Coach,  

Ever wondered how the pros approach defense and team culture?

In the latest Hours Podcast, I sat down with Coach Mike Neighbors, Assistant Coach for the WNBA’s LA Sparks and one of the sharpest basketball minds I know, to unpack what it really takes to build a championship-caliber defense and a high-performing team. Here are five key takeaways you can use with your squad this week:

Manage What You Measure

“If you’re a deflections coach, manage deflections.”

Mike reminded us that players will focus on what you track. Decide which defensive metric matters most—whether it’s deflections, close-outs, or shot contests—and give it the spotlight in practice. When you measure it, they’ll chase it.

Define Roles with Clarity

Mike’s three-to-one bright-spots rule is gold: for every one area you want a player to improve, highlight three things they already do well.

Put roles in writing, show clips, and discuss them until they stick. Then challenge them to reach “can or won’t,” and you’ll quickly know who just didn’t do the work.

Teach the Whole Play

Skip the isolation.

Mike insists on teaching ball-screen defense five-on-five—weak-side coverage matters just as much as the on-ball defender. Begin with off-ball positioning, then layer in the on-ball cover. That holistic approach builds instincts, not just “drills.”

Adopt Sticky Language

Tired of generic terms?

Create your own play names so your players hear exactly what you want. Mike changed “ICE” to something unique for his pro team, and the fresh terminology helped players execute it his way. When the “why” behind the name matters, concepts become unforgettable.

Stay Humble and Curious

Even after decades as a head coach, Mike jumped at the chance to learn from WNBA pros—soaking up new defensive principles night after night.

He reminded us that the biggest growth comes when you get uncomfortable, seek mentors, and treat every practice like a clinic.

Want to dive deeper? 

Listen to the full conversation—and pick up more coaching gems—right here:

Stay SAVI,

—Tyler & The SAVI Basketball Team

P.S. If this episode inspired you, I invite you to join 361 SAVI Basketball coaches, all working together to increase their impact on the basketball coaching world.

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