Baseline out of bounds plays (BOB or BLOB) create repeatable scoring opportunities. Good teams look not just to inbound the ball but create high quality shots.
Players' first priority is inbound safely. Like a quarterback, the inbounder needs to make good decisions and pass accurately.
Coaches can run a variety of formations and a variety of tactics against either man-to-man or zone defense. The best plays create multiple scoring opportunities.
This can be run from multiple formations - box, four across, or a line parallel to the baseline. It pressures the low defenders who must first protect the basket. Alternatively, you can have 4 and 5 cut directly to the blocks or have one screen the middle defender (X5).
This is what I call the "generic" inbounds play against the zone. On the ball side, the idea is to create a perimeter shot for the inbounder. The 'option' is if X3 goes out hard to have 1 screen for 3 instead of vice versa. Another option I see a lot is the inbounds to 3, who dribbles out as 4 and 5 set an "elevator screen" for 1 cutting to the top of the key for a return pass.
This is just a wrinkle that creates weak side (help side) action.
Another type of action I see a lot is multiple screens (multiple action) on the ball side with entry for either a perimeter shot or ball reversal with a skip pass.
Obviously, coaches will design plays to get their best shooters/scorers the ball. A previous post, "
Breaking Brad" shows a lot of the concepts that Celtics' coach Brad Stevens likes against man-to-man (NBA) defenses.
Defensively, we teach players the importance of physicality (screens closer to the basket are generally more physical) and the dangerousness of the inbounder.
