Cal Men's Basketball Film Room: Basketball ATO Plays

Thoughts on strategy, coaching and execution

Photo courtesy Rob Hwang

During the usual 30-second shot clock offense, Coach Madsen’s Bears employ a read-and-react strategy. The offense initiates decent ball and player movement while probing the defense and working towards a good play decision.

ATO plays are specific set plays schemed and designed by the coaching staff after timeouts (ATO). From a strategic perspective, ATO plays are fascinating to analyze.

In ATO plays, read-and-react is minimized. The plays have directed motion and screens to initiate towards a specific outcome. There may be a choice to be made, but this too is also script-dependent. This level of whiteboarding and scheming is possible because there are few unknown variables. The coaching staff knows;

• Exactly where the ball is

• If the ball handler is frozen or can move the endline

• How much time is left both in the shot clock and the game clock(if relevant)

• The exact foul situation for both the offense and defense

• Defensive strategies used up to that point

• The coaching staff can substitute players if required

• What is the required outcome of the play

ATO plays also give the defense less time to read and react. In football, think about the snap of the ball as all offensive skill players burst into their routes. Defensive players are allowed contact within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage as a competitive balance measure so the offensive players simply cannot outrun the defender. In basketball, while contact is allowed, the offensive players still has an advantage when they begin their designed motion, as the defense needs to react to what the offense is initiating. There is a little bit of a dance between coaching staffs, as well. The offense may call for two different plays in the huddle, then yell in the preferred play once they see how the defense is lining up. Often, you’ll see the defensive team call a timeout once they see what players and initial setup is for the ATO play.

All of the above make ATO plays a strategic weapon that can be used during the entire game. ATO plays obviously get magnified in end-of-game situations where one play will decide the final score. During non-critical junctures, ATO plays may be minimized and the offense inbounds the ball to initiate their normal offense. I appreciate Coach Madsen more often than not using ATO opportunities to run a set play and being aggressive on offense, like in this set play early in the game against Santa Clara.

It’s 4 minutes into the game, coming out of the first TV timeout. Plenty of time left on the shot clock. Many teams would simply pass the ball out to the top and run their offense. Coach Madsen instead draws up a set play designed for a Jalen Cone open shot. From the initial entry pass to Cone’s shot, less than 4 seconds pass.

Let’s look at a couple end-of-game situations and talk about strategy.

The Dark Ages

In last year’s loss to Eastern Washington, the Eagles hit a running layup with 24 seconds left to take a 50-48 lead. Prior to that, Cal had eliminated a 9-point lead over the previous 4 minutes of game time. Cal is already in the double bonus, so any foul results in two free throws. The Bears have all the momentum. Up until that point, Cal is 2-of-15 from 3-point range, including 0-of-2 for Kuany Kuany. A two ties it and probably send the game into overtime, where Cal has the momentum and EWU is in deep foul trouble.

Coach Fox and staff draw up a play for a Kuany Kuany 3-point corner shot.

The play is executed well by the team. In the picture below, Kuany has a decent look.

But look at what else is happening on this play. Nothing. There are no choices for either Joel Brown or Grant Newell to make. Not a single Cal player is in a position to collect a rebound. As I said in my recap article;

“One option was to have Newell or Kuany (Cal’s best FT shooters) attack the lane. They have the option to go all the way, maybe draw a foul, or kick back out for a 3-point attempt. With 24 seconds, there is enough time to run motion and even call their last timeout if the play collapses. Ben Braun talked about this briefly on the telecast.”

Instead, it’s all or nothing on the Kuany shot. I understand the logic, but it was the wrong decision based on all the other in-game factors.

The Age Of Enlightenment

In Saturday’s game against the Washington State Cougars, the end of regulation featured Jaylon Tyson’s driving bucket off a designed play with 24 seconds remaining. Watch the play below three times. Each time, focus on the individual actions of Jaylon Tyson, Fardaws Aimaq and Jalen Cone.

At 2:03 left in the game, Cal was losing 65-58. The Cougars have a 91% chance to win. Cal goes on a 6-0 to get to the point of the game in the above clip. Cal has all the momentum. Any scoring would take the lead. As noted earlier, OTA’s tend to be decisive as to give the defense less time to react to the action. By executing the action early and not playing for the last shot, Cal still has enough time to collect a rebound, reset entirely, or foul WSU if they gain possession.

Unlike the Kuany play, there are continuation options out of this play. Here is the relative positioning when Tyson goes up.

Aimaq is in a good position to collect a weakside rebound. Jalen Cone is leaking out to be ready for a pass and 3-point shot. Kennedy is already squaring up to collect a kickout if Tyson needs to pass instead of shoot.

It’s excellent design. It’s heady coaching and strategic thinking. It’s superior execution. It’s easy to root for. It’s fun to watch.

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The Eastern Washington loss last year was the lowest point in the season for me. What tiny glimmer of hope I had was gone. I lost faith in the coaches to put the players into advantageous positions.

Maybe this is why I have been extremely geeked out by Coach Madsen’s ATO plays. The designs are putting the players into excellent situations. The crisp execution points to solid practice habits and good fundamental coaching skills.

Even if Cal’s record ends up a disappointment at the end of the season, I will continue to be believe in the direction of the program and ability of this staff - thanks to plays like these.

Now let’s pack Haas this Friday and truly make it a Haas of Pain for Stanford.