I always let the kids they can take one timeout on their own, but not to save just a single possession of the ball before the final minutes. It does seem to give them a little more poise and confidence in tough situations if they know they can bail themselves out.

In high school, the clock does not stop after your opponent scores. Without a timeout any loose "inadvertantly" kicked, batted ball...you won't even get it inbounds before time expires.

You need a timeout to have any realistic chance to win.

If for no other reason, save the TO till the end so that if one of your players gets "stuck" you or the player can call TO and save the possession.

I save as many timeouts for the end of the game as possible. I try to let my players adjust on the court themselves and will call some throughout the game to give them a break, tie up loose ends, or motivate them to work harder. Other than that, I like to have at least two if not more for the end of the game in order to manage the clock and the game if I have to.

The only thing worse than not having a timeout when you need one is having one and not using it when you need it. I also give my players the limited ability to call timeouts on their own but not to save a possession in the first three quarters, we'll play tough D to get the ball back instead. Spending some practice time on these end-game situations is also necessary so your players understand how to get it done with or without the benefit of a timeout.

My method of coaching almost always leaves me at least one T O for the end. I coach at the Jr. High level and have a 15 man team. I form 3 five man teams and run them in hockey style. Every three to four minutes I bring in a new team. Our style is full court press, fastbreak transition basketball. In this way the other coach usually uses up his TO's early to rest his team. I often go the entire game without using a TO, and nearly always win the 4th quarter.
229 - 61 over 16 years, gives me confidence that this method works well at this level.

I also coach Jr Boys and only have 10 players and would love to switch out team x for team y, I have more guards than power or centres so. I normally try to save at least one for end game. For example I do take full advantage of subs and opposing coaches time outs to get my point across. Therefore saving mine for adjustments or quick breaths.

I always try to save a full timeout for the end. However, sometimes you have to use that one to get a shot that will get you within one possession. We run constant drills that focus on end game situations so the players know what is coming if we've burned all our TO's. One great way to stop a running clock after a make is to have one of your players grab it out of the net and toss it away from the other team. This is a delay of game, but you get one warning. The clock will stop while the refs assess the warning. This gives you time to set up your pressure.

Doug, my only concern would be are these players being prepared to play at the high school level?

I've seen many teams that focus on pressing at the youth & middle school level be very good in a terms of wins and losses, but when those other teams mature and develop their skills, they catch and pass the teams that focused on pressing at the youth level because they never spent the time on fundamentals and concepts of basketball.

I'm not saying you're not preparing them. Just some food for thought.

Yes,I save my time out,i use them spearingly as needed.

I coach youth girls grades 5th - 8th grade. My TO strategy is to save 1 full TO for the end of the half/ game. The other TO is uses for motivation, correction, or a play. I have learn to understand my players strengths and weaknesses and I sub in that pattern allowing them all time to develop (5 mins. minimum). It does get chanllenging at times but my goal is fundamentals especially DEFENSE! I love it!

I try to save a TO for late game situations, preferably more than one. However, I think using them wisely in earlier parts of the game is even more important. I will often burn one early in a game, if I don't like what I'm seeing on the court, in an effort to refocus our team or slow down an opponent's run. I've seen too many coaches save their TO's and then not need them in the 4th quarter because they were afraid to use them earlier in the game and the game got away from them.

well, for me i do really save my last time out.just to get a big win! :-)

well! for me i do really save my last time out, to win the game. :-)

Jeff, I agree regarding Dougs comments. You can win at this level by doing that... and its great that you get every kid into the game.... my question is also this... "are you getting them ready to play at the next level?" Wins are great but if your kids aren't prepared for high school ball, what have you gained. IF your high school team plays that way and the head coach is on board with this... so be it.

As for time outs.... my first time out was always a 30 second time out and YES, I always tried to save 1 or 2 for late in the game for special situations. I wanted to make sure that I had 1 or 2 so we could discuss strategy to help win a game. JMO