Ideas for Climbing Out of Scoring Droughts

By Randy Brown, CoachRB, https://coachrb.com

A feature on my web site gives coaches an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers. Responding with a well thought out answer is my goal in each situation. Recently I received this question from a coach frustrated with scoring droughts during his games. There are some excellent time-tested adjustments that can be made to pull your team out of scoring slumps.

The coach asked this question: "As I watch our games in high school and college games on TV I have noticed the number of runs that make a difference in the outcome of the game.

My question is about the opposite of a run, a drought. We have faced many quarters where it has been difficult to string together more than one basket at a time. What advice do you have for scoring when baskets are hard to come by?"

First, remember that scoring droughts will happen. Do not panic and make any major changes. Usually a small, subtle change is all that is needed. When you overreact to something in a game, it has an impact on your players. Stay cool and make the right move.

Scoring in a drought can come from the field (FG) or from the line. When points are hard to come by I advise the following six strategies:

a. Get the ball to the rim by post feeds or penetration.

b. Work to reverse the ball to make the defense work before attempting to score.

c. Penetrate into open areas and be tough with the ball. Scoring from the line is the best way to climb out of a scoring slump!

d. Let your best scorers be screener instead of hunting shots. This goes counter to your thinking but it works. The better they screen, the more they will be open. The shots they get will not be as pressurized and will most likely be closer to the basket.

e. Be positive with your players and let them know that the next shot is going in! Again, your negativity can really affect your player's ability to make shots. Keep them loose and let them know you are behind them.

f. If you have a guard that can score inside, design a play to get the ball to him on the block. He will either score, get fouled, or both.

I hope these six pointers will help you climb out of those scoring slumps this season. One or two of these strategies will fit into your coaching plan and help you score when your team needs it the most.