Why Summer League Might Be Your Best Teaching Tool

Coach,  

I've been glued to summer league games lately – honestly, probably more than I should admit.

There's something about watching these rookies that's been bugging me in the best way possible.

Here's what I keep noticing: these college players look completely different in just three months. I'm talking about the same kids who were running completely different systems in March, and now they're playing with this aggressive, decisive style that's night and day from their college game.

Mark and I were breaking this down on our latest episode of The Hours, and we landed on something that applies directly to your practices.

It's not just that the rules are different or the spacing is better, though that matters. It's that these players are being forced to play with urgency and aggression from the moment they cross half court.

The 14-second shot clock after a rebound? That's not just a rule change – it's a mindset shift. When you only have 14 seconds to create something, you can't afford to be passive.

You attack. You make decisions. You play with what we call "force."

Here's the kicker: Mark tested this with a team in Florida. They weren't scoring in 5-on-5 scrimmages, so he put an 11-second shot clock on them. Suddenly, ball handlers got more aggressive, off-ball players started hunting harder, and everyone became more shot-ready. Same players, same skills – completely different aggression level.

This ties directly into our Simplicity principle. You don't need complex solutions. Sometimes you just need the right constraint to unlock what's already there.

Watch the full episode here 👇 where we dive deeper into how the SAVI method can transform your practice environment and why adversity might be your best coaching tool.

Stay SAVI,

—Tyler

P.S. How has your summer been going? Any learnings you’d like to share? My inbox is always open. Just hit reply.