1/ 🧵 The Secret Weapon Every Coach Overlooks in BLOBs?

Think about it: 5 defenders focused on 4 offensive players.

Your inbounder? 

They've forgotten about them completely... 👀

2/ The math is simple: 

When defenses spend 100% of attention on 80% of your offense, you've got a massive advantage waiting to be exploited.

Toronto Raptors | 4-Low | Inbounder Stag

3/ Here's how Toronto Raptors adjusted the same play to counter a Zone:

Toronto Raptors Zone | 4-Low | Inbounder Stag

4/ If 4-Low isn't your favorite formation, but you still have a shooting inbounder, here's another one for you:

Southeastern Oklahoma State | Inbounder Pin

5/ Elite programs exploit this constantly.

Watch how Purdue creates an easy bucket using their inbounder: 

Purdue | 3-Out | Twist Inbounder Zoom

6/ If you like this sort of content, why not sign up for my weekly newsletter?

I share the best BLOBs, SLOBs, ATOs, EOGs & set plays from around the world every Saturday

Join 3,000+ coaches who grow their playbook and win more games in a 5-minute read: https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

7/ "But my inbounder isn't a shooter..."

No problem. 

Auburn gets their inbounder a layup here: 

Auburn | 4-Low | Inbounder Middle Pin

8/ Seeing a lot of zone?

Here's how to seal for your inbounder: 

Southeastern FL Zone | Box | Seal for Inbounder

9/ The best part? 

These aren't complex plays.

Watch this simple double screen action: 

Covenant College | 4-Low | Inbounder Double

10/ Need more proof? 

Oklahoma shows why forgetting the inbounder is deadly: 

Oklahoma | 4-High | Stag Reject

11/ Keys to success:

• Train inbounders to expect to score
• Use defense's assumptions against them
• Simple actions > complex plays
• Time your cuts perfectly

12/ Remember: 

Basketball is about creating advantages.

Your biggest advantage? 

The player defenses consistently ignore 😤

13/ Want more BLOB sets and coaching insights?

Follow me for daily basketball strategy and let me know if you want to see specific actions broken down! 🏀

#BLOBinHood #BasketballCoach #XsAndOs

The Hidden Power of Inbounders

1/ Being heavily scouted?

Perfect.

Let's talk about the art of misdirection in baseline out-of-bounds plays.

Every possession counts, but few moments offer more opportunity to catch defenses off-guard than BLOBs.

A thread 🧵

2/ Basketball deception is psychological warfare.

You're manipulating defensive attention, making them believe one thing while executing another.

And BLOBs?

They're the perfect laboratory for deceptive tactics (videos to follow).

3/ Think about it: confined space, predetermined formation, defense expecting certain actions. 

You can use their preparation against them. 

Their scout becomes their weakness.

4/ When you present familiar patterns only to break them suddenly, you create those precious moments of defensive hesitation. 

That split second of doubt? 

That's where magic happens.

5/ Want to craft deceptive BLOB plays? Start with familiar formations.

Set the D at ease. Make them think they know what's coming.

Let them settle into their comfort zone.

Next, use your best scorer as a decoy.

The defense will instinctively gravitate toward them.

6/ While they're focused on your star, initiate your secondary action.

Timing is everything here.

The real scoring opportunity should unfold just as the defense commits to stopping your perceived primary threat.

7/ Take the "Elevator Decoy" play.

Defense sees your shooter setting up for the classic elevator screen action. 

Their attention locks in. But the real threat?

It's developing quietly on the weak side.

Virginia Tech | 4-Low | Elevator Decoy Backdoor

8/ Or consider the Elevator Slip variation.

Same setup, different punch line.

This time, one screener slips to the basket while the defense focuses on preventing the shooter from getting free.

Davidson | 4-High | Elevator Decoy Slip

9/ Made it this far?

We're not even close to being done...

But if you think you're getting any value from this, I would ask you to consider joining my newsletter.

https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

10/ But here's the key: these plays demand precision. 

Crisp, purposeful movements. Convincing decoy actions. Perfect timing between elements.

You can't just draw them up - you have to master them.

11/ Here are some more "Gotcha" looks to get inspiration from:

Slipping right after screening is a common action. Slipping after a Step Up screen is a bit more interesting.

UNLV | Box | Exit Diagonal (Wrinkle - Same Side Slip)

12/ Using your shooter as a strong-side decoy may open up a weakside backdoor cut.

Hapoel Jerusalem | Box | Low Cross Gotcha

13/ When defenses see a "Stack" they assume 'screeners'.

Why not test their readiness to defend a quick dive?

Rochester College | Low Stack | Gotcha

14/ Using the inbounder to score can be done in many ways.

The quick "step in" and get a look has hurt my teams in the past as well, as players tend to relax a bit on the inbounder.

Minnesota-Duluth | Box | Elbow Choice (Flip-Inbounder Gotcha)

15/ Who doesn't need a simple Lob look?

Olivet Nazarene | 31 | Gotcha Lob

16/ Last, but not least, a quick Duck-In

Mount Vernon Nazarene | 31 | Weakside Duck-In Gotcha

17/ SHAMELESS PLUG:

Grab some of the best Ghost, Backdoor, Slip, and Misdirection plays from around the world and "steal" some points this season!

"Gotcha" (Ghosts, Backdoors, Slips and Misdirection plays):
- 71 plays
- NCAA, NBA, G-League, Euroleague

https://idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/gotcha

18/ Dedicate practice time specifically to these situations. 

Focus on reading and reacting to defensive adjustments. 

Because the defense will adjust. 

Count on it.

19/ That's why you need multiple options built into each play. 

If they sniff out your initial deception, you need somewhere else to go. 

No dead ends.

20/ Keep your playbook fresh. 

Vary your entry passes. 

Rotate which players fill which roles. 

Build off established tendencies to create new deceptions.

21/ Because in basketball, like in magic, misdirection is an art. 

It's about making everyone look one way while the real action unfolds somewhere else.

22/ Master this art, and those heavily scouted games?

They become your advantage.

Because sometimes the best way to get where you want to go is by making everyone look the other way first.

The Art of Misdirection in Baseline Out-of-Bounds Plays

🧵 The Secret Weapon Every Coach Overlooks in BLOBs?

Think about it: 5 defenders focused on 4 offensive players.

Your inbounder? 

They've forgotten about them completely... 👀

The math is simple: 

When defenses spend 100% of attention on 80% of your offense, you've got a massive advantage waiting to be exploited.

Toronto Raptors | 4-Low | Inbounder Stag

Here's how Toronto Raptors adjusted the same play to counter a Zone:

Toronto Raptors Zone | 4-Low | Inbounder Stag

If 4-Low isn't your favorite formation, but you still have a shooting inbounder, here's another one for you:

Southeastern Oklahoma State | Inbounder Pin

Elite programs exploit this constantly.

Watch how Purdue creates an easy bucket using their inbounder: 

Purdue | 3-Out | Twist Inbounder Zoom

If you like this sort of content, why not sign up for my weekly newsletter?

I share the best BLOBs, SLOBs, ATOs, EOGs & set plays from around the world every Saturday

Join 3,000+ coaches who grow their playbook and win more games in a 5-minute read: https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

"But my inbounder isn't a shooter..."

No problem. 

Auburn gets their inbounder a layup here: 

Auburn | 4-Low | Inbounder Middle Pin

Seeing a lot of zone?

Here's how to seal for your inbounder: 

Southeastern FL Zone | Box | Seal for Inbounder

The best part? 

These aren't complex plays.

Watch this simple double screen action: 

Covenant College | 4-Low | Inbounder Double

Need more proof? 

Oklahoma shows why forgetting the inbounder is deadly: 

Oklahoma | 4-High | Stag Reject

Keys to success:

• Train inbounders to expect to score
• Use defense's assumptions against them
• Simple actions > complex plays
• Time your cuts perfectly

Remember: 

Basketball is about creating advantages.

Your biggest advantage? 

The player defenses consistently ignore 😤

Want more BLOB sets and coaching insights?

Follow me for daily basketball strategy and let me know if you want to see specific actions broken down! 🏀

#BLOBinHood #BasketballCoach #XsAndOs

What's the BEST baseline out-of-bounds play?

This is the #1 question coaches ask me.

After studying thousands of BLOBs from every level worldwide, I can tell you:

It depends.

But I'll share what actually works.

A thread 🧵

Many coaches default to the Diagonal Screen-the-Screener (STS).

Despite being overused, it remains highly effective. 

Why?

Because it forces defensive communication & creates confusion at a critical moment.

 UCLA | Box | Diagonal STS

Then there's the Flex action out of 4-Low formation.

Hard to guard ✅ 
Forces communication ✅
Creates matchup problems ✅

UConn BLOB - 4-Low Flex

Or maybe it's a simple Pindown or Staggered Screen for the often-forgotten inbounder?

Toronto Raptors BLOB - 4-Low Inbounder Stag

Before I tell you my answer, here's what really matters when choosing your BLOB:

Consider these Q's:

• What's your team's DNA?
• Where's your advantage?
• What do defenses in your conference struggle against?
• Will you see more zone or man?

Let's break these down👇

Finding this helpful?

I break down winning plays like this every Saturday in my newsletter - designed for coaches who want to save time and maximize special situations.

Join 3000+ coaches getting better every week 👇

https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

Let's continue...

First up: Your team's DNA 🧬

Do you have quick slashers?

Look at formations lifting them away from baseline (4-High, 3-Out/1-In).

Creating space for cuts > Running a "perfect" play

Villanova BLOB | 4-High | Triple Twist Slip

Oral Roberts BLOB | 4-High | Shuffle Comeback

Maine Celtics BLOB | 4 High | Double Twist

Saint Leo BLOB | 4-Low | Flare-Slip (Weakside Pindown)

Next: Where's your advantage? 💪

NC State knew their post dominated matchups.

They'd line up in Box formation, throw it to him, and clear out.

Simple? Yes.
Effective? Absolutely.

NC State | Box | Simple Punch

Do you have a dominant shooter? 🎯

Maybe they need help getting open?

Involve them in a screen prior to getting them open.

Grand View BLOB | 4-Low | Cross Weakside Flare

Conference scouting is crucial 🎯

Watch how teams get scored on. Notice patterns:

• Struggle with switches?
• Fall asleep on inbounders?
• Poor screen communication?

Your "best" BLOB exploits these weaknesses.

Birmingham Squadron | Diagonal Pindown (Seal the Switch)

The inbounder often gets "lost"...

Cibona Zagreb | 31 | Cross Pindown Inbounder

Want to exploit poor communication?

Throw multiple screens at the defense:

Missouri | Diamond | Exit Flare STS

Finally: Zone vs Man 🏀

Having nice plays is great.

But scoring through meticulous planning wins games.

I've spent time breaking down plays that work against both. (More on that later)

Keyano College Zone BLOB | Box | Pop Cross Zip STS Pin

Bowling Green Zone BLOB | 4-Low | Skip Flare

Need plays that work vs. both Man and Zone?

Zionsville | 4-High | Twist STS (vs. Man)

Zionsville | 4-High | Twist STS (vs. Zone)

Owensboro Catholic | Box | Pop Rub Pin (vs. Man)

Owensboro Catholic Zone | Box | Pop Rub Pin (vs. Zone)

Here's the truth about "best" BLOBs:

Simple + Executed Well > Complex + Sloppy

Be honest about your team's strengths. 

Be humble studying opponents' weaknesses. 

That's your winning strategy.

Bottom line: The "best" BLOB isn't about the X's and O's.

It's about:

• Matching your personnel
• Attacking defensive weaknesses
• Clean execution

Want more BLOB breakdowns and insights? Follow along 👇

If you like my content, you're gonna love my newsletter!

Every Saturday, I share the best BLOB, SLOB, ATO & EOG plays from around the world.

Grow your playbook & win more games in 5 minutes.

FREE PLAYBOOK when you sign up: https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

P.S. Having nice plays is great. 

Having a plan to score is better.

Let me know if you want to see more BLOB analysis and concepts that actually work.

#Basketball #Coaching #BLOB #BLOBinHood #BasketballXsOs

What's the "best" BLOB?

Being heavily scouted?

Perfect.

Let's talk about the art of misdirection in baseline out-of-bounds plays.

Every possession counts, but few moments offer more opportunity to catch defenses off-guard than BLOBs.

A thread 🧵

Basketball deception is psychological warfare.

You're manipulating defensive attention, making them believe one thing while executing another.

And BLOBs?

They're the perfect laboratory for deceptive tactics (videos to follow).

Think about it: confined space, predetermined formation, defense expecting certain actions. 

You can use their preparation against them. 

Their scout becomes their weakness.

When you present familiar patterns only to break them suddenly, you create those precious moments of defensive hesitation. 

That split second of doubt? 

That's where magic happens.

Want to craft deceptive BLOB plays? Start with familiar formations.

Set the D at ease. Make them think they know what's coming.

Let them settle into their comfort zone.

Next, use your best scorer as a decoy.

The defense will instinctively gravitate toward them.

While they're focused on your star, initiate your secondary action.

Timing is everything here.

The real scoring opportunity should unfold just as the defense commits to stopping your perceived primary threat.

Take the "Elevator Decoy" play.

Defense sees your shooter setting up for the classic elevator screen action. 

Their attention locks in. But the real threat?

It's developing quietly on the weak side.

Virginia Tech | 4-Low | Elevator Decoy Backdoor

Or consider the Elevator Slip variation.

Same setup, different punch line.

This time, one screener slips to the basket while the defense focuses on preventing the shooter from getting free.

Davidson | 4-High | Elevator Decoy Slip

Made it this far?

We're not even close to being done...

But if you think you're getting any value from this, I would ask you to consider joining my newsletter.

https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

But here's the key: these plays demand precision. 

Crisp, purposeful movements. Convincing decoy actions. Perfect timing between elements.

You can't just draw them up - you have to master them.

Here are some more "Gotcha" looks to get inspiration from:

Slipping right after screening is a common action. Slipping after a Step Up screen is a bit more interesting.

UNLV | Box | Exit Diagonal (Wrinkle - Same Side Slip)

Using your shooter as a strong-side decoy may open up a weakside backdoor cut.

Hapoel Jerusalem | Box | Low Cross Gotcha

When defenses see a "Stack" they assume 'screeners'.

Why not test their readiness to defend a quick dive?

Rochester College | Low Stack | Gotcha

Using the inbounder to score can be done in many ways.

The quick "step in" and get a look has hurt my teams in the past as well, as players tend to relax a bit on the inbounder.

Minnesota-Duluth | Box | Elbow Choice (Flip-Inbounder Gotcha)

Who doesn't need a simple Lob look?

Olivet Nazarene | 31 | Gotcha Lob

Last, but not least, a quick Duck-In

Mount Vernon Nazarene | 31 | Weakside Duck-In Gotcha

SHAMELESS PLUG:

Grab some of the best Ghost, Backdoor, Slip, and Misdirection plays from around the world and "steal" some points this season!

"Gotcha" (Ghosts, Backdoors, Slips and Misdirection plays):
- 71 plays
- NCAA, NBA, G-League, Euroleague

https://idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/gotcha

Dedicate practice time specifically to these situations. 

Focus on reading and reacting to defensive adjustments. 

Because the defense will adjust. 

Count on it.

That's why you need multiple options built into each play. 

If they sniff out your initial deception, you need somewhere else to go. 

No dead ends.

Keep your playbook fresh. 

Vary your entry passes. 

Rotate which players fill which roles. 

Build off established tendencies to create new deceptions.

Because in basketball, like in magic, misdirection is an art. 

It's about making everyone look one way while the real action unfolds somewhere else.

Master this art, and those heavily scouted games?

They become your advantage.

Because sometimes the best way to get where you want to go is by making everyone look the other way first.

Every coach faces a hidden opponent: Decision Fatigue. 

It lurks in the shadows of every whistle, every timeout, every crucial moment when clarity matters most. 

Yet most never see it coming.

Think of your mind like a muscle. 

Each decision taxes it. 

Research shows judges give harsher sentences late in day. 

Shoppers make poor choices after long store visits. 

Your mind, like theirs, has limits.

Time moves relentlessly. 

24 hours slip away while you wear multiple hats: coach, strategist, mentor, administrator, scout, leader, parent. 

Each role screams for attention. 

Unlike basketball, you can't call timeout on life.

The cost compounds daily. 

Practice quality drops. Player development stalls. Team culture cracks. 

Work-life balance vanishes. 

Your health suffers. The program stagnates.

When mental exhaustion sets in, safe choices replace innovation. 

Emotion overrules logic. Decisions gather dust. Critical details blur. 

And the weight only grows heavier with each passing quarter.

Met Coach Mike Neighbors at the Final Four. 

Two coaches at a bar. 

He wasn't trying to teach, but wisdom flows from him like water. 

You learn anyway. That's just who he is.

Running a powerhouse program, coaching talents like Kelsey Plum - the pressure never stops. 

The decisions pile up. 

Every moment demands his best.

He shared something brilliant in its simplicity. 

Black socks 🧦

All of them. Same brand. Same size. Every pair. 

No more morning debates. No more searching. No more matching. 

Just grab and go.

Made it this far?  Thanks for reading!!

We're not even close to being done, but if you think you're getting any value from this, I would ask you to consider joining my newsletter.

https://t.co/dlJEcR74xn

But this isn't about socks. 

While some decisions demand our full attention, others just drain our batteries. 

They steal our energy like thieves in the night, leaving us depleted when big moments come.

So Coach Neighbors asks: "What are your socks?" 

Find those energy-draining decisions. 

Eliminate them. 

Watch your mental reserves rise for the moments that truly matter.

Smart coaches plan ahead. 

Build systems. Create playbooks. Make tomorrow's decisions today. 

By having pre-planned strategies for special situations, you preserve mental energy and ensure consistency.

The best coaches don't just run plays – they orchestrate them. 

And in those crucial moments when everything hangs in the balance, they're ready. 

Because they chose to be. Long before the buzzer sounded.

Or maybe their minds are fresh because of the black socks.

The Hidden Opponent: Decision Fatigue

I won multiple conference games as a Head Coach with a series of BLOBs that drove opposing coaches crazy.

How?

I learned this "Gold Series" system from a D1 coach and it changed everything.

Time to spill the secrets... 🧵

The concept?

Build a series of plays, use them, then strategically remove them from your rotation.

Sounds crazy?

Let me explain...

Here's the framework:

• Create 4 plays from the same formation (Box)
• Add 4-5 backup plays (same formation)
• All plays start with an identical action
• Makes them indistinguishable early in the play

Let's dive deeper with some examples:

Start with a simple Box formation. Cross into an Elevator action. Nothing new.

The key is the Low Cross action to start.

Cornerstone University | Box | Cross Elevator

Continuing with the Low Cross action, the defense may think they know what's coming, only to see an X-Cut instead of an Elevator.

Baylor | Box | Cross X

Next, you might want to go into a totally different action with a Punch option that ALSO starts with that Low Cross, making the defense second-guess what's coming next.

Bethel University (MN) | Box | Cross Zip Cross

After playing outside 3 times in a row, maybe switch it up by going inside next. Again, all under the guise of "hiding" an action into the Low Cross out of the Box alignment yet again.

Sacramento State | Box | Cross Exit 

The key all along?

When one play starts working really well and you've scored off it a few times, most coaches keep running it.

You shouldn't.

Here's where it gets interesting: Instead of riding that hot play, you pull it completely.

Made it this far? We're not even close to being done, but if you think you're getting any value from this, I would ask you to consider joining my newsletter.

https://idosingerblobinhood.kit.com/ee04ac528f

Why pull it completely?

Because that play is now on every opponent's scouting report.

They're spending valuable prep time getting ready for something you won't even run.

Instead, you install one of your backup plays. Your opponent can't prepare for what they haven't seen.

We then add 4-5 backup plays, all in the Box formation as well.

These are backups to be taken out one by one as replacements for over-scouted plays.

A bit of a delayed Low Cross, but a whole new action, never seen before in your playbook.

Mississippi | Box | Cross Lob

Different look after a Low Cross if you have a Guard that can make a play for themselves or others.

Arkansas | Box | Cross Pitch-Behind

Very similar to a play in the first set, this one allows you to clear the help and isolate your post player. 

Bethel University (MN) | Box | Cross Zip Cross Punch

And finishing with another look, a Flare, in the same Low Cross series.

Bethel University (MN) | Box | Cross Zip Cross Flare

The best part? They're still expecting your "best" play. It never comes.

You mix in your other original plays, then hit them with the new one in the 4th quarter when it matters most.

Keep applying this method. When a play gets too much attention, swap it out for a backup.

By playoff time, you've got 8-10 similar-looking plays to choose from. You're practically unscoutable.

Even better? Those early-season plays that worked so well? They're not even in recent scouting reports anymore.

Perfect time to bring them back for the playoffs. 👀

I've used this system successfully, but you need players who can handle it.

For younger teams, start smaller - maybe 3 plays in your first series and 2 backups.

It's basketball chess. You're not just playing the game on the court - you're playing the scouting game too.

And that's how you stay one step ahead. The Gold Series - when used right - is pure coaching gold. 💯

Unleashing the "Gold Series" Strategy



WANT 27 OF MY FAVORITE PLAYS?


Since leaving coaching this account has been my lifeline to basketball.

Being able to share this game & stay connected has been special to me.

The biggest thing I "nerd out" on is the playbooks.

Let's talk about them, shall we?

A 🧵

Published this year (so far)

Best BLOBs of the Euroleague
Best BLOBs of the WNBA
Ram Screen Smorgasbord
Maccabi Tel Aviv Euroleague Playbook
Hard-to-Defend Formations Collection
"Gotcha" Playbook (Ghosts, Backdoors, Slips and Misdirection plays)
The Triangle BLOB Formation

Here are some of my favorite plays from each playbook:

Playbook: Best BLOBs of the Euroleague: https://idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/Euroleague23-24

1. Virtus | 4-High | Triple



3. Virtus | 4-High | Triple (Curl the 1st) Stag



4. Virtus EOC | 4-High | Triple (Curl the 2nd) Stag



5. Virtus EOG | 4-High | Triple (Weakside Slip)



Playbook: Best BLOBs of the WNBA: https://idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/WNBA2023

1. Washington Mystics | Elbow Stack | Triple



2. Washington Mystics | Elbow Stack | Reject



3. Washington Mystics EOG BLOB | Elbow Stack | Pop Cross Lob



Playbook: Ram Screen Smorgasbord: idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/rambundle 

1. Ram Twist



Playbook: Maccabi Tel Aviv Euroleague Playbook: idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/maccabieuroleague

1. Maccabi Tel Aviv | Box | Pin Turnout Zip



2. Maccabi Tel Aviv | Box | Pin Turnout Lob



3. Maccabi Tel Aviv | Box | Dive Turnout STS



4. Maccabi Tel Aviv | Box | Exchange Cross STS



Playbook: Hard-to-Defend Formations Collection: https://idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/HardtoDefendCollection

1. Coe College BLOB - 31 Cross



4. Coe College BLOB - 31 Cross (Flip-Slip)



5. Coe College BLOB - 31 Cross (Flip-Weakside)



Playbook: "Gotcha" Playbook (Ghosts, Backdoors, Slips and Misdirection plays): idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/gotcha

1. Boston Celtics BLOB - Diamond Thru Turnout Slip



2. Malone BLOB - Triangle Stag Dive Slip



3. Idaho EOG SLOB | Diamond | Pindown Flare-Slip

Playbook: The Triangle BLOB Formation: idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/theTriangleFormationPlaybook

1. Black Hills State - Triangle Pindown Wheel (2nd cutter)



2. Black Hills State - Triangle Pindown Wheel (STS)



3. Black Hills State - Triangle Turnout Flip Double



4. Black Hills State - Triangle Turnout Flip Double STS

And that's it for now!

If you'd like full-access to these playbooks (and so many more), please consider joining my website as a FULL-ACCESS member: idobasketball.gumroad.com/l/BLOBAcademyMember 

First month is FREE!


Nerding Out on Basketball Playbooks

A lot of teams use the 31 formation in very similar ways.

Partizan has 3 different looks out of the 31 Back set that they use with great success.

A short 🧵:

Partizan | 31 | Back Pin Spain
