Chapter - 32

Charting

Types of charts | Shot charts | Keeping the shot chart | Mistake charts | Keeping the mistake chart | Rebound charts | Keeping the rebound chart | Miscellaneous charts | General suggestions

Rare is the coach in present-day basketball who does not use some type of chart to furnish objective data about each game. Even the keenest of basketball minds cannot possibly gather information in the amount and with the accuracy that can be compiled by charting.

Types of Charts

The types of charts in use today may be grouped as follows:

1. Shot charts.

2. Mistake charts.

3. Rebound charts.

4. Miscellaneous charts.

Shot Charts

The shot chart is the most common chart used. It furnishes the following information:

1. Number of shots taken by both teams.

2. Type of shots taken by both teams.

3. Location of shots taken by both teams.

4. Shooting percentage of both teams.

5. Shooting percentage of individuals on both teams.

A knowledge of the number of shots taken by both teams can point to specific offensive or defensive weaknesses that must be corrected. If a team is taking too few shots, concentration on offensive practice may increase the number taken. If the opponent is taking too many shots, added emphasis on defense in practice may reduce this number. The type of shots taken by both teams may indicate the type of shots to be practiced or defensive adjustments needed. Needless to say, if the opponents are getting too many lay-up shots, the team defense must be improved. If the opponents are getting an excessive number of rebound shots, stress must be placed on defensive rebounding.

The location of shots taken will point out areas for offensive improvement and defensive adjustment. If a team is shooting too many outside shots, practice plans may stress work on plays designed to get closer shots. If the opponents are shooting a number of outside shots unsuccessfully, a sagging type of man-for-man defense or a type of zone defense may be in order.

Shooting percentage of the team and of individuals is very important in planning practices and preparing for games. A knowledge of individual shooting percentage on a team can indicate the individuals that should be doing much of the shooting, can suggest line-up changes, and can reduce the number of bad shots taken. Coaching emphasis on good shooting percentage can spur individuals and the team into working for better shots. A knowledge of the high percentage shooters on opposing teams can allow for defensive concentration on these individuals.

Keeping the Shot Chart

A shot chart on both teams can easily be kept by one individual. The composite chart shown by Chart 231 shows the shot charting technique. When a player attempts a shot, his number is written on the chart at the approximate location the shot was taken. The type of shot taken may be included by adding a symbol after the number. For example, 22S would indicate a set shot by number 22. If the number and symbol are circled, the shot was made. If it is not circled, the shot was missed.

Mistake Charts

What type of information may be recorded by mistake charts?

1. Bad passes.

2. Double-dribbling.

3. Walking.

4. Fumbles.

5. Other violations causing loss of ball.

A knowledge of the mistakes being committed by a team and the individuals committing these mistakes can be an excellent guide in planning practice sessions. If an excessive number of bad passes are being made, passing drills should be emphasized. If walking and dribble violations are being committed, drills stressing correct pivoting and dribbling should receive emphasis. The knowledge of the type of mistakes being committed and the individuals committing them can be useful in skull sessions when reviewing games. Cautioning the players about these mistakes and the simple knowledge that they are being committed can contribute toward their reduction.

Keeping the Mistake Chart

Mistakes may be recorded simply by writing the number of the individual committing the mistake in the appropriate mistake column. They can be easily recorded after the game. The composite chart illustrated by Chart 231 shows a method of recording mistakes in conjunction with shot charting. One individual may record both shots and mistakes.

Rebound Charts

Rebound charts provide the following information:

1. Number of offensive and defensive rebounds by each team.

2. Number of offensive and defensive rebounds by each individual.

Insufficient offensive or defensive rebounds can suggest areas of rebounding work in practice. If the number of defensive rebounds is not in close proximity to the number of missed shots by the opponents, stress should be placed on blockouts and other defensive rebounding techniques. The reverse would be true if a team is falling down on the offensive boards. The knowledge of which players on a team are getting the most rebounds can suggest individuals who need additional work in this area and can act as an incentive to future rebounding performances by allowing competition among individuals on the team.

An accurate knowledge of the leading rebounders on the opposing team may suggest play direction. For example, if the left forward on the opponents is their best rebounder, initiating plays in his defensive area may result in shots being taken while he is out on the floor and away from the board.

Keeping the Rebound Chart

Rebounds may be recorded in the same manner as shots and mistakes and can be recorded on the same composite chart shown by Chart 231. Simply writing the number of the rebounder in the appropriate offensive or defensive rebounding column is sufficient.

Miscellaneous Charts

A number of other types of charts are used by many coaches. Among them are:

1. Player Combination  Charts (Chart 232).  This chart records each combination of players throughout the game, the time played by each player and combination, and gives a view as to the combination of players achieving the best results. When a player enters the game, his initial is placed on the line under the name of the player he is replacing along with the score and time remaining.

2. Officiating Charts. Recording the type o£ officiating calls made by each official can suggest the type o£ game to be played. If blocking calls are excessive, players can be instructed to drive a great deal.  On the other hand, if charging calls predominate, defensive players can be instructed to jump freely in front of drivers. Few fouls called under the basket may indicate a rougher type of rebounding play.

3. Jump-ball Charts. An accurate record of jump-ball situations may be obtained by the use of the chart shown by Chart 233. The chart records the players involved in the jump situation, who controls the tap, and who gains ball possession. The numbers of the players jumping are recorded. If your player gets control of the tap at the height of the ball toss, a plus is recorded. If he does not get the tap, a minus is recorded. A plus or minus is again used to chart the team that gains ball possession.

CHART 232. Player Combination Chart. The first letter of the starting player's last names are placed in the combination column on the top line with the time at 20 minutes to go in the half and the score 0-0. At 10:03, Waters replaced O'Neal. The first two letters of Waters must be used since one starting player's name began with "W." The chart reveals that when Terrell entered the lineup with 16:31 left in the second half, Stetson came from one point behind to four points in front, the best combination of the game.

CHART 233. Jump-ball chart. The numbers of the jumpers are written in the first column. A plus or minus is placed in the "tap control" column to indicate the team controlling the tap. The number of the player gaining possession after the tap is written in the "possession" column with a plus or minus after his number to indicate which team.

4. Offensive Options. Many teams keep charts that indicate play options that result in shots and scoring and evaluate the effectiveness of their offensive plays on these results.

5. Defensive Mistakes. A record of mistakes made both by the team defense and by individual defensive players is useful and can aid in determining areas needed for work in practice. The type of mistakes to be charted will depend on the type of team defense played and must be ascertained by the individual coach.

6. Center-line Advancement. These charts record the number of times ball possession is gained in backcourt but the ball is lost before crossing the center-line. Added information may be provided by charting the number of times the offense advances the ball into front-court and fails to obtain a shot.

General Suggestions

1. Make a thorough study of the information desired and arrive at a sound program of charting to obtain this information.

2. Obtain interested personnel and train them in accurate charting techniques.

3. Study the charts diligently after each game and make the results available to the entire squad.

4. Keep cumulative statistics on all charts and file charts for future reference.

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