7 Basketball Out of Bounds Plays That Score Easy Buckets
The best basketball out of bounds plays use a screen, a cut, and quick spacing to get one player open before the defense can react. Run a box or stack set, screen the screener for a layup, and always keep a safe release so you never burn the five second count. Below are seven proven BLOB and SLOB plays, with the coaching points that make them work.
Every inbound is a free possession with the ball already in your hands. Teams that drill these plays turn dead balls into layups and open threes, especially late in close games.
What is a basketball out of bounds play?
An out of bounds play is a set the offense runs to inbound the ball safely and, ideally, create a scoring chance. The inbounder has five seconds to make the pass, so every player needs to know exactly where to be and when to move. Coaches group these sets by where the ball starts.
A BLOB is a baseline out of bounds play, inbounded from under or beside your own basket, where you are closest to the rim and a quick screen can free a layup. A SLOB is a sideline out of bounds play, inbounded from the side, used to get into offense cleanly or to run a quick hitter for a shot.
What makes a good out of bounds play work?
Three things separate a play that scores from one that stalls: timing, a real screen, and a safety valve. Players must cut on the inbounder's signal, not early, so defenders cannot cheat. Screens have to be set with contact and held long enough to spring the cutter. And you always want one release option so a covered first look does not turn into a five second violation.
Great inbound plays also hide the primary target. The player who scores should be the second or third option the defense reads, not the first. Screen the screener actions do this well, because the defense keys on the first cutter while the real threat slips open behind them.
7 out of bounds plays every team should know
These sets cover man defense, zone defense, and last second situations. Start with two or three, drill them until they are automatic, then add more as your team grows.
How do you diagram the Box Stack?
Here is the first play drawn up. Solid arrows show player movement, the dashed line is the inbound pass, and the short bar is the screen.
BLOB vs SLOB: which should you call?
Use this quick guide to pick the right set for the situation on the floor.
You inbound under your own basket and want a direct scoring chance. You are closest to the rim, so screen the screener and stack sets can produce a layup in one pass.
You inbound from the sideline and mainly need to enter your offense safely against pressure, or run a quick hitter for a jumper when time is short.
Screening actions shine. Box Stack, Screen the Screener, and Pin Down all exploit defenders who chase cutters.
Overload and spacing beat screens. Use the Line Dribble set to flood one side and find the open gap shooter.
Custom Pro Basketball Whiteboard /w Handle | 2 Sided
Diagram every BLOB and SLOB on a full court on one side and a half court on the other. The carry handle keeps it ready in the huddle when you need a play in five seconds.
How do you teach these to a team fast?
Walk through each set at half speed with no defense first, so players learn their spots and the trigger. Then add defenders and run it live from a dead ball. Keep the menu small. Two BLOBs and two SLOBs that your team executes perfectly beat ten plays they half remember.
End practice with a two minute situation drill: down two, six seconds left, ball out of bounds. Call a play and let them score it under pressure. That rep is worth more than any amount of chalk talk.
Out of bounds plays FAQ
Five seconds. The count starts when the inbounder has the ball out of bounds. Go past five and it is a turnover, so always build in a safe release option.
A BLOB is a baseline out of bounds play from under your basket. A SLOB is a sideline out of bounds play from the side. BLOBs score more directly because you start closer to the rim.
The Box Stack. It uses one screen and one cut, it is easy to teach, and it reliably frees a layup against man defense without complex timing.
On a made basket, yes, the baseline inbounder can run the endline. On a sideline inbound or after a violation, they must stay at the designated spot.
Overload one side with the Line Dribble set. Flooding a zone with more players than it can cover creates an open shooter in the gap or short corner.
Two to four total is plenty for most teams: one or two BLOBs and one or two SLOBs, plus a last second set. Master a few rather than memorizing many.
Draw up every play on your own custom board
The plays above only work if your team sees them clearly. A two sided pro board lets you diagram a full court BLOB on one side and a half court SLOB on the other, then wipe it clean for the next call. Build yours with your team name and colors.
