Basketball - Playing Time and Lineup Construction

Playing time and lineup construction fall far below the level of science. Coaches need some "principled" approach and each coach has a rationale. This discussion applies for "developmental" basketball, in which growth, not winning, comes first.

Substitution Patterns

Nothing is completely "fair." I had parents with tracking software to measure each player's time to the second. Okay.

In a 32 minute game, I often divided games into three minute segments. The simplest is to rotate everyone, change out the lineup five at a time and "get what you get." Simplicity rules and wildly unequal lineups appear. 

Another approach is 'traditional' where the coach substitutes in players as she sees fit. Some players play more and others play less. That creates meritocracy sometimes and oversight at others. 

What I evolved was ten periods with differing combinations of players with a bit more 'strength' at the beginning of the game (against the opponent's best) and end of the game. That meant modest inequality of minutes. 

Combinations

Players have different strengths and limitations. A lineup with no ballhandlers inevitably creates more turnovers and vulnerability to pressure defense.

A lineup without "rebounders" allows imbalance in possessions as opponents dominate the glass during that segment. 

A lineup without "scorers" means leads shrink and deficits expand. Nobody wins a game 0-0. 

And a lineup without toughness (lacking physical players) can be worst of all as Darwinian dynamics ("survival of the fittest") work their magic against you. 

The challenge becomes assigning each lineup:

• Two or more ballhandlers
• At least two scorers
• A minimum of two 'rebounders'
• Avoiding two "soft" players on the court together

Practical applications

Young players usually don't argue with the process. Parents feel differently. 

Each family was paying for league fees, gym time, and officials. The coaches volunteered. Parents should feel entitled to something for their investment. 

The families of the best players feel that their daughters should play more. Families of less skilled players also feel that way. 

Herb Welling once told me that "if you get that kid" (the once-in-a-lifetime prospect), that "you have to take care of her." Make of that what you want, but I coached that player, Cecilia Kay. She earned Boston Globe and Boston Herald "Dream Team" player and Gatorade All-America nominee, currently playing at St. Joseph's. 

What about winning? I had to fight for three hours of practice time per week for the 12 or 13 players. I was initially offered two and threatened to walk without three. When competing against most teams with eight to ten players and more practice time (some coaches told me they had at least eight hours), you're playing uphill. 

The number of "basketball first" athletes steadily eroded as players gravitated to soccer or volleyball. Athletes work to become their best at whatever they play, but the basketball skill set demands more time and physicality than some other sports. Soccer players on the whole have less size and strength than hoopers. 

Meeting everyone's "Chuck Daly" expectations regarding minutes, role, and recognition is impossible. Coaching for "less than free" (sponsoring two tournament entries and end-of-season catered gathering) cut me some slack. 

Brad Stevens says, "Coaches get more than we give." I agree and worked to make the "basketball experience" as palatable as possible. 

Lagniappe. "Mazzulla Ball" is about creating 2 v 1 chances.