Subbing

 

It takes a special player to come off the bench and help his team. It is a role many players do not enjoy, but a very important role, in some cases more important than a starter. The following questions should be contemplated to help prepare for such a situation.

 

Whom am I going in for?

• What was his assignment?

• Whom will I guard?

• What are his strengths and weaknesses?

• What are his physical attributes?

• Does he have a dominant hand?

• Does he go hard to the boards?

• Is he a good defender?

• Is he a good ball handler?

• Does he go for head and ball fakes?

• What side of the floor does he prefer to play on?

• Is he a shooter?

• If so, from where?

• Does he shoot better off the dribble or pass?

• Does he use head and ball fakes?

• Is he a good free throw shooter?

 

How are the officials calling the game?

• Is it being called close or are they letting us play?

 

What is the official's "favorite" call?

• Traveling?

• Moving screens?

• Three-seconds?

• Palming?

What is the tempo of the game?

• Are we attempting to score from transition?

• Have we given up any lay-ups?

• How is our halfcourt game?

• Are we executing?

 

Why am I going into the game?

• To rebound?

• To score?

• To assert myself defensively?

• To rest a teammate?

• To ignite my teammates?

 

What defense are we playing?

• Are we playing man-to-man?

• Can we afford to guard tight or do we need to sag off?

• Who are their "zone busters"?

• Do they have a dominant center you should help cover down?

• Have we pressed?

• Do you expect us to be pressing soon?

 

What offense are we running?

• What has worked the best so far?

 

What else should I know?

• How many time-outs do we have left?

• Are we in the bonus?

• What is the score?

• How much time is remaining?