SLOB (Sideline Out-of-Bounds) Basics

What it is

• SLOB plays are executed from the sideline (not the baseline) when the ball goes out of bounds on the side.

Why it matters

• The main difference is that SLOB plays often have more room to work because the inbound can be made to the wing or perimeter more easily than in BLOB situations.

How it works

• SLOB plays are most common after timeouts or following dead balls on the sideline.
• The inbound passer stands on the sideline with the ball and can inbound to any player within the half-court extended.
• SLOB formations are typically similar to BLOB (line, box, stack) but oriented toward the sideline.

Reads and counters

• The inbounder reads the first cutter: if the defender trails, hit the cut; if denied, the screen-the-screener or back action opens the second look.
• Read the clock before the catch — with a long clock just get the ball in safely, with under five seconds prioritize the scripted scoring action.
• The first open man is usually the inbounder's release valve flashing back to the ball; take the easy entry over forcing the play.
• If defenders switch your screens, read the resulting mismatch and feed the bigger or quicker target before help arrives.
• Inbounder reads pressure on the ball: against a face-guard on the passer, the lob over the top or a quick give-and-go becomes available.

Teaching cues

• Get it in first
• Screen the screener
• Slip it
• Ball reversal, attack the mismatch
• Step to the ball

Bilingual terms

Learn before and after

These graph neighbors help place SLOB (Sideline Out-of-Bounds) Basics in the larger basketball map.

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