Whether you’re a high school or college coach, one challenge we all share is finding enough time to properly scout upcoming opponents. Today, let’s look at practical approaches to scouting — both live and recorded — that help you stay efficient without sacrificing thoroughness.

LIVE Scouting

Live scouting is the toughest. There’s no replay. No rewind. Everything happens in real time. You may only get to see a team once before playing them, and the quality of their opponent can heavily influence what you observe.

That said, here’s a streamlined approach that helps you get a solid scout, even if you’re doing it alone.

During the Game

• Identify the roster.
  List player numbers who enter the game. Put a check mark for each shot attempt and circle the check mark for made shots.
• Identify the #1 objective/strength of their offense.
  Don’t try to solve it yet. Just identify what they do best.
• Identify the #1 objective/strength of their defense.
  Again, don’t fix it yet. Just define it.

Keep it simple. Observe. Capture patterns.

At Halftime & After the Game

• Identify the biggest roster threat.
  Who is their best player? What makes them most effective?
  If you could take away one thing, what would it be?
• Identify high-volume shooters.
  (Green-light shooters usually have that freedom for a reason.)
• Identify one defensive starter you can exploit.
  Don’t solve it yet. Just identify who.
• Begin thinking through how to counter their top offensive and defensive strengths.

RECORDED Scouting

Recorded scouting gives you the advantage of slowing the game down. Using the same framework as live scouting, you can break film into three focused viewings to improve both efficiency and depth.

1. View for Roster

• List player numbers and chart:
  • Circle = 2-point attempts (fill in for makes)
  • Triangle = 3-point attempts (fill in for makes)
  • F = free-throw attempts (circle for makes)
• Note individual tendencies:
  • Only goes right?
  • Avoids certain finishes?
  • Limited off-hand use?
• Identify high-volume shooters.
• Identify a defensive player you can attack.
• Note key bench players who shift tempo or scheme
  (For example: pressing when #14 enters, or pushing pace off makes.)

2. View for Offense

• Identify the #1 objective/strength of their offense.
  How can you disrupt it?
• Note offensive adjustments versus different defensive coverages.
  Do they change actions against zone vs. man?
• Chart all SLOB and BLOB plays.
  Note what defense is being played on each inbound.

3. View for Defense

• Identify the #1 objective/strength of their defense.
  How can you neutralize it?
• Note defensive changes.
  Do they mix coverages?
  Do they trap full court or in the half court?
• Consider how to attack both their best defensive strength and their offensive identity.

Final Thought

Every coach has their own style and method of scouting. This guide isn’t meant to be perfect or universal. But if you’re looking for a more organized, focused approach, this framework can help.Too many coaches try to “see it all” in one viewing and end up missing the details that truly matter. Try this structure the next time you scout. See if it sharpens your focus and saves you time.

Short on time while scouting or preparing? Use the Ballogy AI Assistant as a second set of eyes. Ask it about offensive adjustments, defensive coverages, or player development ideas — and let it generate actionable insights you can apply immediately.

It’s like having another coach in the room. Explore more great Ballogy features.

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