What Are Your Got to Have it Actions?

Bill Belichick says most football games have about five “Got to have it” situations. Basketball games can have fewer or more. 

What are ours? They usually sort into special situations, versus man, and versus zone. You'll have at least three of each on your play sheet. One advantage of blogging is that your blog becomes a searchable database.

Special situations

Four. A screen-the-screener action that once got a layup five times in a game. 

Inside stagger action 

Screen the middle of the zone. The low defenders make choices on what to take away. 

Versus Man

Elbow get creates three great options:

• Reject the ball screen and drive
• PnR
• 4 slips 

Iverson backscreen. Iverson action can create action for '2' or a possible layup off the backscreen. 

This SLOB also works well as a standalone half-court set. The initial screen gets the ball to the '2' and the three sets a sequential screen for a diagonal cut for the big. 

Versus Zone

We can run similar actions from different formations or different actions from the same one. 

Alternative roads to the same destination. 

Here's what I got from an AI request:

Setup:

• Two guards up top. Your ball-handler is one; your best shooter is the other.

• The high-post (5) sets a ball screen on the top defender.

• Shooter drifts to the weak-side wing.

• Baseline players occupy both corners.

Action:

1. Use the ball screen aggressively to split the top defenders.

2. As the middle defender steps up, the roller dives into the middle lane.

3. Ball-handler can:

   • Attack the elbow gap for a pull-up.

   • Hit the diving roller.

   • Skip to the shooter, now open on the weak-side wing.

Why it works: The 2–3 zone isn’t built to guard dynamic two-man action. Ball screens flatten the top, draw help, and create multiple “got to have it” reads — all inside 12 seconds.

Coaching Notes: Execution Under Pressure

1. Get the ball to the middle, then inside-out. The closer the touch to the rim, the higher the foul and conversion rates.

2. Rehearse “zone scramble” drills. When the ball skips sides, teach your players to re-space quickly — deep corners, 45° wings, strong high post.

3. Define the decision-maker. Late in games, have a single “hub” who knows he’s making the read. Simplicity wins in chaos.

4. Don’t chase perfection — chase advantage. The goal isn’t a “diagram-clean” look; it’s a defender in rotation and a player you trust taking the shot.