Each of us has hundreds of plays and concepts from which to choose. Where do they come from?
Of course you want he hundred dollar cheesesteak. If you had a "generic" team of capable but not exceptional players, what concepts would you want to score to save your life - BOB, SLOB, versus Man, versus Zone, ATO? Why?
I'd start with a blank sheet of paper (old school), folded lengthwise. The left side holds the list and the right weighs the pros and cons. Start with a mental or physical list of five or six actions that have worked for you (and others) in the past.
Here are five actions that have worked well over time.
BOB. Are they playing Man or Zone? Have you "set up" your 'ace in the hole' with a similar alignment and action in the past?
"Screen the screener" action out of a box formation has worked repeatedly.
SLOB. Most teams have "divided loyalties" about taking away the three point shot and protecting the basket. "Corner Rip" action often yield an uncontested layup.
MAN.
"Pistons" capitalizes on the "switch everything" mentality many teams employ, especially late in the game and late in the shot clock. A small on big cross-screen is simple and underutilized at every level.
ZONE. Stay with basics - DRIVE into gaps looking to pass. REVERSE the ball. FLASH to open spaces. POST UP. SCREEN the zone.
Use the element of surprise with the Wisconsin "Stack Jam." Multiple screens set up an overload for an inside shot. The key is toughness setting the screens.
ATO. Core principles work for good reasons. Take advantage of aggressive defenses with screens and back cuts.
Carla Berube has moved on from Tufts to Princeton, but brought her playbook into the Top 20 with actions like this quick hitter.
Lagniappe: Billy Donovan calls it "95" - what you're doing the 95% of the time you don't have the ball. Chris Oliver shares a three minute feature on Otto Porter's cutting.
