Why SAVI is STUFF Good Coaches Should Know

Hey Coach,

When I fell in love with basketball in 8th grade, my coach gave me a book called STUFF Good Players Should Know by Dick DeVenzio.

This book changed everything for me.

I kept it by my bed and read it over and over, learning every lesson.

I read it so many times that the pages started falling out.

I wish I had a picture to show you.

It helped me see basketball in a way no one else around me did.

Years later, as a junior in high school, I learned that Dick DeVenzio ran a camp called Point Guard College.

I had to go.

I wanted to play college basketball, but no schools wanted me yet.

I felt like going to that camp would change everything.

I was right.

DeVenzio did something special. He taught us what we needed to know, then let us train on our own. This made us take charge of our own improvement.

No other coach had ever trusted me like that before.

He also told amazing stories, showed us game film, and kept reminding us to take responsibility for ourselves.

It didn't just change how I looked at basketball. At such an important time in my life, it changed how I learned and lived.

My game was 10 times better after that camp.

But my life was 100x better because of him.

Thanks to DeVenzio and his teaching, I became someone who took control of my own journey.

His lessons still help me today and are a HUGE reason why SAVI Coaching exists.

I was able to soend over 10 years teaching through camps and clinics myself at Point Guard College, I took over 30,000 young athletes through the same experience Dick gave me. I was able to honor what he taught me and help others the same way he helped me.

Five years ago, I knew I needed to change my focus from teaching players to helping coaches.

It was time to share the stuff good COACHES should know.

At SAVI Coaching, our goal is to share the lessons I learned from Dick DeVenzio, Dena Evans, Mano Watsa and all the other great mentors I've learned from.

After more than twenty years of learning from the best coaches and teachers of the game, I feel lucky to give back even a little bit of what DeVenzio gave me.

SAVI Coaching is the "STUFF Good Coaches Should Know."

That's why this newsletter is called that.

It's a way to say thank you to the book and the legacy that helped me so much.

Through our podcast, newsletter, and coaching membership, the SAVI team wants to pass on the wisdom that made such a big difference in our lives.

My story is just one.

But every coach has a similar story.

Something they remember as THE moment that changed their path.

Whether it's how someone made them feel, or something they taught them, or a new way of seeing an old problem…

We all have a transformative moment in our past.

We all have people we go back to when we need help.

I hope we can be one of those for you.

I hope this newsletter can have even a little bit of the impact that Dick DeVenzio's teaching had on me. 

And if you ever want to learn more…

And join other coaches with similar stories who also want to help the kids around them…

I invite you to join our free SAVI Coaching Community.

👉 Join over 1,000 coaches in X's and O's

And each week, either I, Mark, or Clare will share another edition of STUFF Good Coaches Should Know.

Cheers, 

-Tyler

PS. Man, seeing this cover brings back so many memories. What book or moment changed your life? Hit reply, I'd love to know.