PREPARE YOUR TEAM FOR THESE 20 LATE GAME SITUATIONS

I have put together a list of late game situations that coaches need to prepare their team for.  You may not even encounter some of these situations during the season, but don't get caught off guard, and prepare for them. These are situations that as a coach you need to think about so you at least know what your choices will be if you are faced with them.

1. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
2. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Dead Ball. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
3. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
4. Score is tied or you are behind. Full court. Baseline OB. Clock is running. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
5. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
6. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near half court. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
7. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower.  Less than 3 seconds on the clock.
8. Score is tied or you are behind. Sideline OB near free throw line extended or lower. More than 3 seconds on the clock.
9. You are behind 2 or 3 points with a few seconds left and your player is at the free throw line with one shot. 
10. Tie game with one minute left to play. Your team has the ball.  When do you attempt to score?
1. Do you hold the ball for one shot?
2. Do you take the first available shot?
11. Tie game. Your team has the ball with 10 seconds to play. No timeouts. What do you want your team to run?  Do you want them to attack the rim? Get the ball inside? Run a specific set play? Who do you want to take the shot?
12. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 10 seconds left.  Do you foul or play it out?
13. You are down 3. Opponent has the ball with 4 seconds left. Do you foul or play it out?
14. You are down 3 and on defense. If you decide to not foul on a big possession late in the game, how will your team defend ball screens?
15. Your team is on defense. You are behind by 1 point with 30 seconds left in the game.  The offensive team is in the bonus. When, if at all, do you foul?
16. You are ahead by 2 with 10 seconds left in the game.  You are on defense.  Offense will take the ball out baseline OB and has to go the length of the court. Offense is in the bonus. How do you defend them? 
1. Do you apply a full court press?  If so, what type?
2. If you don't apply full court pressure, where do you start defending the ball?
17. You are on defense.  Your team is ahead by 4 points with 20 seconds to go.  You have two fouls to give.  Do you have your team commit non-shooting fouls?
18. You are down 10 points with three minutes to go in the game. At what point to you start fouling and put the other team on the free throw line?
19. You are ahead in a one possession game (1, 2, or 3 points). Your team is on defense. The opposing team calls a timeout with 8 seconds to play.  You've played zone defense the entire game.  Do you play man-to-man on this last possession if it is something you have in your team's arsenal?
20. Do you have a delay game on offense when you are attempting to secure a lead late in games? If so, when do you start using it?

BASELINE OB PLAY FOR A SHOT IN THE POST

1 sets a cross screen for 5.
5 cuts to the opposite side of the rim, looking for a pass from 3.
2 cuts to an opening near the top of the key to give 3 a passing angle.

Immediately after setting the screen for 5, 1 sets a screen for 4.
4 cuts toward the lane area looking to receive a pass from 3.
1 then pops out to the three point line.
5 continues to pin their defender looking for a pass from 3.

COACHES SHARE RESPONSES: Would you foul in this late game situation?

Thank you to all the coaches that sent in a response to this week's COACHES SHARE.  

Situation:  Your team is ahead by 3 points. 8 seconds left in the game.  There is a timeout.  Your team is on defense, and the offense has to go the length of the court.  Both teams are in the bonus. 

QUESTION:  Do you have your team to foul and not give them a chance to tie the game with a three point basket? 

"I have been in this situation a handful of times during my coaching career and I have instructed our teams not to foul.  Only been burned on it once out of maybe ten times."
~Coach S.N. (NY)

"This is my 37th year as a head coach. I have never felt it best to give opponent an easy opportunity to score! I would not intentionally foul. Defend the 3 point line hard!!! Make your opponent execute!!!"
~Coach M.W.

 "My philosophy has flip-flopped over the years about what to have my team do in a situation like this.  Right now I am in the "foul before they shoot" camp.  I'll be interested in reading the responses of the other coaches.  Thanks for posting this question!"
~Coach T (MN)

"Makes no sense to me that you would want to 1. stop the clock, and 2. put the other team in a position to get free points.  Make them earn every point they get.  They still have to get a shot.  They still have to make the shot.  And give your own players some credit by being able to defend."
~Coach T.L. 

"Yes, foul!  Don't give the opposing team a chance to tie the game.  Make sure to foul before they attempt the shot."
~Coach C (WV)

"Foul the opponent.  I learned this the hard way last season.  We were up three late in the game and during the timeout our players were instructed to switch all screens to have a better chance to get out on the shooters. Well, we got lost on a staggered screen and left a shooter wide open.  He made a three.  We lose by five on overtime. Next time, we foul and put them on the line."
~Coach B

COACHES SHARE 8-4-12

Coaches help coaches by sharing.

Today's Coaches Share question has been debated by coaches for years.  Coaches are encouraged to add their thoughts/opinions by sending a quick email to dietelgreg@gmail.com and have your response added to tomorrow's blog. 

Situation:  Your team is ahead by 3 points. 8 seconds left in the game.  There is a timeout.  Your team is on defense, and the offense has to go the length of the court.  Both teams are in the bonus. 

QUESTION:  Do you have your team to foul and not give them a chance to tie the game with a three point basket? 

Email your response to dietelgreg@gmail.com and be part of the discussion.  Your response is then posted in tomorrow's blog.

HAVING YOUR TEAM PREPARED SITUATION 1

How prepared is your team?  There are countless situations in basketball that a coach must have their team prepared for.  The following situation may only happen one time during your season, if at all, but when the situation arises you will be glad your team was prepared.  To be prepared for it means you have to practice it.

Situation:  You are down by 4 points.  Your team has the ball, baseline out of bounds.  No timeouts left.  You have to go the length of the floor.  Five seconds remain on the game clock. 

One way to attack this situation is by first having a way to get the ball to a player you would like to take the last shot.  This could be getting a certain player the ball directly on the inbounds pass or on the first pass after the ball is thrown in play.

Because you are down by four points, and only time for one shot, obviously attempting just a 3-point basket does you no good.  So you need to teach your players to get a three point shot while attempting to draw contact and foul from the nearest defender.  This can get you to the free throw line, and with a made three point basket a chance at a four point play.

Obviously this isn't something you would practice with your players every day.  The inbounds play should be practiced weekly for sure, but the actual practice of shooting while drawing contact, no.  You have countless other things to work on.

Expect the unexpected and BE PREPARED FOR IT.