A SLOB or sideline out of bounds play can be a useful tactic to get a good open shot when taking the ball out on the sideline on the offensive end. These SLOB plays are also necessary for end of game situations especially if you are taking a timeout to get a play drawn up. These plays allow the offense to start running a play using the in-bounds pass as the start of the play.
This SLOB has the forward(3) taking the ball out on the sideline. The point(1) and guard(2) are on the blocks with the big(4) and center(5) on the elbows. The player you want shooting the ball should be on the ballside elbow where I have the guard(2). This player is going to be the one who should have the open shot at the end of the play.
The initial action is the guard(2) setting a screen for the point(1) to run to the corner. This initial screen is trying to get the guard’s(2) defender to take a step away from the lane in helping with the screen. While the play is not designed to get the point(1) a shot, if the defense leaves the point(1) running to the corner free then the entry pass can go straight to the point(1) in the corner for an open 3-point shot.
As the guard(2) is setting the screen for the point(1), the big(4) and center(5) are coming together at the foul line. They are coming together to get an elevator screen set for the guard(2).
The elevator screen will occur with the guard(2) running up the lane to the 3-point line. The big(4) and center(5) are coming together for the double screen.
The double screen can be with the guard(2) running around the double on the outside of the big(4). Or as I have drawn it, the guard(2) can come through in between the big(4) and center(5). The big(4) and center(5) will leave an opening for the guard(2) to go through and then close the space by coming together to prevent any defender from following through.
The type of screen to use, whether it is more of a gate screen or a stagger screen or a simple double screen, can be adjusted to each coach’s preference. It can be something the big(4) and center(5) adjust to during the play by reading and reacting to the defense. A defense that chases might have more trouble with the gate screen whereas a team that overplays ball side will struggle more with the straight double screen. And a team that chases around screens will have more trouble defending a stagger double screen. The type of double screen can be adjusted to fit the coaching style or the type of defense being ran.
This is a great SLOB play that will work once or twice a game. It is not something that is going to work a bunch of times but in the right situation it will work. It can be a play you keep back for a late game situation in which you need a 3-point shot to win or tie a game. Every team needs a late game SLOB play that will get them a 3-point shot. This is a great play for that situations.
