order" situations like transition and half-court offense, but fail to properly train for "second-order" situations that happen frequently but are rarely practiced. In this episode, Tyler and Mark dive deep into two major special situations: free throws and baseline out-of-bounds plays. They challenge traditional coaching methods and provide a fresh perspective on how to turn these moments into a competitive advantage. From developing a proper free-throw routine to intentional fouling, this episode is packed with tips and strategies that will make your team more prepared and more dangerous in every moment of the game.

• SAVI Basketball Membership: [Link to SAVI Basketball Membership]
• The Lock Left Course: [Link to Lock Left Course]
• TOC Coach Membership: [Link to TOC Coach]
• SAVI Basketball Newsletter: [Link to SAVI Newsletter]

What's your one thing? 🤔 In this thought-provoking episode of The Hours, hosts Tyler and Mark play "Would You Rather" to help coaches define their core priorities. They argue that having too many "priorities" devalues the word and leads to confusion.

Listen in as they break down:

• Their personal "one words" for life: Boundaries and Lean.
• The power of consistency over motivation.
• Why simplicity wins in player development.
• The one dribble move, offensive action, and post move to teach all your players.
• Identifying the most crucial on-ball and off-ball defensive skills.
• Debating the most important intangible and physical quality in a player.
• What makes a contested shot maker so valuable.

This episode is a must-listen for any coach looking to simplify their approach, empower their players, and build a program with a clear, winning philosophy. Let's get SAVI! 🧠💡

Ready to transform your basketball practices?

🏀 In this episode of The Hours, Tyler and Mark reveal the secrets behind "pre-practice." Tyler shares a powerful story from his visit to a Duke practice under Coach K, highlighting how intentional and player-led warmups can set the tone for your entire program. 🔥

We’ll break down how to:

💥Make practices more impactful by moving drills to pre-practice.

💥Create a player-led environment where athletes take ownership of their development.

💥Implement a "your time, our time" approach to maximize efficiency.

💥Incorporate "Mamba Mondays" for focused, high-rep training.

This is a must-listen for any coach looking to build a winning culture and get the most out of every single minute in the gym. 💡 Don't just consume—share this with another coach and pay it forward!

#basketballcoach #PrePractice #CoachK #PlayerDevelopment #savibasketball #SAVIcoach #SAVIcoach

In this episode, Tyler and Mark dive deep into one of basketball’s most crucial skills: shooting. They break down common myths, share the science and art behind great form, and discuss the power of external cues that can transform how players approach their shot.

• 🚫 Shooting myths debunked – Separating fact from fiction
• 🎯 The art & science – Why shooting is more than just mechanics
• 🗣️ External cues – How simple language can unlock better results
• 🏀 Coaching takeaways – Teaching shooting with clarity and confidence

In this episode, Clare and Tyler break down how to flip the script on traditional basketball practices. Instead of running the same repetitive drills, learn how to create game-like situations that actually prepare your players for real competition. They’ll also dive into how shifting your practice approach builds decision-making, energy, and player engagement on the court.

🎮 Make your drills game-like

⚡ Keep practices proactive, not repetitive

🧠 Build smarter players through game situations

🏀 Maximize development while keeping players engaged

In this second part of the ROSE Series deep dive, Mark and Tyler focus on the often-dismissed details that actually determine whether your offense works or falls flat. From overlooked cues to micro habits, they break down the hidden parts of the process that separate good teams from great ones.

🌐 Access the full ROSE Series breakdown here: savicoach.com/roseseries

👀 Learn the small habits that coaches tend to skip—but players need

🔁 Build layers that reinforce clarity and repetition

🛠️ Address the “in-between” moments that shape real understanding

In part one of this two-part episode, Mark and Tyler dive deep into the ROSE Series—a system built to develop player understanding, not just run plays. They unpack how to teach it, the common mistakes coaches make, and how habits like journaling can elevate your coaching mindset.

Access the full ROSE Series course at savicoach.com/roseseries

🌹 Understand what the ROSE Series really is

🚫 Avoid common coaching pitfalls during install

📓 Use journaling to sharpen your teaching

🧠 Focus on developing thinkers, not just play-runners