Dear Coaches, Players, Friends,

Today's Quotes:
"Basketball is not played simply with X’s and O’s. It’s played with both trust and confidence." - Isiah Thomas

"Some people always want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention."

New!  The Coach's Clipboard Deluxe Playbook Download.

Buzzer Beater Plays:

It's wise to have a couple last-second, buzzer-beater plays in your arsenal in hopes of pulling out that last second victory.  

The play you choose often depends on how much time is left, whether you are inbounding at half-court or full-court, and whether you have a time-out left.  I believe that coaches should not just consider these plays for the end of the game.  A three-pointer at the end of the half counts just as much as at the end of the game, and can be a huge momentum changer going into the locker-room.

Full-Court "Buzzer-Beater" Plays
"Maryland" and "Duke" are great full-court plays for when you have about 3 or 4 seconds left.

"Split" works for about 6 seconds left and if you have a good point guard, or someone who can speed-dribble, attack and finish.

"Hail Mary" works if you have a time-out left.  Throw it to half-court, immediately call time-out (leaving a few seconds on the clock), and now you get to inbound it from half-court.

I love Tom Izzo's 3/4 court sideline buzzer-beater called "Wizard".

Last Second Situations
Coach Joao Costa has several really good buzzer-beaters on this page, full-court, half-court, and baseline inbounds.

Half-Court "Buzzer-Beater" Plays
"Warrior" is similar to "Wizard", and we have actually won at the buzzer using this play.  There are also a couple good plays from Fran Fraschilla and late coach Ken Sartini (Arlington Hts, IL ).