Out-of-bounds plays to create open shots From Brian Vukadinovich, retired coach, Ancilla College, Donaldson, Indiana

Too many offenses are satisfied with simply getting the ball into play in a sideline out-of-bounds situation. Defenses know this and typically overplay the offense, which makes them vulnerable to teams that attack and try to score from the sideline.

The following four plays demonstrate how not only to inbound the ball from the sideline but to utilize the proper movements, passes and motions to score quickly in these situations.

DIAGRAM 1: Sideline OB No. 1. 4 takes the ball out of bounds. 2 screens across for 1, who uses the screen and receives a pass from 4. 1 then passes to 2 and 2 passes to 3 on the wing. After passing to 1, 4 cuts hard to the hoop and receives a backscreen from 5 to come free. 3 passes to 4 for a layup or a short jump shot.

DIAGRAM 2: Sideline OB No. 2. 4 takes the ball out of bounds. 2 screens for 1 in the same way as in Diagram 1. 1 uses the screen and receives a pass from 4. 1 passes to 2 who then passes to 3. After passing to 2, 1 cuts off a high backscreen from 5. 3 looks to hit 1 in the lane for a layup or short jump shot. After throwing the inbound pass to 1, 4 cuts to the basket to be in rebounding position as 5 has left this area to set the backscreen for 1.

DIAGRAM 3: Sideline OB No. 3. This play is designed for a skip pass for an outside shot for teams with accurate long-range shooters. 2 takes the ball out of bounds. 1 screens across for 3. 3 uses 1’s screen and receives the inbound pass from 2. 3 passes to 1 and 1 passes to 4 on the wing. 2 and 3 then set a double screen to free up 5 on the opposite wing. 4 throws a skip pass to 5 for the open three-pointer.

DIAGRAM 4: Sideline OB No. 4. This play is designed as a “sleeper” play to set up a score under the basket for the player passing the ball into play. The player inbounding the ball should be a center or power forward who has the ability to get to the rim. If you have a small forward or even a guard who fits this description, feel free to use that player in this role as well.

In this case, 5 takes the ball out of bounds. 2 is your best shooter and is a decoy in this play. 2 runs the baseline with hands in a ready position asking to receive the pass from 5, which draws the defense toward 2. 5 passes to 1. After the pass, 5 immediately makes a fake step toward mid-court, then moves slowly and nonchalantly toward the opposite high post. 4 comes to the high post and sets a screen for 5, who rubs off this screen and turns up the speed while heading toward the hoop. 1 throws a high lob pass to 5 at the rim for an easy shot.

For a change, have 1 and 5 switch positions, so 1 passes in to 5 and 5 hands the ball off to 1 before rolling hard to the hoop off 4’s screen to receive the lob pass from 1.