The Magic of watching the “Other Nine” on the court

The Magic of watching the “Other Nine” on the court

As parents, our eyes are naturally drawn to the ball. We follow the bounce, the drive, and the shot because that’s where the “action” is. But if you want to unlock a deeper appreciation for the game—and help your child understand what actually leads to winning—try a different experiment this weekend: Ignore the ball.

When you shift your focus away from the player in possession, you begin to see the game through the lens of a coach. You start to see the “geometry” of the court and the micro-skills that turn a good team into a great one.

Here is your guide to enjoying the game by watching the “Other Nine.”

1. The Art of “Gravity”

In physics, gravity pulls objects together. In basketball, elite players use gravity to pull defenders apart.

Watch a shooter standing in the corner. Even if they don’t touch the ball for three possessions, notice how their defender refuses to leave them. By simply holding their spacing, that player is creating a massive lane for their teammate to drive.

• What to look for: Is the off-ball player standing in a spot that makes their defender “stay home,” or are they drifting toward the ball and bringing a second defender into the play?

2. Screening: The Unselfish Sacrifice

A great screen is a masterpiece of timing and angles. It is perhaps the most unselfish act in sports—one player taking a physical hit to free up another.

Instead of watching the person coming off the screen, watch the screener.

• The Angle: Did they set the screen at a “flat” angle to prevent the defender from going under?

• The Contact: Did they wait for their teammate to be ready before initiating contact?

• The Slip: Watch how often a defender over-commits to the ball, leaving the screener wide open for a “slip” to the rim.

3. The “Relocation” Sprint

The play doesn’t end when a player passes the ball. In fact, for the best offenses, that’s when the play begins.

Watch the player who just gave up the ball. Do they stand and watch? Or do they immediately sprint to a new “window”? This is called relocation. By moving just 5–10 feet after a pass, a player changes the defensive angles and forces the opponent to make a split-second decision.

4. Defensive “Fixers”

On the other end of the floor, the “Other Nine” includes the defenders. The best defenders aren’t always the ones diving for steals; they are the “fixers.”

Watch the player furthest from the ball on defense. Are they pointing? Are they “checking their shoulders” to see where the cutters are? These players are the architects of the defense, constantly adjusting the geometry to ensure there are no easy paths to the basket.

Why This Matters for Your Athlete

When you talk to your child after the game, your feedback changes when you watch the other nine. Instead of saying, “Great shot,” you might say:

“I loved how you held your spacing in the corner; it gave your point guard the lane they needed to score.”

Or…

“Your communication on the back-side of the zone kept the whole defense organized.”

When we celebrate the micro-skills of spacing and angles, we teach our athletes that every second on the court matters, whether the ball is in their hands or not.