Running Inbounds Plays

Inbounds plays are specific plays that the offensive team will try to run when taking the ball out of bounds anywhere on the court. Inbounds plays can have a definite impact on the outcome of games. When running an inbounds play, a team usually has one of two main objectives: scoring from the inbounds play or getting the ball inbounds to run a set offense. Inbounds plays should be set up so that they are effective against both man and zone defenses, because the offense will often not know which defense the opponent is playing until they take the ball out of bounds.

WATCH OUT!
The following circumstances may distract your athletes:

• Focusing on the score or the amount of time left in the game rather than on the proper execution of the inbounds play.
• Letting the defender who is guarding the inbounder disrupt the play.
• Facing a team with bigger defenders. This is especially challenging if the offense would like to get the ball inside the paint area on the out-of-bounds play.
• Facing a trapping defense on the out- of-bounds play. This can often result in a quick turnover.

ACOUIRING THE APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE

To help ensure your team's success in running inbounds plays, you and your players must know about the following:

RULES
You and your players need to know several main rules related to running inbounds plays:

• The player who is inbounding the ball has 5 seconds to get the ball out of the hands.
  
• The 3-second lane violation rule does not start until a player on the court receives the ball from the player who inbounds the ball and the ball becomes live.
• The player who inbounded the ball must establish a position on the court (inbounds) before touching the ball again.
• By rule, if there is 0.3 seconds or less left in the game or the half, a shot off the inbounds pass must be a tip in order for the basket to count (there is not enough time to catch and shoot).

Strengths and Weaknesses of Opponents
You and your players must account for the opponent's strengths and weaknesses to know how to run inbounds plays properly. Consider the following about your opponents:

• Are the defenders slow to the corners after the ball is inbounded? Some defenses are slow in covering the baseline when guarding the inbounds play, and offen-sive players can use this opportunity for a quick cut to the baseline for a shot.
• How big is the opponent? Bigger defenders will take up more room in the defensive formation, and the offensive team may want to get the ball inbounds before setting up the offense, rather than going for an immediate score off the inbounds pass. If the offensive team has a size advantage over the opponent, the offense should look to get the ball inside the lane or use a lob pass on the inbounds play.
• How well does the opponent communicate? If the defenders do not communicate well, offensive players can use screens to get open on the inbounds play, because there is a great chance that the defenders will get caught off guard and run into the screens.

Self-Knowledge
Besides being aware of your opponent's abilities, you and your players need to know about your own team's strengths and weaknesses. Teach your players to be aware of the following when running inbounds plays:

• Is the player inbounding the ball the best passer on the team? When running an inbounds play, the most dangerous player on offense is the player who is inbounding the ball. This player should be the team's best passer and must also be a smart player who has the ability to see the options that open up.
• Do you have a tall post player? If so, this player can be your first option because the defense may have a more difficult time defending a pass to this player on the inbounds play.

Decision-Making Guidelines
When deciding how to gain the best advantage when running inbounds plays, you and your players should consider the previous information as well as the following guidelines:

• Offensive players should be aware that most teams will play a zone defense against inbounds plays. This is because zone defenses can be more effective against screens, and it is much easier to cover areas in a zone than to cover individual players on an inbounds play.
• The game situation will determine if the team needs to try to score off the inbounds play or if the team just needs to get the ball inbounded safely against pressure defense. For example, if very little time is left on the clock, the offense may need to use a quick pass (maybe a lob pass) to get the shot off before the clock runs out.
• When trying to get the team's best shooter an open shot on the inbounds play, other offensive players can help the shooter get to his or her strongest position on the floor by using a screen or a cut.
• The player who is inbounding the ball should always first look for an opportunity to pass the ball to the post player, because the post player is the closest player to the basket for a shot. Typically, the post player will be defended initially, but after the ball is inbounded, the defenders may go to the ball and leave the post player open for a pass.
• If the defenders switch on screens, offensive players should look for the screener to be open after the cutter uses the screen. The defender will usually go with the player using the screen, leaving the screener open.
• When trying to get the ball to the post player, the inbounder can fake a pass to a different option, which may cause the defenders to react and open up the passing lane to the post.
• Offensive players should remember that the inbounder is an additional option after the inbounds pass is made. Often, defenders tend to forget about the inbounder, and this player may be open for a pass and shot attempt after stepping back inbounds.

Coaching Basketball - Technical and Tactical Skills book is published by Human Kinetics.