Game Management
The game clock is a fourth opponent.
Actions And Plays
Full-Court Inbounds Plays (Touchdown / Long Pass Specials)
Length-of-the-floor inbounds sets used to advance the ball from the baseline to score or get a shot in a last-second situation, typically built around a long "home-run" pass (the Touchdown play) or a series of screens to free a deep target.
Direct answer
What is Full-Court Inbounds Plays (Touchdown / Long Pass Specials)?
Length-of-the-floor inbounds sets used to advance the ball from the baseline to score or get a shot in a last-second situation, typically built around a long "home-run" pass (the Touchdown play) or a series of screens to free a deep target.
Quick facts
| Category | Actions And Plays |
|---|---|
| Also called | Touchdown Play, Home Run Play, Full-Court Inbounds, Length-of-Court Play |
| Source volume | Basketball Knowledge Vault/vol6_supplemental_coverage.md |
What it is
- Length-of-the-floor inbounds sets used to advance the ball from the baseline to score or get a shot in a last-second situation, typically built around a long "home-run" pass (the Touchdown play) or a series of screens to free a deep target.
Why it matters
- With only a few seconds left and no timeout-advanced ball, a full-court set is the only way to generate a real scoring chance.
- A well-designed long-pass play can produce a layup or open three even with under 3-4 seconds remaining.
- These are distinct from half-court SLOB/BLOB sets (see Special Situation Inbounds) because the inbounder throws from the far baseline and clock management is the central constraint.
How it works
- Touchdown / home-run: a deep target sprints or flashes long (often after a stagger or flare screen near midcourt to spring free), and the inbounder throws a baseball pass over the defense to a leaking receiver heading…
- Screen-the-screener and pin-down variations free a runner up the sideline as an outlet, then quickly relay to a shooter.
- Time discipline: with roughly 2 seconds or less, the play targets a catch-and-shoot or a tip; with 3-4+ seconds, a catch-and-drive layup attempt is feasible.
Reads and counters
- - The inbounder reads the deepest open man first (the home-run), then the safe sideline outlet if the long pass is covered. - Receivers read whether there is time to gather and shoot or only to tip/catch-and-release.
- The inbounder reads the deepest open man first (the home-run), then the safe sideline outlet if the long pass is covered.
- Receivers read whether there is time to gather and shoot or only to tip/catch-and-release.
Teaching cues
- Throw to space ahead of the receiver, not to the body, so the catch flows into the shot.
- Rehearse the exact time thresholds so players know whether to shoot immediately or take one dribble.
- Have a clear second option (the safe sideline outlet) so a contested long pass is not forced into a turnover.
Bilingual terms
| English | Full-Court Inbounds Plays (Touchdown / Long Pass Specials) |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 全场界内进攻（达阵/长传特殊） |
| Traditional Chinese | 全場界內進攻（達陣/長傳特殊） |
Learn before and after
These graph neighbors help place Full-Court Inbounds Plays (Touchdown / Long Pass Specials) in the larger basketball map.
Screening Actions in Inbounds Plays
Screens (down screens, back screens, cross screens) are the primary method for creating space in inbounds plays.
Special Situation Inbounds
Need a Three-Pointer: Use quick-hitting plays designed for three-point shooters.
Timeout Strategy and Usage
A team typically has five timeouts in a game (sometimes fewer in specific quarters).
Inbounds Plays—BLOB and SLOB
BLOB plays are executed from the baseline when the ball goes out of bounds near your own basket or the opponent's basket.
Related concepts
Timing and Reading Defense on Inbounds
Even in structured plays, timing matters.
Screening Actions in Inbounds Plays
Screens (down screens, back screens, cross screens) are the primary method for creating space in inbounds plays.
Inbounds Plays—BLOB and SLOB
BLOB plays are executed from the baseline when the ball goes out of bounds near your own basket or the opponent's basket.
Special Situation Inbounds
Need a Three-Pointer: Use quick-hitting plays designed for three-point shooters.
Game Management
The game clock is a fourth opponent.
Timeout Strategy and Usage
A team typically has five timeouts in a game (sometimes fewer in specific quarters).