In a previous article I discussed the way in which my teams changed our full and half court pressure defenses based on which of our players scored.  Not having to use an audible to signal which defense we were going to use proved to be very effective in confusing our opponents.  It triggered frequent turnovers that often led to easy baskets.

Teams use a variety of signals to communicate which play they are going to run on offense.  Some use hand signals (e.g., fist, open hand).  Some use the entry pass to signal which play they are going to run.  But perhaps the most commonly used signal is the audible.

There are numerous ways in which audible signals are used.  Many teams number their plays.  Each number designates a different play.  There are teams that call out the name of a play.  Often the name is derived from a particular team that popularized the play (e.g., Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, UCLA, Michigan, etc.).  The problem with audibles and hand signals is that while they alert the offense as to which play is being run, they also alert the defense.  Most teams scout their opponents several times prior to playing them and their scouting reports often make note of audible and hand signals used by their opponents.  I remember attending a game in which one of the teams signaled which play it was going to run by calling out a number.  The defense tried to confuse the offense by calling out another number.  If the coach or point guard of the offensive team called out “One,” the defensive players would call out another number (e.g., “2” or “3”) to try to confuse the players on offense.

Rather than numbering plays or assigning a different name or color for each play, use an audible based on category.  For example, use the following categories for your set plays:
 
Number Play: Call out any number to signal that play.
Color Play:  Call out any color to signal that play.
NBA Play: Call out the name of any NBA team to signal that play.
College Play: Call out the name of any college to signal that play.

Obviously there are many ways in which you can try to disguise what you are doing offensively and defensively.  What you are attempting to do is to delay recognition by your opponent.  If this strategy works to your advantage just a few times per game, it could be the difference between winning and losing.  The same concept can be used in the half court offense and for out of bounds plays.  Is it a “gimmick?”  Yes, but a “gimmick” can be an effective tactic if employed properly.