Basketball - The "In Between" Game

Belichick prizes the "in-between game." "It wasn’t an accident that Brady ended up on our team. From our earliest era of success, our team vision was to find players who knew how to execute the in-between game. We wanted players who embraced performing in ways that wouldn’t necessarily be accounted for in any stat, but would certainly be noticed by the coaches—getting out-of-bounds to stop the clock instead of picking up a couple more yards, or spreading the ball around as a QB to keep as many people engaged as possible." - from "The Art of Winning" 

Winning contributions often don't appear in the box score. Players who understand the "in between game" live extreme attention to detail. A few examples:

Defense

• Fighting over a screen
• Communication
• Covering 1.5 (your player and half of another)
• Saving a ball going out of bounds
• Deflections
• Help and recover 
• Forcing a turnover 
• Contesting shots without fouling
• Running a player off the three-point line
• Taking a charge
• Blocking out allowing a team rebound

Offense

• Setting a 'scoring screen' that leads to a hoop
• Moving without the ball preventing a turnover
• Hockey assists (the pass leading to an assist)
• Inbounding the ball safely and efficiently
• Spacing the floor allowing teammates to operate
• Avoiding turnovers
• Shot selection, knowing when not to shoot
• Running clock, shortening the game 

Intangibles

• Positivity 
• Leadership
• Being a great teammate
• Mentoring younger teammates
• Practicing hard
• Being coachable

Subtle actions and avoiding bad decisions adds 'hidden value" to a player's game. 

Lagniappe. We're always presenting. Do it well. 

From Good to Great: How to Elevate Your Coaching Clinic Presentations

I got asked for advice this week by a coach presenting at an NABC clinic this spring.

After 10+ years presenting at clinics worldwide—I’ve seen what works... and what misses.

Here are some ideas👇🧵 pic.twitter.com/VRWlcFPDYW

— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) May 9, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Carl Banks was an elite linebacker for the New York Giants. In "The Art of Winning" Belichick quotes him as saying, "one that always stuck with me was something that Carl Banks would frequently say on the practice field. “Don’t let a bad play become a bad day!"