How to Call Plays in High School Basketball

As a high school basketball coach, it is your job to provide players with direction. If you're down by a basket in the final seconds of a quarter, you need to quickly signal your plan to your players, particularly your point guard, to allow them to set up the proper play. If the defense changes its half-court press, you may need to call out a press break. No matter what the situation, there are three basic ways to call plays.

Instructions

    • 1

      Give your players a visual sign. This play calling technique is typically used when the players are on offense and are not under immediate pressure. As the point guard brings the ball up the floor, he should glance in your direction. Hold up a hand signal that represents the play you want him to run. Common signals are a thumbs up or down or a fist.

    • 2

      Call the play out loud. This is most often used on defense or when breaking a press on offense. Shouting the play out loud means all members on your team can hear it, but the opposition can, too.

    • 3

      Call a time out. This is particularly useful when the other team is on a scoring hot streak or in the last seconds of a period. A time out allows you to not only call a play, but to draw it up on a whiteboard and get player feedback as well.