Subbing (Player's Handbook Chapter)

It takes a special player to come off the bench and help his team. It is a role many players do not enjoy, but a very important role, in some cases more important than a starter. The following questions should be contemplated to help prepare for such a situation.

Whom am I going in for?
*What was his assignment?
*Whom will I guard?
*What are his strengths and weaknesses?
*What are his physical attributes?
*Does he have a dominant hand?
*Does he go hard to the boards?
*Is he a good defender?
*Is he a good ball handler?
*Does he go for head and ball fakes?
*What side of the floor does he prefer to play on?
*Is he a shooter?
*If so, from where?
*Does he shoot better off the dribble or pass?
*Does he use head and ball fakes?
*Is he a good free throw shooter?

How are the officials calling the game?
*Is it being called close or are they letting us play?

What is the official's "favorite" call?
*Traveling?
*Moving screens?
*Three-seconds?
*Palming?

What is the tempo of the game?
*Are we attempting to score from transition?
*Have we given up any lay-ups?
*How is our halfcourt game?
*Are we executing?
*Why am I going into the game?
*To rebound?
*To score?
*To assert myself defensively?
*To rest a teammate?
*To ignite my teammates?

What defense are we playing?
*Are we playing man-to-man?
*Can we afford to guard tight or do we need to sag off?
*Who are their "zone busters"?
*Do they have a dominant center you should help cover down?
*Have we pressed?
*Do you expect us to be pressing soon?

What offense are we running?
*What has worked the best so far?

What else should I know?
*How many time-outs do we have left?
*Are we in the bonus?
*What is the score?
*How much time is remaining?