• I added a new baseline out of bounds play. Box Pick and Roll Play is a simple to set up and execute out of bounds play. Starting from a box formation, a pick and roll is performed in order to create an open shot opportunity.
  
  
• Hoops U. Contributor, Sean Glaze, recently shared the article "Be Somebody ... It IS Up To You". In this article, he talks about taking responsibility for yourself and for your team ... essentially, to BE the somebody when somebody is needed.
  
  
• Coach Tim Springer shared another of his workout & drill sets. His College Shooting Guard Workout is a 15 page pdf with a wide variety of shooting guard scoring drills. NOTE: I've been having some sporadic issues in getting the pdf to display. If the pdf is showing properly on the page, there is still a link to where you can open it up to view and/or download it.
  
  
• I recently reviewed "Basketball: Much More Than Just A Game" by Coach Larry McKenzie. You can read the complete review by clicking here.
  
  
• Our newest corporate partner,  True Athelite, issued a recent press release announcing our partnership. Read the press release here and be sure to check out True Athelite.com for their great apparel designed for athletes!

Taking a time out is often a strategic part of the game. Sometimes they seem to help and sometimes they do not. How do we as coaches know when to call for a time out? When is the right time? Why take one at all? Below are 5 times when taking a time out may be necessary and essential to winning a game.

Take a time out...

1. When you need to counter an unexpected strategy used by your opponent. One example might be when a team employs a junk defense such as a box-and-one against your offense. Another example is when a normally fast breaking team utilizes a deliberate half-court offense.
2. When your opponent substitutes 4 or 5 players and you need to get your defensive assignments straight.
3. When an opponent gets 'hot' and you need to stop the momentum. (After giving up a couple of baskets in a row, try to call a play to score and/or change the tempo. If the opposing team scores another couple in a row, call time out).
4. When you need to set up a last-second play at the end of the half/quarter or game. Call the time out to be sure each player knows the play and his assignment.
5. When your team is making repeated mistakes as a unit. (When a player is making repeated mistakes, substitute).

There really are no hard and fast rules for calling time outs. Each coach will develop his or her own philosophy regarding time outs. The key, however, is making sure you have available time outs at the end of the game. There is nothing worse than needing to stop the clock and set something up at the end of a game ... but not having any time outs left because one was wasted earlier.

Develop your time out philosophy and teach it to your players.