Basketball self-scout checklist + example

A 3-page self-scout checklist with 25 questions in 6 areas and 3 priorities, on Letter portrait.

Write what you see from film and the box score. The checklist asks the questions; it never answers them for you.

Worked example: a finished review of a fictional team

Team: the Harbor City Gulls (a fictional team). Everything in this example is invented.

How do we score when the first option is taken away? (Our offense) What they'll do: Teach two counters (backdoor, pin-down); 3-on-3 with the first option denied.
Where do opponents score on us: rim, mid-range, three? (Our defense) What they'll do: Shell drill with early weak-side help; tag the roller on every ball screen.
How often do we turn it over, and how (live-ball or dead-ball)? (Possessions) What they'll do: Entry passes against pressure every day; meet the pass, pivot, no lob entries.

Where do our shots come from: rim, mid-range, three? — Too many long twos early in the clock; our threes come mostly from the corners.
Which sets or actions get us our best looks? — Horns flare and our after-timeout stagger get the cleanest looks.
How do we score when the first option is taken away? — We stall and hold the ball; nobody cuts once the first action is denied.
What do we do against a zone, and does it work? — Against 2-3 we reverse it well but never flash the high post.
How well do we run in transition after misses and makes? — We run after misses, walk it up after makes.

Where do opponents score on us: rim, mid-range, three? — Opponents live at the rim when our help is late from the weak side.
How do we guard ball screens, and where does it break down? — Hedge is fine; the roller gets free when the low man doesn't tag.
Do we contest threes without fouling or giving up drives? — Closeouts are late on skip passes; few fouls on threes.
How many points do we give up in transition? — About eight a game, mostly after our turnovers.
Who guards the other team's best player, and how does it go? — The 3 guards their best wing; it goes well until foul trouble.

How often do we turn it over, and how (live-ball or dead-ball)? — Live-ball turnovers on entry passes against pressure.
Do we get offensive rebounds, and do we give them up? — We give up second chances when the 4 leaks out early.
Do we get to the free-throw line, and do we make them? — We rarely get to the line; we shoot it fine when we do.
How often do we foul, and when (early in the clock, on shots)? — Reach-in fouls on the perimeter in the first half.

Which lineups play best together, and which struggle? — The small lineup with two ball handlers is our best; the big lineup can't space.
Who closes games, and is it the right group? — We close with our best defenders, not our best free-throw shooters.
Are minutes where we want them, including foul trouble? — Starters play too many first-half minutes.
Which player's role should grow, and which should shrink? — The backup point guard's role should grow; the bigs' post touches should shrink.

How do our baseline and sideline inbounds plays work? — Baseline set scores; sideline set is only a safe entry.
Do we break pressure calmly? — We panic against the 2-2-1; nobody comes to the middle.
How do we play the last two minutes of a close game? — We hold the ball too long when up late.
Are our after-timeout plays getting good looks? — Good looks, but we don't use our timeouts early enough.

Do we communicate on defense (talk on screens, help calls)? — Quiet on ball screens; the help side talks.
Do we sprint back and match up in transition? — Two players jog back after missed shots.
How do we respond after a bad stretch or a run against us? — We hang our heads after an opponent's run; timeouts help.

It's also a PDF below.