The date was January 22, 2011. It was my first time attending a Notre Dame men’s basketball game. They were playing at home against Marquette.

At some point in the game, Notre Dame had the ball baseline out of bounds under Marquette’s basket. Marquette was playing a 2-3.

Notre Dame ran what seemed like such a simple inbounds play and got a layup. I recall sitting up in my seat and immediately committing what I’d seen to memory.

If this simple play was effective enough to score against a Big East team, I figured I’d give it a try with my high school team.

For the last fourteen years, I’ve run “Irish” with an incredible degree of success. Watch it here:

(If you’re looking for more great plays organized by type (man, zone, out of bounds, etc.), check out our Basketball Plays hub page!)

Irish - A Baseline Out Of Bounds Play That’s More Than Luck

In recent years, I’ve seen more teams playing 2-3 defense in baseline out of bounds situations. This makes sense.

Most out of bounds plays are designed against man to man. Much of the screening and cutting actions that work against man are neutralized by a zone defense.

It also makes scouting easier. Teams generally have fewer zone out of bounds plays.

It’s a good strategy. As a coach, you want to be ready for it.

I think out of bounds plays should be run to score. Some coaches just want to get the ball in. I think that’s a missed opportunity.

If you had a player drive the ball to block, you’d expect to get a good shot out of that penetration.

A baseline out of bounds play is similar. The player is just below the block. Use that ball placement to your advantage.

Against zone, effective out of bounds plays make one zone defender have to choose between guarding two players. Irish does this in a simple but hard to guard manner.

Setup

• Start in a box set. Put your post player on the ballside block. Your best shooter should be on the opposite block. Put one of your best finishers/scorers on the opposite elbow.

• 1 runs through from the opposite block to the ballside elbow. They must call for and expect the ball. Their goal is to engage x3.

• 3 steps back and calls for the ball. Their goal is to engage x1.

  

• As 1 is cutting through to the corner, 4 is counting to “2 Mississippi”. It’s critical they hold for 2 seconds. This allows 1 and 5 to create the gap for them to cut into.

• After 1 passes 5, 5 screens the bottom middle defender. Now, x3 has to cover from the rim to the corner. This timing is also important. Don’t let 5 go too early.

• If 1 successfully engaged x3 with their corner cut, 4 can now cut into the open area at the ballside block.

  Notice how 4’s cut is curved rather than direct. This creates a better passing angle for the inbounder.

  

• If x3 stays in and doesn’t follow 1 to the corner, simply throw 1 the ball for an open 3.

  Remind the inbounder they are reading x3 and using their positioning to guide where they pass.

Simplicity Is The Ultimate Sophistication

Sometimes the best plays are the simplest plays. Since stealing this play over a decade ago, we have scored on it countless times.

It does a great job of exposing a weakness of the zone and creating a high percentage shot.

Add it to your arsenal! And if you’re looking for a comprehensive zone offense attack, check out Continuity Zone Offense And Concepts To Beat Any Zone Defense.

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