Running an Effective Timeout
Running an Effective Timeout:
As a coach, one of the most important in-game factors that you can control is your timeouts. Not only when you take them, but also how you run them. Taking well-timed, effective timeouts can be the difference between winning and losing.
In this breakdown, we will do a deep dive into all aspects of timeouts and how you and your players can get the most out of them.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo addresses his team during a timeout this past season.
Why Take a timeout?
Before we can get into the details of running an effective timeout, we must cover the scenarios in which a timely timeout can really help your team. Below are the most common scenarios in which a timeout could be beneficial:
To stop an opponent’s run or momentum
To calm down your team and re-organize.
To make an adjustment.
To rest a player (particularly late in the game).
To set up a play (BLOB, SLOB, ATO, game winner, etc.)
To energize your team.
Do I really need this timeout?
We all know how valuable timeouts are, especially at the end of games, so we don’t want to be wasteful with our timeout usage. Before taking a timeout, there are two questions you should ask yourself as a coach:
Can I fix the problem from the sideline?
Can I fix the problem with a substitution?
Is it a one-off mistake or a repeated issue? No knee-jerk timeouts.
If the problem can be solved from the sideline or with a substitution, you’re better off hanging on to that timeout, because odds are you’ll need it later.
Organizing Your timeout:
The most important aspect of organizing your huddle is making sure the five players who will be going back onto the floor are front and center and can clearly see you. If you are planning on subbing, do it as early as possible in the timeout to ensure all players going back on the floor are locked in and on the same page.
What to say during a timeout?
Players will retain less than you think during a timeout, especially in the pressure of a game, which is why it is important to limit what you cover in the timeout to 1-3 items. A good rule of thumb is one offensive item, one defensive item, and one generic item. However, depending on why you took the timeout, this can change.
Finish your timeout with the theme of the game—what was your main message in the locker room pre-game? For example, if you are playing against a team that likes to get out and run, you could finish the timeout with “Let’s make sure we get back and don’t give up anything easy!”
Another thing that must be considered when discussing effective timeouts is the different types of communication. The most obvious type of communication often associated with timeouts is verbal (i.e. the coach talking and the players listening). However, what about non-verbal communication? How is your body language? What gestures are you making? What is your face saying? Your players will pick up whatever you are putting down, so if you are dejected and upset they will pick up on that. Oppositely, if you’re poised and exude confidence, players will pick up on that.
Using the Board During a timeout:
Another type of communication used in effective timeouts is visual communication, and this is where your trusted whiteboard comes into play. In addition to using your whiteboard to present plays or in-game scenarios, you can also use your whiteboard to write out the items of focus for that timeout. This ensures players are taking in the information both verbally and visually.
When using your whiteboard to diagram plays or in-game scenarios, the biggest mistake coaches make is not adding the opponent into the diagram. For example, if you are running an ATO against a 2-3 zone defense, it is imperative you draw out the defense and how they will rotate, where the openings are, etc. This small detail will greatly benefit your ATO execution.
Finally, keep your whiteboard clear and visible to all players. Your go-to ATO or adjustment doesn’t mean anything if your players can’t understand your board full of squiggly lines and half erased X’s and O’s. Equally as important is making sure every player who is going onto the floor can see the board, so be sure to draw and present it at an angle visible to all five players.
Using your staff During a timeout:
What is the role of your assistant coaches during a timeout? When you go the address the team during the timeout, you should be the only one talking—one voice is more effective than two. This means you should use the first 10-20 seconds of the timeout to talk with your staff about potential adjustments and items to cover. Taking this time with your assistant allows them to provide their input, but also allows your players to catch their breath, grab a drink and towel off before diving into the timeout. Taking this time also prevents you from going into the huddle too emotional, although sometimes a wake-up call is needed.
As a head coach, you’ll never be able to watch everything during the game—learn to trust your assistants. Assistants … don’t feel bad if a head coach doesn’t take your suggestion. All you can do is provide your input, but ultimately the decision falls to the head coach.
Things to consider During a timeout:
Finally, below are a few things around timeouts you should consider:
Do you change your defense coming out of a timeout?
Do you save time-outs for the 4th quarter?
Do you take a timeout to ice a free throw shooter late in the game?
If you’re drawing up a set, do you also have a zone set ready just in case?