Written by Kevin Sutton
Assistant Coach of Rhode Island
Within the overall game of basketball there are many games that I call “Sub Games”. The Sub Games are much like “battles” are to overall success in warfare. The team that wins many of the Sub Games puts itself into a better position to win the overall game.
Sub Games are highly indicative of which team is imposing its’ will on the opponent and/or dictating the tempo of the game.
Here is list of the “Sub Games” that are vitally important and often impact the outcome of the game.
Sub Games:
I. Effort Game:-Diving for loose balls
-Taking charges
-Running down long Rebounds
II. Rebound Game:
-Getting more overall rebounds
-Number of second chance points based on offensive rebounding
III. Free Throw Game:
-Total number of Free Throw attempted
-Number of points scored from Ft line
-1st team to get to 1+1 and/or double bonus.
IV. Paint game:
-Number of points scored in the paint
-Number of times the ball is passed into the post (post feeds).
-Number of times the dribbler gets into the lane (paint touches)
V. Assist/Turnover Game
VI. Transition game:
-Offensively points scored
-Defensively points allowed
VII. Defensively:
– Shot Clock – points allowed and % of “stops” late in the shot clock.
– Ball Screen – points allowed and % of “stops”.
-Close outs – points allowed and % of shots missed because of your close outs.
-Rim protection-shots block and/or altered (changed).
When you break the game down into 4-minute segments (mini games), you can statically see if there is a correlation between the Sub Games and whether you are actually winning or losing the game. You also have some tangible information that will support your thoughts if adjustments need to be made.
When you take the time to educate your team on the value and the importance of winning the Sub Games, you will likely see the results in the win/loss column moving forward.