Basketball Plays For Special Situations

Any team should have several basketball plays for special situations such as when the ball is out of bounds, when there is a held ball, or when there is a free throw.

Out-of-Bounds Plays:

It is not the primary purpose to always score baskets on out-of-bounds plays but first of all to...(continued below)

secure the ball. The following diagrams will illustrate several simple out-of-bounds basketball plays. It may be said, however, that the position of the players on the court will determine the success of any...(continued below)

out-of-bounds play. Upon receiving the ball from out-of-bounds the players should take their positions immediately.

Diagram LXXXVIII presents a situation where the ball is taken out of bounds at the end of the court midway between the basket and the side of the court. There must be a man-to-man style of play if this play is successful. Player No. 3 goes to the side of the court and suddenly cuts in, blocking No. 5's opponent.

Number 2 drives off to the corner of the court at the same time to make a clear path to the basket for No. 4. Number 4 drives straight through, calling for the ball but does not receive it. He immediately goes to the side of the court. As soon as No. 5's opponent is screened out of the play, No. 5 breaks for the basket and receives a pass from No. 1.

Diagram LXXXIX is an example of basketball plays that shows a situation where the ball is out-of-bounds at the side of the court. Player No. 1 blocks off player No. 2's opponent. Number 2 pivots and drives for the basket. Number 4 makes a long pass to No. 2. This is a good play if the opposition is playing a strictly man for man style of play.

Diagram XC is an example of basketball plays that shows the ball out-of-bounds midway between the end of the court and the center of the court...(continued below)

Player No. 3 cuts for player No.1 who has the ball out-of-bounds. Instead of receiving the ball he screens for player No. 1 who immediately passes the ball to No. 2 and cuts for the basket receiving a return pass from No. 2.

In Diagram XCI, player No. 1 has the ball out of bounds at the end of the court. Player No. 2 screens No. 3's opponent and player No. 3 screens No. 4's opponent and No. 4 player cuts for the basket where he receives a pass from No. 1.

In Diagram XCII, player No. 1 has the ball out-of-bounds. As No. 1 prepares to pass No. 2...(continued below)

player crosses over and screens No. l's opponent and No. 1 cuts as indicated in the diagram and receives a pass from No. 3. If No. 3's opponent shifts to cover No. 1 he may pass back to No. 3.

Diagram XCIV, the ball is out of bounds under the basket. Player No. 2 and No. 3 criss-cross with No. 3 going behind No. 2. Player No. 4 drives straight in and the ball is passed from No. 1 to whoever is open in the group.

Often times teams are fortunate enough to have players who are excellent jumpers and are able to out jump their opponents. A team should prepare for this sort of situation and devise basketball plays...

in which this ability may be turned into a possible extra score or so. As said before, although a basket may not be scored on each play, possession of that ball has been secured and the effort of preparing for a scoring opportunity is not lost entirely.

Foul Line Basketball Plays:

It is customary on all free throws to have three men on the free throw lane to secure the ball in the event the free throw is missed. The rules state that the players shall be alternated so that each team will have the same number of players in the same location relative to the basket—an equal opportunity for securing the rebound is thereby established. If possible the tallest player should locate himself next to the backboard. The taller players have the advantage in all rebounds.

Offensive Foul Line Plays:

Diagram XCV is an example of basketbally plays that shows what may be done if the free throw is missed. If at all possible the players should attempt to slap the ball in, but if they are not in a position to shoot, the ball may be passed to a teammate. The diagram shows No. 1 player receiving the rebound but he was not in position to shoot because of close guarding so he immediately passed to player No. 4.

In Diagram XCVI the rebound is taken by player No. 1 who is directly under the basket. He taps the ball directly back to player No. 4.

Defensive Foul Line Basketball Plays:

Diagram XCVII shows how the ball is taken down the floor after securing the rebound after the basket has been missed. The rebound is taken by player No. 1 who takes a dribble (if necessary) and passes to player No. 4 who in turn passes to No. 2 who is cutting down the center of the floor.

Number 2 passes over to No. 5 who is cutting down the side of the court. Player No. 2 steps in front of the shooter as soon as the ball hits the rim.

In Diagram XCVIII player No. 2 received rebound and dribbles toward the side of the court. He then passes directly across the court to No. 5 who is cutting fast down the court. Number 5 passes to No. 4 who has started down court immediately upon seeing No. 2 gain possession of the ball on the rebound.