Special Teams (BLOB, SLOB, Late Game Situations, and More)

With so much focus on some of the more obvious strategies of a basketball team like offensive systems, defensive systems, transition systems or team culture, some of the smaller strategies can become an fterthought. I see that as a tremendous opportunity to gain an advantage! Some of the smaller strategies may only gain your team small advantages, but those small advantages add up - especially when you get smaller advantages in several phases of the game at once.

That is the reason I wanted to share some thoughts in these 39 pages on “special teams.” Special teams are the in-between situations in a game. Some coaches have strategies for these phases, and others don’t spend the time or energy to optimize. Deciding not to spend time or energy on a particular smaller phase is certainly fine, but it should be a decision. You shouldn’t disregard these areas out of ignorance. With each phase I’ll share some advice, and then discuss how I handle these situations specifically.

I’ve spent nine years as a head coach and three as an assistant. The thoughts I share are designed to help you think through these in-between phases of the game to decide if you want to invest time and energy into organizing them. The specific strategies I share with you are the strategies I’ve used with my teams, and with great success.

BONUS #1: Special Situations Playbook
27 diagrammed special situations plays, most including a link to film of the play. It is broken down into three sections - Get it in, Need a 2, and Need a 3. 

BONUS #2: Special Teams - Situations Checklist 
A list of special situations to be prepared for to make sure you have all your bases covered.