The Benchwarmers

Lineups & Rotation

SSB allows 2-3 males and 2-3 females. Our team rule: always 3 males + 2 females on court. No exceptions — we have no advantage going 2M+3F. Roster: 4M / 3F.

STARTING 5

Terepai (M)
Antony (M)
Nick (M)
Dominique (F)
Angela (F)

BENCH

Jacob (M)
Antonia (F)

Leadership

Captain: Terepai
Vice Captain: Dominique
Third voice: Nick

Sub Rules

Always keep 2 of {Terepai, Antony, Nick} on court
Jacob subs for Antony or Nick (manage fatigue in chunks)
Antonia subs for Dominique or Angela
ALWAYS 3 males + 2 females on court — never 2M+3F. League allows it but we don't.
Sub male-for-male and female-for-female only — never cross-swap.

Terepai J

Captain · Engine & Primary Handler

"Drive. Score. Create."

Game Day Mantra

DRIVE. READ. DECIDE.

★ Team Impact

The offensive engine. Without you on the floor, the half-court stalls — there's no other player who can break a defense down off the dribble and create. Every set runs through you. When you're on the bench, Nick takes the engine seat and the offense simplifies. Goal: be on-ball for at least 75% of half-court possessions.

⛨ Defensive Role

Left wing of the 2-3 zone. On-ball pressure when their primary handler comes to your side. Force them to their weak hand. Disrupt their offense at the source — you've got the IQ to read what they're running.

✓ Strengths

Driving and finishing through traffic — gets to the rim, finishes through contact
Mid-range jumper coming off screens — best when moving off a pick
Court vision on the drive — finds open cutters, kicks to the open man for easy shots
High basketball IQ and defensive IQ — reads the floor on both ends

→ Focus

Bring the ball every possession
Drive first — finish, then kick
Hunt screens for the mid-range pull-up
Hunt Antony's roll and Antony's hip cut
Hunt Dominique's backdoor
Read the help defender on every drive — the kick is open if they collapse
Take it yourself when the system stalls

✗ Don't

Wait for off-ball passes that aren't coming
Settle for contested threes — your shot is in the mid-range and at the rim
Force the kick if no one's open — finish or draw the foul instead

⚙ Development Focus

Conditioning. Late-game decisions need a clear head — the 2nd half is where games are won.
Trust the system. Don't always default to hero ball — your first read should be Antony's roll or Dom's cut, not your own drive.
Stay vocal after mistakes. When the team panics, your tone resets it. Don't go quiet when frustrated.
Mid-range pull-up off screens. 30 reps off Antony's screen each session — make this automatic.

Antony G

The Big · Rim & Boards

"Use the height. Finish at the rim, not away from it."

Game Day Mantra

FINISH AT THE RIM. NOT FROM IT.

★ Team Impact

Our only true rim presence — both ways. When you're out, opponents get easy looks at the basket and we lose paint scoring. You have to stay out of foul trouble (4 PF limit means every foul matters). Box-out leader. Without you on the floor: zone coverage shrinks, opponents drive freely.

⛨ Defensive Role

Anchor the back of the 2-3 zone. Protect the rim. You're the last line — don't bite on shot fakes, stay vertical. Box out the biggest body on every shot. Use your height — don't let them shoot over you, contest with arms straight up.

✓ Strengths

Height is the #1 weapon — 6'2", taller than most defenders
Strong frame — uses his body to lean and finish through contact
Can finish at the rim well when he commits to going up
Can shoot and lay up — versatile scorer when in rhythm
Comes back on defense
Aggressive on D when locked in

→ Focus

Cut hard off Terepai's hip when he drives. Find the gap, hit the hole hard. Terepai draws the help, you get an open layup.
Catch → ONE bounce → high gather → two long strong steps → finish. That's the move. No extra dribbles.
Finish AT the rim — go up strong, not backwards
Chin the ball — catch high, hold high
Two-foot stop with high gather on drives
Lean into defenders with your frame — height + strength wins
Find a body and box out every shot

✗ Don't

Over-dribble. You lose the ball when you dribble too much. One bounce max, then go up.
Fade away. Your percentage at the rim is much higher than your fadeaway. Stop fading.
Settle for soft finishes when you have the height advantage
Dribble with eyes on the ball
Watch the rebound — go get it

⚙ Development Focus

Cut the fadeaway from your game for 2 weeks. Drill: 50 finishes at the rim every session. No fades allowed in practice or games.
Mikan drill. 30 reps before each game — alternating left/right hand layups. Builds the catch-and-finish reflex.
Box-out reps. 5 reps minimum before each game — find a body, seal, then go get the ball.
Defensive awareness. Box out FIRST, then chase the ball — not the other way around.

Dominique A

Vice Captain · Speed Wing

"Run the team. Run the floor."

Game Day Mantra

RUN. CUT. FINISH.

★ Team Impact

Our transition weapon and our team manager. You set the tempo on offense, you lead off-court (rego, comms, jerseys). Use your female backcourt protection — when pressed by a male defender, you bring the ball up unchallenged and create a free numbers advantage. Without you: no tempo, no transition layups.

⛨ Defensive Role

Top of zone left. Use your speed to pressure the ball-handler. Jump passing lanes when sure. As a female you can steal off females in backcourt without restriction — exploit that against their female ball-handlers.

✓ Strengths

Vice Captain — leads off-court and in huddles
Team manager — owns logistics, rego, comms
Fastest player on the team
Solid defender
Highest-percentage layup finisher

→ Focus

Set the tone in warm-ups and timeouts
First down the floor on every miss
Backdoor cut when defender's eyes turn
Layups only — straight to the rim
Max two dribbles before a decision
Bring the ball up when pressed — males can't pressure you in backcourt

✗ Don't

Settle for jumpers
Try to create off the dribble

⚙ Development Focus

Layup confidence. Back yourself — you're the most efficient finisher on the team. Take the shots you create.
Vocal in huddles. As VC, your voice matters as much as Terepai's. Speak up.
Backdoor cut timing. Read the defender's eyes, not the ball. Drill 10 backdoor reps each practice.
Use the female-protection rule. When pressured by a male in backcourt, KEEP your dribble — they can't strip you. Stay calm.

Angela N

The Hawk · Corner Defender

"Corner shooter. Lockdown defender."

Game Day Mantra

STAY IN YOUR CORNER. HANDS READY.

★ Team Impact

Our defensive disruptor. Your hands and aggression generate steals and extra possessions for the team. As a corner shooter, you're our floor-spacer — if defenders don't respect you on the perimeter, the lane closes up and Terepai/Antony lose driving lanes. You create points without scoring.

⛨ Defensive Role

Top of zone right. Pressure the ball at the perimeter, jump passing lanes. As a female you can steal off females in the backcourt without obstruction — apply pressure freely there. Designated transition safety: shot up, you retreat immediately.

✓ Strengths

Aggressive on-ball defender
Generates blocks and steals
Can knock down close, open shots

→ Focus

Lock the corner — stand still, stay ready
Catch-and-shoot only, no dribble
When you have the ball above your chest, hold it — male defenders must freeze
Designated safety: shot up, you go back

✗ Don't

Put it on the floor (double dribble risk)
Crash offensive boards
Drift from your spot

⚙ Development Focus

Cut the double dribble. If you catch with intent to dribble, dribble. If you catch to pass/shoot, don't put it on the floor at all.
Catch-and-shoot reps. 50 corner threes/mid-range each session. Be ready when ball comes.
Designated safety = no exceptions. Shot up = you go back. No "just one rebound" — train the reflex.
Use your female advantage. Steal off opposing females in backcourt — the rule lets you. Most others won't expect it.

Nick Heng

The Voice · Wing & Secondary Handler

"Make plays. Make others better."

Game Day Mantra

MAKE PLAYS. KEEP IT MOVING.

★ Team Impact

The skill and IQ relief valve. When Terepai needs a rest or is double-teamed, you take the engine seat. Your basketball intelligence and on-court communication make you a force-multiplier — you make Antony, Dom, and Angela better by getting them the ball in the right spots. You're the reason Terepai can rest without the offense collapsing.

⛨ Defensive Role

Right wing of the 2-3 zone. Quarterback the defense — call out screens, switches, and rotations. Cover for help in the lane. With your IQ, you should be the loudest player on defense.

✓ Strengths

Top-tier skill — handles, scores, passes, defends
High basketball IQ and on-court communication
Coaches teammates in real-time
Versatile — wing, secondary handler, or finisher

→ Focus

Secondary handler — take over when Terepai's off-ball or pressured
Run pick-and-roll with Antony from the weak side
Quarterback the defense — call out screens and switches
Knock down the open looks the system creates

✗ Don't

Iso when a system play is set up — trust the spacing
Over-handle — keep the ball moving

⚙ Development Focus

Trust the system over isolation. The set plays produce better shots than ISO — even when you're hot.
Build chemistry with Terepai. Run two-man game until reads are automatic — pick-and-roll, dribble hand-off, kick-and-relocate.
Vocal early in the game. Don't wait until you're losing to lead — set the tone in the first 5 minutes.
Pick-and-pop reps. When defender goes under your screen, pull up. Drill it.

Game Format — SSB Mixed Parramatta

2 × 17-minute halves, running clock
Total game: 34 minutes (real time ~40-45 min)
Clock stops in the last minute if margin is 8 or fewer points
Overtime: 1 minute period if tied at full time. Fouls and timeouts roll over from 2nd half.
Late start: Need 4+ players to begin. After 3 mins late, penalty 2 points/minute. No 4 by halftime = forfeit.
Played at Arthur Phillip High School, Parramatta (Macquarie St entry)

Player Balance — On Court

Team rule: always 3M + 2F. The SSB rule below is what's legal — but we always run 3M+2F.

Our lineup: 3 males + 2 females on court at all times
SSB allows: 2-3 males AND 2-3 females (min 2 of either, max 3 of either)
Why we lock 3M+2F: No tactical advantage to 2M+3F for our roster
Only 1M or 1F available? League rule: you play 4 on court (not 5)
Sub coordination: male-for-male, female-for-female swaps only

⚠️ Mixed-Only Rule: Female Shot Guarding

Critical for all male players (Terepai, Antony, Nick, Jacob). Breaking these = automatic shooting foul.

When a female has the ball above her chest with intent to shoot, every male within arm's length must:

Freeze. Stand still. No moving toward, leaning over, running at, or running past.
Arms straight up. Be in position BEFORE the ball goes above her chest.
No jumping. Stay grounded.
No waving, clapping, or shouting at the shooter.

What you CAN do: Steal the ball while it's below her chest. Have arms straight up before she releases. If she throws it into your arms, play on.

Bonus rule: If a male blocks a female's shot, the basket counts (treated as goaltending).

⚠️ Mixed-Only Rule: Female Backcourt Possession

Males cannot steal from females in the backcourt while she has possession or is dribbling.
On rebounds: Once a female has the ball below her chest, it's possession — males can't strip it.
If she passes or loses control of dribble → she no longer has possession → ball can be stolen.
Illegal contact causing a steal = foul.
Note: 8-second backcourt violation IS still enforced at Parramatta.

🎯 Exploit These Rules — Offensive Strategy

The Mixed rules give females tactical advantages. Use them.

Dom or Angela in the backcourt: If they bring the ball up, males CAN'T pressure them. Send them up against male defenders.
Female shot fake: When Dom/Angela catch with intent to shoot, raise the ball above the chest — every male nearby must freeze. Drive past them or kick to a teammate cutting.
Defend with arms up when guarding their female shooter — be in position early and stay still. They can't draw fouls if you don't move.
Match female-on-female where possible. In our 2-3 zone, Dom and Angela cover their female perimeter players. Antony and males cover their male perimeter and post. Reduces obstruction foul risk.

Fouls — The SSB Limits

4 personal fouls = fouled out. Cannot return.
6 team fouls in a half = bonus. Other team shoots free throws on every foul after that.
Track yourself. 2 fouls = warning, play smarter. 3 fouls = think twice on every reach.

Common Fouls — Don't Give Them Up

Obstruction (Mixed-only). Males moving while a female has the ball above her chest. The biggest gift to opponents — don't give it.
Reach-in. #1 most common. If you can't see the ball, don't swipe. Move your feet instead.
Body bump on the drive. Stay vertical. Hands straight up. Let them come into you.
Bumping cutters. Off-ball contact still gets called. Don't grab jerseys.
Undercut a shooter. Dangerous. Step back, contest with verticality only.
Box-out arm bar. Lock arms with a defender = foul. Use your body, not your arms.
Charge. If a defender's set with feet planted, don't barrel through. Spin off, kick out.

Foul Management — Per Player

Limit is 4 — every foul matters more than in standard basketball.

Antony: Stay vertical at the rim. If he fouls out, we lose the rim. Especially careful when females shoot near him.
Angela: Aggressive defender — but no reach-ins. She CAN steal off females in backcourt because she's also female. Use that.
Terepai: Captain can't foul out. Pick spots. Avoid early reach fouls.
Nick: Secondary handler is too valuable to lose. Be disciplined on the perimeter.
Jacob: Use your body cleanly. No arm bars on box-outs.
Dominique: Low foul risk profile — protect females driving and watch for charges.
Antonia: When subbed in, focus on positioning over swiping.

Timeouts

1 timeout per half. No on-court timeouts — only when ball is out of play. Cannot call after YOU score. CAN call after being scored on.

When to call one

Stop a run. 3+ unanswered baskets. Burn it before it snowballs.
Reset after chaos. Two turnovers in a row, blown coverages, panic.
Set up a play late. Last 2 minutes, close game.
Save subs late. Rest a key player without giving up a possession.

When NOT to call one

Just because you're tired and want a break.
First 5 minutes (rare exception: opponent on a 0-10 run).
To complain about a ref call.

Who calls it

Captain (Terepai) — yell "TIMEOUT" and make a T sign with hands to ref.
VC (Dominique) backup if Terepai is on the bench.
Only the player with the ball can request — if you don't have it, alert your captain.

Strategic Fouling (Late Game Only)

Down 3-6 with under 30 seconds left? Foul their worst free-throw shooter immediately. Stop the clock.
Foul before they shoot, not after. Once the ball's up, it's a shooting foul = guaranteed FTs.
Pick the foul target. Their weakest shooter. Don't foul their best.
Don't foul up by 3+ in last 10 seconds. They want to foul you — make them.

Game Situations

Up by 1 with 30 seconds: Drain clock. Hold for last shot. Foul-aware.
Down by 1 with 30 seconds: Run a play. Layup or a foul. No threes — go to the rim.
Tied with 10 seconds: Last shot. Terepai creates, Antony rolls, Dom/Angela space (use the obstruction rule against them).
Up by 6+ entering last 2 minutes: Slow tempo. Force them to foul. Clock stops in last minute when margin ≤ 8 — keep margin above 8 to avoid that.
Down by 6+ entering last 2 minutes: Push every miss. Trap if needed.
Margin ≤ 8 in last minute: Clock now stops on whistles. Every possession matters more.

Uniforms & Misc

Matching team jerseys with numbers front and back.
Shorts don't have to match across team — but no loose-pocket or loose-cord shorts.
Out of uniform repeatedly = 2-point penalty.
Source of truth: Full SSB Mixed bylaws PDF on sydneysocialbasketball.com.au.

Team Playbook

Lineups & Rotation

2-3 Zone — Pack the Paint

Six Defensive Rules

Transition Defense

When to Switch Off Zone

Game Format — SSB Mixed Parramatta

Player Balance — On Court

⚠️ Mixed-Only Rule: Female Shot Guarding

⚠️ Mixed-Only Rule: Female Backcourt Possession

🎯 Exploit These Rules — Offensive Strategy

Fouls — The SSB Limits

Common Fouls — Don't Give Them Up

Foul Management — Per Player

Timeouts

Strategic Fouling (Late Game Only)

Game Situations

Uniforms & Misc

Coaching Notes