Sideline out of bounds play: line set
Sideline out of bounds play step by step
- 1
O2 inbounds from the right sideline. O5, O4, O3 and O1 line up across the floor. On the slap, O1 sprints back as the safety, O5 dives to the rim, and O4 turns to set a screen.
- 2
O3 comes off O4's screen to the right wing. O5 keeps going to the far block to open up the lane.
- 3
O2 passes to O3 on the wing and steps in toward the corner. O4 rolls to the rim after screening.
- 4
O3 hits O4 rolling to the rim. If that's covered, O3 can shoot, pass to O2 in the corner, or reverse it to O1.
- 5
O4 catches near the basket and finishes. O5 is on the far block for a rebound or a dump-off pass.
When to use a sideline out of bounds play
Use it when the ball goes out on the sideline in your frontcourt, especially against man-to-man pressure where defenders are denying every pass. The line set works well for young teams because everyone starts in one spot and moves on one signal.
The first job of any sideline inbound play is getting the ball in without a turnover. A quick score is a bonus. That's why this play always has a safety.
Sideline inbound play roles
O2 (inbounder)
A good passer. Slap the ball to start the play, look for O5 diving, then O3 on the wing, then O1. After the pass, step in bounds toward the corner so you are an option again.
O5 (diver)
First in the line and closest to the ball. Turn and sprint to the rim. If you don't get it, keep going to the far block so the lane is open for O4.
O4 (screener, then roller)
Turn and set a screen for O3. Once O3 is past you, roll to the rim with a hand up.
O3 (wing)
Wait for O4 to be set, then come off the screen shoulder to shoulder to the wing. Catch facing the basket, ready to shoot or pass to the roller.
O1 (safety)
Your best ball handler. Sprint back toward half court on the slap. If nothing else is open, you catch it and the team runs its offense.
How to teach sideline inbound plays
Walk through it slowly with no defense, and have the inbounder call out each option as it happens: dive, wing, roll, safety. Then add defense at half speed.
Teach the inbounder to use a bounce pass or a lob only when it's clearly open. A chest pass or overhead pass to a player coming toward the ball is the safest throw.
Once the team knows it, flip it so the line faces the left sideline and players know their jobs from both sides of the floor.
Sideline inbound drill: 5-on-5 with a count
- Walk the play 5-on-0 from the right sideline, then the left.
- Add five defenders playing tight man-to-man. The coach counts to five out loud on every inbound.
- Score it: two points for a basket, one point for a completed pass to the safety, minus one for a turnover or 5-second call.
- Rotate a new inbounder every three reps.
Coaching point Watch the cutters' timing. The line should break together on the slap. If one player is late, the screens and cuts don't line up and the inbounder is left counting.
Common sideline out of bounds play mistakes
- No safety, so a denied pass turns into a 5-second call.
- O3 leaving before O4 has set the screen.
- O5 stopping in the lane after the dive, which blocks O4's roll.
- The inbounder staring at one player, which lets defenders jump the pass.
- Throwing a long cross-court pass that hangs in the air.
Sideline out of bounds plays vs. baseline out of bounds plays
Sideline plays start farther from the basket, so the safety pass matters more and the scoring looks usually come after the catch. Baseline plays start right under the basket, so the first option is often a layup.
Sideline out of bounds play FAQ
What is a good sideline out of bounds play for youth basketball?
A play with a clear order of options and a safety, like the line set on this page. Players start in one line, then split into a dive, a screen, a roll, and a safety.
What does SLOB mean in basketball?
SLOB stands for sideline out of bounds. BLOB is baseline out of bounds.
How do you inbound the ball against pressure?
Use screens to free receivers, have players cut toward the ball, keep a safety back, and make a short, firm pass. Step in bounds after the pass so you can get it back.