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When
a team receives the ball under the opponent's basket, they have
a unique opportunity to score. After all, isn't the point of offensive
patterns to get the ball in an advantageous shooting position?
In this situation, the ball is already there. Most teams, however,
are content to just pass the ball in to an open player. The reason
that player is open is because he is not a threat, so throwing
him the ball doesn't gain anything unless the five second limitation
is about to expire. If you have any doubt about the value of a
well executed OB play that culminates in a basket, take the time
to count the number of times that situation presents itself in
a game and then look at the average game scores. In our Advanced
Skills youth leagues, for instance, the scores range from 35 to
55 points per team (32 minute running clock). Shot chart records
showed that we were scoring 4-5 baskets per game off our standard
OB play. It is fair to say that 20% of our offense was generated
from a single situation that represented a grand total of 10 -
15 seconds of game time. If you can learn just one OB play that
is designed to score, it may likely mean the difference in whether
you win or lose. Here are a couple to try. There are many, many
more on other basketball sites.
If
the plays do not work, examine their execution very carefully
rather than crediting the defense with knowing the play and disrupting
it. Usually the reason for failure is either poor screening or
the intended beneficiary of the screen leaving before it is established.
Secret code words are not necessary. Just run the plays properly
and they will work. Offensive has first strike advantage. The
defense must react and therefore it is vulnerable.
Pick a Competent Passer A critical point is to choose a
competent passer to initiate any in-bounds play. This skill does
not receive the recognition it deserves. Many teams just designate
the #4 player to throw the ball in-bounds, regardless of the player's
passing ability. The player's position or size is not important.
What really counts is the passer's ability to do two things, trigger
the offensive movement and, using mis-direction and timing, put
the ball in the shooter's hands in such a way that the shot can
be launched quickly. An in-bounds pass that is late or hits the
big post player in the foot is nothing but a turnover.
Many
players have a hard time triggering the offensive play. The
first problem is ambiguous communication. The play must be called
out clearly. The passer must be sure everyone understands what
play is about to take place and that everyone is in the correct
spot. If they are not set up properly, the passer must be very
decisive and correct the situation if there is time. If there
is any confusion, the play will not work. The second problem is
signaling when the play is to start. Some passers call the play
then immediately slap the ball before the players are really set.
The result is that everyone starts moving at a different time.
They answer is to clearly call the play, pause and make eye contact
with everyone, spread the hands apart slowly, then predictably
and authoritatively slap the ball (or other cue if you prefer).
The passer may also shout "Go!" at the moment the ball is struck.
That way there is no doubt when to start the play. It doesn't
matter that the defense knows when the play begins. They still
need to react to the offensive players' movements.
The
passer knows where the ball will be thrown, so there is no need
to stare at the target. Look elsewhere, using peripheral vision
to track the intended recipient.
Timing
is key. The moment to pass the ball to a player that is screening
is right when he is turning to face the ball and seal out the
defender. Pass the instant he begins to rotate to the ball. Do
not wait until the target is facing the ball to throw it in. That
is all the delay the defense needs to break up the play. Once
the target turns to fact the basket, the ball should already be
on the way. Practice will refine the timing.
Out
of Bound Plays usually start from either a box formation or a
stack formation. Here are some examples. Feel free to experiment
and adjust to suit your team.
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