Episode
Ep 388 How Can You Prepare Your Team to Win the Final Two Minutes of Every Game?
- Published
- Jan 28, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1227
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://teachhoops.com/
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Summary
https://teachhoops.com/ Win the Season Making practice better—specifically for end-of-game scenarios—requires a shift from teaching "how to play" to teaching "how to win." Too often, teams lose close games not because of a lack of talent, but because they haven't rehearsed the "chaos" of the final two minutes. To master these situations, you must dedicate at least 15% of every practice to "Special Situations." This isn't just running a sideline out-of-bounds (SOB) play against air; it’s about putting the clock on the scoreboard, setting a specific score (e.g., down 3 with 42 seconds left), and letting your players solve the problem in real-time. By simulating the pressure of a ticking clock in January, you ensure your players have the mental poise to execute when the lights are brightest in the postseason. A key pillar of game management is having a "Late Game Menu" that every player knows by heart. This includes your "Auto-Foul" rules, your "No-Threes" defensive stance, and your "Go-To" scoring action. Practice should include specific "What-If" scenarios: What if we miss the front end of a 1-and-1? What if the opponent has no timeouts left? Use these moments to teach your players the "mathematics of the game"—understanding when to attack the rim for a quick two versus hunting for a three. When you stop the drill to explain a decision, keep it brief and impactful. The goal is to build "Late Game IQ" so that your point guard knows exactly who the "safety" is on a press break and your shooters know exactly where the spacing "dead spots" are. Finally, ending practice with high-stakes situational play ensures that your team leaves the gym with a "finisher" mindset. Instead of traditional conditioning, use a "4-Minute War" where the score starts at 0-0 but every foul, turno…