Out of bounds plays have long been held secret by coaches at all levels, housed in the sacred tabernacle full of clipboards. They are what we call "situationals" or "quick hitters" aimed at taking advantage of a perceived strategic weakness in an opponents team defense. But are they really that secret? And are they really that sacred? I've learned that the best and most effective out of bounds plays don't even have the sport of basketball as a source. Yet the results are consistent. Six easy points in a mere six seconds, in most games. What other sport could provide such enlightenment for the game of basketball? Boxing!

More specifically, the great Muhammad Ali is the source of inspiration for my team's success under the hoop. When Ali beat George Foreman in one of the great fights of all time, the Rumble in the Jungle, the phrase "Rope a Dope" became known worldwide. It even has a wiki. In short, the phrase refers to a strategy whereby you fake weakness to your opponent, lulling them into a false sense of security. Then you attack in a flash, catching your opponent off guard. How does this translate to basketball? Simple. Here are 3 easy ways to use the rope-a-dope strategy to get 3 easy baskets.

All of these strategies are to be used when taking the ball out under the basket. To be successful using these tactics, you must start as soon as the ball goes out of bounds or the violation occurs that would put the ball there in your possession. Do not wait until your teammate is being handed the ball by the referee. By then it's too late.

1) The Solo - As soon as you see that your team will have possession under the basket, get yourself on the opposite bottom block away from where ball will be taken out. Face away from the ball. Then start your act. Pretend to be extremely tired, even frustrated. Rest your hands on your knees. Breathe heavily. Look down at the ground. Shake your head in disappointment. Wipe imaginary sweat from your brow. Anything to look defeated. But do NOT look at the ball. That's a sign that you want the ball. Which you do, but don't let your defender know that. Notice where the referee is but do not stare. A split second before the referee gives the ball to the inbounder, make a slow move up the lane towards the elbow, as if you are setting a weak screen for a teammate, then make your move. Snap back into the lane towards the ball with a fast, strong move - getting your opponent on your back and sealing him there. Usually, your opponent is caught off guard not expecting a quick, strong move from this tired, uninterested player. You are wide open right in front of the inbounder. Easy bucket. That works. Trust me.  But it works one time, on one defender. Your defender will be wise to your possum act next time down the floor, and not too happy about it either. That only helps to set up the next play.

2) The Assist - Very similar to The Solo act, but now you are getting your teammates involved. Setup is all the same. Pick a defender, other than your own that you feel is an easy target. There is an old saying in poker that says if you can't spot the sucker at the table, then you're it. Find the sucker on the other team. Instead of flashing to the inbounder, make a fast move to set a strong back screen at the exact moment the ball is handed to the inbounder. A wise teammate will know what to do. After getting an easy basket off of your defender last time down the floor, your fast move will garner all of their attention. They are less likely to drop off and help on the screen out of fear of getting humiliated by you again. Easy bucket for your teammate. He/she  will thank you on the way back down the court. This move, again, works but one time. You may be able to find another defender to try this against, but good teams will only have at most 1 sucker for a back screen.

3) The Punisher - All set up remains the same. You've now beaten them with a Solo and an Assist. Your opponent is mad. The next out of bounds situation has them on edge. This time, you want to play up the fact that you have beaten them twice with easy rope-a-dope moves. Make a motion or subtle comment to your teammate indicating that you are going to do the same thing as last time. Appear as if you are being discreet, but you want your opponent to hear or see this covert plan being made. Make them think they know what you are going to do. Now when you spring your back screen on them, your opponent is ready to help. When he does, seal the man you screened on your back and flash down the lane towards the inbounder. Your opponent is busy covering your teammate. The sucker is on your back. Easy bucket.

There are many more ways to use the surprise attack out of bounds. The key is misdirection, misinformation, and teamwork. Players get to know each other eventually and the role of the play-maker in this out of bounds strategy will become clear. This isn't to say I don't use out of bounds plays anymore. I do. But it has allowed me to narrow down the playbook significantly. Two plays. That's it! I use 1 play against a man defense. 1 play against a zone defense. This strategy allows my players to focus on the other options available to them and do what really needs to be done. Get easy buckets.