5 Effective Sideline Out-of-Bounds (SLOB) Plays to Get Open Shots and Quick Scores
Quick Coach Tips:
Use SLOB plays to create clean shots with minimal dribbling.
Teach players to read switches, curls, and slips.
Add decoy actions to misdirect defenses and free up your top options.
Practice against both man and zone defenses.
Always have a safety outlet to avoid turnovers.
Execution (Step-by-Step):
1. Stagger Screen for a Shooter
Setup: Box set, inbound to a big at the short corner, 2 screeners on the strong-side elbow.
Primary Look: Shooter cuts to the wing for a catch-and-shoot.
Counter: Slip to the rim if the defense overplays, or pop to the top if the defense switches.
2. Box Set SLOB: Cross and Down Screen
Setup: 5 sets a cross screen for 2 to the corner, 4 sets a down screen for 3 to the top.
Primary Look: Hit 2 in the corner, 3 at the top, or 5 after the cross screen.
Coaching Tip: Keep angles tight, and teach cutters to change speeds.
3. Clear Side Isolation
Setup: Best player at the weak-side elbow, 5 sets a flare screen for 2.
Primary Look: 3 receives the ball and isolates on the strong side.
Coaching Tip: Make sure the floor is spaced to create isolation.
4. Fake Back Screen Slip
Setup: 5 at the elbow, 4 at the weak-side block, 3 sets a fake back screen.
Primary Look: 4 slips to the rim after faking the screen.
Coaching Tip: Sell the screen with the right timing on the slip.
5. SLOB into Pick-and-Roll
Setup: 2 starts opposite the ball, 5 sets a pin-down for 2.
Primary Look: 5 sets a ball screen for 2 after the inbound, 5 rolls to the rim.
Coaching Tip: Ensure the inbounder spaces and the screener rolls hard
Why SLOB Plays Matter
SLOB plays are a powerful tool to create easy scoring chances. They allow you to set screens, dictate the offense, and force the defense into difficult decisions. When taught well, these plays can be run with minimal personnel and basketball IQ, as long as players understand timing, spacing, and execution.
How to Teach SLOB Plays:
Start with Simple Plays: Focus on stagger screens, back screens, and isolation clear-outs.
Add Variations: Once players grasp the basics, incorporate counters like slips or backcuts.
Film and Review: Use film to identify areas for improvement in spacing and timing.
Make It Competitive: Score reps based on successful execution to build urgency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Timing Issues: Ensure perfect timing between the inbounder and cutters.
Lack of Options: Always have a primary and secondary read.
Stationary Screens: Move with purpose—screen, slip, or pop as needed.
Coaching Points for SLOB Success
1. Inbounder Awareness: The inbounder is your quarterback. Teach them to scan all options and fake with their eyes. They must recognize help defenders and delay tactics.
2. Timing Over Talent: Even average players can execute SLOBs effectively if their timing is right. Practice plays at different speeds and against live defense.
3. Communication: Encourage players to talk, screeners call screens, cutters call for the ball. It helps maintain spacing and reduces confusion.
4. Pressure Situations: SLOB plays are often run in high-pressure moments. Simulate timeouts, 5-second counts, and game-clock situations in practice.
5. Two-Option Rule: Train players to always have a primary and secondary read. If the first option is covered, they should immediately flow into the second.
6. Defensive Adjustments: Teach your players how to recognize defensive switches or traps. Install counters like slips or flares to beat common coverages.
How to Install SLOBs at the Youth and High School Level
Start with 2-3 Core Plays: Choose simple actions, a stagger for a shooter, a back screen slip, and an isolation clear-out. These plays are easy to teach and flexible.
Use Colored Tape or Cones: Mark spots on the floor during practice so players learn where they should be on each action.
Film and Review: Even with limited technology, filming your inbounds execution on a phone or tablet can help players understand spacing and timing.
Make SLOBs Competitive: Turn them into games, score for successful execution, points for good reads, and deduct for turnovers or misreads. This builds urgency and confidence.
Rehearse Special Situations: Practice SLOBs with different constraints: 3 seconds left, only 1 timeout, up/down by 1, facing a trap, etc. Your players will be ready when it counts.
Sideline out-of-bounds plays can swing momentum and steal points in tight games. When your team knows how to execute under pressure, you gain a significant edge. Teach a few actions well, practice them consistently, and empower your players to make the right reads, and you’ll be scoring out of timeouts with confidence.
Final Thoughts:
SLOB plays can be a game-changer when executed with precision. By focusing on clean timing, good reads, and crisp movement, your team can generate high-quality shots and force defenses to react under pressure.
