What is the difference between BLOB and SLOB plays?

BLOB stands for baseline out-of-bounds — an inbounds play run from under your own basket. SLOB stands for sideline out-of-bounds — an inbounds play run from the side of the court. BLOB plays aim for a quick layup; SLOB plays balance scoring with safely entering the ball.

What is the best basketball inbound play?

A box set with a screen-the-screener is the most reliable scoring BLOB: one player screens for a teammate, then gets a screen themselves and pops open at the rim. Defenses focus on the first screen and lose the second cutter.

How many inbound plays should a team have?

At minimum, one scoring BLOB, one safe SLOB to beat pressure, and one last-second play. Most teams add a second BLOB for a shooter. Keep the package small and well-drilled rather than large and shaky.

How do you score on a baseline out of bounds play?

Use screens to free a cutter at the rim before the defense can set. The inbounder reads the first open option, and the play includes a counter if it is covered. Hard screens and hard cuts — not fancy design — produce the layup.

Basketball Inbound Plays: BLOB and SLOB Plays That Score

By Coach Lee DeForest | June 25, 2026

9 min read

Basketball inbound plays fall into two types: baseline out-of-bounds (BLOB) plays run under your own basket, and sideline out-of-bounds (SLOB) plays from the side. The best inbound plays use a screen-the-screener or a stack to free a cutter for a layup, and every team needs at least one reliable BLOB, one SLOB, and one last-second play.

Inbound plays are free points that most teams throw away. Every baseline and sideline out-of-bounds is a chance to run a designed play against a defense that has to reset — and a well-drilled inbounds play produces layups. Below are the baseline (BLOB) and sideline (SLOB) plays I have relied on for years, plus a last-second play. Install one or two of each, drill them hard, and you will steal easy baskets all season.

BLOB vs. SLOB

BLOB means baseline out-of-bounds — you are inbounding from under your own basket, so the goal is a quick layup before the defense sets. SLOB means sideline out-of-bounds — you are inbounding from the side, where you balance a scoring chance with safely getting the ball in against pressure. Every team needs both.

3 Baseline (BLOB) Plays

1. Box — Screen-the-Screener

How it runs: set four players in a box (two at the elbows, two on the blocks). On the slap, a low player screens up for an elbow player cutting to the corner — then a second player screens that first screener, who cuts to the rim for the layup. The defense tracks the first cutter and loses the screener. This is the most reliable scoring inbounds play in basketball.

2. Line (Stack)

How it runs: stack all four players in a line up the lane. On the slap, they scatter — first cutter to the rim, second to the corner, third sets a back screen, fourth pops out as the safety. A quick hitter that creates instant separation and a fallback pass if the rim is covered.

3. Shooter's BLOB (Double Down)

How it runs: when you need a three, set a double screen on one block. Your shooter starts on the opposite elbow and runs off the double to the wing or corner for a catch-and-shoot. The inbounder reads the rim first; if it is covered, hit the shooter coming off the double.

2 Sideline (SLOB) Plays

1. Quick-Layup SLOB

How it runs: from the sideline near half court, set a back screen for your best finisher breaking to the rim while the other players space wide. If the back screen frees the cutter, it is a layup off the inbounds. If not, reverse to the safety up top.

2. Safe-Entry SLOB (vs. Pressure)

How it runs: when the defense pressures the inbounds, your only job is a clean entry. Line players up and cut them toward the ball — the inbounder hits the first player who comes to meet the pass. Always have a player flash back to the ball so you never get stuck with a five-second call. This pairs with your press break.

The Last-Second Play

For a final-possession play, decide first whether you need a two or a three, then keep it simple. The most dependable design: inbound to your best decision-maker near the top, set one ball screen, and let them attack a scrambling defense. A simple action your players trust beats an elaborate play they have never repped under pressure.

Coaching Points

The inbounder reads, not guesses. Teach them the option order: first look the rim, then the secondary cutter, then the safety. Never force the first option.
Screen angles win. The screener's angle decides whether the cutter comes open. Drill the angle, not just the spot.
Always have a safety. One player pops out as the release valve so you never take a five-second violation.
Slap the ball to start. A clear trigger (the inbounder slaps the ball) syncs the screens and cuts so the timing is right.

Inbound plays are the easiest points in the game and the most neglected. Spend ten minutes a week on them and you will win two or three games a year you would otherwise lose at the buzzer.
— Coach Lee DeForest

Build Out Your Playbook

Inbound plays are one piece of a complete package. Pair them with simple basketball plays for your half-court offense, a press break for full-court pressure, and a base offense like the motion offense. For a deeper library of sets and quick-hitters, see our 21 basketball plays every coach should know.

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