The Secret Language of Elite Passers 🧠

Coach,  

If you're still telling your players to "watch the defense" without teaching them what to watch…

This video will change that.

Inside this breakdown, I walk you through how elite guards process help defense—in layers.

We start with first help: pass where the help came from. Simple.

But once your players can punish first help consistently, defenses adjust—and now we’ve got to read second help and eventually third help.

Here’s the simple language I teach to level up decision-making:

• First Help = defender directly helping on the ball. Punish by passing where they came from.

• Second Help = helps the helper (often tags the roller). Read and counter.

• Third Help = the help of the helper’s help. Luka-level reads.

Most high school guards never get past first help.
College point guards? Still developing second help.
Pros? They're hunting third help breakdowns.

The key to unlocking it all?

✅ Better language
✅ Better visuals
✅ Repetitive pattern-based training (ball screen, transition, dominoes)

If you want your players to stop staring at teammates and start anticipating defenders—this is where we start.

And if you want a full system for developing these reads in your players?

Check out the new Player Development Course inside SAVI Basketball.

It’s packed with film, teaching language, and reps your players will actually see in games.

Let's build players who can read more than just what's right in front of them.

Stay SAVI,

— Tyler

P.S. Whether you're looking to build workouts, build skill, or build a system-wide approach to development, you’re in the right place. This course is designed to help you create smarter, more adaptable, and competitive players — not just skilled, but self-led.