How to Master Inbound Basketball Plays and Score More Points

Having coached for 35 years in leagues where every single game was either a home or an away game, I’ve seen firsthand how inbound plays can make or break a team’s offensive rhythm. It’s not just about getting the ball inbounds—it’s about creating high-percentage scoring opportunities, especially in tight, late-game situations. Over the decades, I’ve come to appreciate that the inbound play is one of the most under-coached yet game-changing aspects of basketball. Most teams practice shooting, defense, and transition offense relentlessly, but how many dedicate 15–20 minutes each practice specifically to inbound scenarios? In my experience, fewer than 30% of teams at the high school and amateur levels do so consistently, and that’s a huge missed opportunity.

Let me walk you through what I believe separates effective inbound plays from forgettable ones. First, spacing is everything. I can’t stress this enough—if your players are clustered together, even the most creative play design will fail. I always tell my teams to imagine the court as a grid and occupy as many scoring zones as possible. For example, in a baseline inbound situation, I like to position one player in the corner for a potential three, another cutting hard to the rim, and a third setting a screen near the elbow to free up a mid-range shooter. This forces the defense to cover multiple threats simultaneously. One of my favorite set plays, which we called “Ram Flex,” resulted in an average of 1.2 points per possession across three seasons—a solid return for what’s essentially a half-court set play.

Another key element is misdirection. Defenses today are smarter and more prepared than ever, thanks to advanced scouting and video analysis. That’s why simple, straightforward plays often fall flat. I’ve found that incorporating decoy movements—like having a player flash to the ball only to set a back-screen for someone else—can create those precious few seconds of confusion that lead to open looks. Personally, I love using a “screen-the-screener” action because it forces defenders to communicate under pressure, and let’s be honest, even the best defensive teams sometimes lapse in those moments. We once scored 8 points off inbound plays in a single playoff game purely because we exploited defensive miscommunications triggered by our counters.

Timing and personnel are just as critical. Not every player is suited for every role in an inbound play. For instance, I prefer my best decision-maker as the inbounder, not necessarily my tallest player. Why? Because they need to read the defense and make split-second choices—pass to the first option, wait for the secondary action, or call a timeout if nothing materializes. I’ve had point guards who recorded 5 or 6 assists per game solely from inbound plays because they knew how to manipulate defensive coverages. On the other end, your finishers need to execute with precision. A well-timed backdoor cut or a quick flare screen can lead to a layup or an open three-pointer, which in today’s game is worth roughly 1.05 points per attempt on average.

Let’s talk about situational awareness. Inbound plays aren’t run in a vacuum—they’re shaped by the game context. Are you down by 2 with 10 seconds left? Or up by 3 and trying to seal the win? Each scenario demands a different approach. I’m a big advocate for having at least 3–4 “special situation” plays drilled to perfection for end-of-game moments. One of my go-to plays when trailing by 2 was “Fist Down,” which involved a double stagger screen for our best shooter coming off the wing. We ran it 12 times in clutch situations over two seasons and scored on 9 of those possessions. That’s a 75% success rate in high-pressure moments—numbers I’m pretty proud of.

Of course, execution beats design every time. You can draw up the most brilliant play, but if your players don’t sell their cuts or set solid screens, it’s worthless. I’ve lost count of how many games I’ve seen decided by a lazy pass or a half-hearted cut. That’s why we used to practice inbound plays against live, aggressive defenses regularly. Repetition builds muscle memory, and muscle memory builds confidence. I’ll admit, I’m biased toward simplicity in these drills—fancy plays are great, but if your team can’t execute the basics under pressure, you’re better off keeping it simple.

Now, if you ask me about the most overlooked aspect of inbound plays, I’d say it’s the mental game. Players need to believe the play will work. I’ve coached teams that had all the right X’s and O’s but faltered because they didn’t trust the system. That’s where film study comes in. Showing players successful examples—whether from our own games or even NBA footage—reinforces that these plays can and do work at the highest levels. For instance, I often referenced the San Antonio Spurs’ elevator screens or the Golden State Warriors’ split-cut actions to illustrate how simple concepts, executed well, lead to baskets.

Inbound basketball plays are more than just a way to restart the game—they’re a strategic weapon. Whether you’re coaching a youth team or a professional squad, mastering these plays can add 5–10 points to your team’s average per game, in my estimation. It’s about preparation, adaptability, and attention to detail. After 35 years on the sidelines, I can confidently say that the teams who invest time in this area are the ones that consistently outperform expectations. So next time you’re designing your practice plan, don’t skip the inbound drills. Your scoreboard will thank you later.