Basketball: Plus-Minus by Lineup with a Bench Analyst
Two rosters of seven or eight students play 5v5 basketball with subs every 3 minutes, and an analyst tracks each lineup's plus-minus: points scored minus points allowed while that five is on the floor. With those numbers, the student coach picks the closing lineup.
How to play
- The teacher walks through plus-minus with a whiteboard example and hands out roles: coach, analyst and timekeeper for each team (5 min).
- The coach builds three different lineups, with each student in at least two, and the analyst sets up the sheet with one row per lineup (4 min).
- Game in four 3-minute blocks, each with a different lineup; the analyst notes the score when the lineup checks in and out (14 min).
- Analysis break: the analyst calculates each lineup's plus-minus and the coach explains what might be behind it, like size, shooting or defense (5 min).
- 6-minute closing period with the lineup the coach picks based on the data (6 min).
- Debrief: was the best number from the strongest lineup, or from the five that fit together best? (6 min).
Rules
- Everybody plays at least two blocks; data is never used to bench someone for good.
- Plus-minus belongs to the lineup, not one person; no blaming.
- Man-to-man defense with no hand-checking.
- Subs check in at half court with the ball dead.
Variations
Easier
Just record each block's points, without working out the difference.
Standard
Plus-minus by lineup and a data-based closing five.
Harder
Track turnovers and rebounds by lineup too, to explain the result.
Adaptations
- Students with limited mobility: serve as lead analyst and present the data to the team.
- Students with visual impairments: run the clock with a talking timer and call the subs.
- Students with performance anxiety: the teacher stresses the stat is collective and no individual number is ever shown.
Learning goals
- Calculate and interpret a simple team statistic.
- Make team decisions based on data instead of gut feeling.
- Recognize how players complement each other within a group.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketballs: 2
- pinnies: 15
- score sheets: 4
- pencils: 4
- stopwatch: 2
Teacher tip
Bring the score sheet pre-made with "score in" and "score out" columns. The typical mistake is the analyst watching the ball and forgetting the score: have them write it down the moment a sub is called.
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