- Review game and notes. Prepare a brief, concise, to-the-point report for your head coach or team. This report could also be broken up in the following manner:
- Starting line-up, with position, size, grade, etc…
- Individual analysis (be brief but evaluate player preferences)
- Comment on team’s style of play.
- Team defense(s).
- Team offense(s).
- Miscellaneous information — out-of-bounds plays, etc…
- Personal recommendations.
X. Preparing Your Team for an Opponent:
At a pre-practice meeting:
- Type a one- or two-page report for each plaYou are here: Home / Basketball IQ / Coaching Tips / Basketball Scouting Guidelines & Tips
Basketball Scouting Guidelines & Tips
ByThe outline below is a guide to follow when scouting an opposing basketball team — it is, essentially, a how-to for writing a basketball scouting report! Learn to properly prepare for an upcoming opponent with the following tips and techniques. Watch games with a purpose and a plan — this guide will help your skills and organization!If you need forms to track your scouting, download the free Hoops U. Scouting Report Sheet Template! You get 8 pages so you can track and chart your upcoming opponents!Procedures to Follow:Prior to arriving at a game you choose to scout, the following guidelines are recommended:- Gather general information about the team being scouted before the game (from local newspapers, internet sites, other coaches, etc…)
- Arrive early to the game.
- Be sure to grab a program and, if none is available, get the players’ numbers from the scorers table prior to tip-off.
- Sit high enough on the bleachers to see the floor well. Midcourt is better than on the baseline as well.
- If possible, sit alone or with persons you brought along…helping to avoid all distractions.
- Watch and observe the pregame warmups. You can gain many insights by doing this i.e., readiness to play, styles of play, etc…
I. Don’t:- Become a fan – simply observe and analyze
- Worry about the officiating of the game.
- Take too many notes – especially early in the game.
- Get distracted by others around you.
- Leave the game before the final buzzer.
II. Do:- Concentrate completely. You should simply jot down the starters by number and position early in the game.
- Observe the game for a few minutes. Don’t worry about taking notes yet or pay too close attention to any one player or phase of the game. Patience is key.
- Try to determine your opponent’s game plan. Could that game plan be relevant to us?
- Mark down the first substitute or two. Why did they make that change? Did that sub make them more or less effective?
III. Team Defense (Basic Defense):- What is their basic defense they employ?
- Do they change their defenses? How do they defend out-of-bounds plays?
- Are they aggressive or passive? When and where?
- Do they press and trap? Can we expect it?
- How well do they transition to defense?
IV. Sample Notes on Team Defense:The following are points you may want to make after the game:- How is their Man-to-man at the arc? Do they pressure the ball? Do they play good helpside?
- If they played zone, when and what kind did they play? Did they trap? Was it tougher inside or outside?
- Were they a good defensive rebounding team?
- Did they press? How did they press and when did they press? (after made baskets, free throws, timeouts, etc…)
V. Individual Defense (Matching up):- Who was their starting five and where did they play defensively. (esp. if zone)
- Establish the following in your mind (no notes needed):
- Can we get the ball inside against them?
- Can we attack the middle?
- How do they defend the post?
- Do they influence the ball a certain direction? Is it real pressure?
- Do they deny or overplay the passing lanes?
- Do they ‘sustain’ in their defense or will they falter?
- Do they have a defensive star? A stopper?
VI. Team Offense:A. Do they fast break? When?- Is it controlled or wild and crazy?
- Do they cherry pick?
- Do they break only off of steals or on missed field goals as well?
- How can we prevent their fast break?
- Do we need disciplined shooting – high percentage shots?
- Do we jam the outlets?
- Are there special areas we should defend in transition?
B. The halfcourt game?- In our man-to-man defense — What can we do to stop them? What needs to be taken away?
- In our zone defense — Do they have a good zone attack? Should we key on anyone? Who are their perimeter shooters?
- Must our team be alerted to anything special on their out-of-bounds plays?
VII. Individual Offense:- Can they handle pressure? Do they have good ballhandler’s?
- Are their guards one-side dominant?
- Do they move well away from the ball?
- Do their lane players work hard for position? Do they go after rebounds — from inside or utilizing ‘flyers’?
- What is their individual strength?
VIII. Miscellaneous Notes to Take:- Do they have an unusual jump ball alignment?
- Any unusual OOB situations?
- Do they have a delay game set? When?
- Anything special about their substitution pattern?
- When you should do the majority of your note-taking and what to write:
- Time-outs and halftime
- Write in your first thought on your matchups.
- Their style of play.
- Their team defense.
- Their team offense.
- Their individual offense.
IX. After the Game:- Review game and notes. Prepare a brief, concise, to-the-point report for your head coach or team. This report could also be broken up in the following manner:
- Starting line-up, with position, size, grade, etc…
- Individual analysis (be brief but evaluate player preferences)
- Comment on team’s style of play.
- Team defense(s).
- Team offense(s).
- Miscellaneous information — out-of-bounds plays, etc…
- Personal recommendations.
X. Preparing Your Team for an Opponent:At a pre-practice meeting:- Type a one- or two-page report for each player, if possible.
- Read the report with the team before working on game plan on the court, or ‘key’ points at end of practice.
- Don’t overrate opposing individuals or the team. Don’t make your players fearful of an opponent, regardless of their skills.
- It is essentially important that you emphasize keys to winning. Be certain you know what has to be done to win. Be honest.
- Ignore trivia (such as player’s favorite moves–personal preferences are important though, i.e., does a player only go left, do they pull up or drive all the way, etc…)
- Pump confidence into your team during the scouting report. Assign match-ups.
- Ask players if they have any ‘pointed’ questions before keying on the floor. Don’t take more than 12 to 15 minutes with the report.