While spectacular shooting and deft passing may lead the highlight shows most nights, coaches implore their players to hustle and play hard from start to finish in every basketball game. This manifests itself in hustle plays when a rebound or a loose ball could go to either team. These close plays are 50-50 balls in basketball and the top teams find a way to win most of these battles.
Rebounding
Every time a missed shot is taken in basketball, the resulting rebound is seemingly a 50-50 ball. Neither team can control the bounce off the rim or backboard. That gives both teams an equal chance to get the rebound. The players who position themselves correctly have the best chance of getting the rebound. Teams that win the rebounding battle often have the best chance of winning a majority of their games. A team that gets a significant number of offensive rebounds will take charge of most games.
Effort
Sometimes it takes extraordinary effort to win the 50-50 ball. A defensive player may anticipate the way the player he is guarding will dribble. He may get his hands on the ball to knock it away. If he holds his ground, the offensive player will likely recover the loose ball. However, if the defender dives after the loose ball, he has a better chance of recovering it and creating a turnover. This win on the 50-50 ball will give your team a chance to score on the offensive end.
Praise
Coaches ask their players to give their best effort throughout the game. When the coach sees an example of a player doing that, he can point it out during a timeout or at halftime. When the coach singles out an example of hustle and winning the 50-50 ball, it empowers that player and serves as an example for the rest of the team.
Momentum
Teams that win a significant number of 50-50 balls in a short time gain momentum. After one player sets an example by hustling after a loose ball, her teammates often will try to do the same. And it can serve as a negative factor for opponents. If they are losing the battle for 50-50 balls, it can drain momentum and energy and lead to fatigue. When one team feels a surge and the other gets tired, momentum changes and one team takes charge, increasing its chances for victory.
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