How to Earn 10 More Points Per Game This Season

Hey Coach,

Mark and I just wrapped up a live webinar where we shared six ways your team can earn 10 more points per game.

You can watch the full webinar replay here:

Here's the thing: about half of all games are decided by 8 points or less.

Those are the games where coaching really matters. If you can earn just 2-3 more points per quarter, you'll win those close games.

The Michael Jordan Mindset

Before I share our tips, let me tell you a story. Michael Jordan once said he could average over 25 points per game for as long as he wanted in the NBA. His secret? He broke it down by quarters:

• Run hard every possession for 1 breakaway layup per quarter = 8 points per game

• Crash the boards for 1 putback per quarter = 6-8 points per game

• Draw 1 shooting foul per quarter = 6 points per game

• Get to his favorite spot for 1 shot per quarter = 6-8 points per game

That's 26-30 points just by doing simple things every quarter. The lesson? Break big goals into small, doable parts.

Our Top 6 Ways to Earn More Points

Here are the highlights from our webinar (but you'll want to watch the full video for all the details):

Offense

1. Hunt the World on Made Baskets

Don't just push pace on misses. After made shots, get your point guard to "crack the shell" (get past the three-point line) 70% of the time. This wears down the defense and creates easy scoring chances.

2. Drive-Kick-Swing Pattern

Stop the drive-kick-drive habit. Instead, teach drive-kick-swing. This creates bigger advantages and better shots. The ball moving two passes creates longer closeouts and more space.

3. Add Movement to Your Offense 

When transition and advantage play don't work, use "false motion" to move the defense's eyes and get players where you want them. It's like pre-snap motion in football.

Defense

4. Take Away Strong Hand Layups 

This alone is worth 2-3 points per quarter. In the NBA, there's a 22% difference between strong hand and weak hand layup percentages. At youth levels, it's even bigger.

5. Run All Shooters Off the Three-Point Line
Make every catch a dribble. Force decisions instead of easy catch-and-shoot threes. We'd rather have them dribbling in the "lava" (inside the arc) than shooting open threes.

6. Foul More and Not At All 

Be physical before the shot (on screens, first dribbles, cuts) but never foul on shot attempts. Set the tone early by being the more aggressive team.

The Bottom Line

You don't need to master all six. Pick one and focus on it. If you can improve just one area and get 2 points per quarter better, that's 8 points per game right there. Add a little improvement in a second area, and you've got your 10 points.

Remember, these aren't just theories. Mark and I have spent the past year combining our offensive and defensive systems. We're taking our SAVI members through deep dives on both our new "Lock Left" defense and Mark's "RDS" (Race it, Drive it, Space it) offense this month.

Stay SAVI,
Tyler

P.S. - If you want to dive deeper into any of these concepts, we're offering a free trial to our SAVI membership right now. Mark and I will be taking members through month-long deep dives on both the Lock Left defense and RDS offense system.

No commitment required - just jump in and start learning with us.