Zone Offenses

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 Zone Offenses
While the ability to stretch the defense with good three point shooters can make it easier to attack, it’s a
common misconception that this is the only way that you can score against a zone defense.

The two most important things to keep in mind when attacking any zone defense – 2-3, 3-2, 1-3-1 – are spacing
and ball movement. If you can force the defense to slide back and forth across the court, eventually you’ll be
able to find a crack in the defense. But it doesn’t matter how fast you’re moving the ball if your players aren’t in
the right spots.

You want to take advantage of the fact that the defense has only assigned one player to a certain spot of the
floor, and use a combination of screens, good positioning and ball movement to put the defense at a numbers
disadvantage at that spot.

Now some of the following plays are designed specifically for either an odd or even man front, and when that’s
the case it will be noted, but for the most part, with small adjustments these plays can be used against any kind
of zone defense.

Practice these enough and you won’t be frustrated the next time a team pulls out a zone defense on you –
you’ll see it as an opportunity.

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Play: Zone 3 (CC)
Coach: John Ross, Head Coach
School: Calvin College
Description: Our first zone play starts off with a three man stack on the left lane line,
our point guard up top, and our shooting guard on the right wing.
On the point guard’s signal, the power forward will curl around to the top of the stack
to the basket, the small forward will pop out to the ball side wing, and the center will
go straight down to the block and seal.
Our first option is the curl, but if that isn’t there, a quick pass to the wing will create a
better angle for the post entry to the center. A pass to the shooting guard and a post
entry to the power forward on the other side of the court is a solid third option as well,
especially if the defense is overcomitting to the ball side.

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Play: Zone 2
Coach: John Ross, Head Coach
School: Calvin College
Description: In this next set, we’ll have our point
guard setup up top, and our other four players
form two stacks on the block – the small forward
behind the shooting guard on the right block,
and the power forward behind the center on the
left.
To initiate the play, our point guard will dribble
over to the left wing, sending the power forward
over to set a cross screen for the small forward,
who will cut out to the ball side wing to receive a
pass.
Next, the center will set a cross screen for the
shooting guard, who will cut into the short
corner.
Immediately after screening, the center will seal
underneath the hoop, ready for the entry pass.
The defense will have be forced to choose
between defending the small forward, shooting
guard, and center. The small forward will read
the defense and hit the open man for the shot,
or take the shot themselves if both ball side
defenders drop to take away the low passes.

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Play: Zone Offense Set
Coach: Bill Raynor, Head Coach
School: MassBay Community College
Description: Up next we have an especially versatile set, that’s
equally effective against both even and odd man fronts. Our
point guard will start up at the top of the arc, with the
shooting guard on the right wing, and the small forward on the
left wing. Our power forward will start off in the right side
corner, and lastly, our center will line up just above the center
of the free throw line.
The ball can go to either side to start, but ideally would go to
whichever side the power forward has lined up on.
After passing to the wing, the point guard will follow his pass,
taking the shooting guard’s place once the ball has been swung
to the power forward in the corner. The small forward will
follow suit, taking the spot at the top of the arc, and the
shooting guard will cut along the baseline before popping back
out on the weak side wing.
The center will flash to the block, using the shooting guard’s
cut to clear the way. From here the power forward has
options, with the decision to shoot, feed the post, throw a skip
pass or begin ball reversal by swinging the ball back to the
point guard.
On the ball reversal or skip pass, the center will follow the ball,
flashing up high, while the power forward will sprint along the
baseline to the short corner on the other side of the floor.
If the shooting guard can hit the four man in the short corner
he’ll hit him, again allowing him some options; jumpshot,
attacking 1-on-1, or hitting the center on a dive to the hoop.
If the power forward isn’t open in the short corner, he’ll
continue to the far corner, where he can receive the pass and
reset the offense.

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Play: Box vs. Zone
Coach: Suzy Venet, Head Coach
School: University of Mount Union
Description: Now if you’ve got a great center, it can
be especially tough to get them any good 1-on-1
opportunities against a zone defense - and that’s
exactly what the goal of this next box set is.
Our point guard will line up above the arc with the
ball, and the other four players will congregate in a
box just above the free throw line, with the two
guard up at the top right, center bottom right, small
forward bottom left, and power forward at the top
left corners of the box.
To initiate the play, our point guard will dribble over
to the right wing, attempting to draw out X1, the
defender at the top left of their 2-3 zone.
Next, the shooting guard, small forward, and power
forward, in that order, will all make a cut. The
shooting guard, our first cutter, can go to three
different spots, illustrated by the A, B, and C on the
first diagram. Once the two guard has made their cut,
the small forward will then choose between the
remaining two spots, with the power forward cutting
to the final spot right after that.
The idea is for each cutter to occupy a man from the
zone, spreading the defense thin and alloing for an
easy entry pass and a one on one for our big man –
regardless of whether the point guard makes his first
spot to the A, B, or C spots.
Of course, this play is at it’s most effective when the
cutters are all a threat to hit the outside jumpshot,
forcing the defense to stretch out and giving our
center even more room to work with.

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Play: Zone 3 (CCRI)
Coach: Rick Harris, Head Coach
School: Community College of Rhode Island
Description: This next play starts off in a 3-2 set, with the point guard dribbling over to
the small forward on the right wing for a handoff. While that’s happening, our power
forward will slide across the lane to set a double screen with the center.
The shooting guard will cut down to the baseline, read his defender, and either come
up the middle of the lane after rubbing shoulder with the power forward, or up along
the left lane line after rubbing shoulders with the center.
The small forward his the two guard as they get to the free throw line, where they can
look to feed either of the post players, penetrate, or take the 15 foot jumpshot.

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Play: Rodeo Post Up
Coach: Michael Peck, Head Coach
School: Hope College
Description: We’ll start off in a basic 3-2 set one
more time here, with the shooting guard and
center on the right side of the court.
To start the play, our point guard will pass to the
small forward, who will swing it quickly over to
the power forward stepping off the block into
the left corner.
On the first pass from the point guard, both the
center and shooting guard will slide over to the
ball side block and elbow, respectively.
Next, the small forward will make a cut down
below the center and fill out to the far wing,
with the point guard taking his spot and
receiving the pass on the ball side wing.
On the catch, the point guard will attack the
middle of the court, at which point they will have
three options to choose from.
The small forward will be spotting up on the
weak side wing, the shooting guard will slip
behind the point guard’s defender, filling in the
spot the point guard has just dribbled out of, or
the power forward cutting to the hoop on a flex
screen from the center.
If there’s nothing there, the point guard can take
a retreat dribble, pull it out up top, and run the
same action again.

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Play: Cuts
Coach: Paul Culpo, Head Coach
School: Castleton State College
Description: For our final zone offense, our offense will set up
in a 1-3-1 set, with the point guard and power forward at the
top and bottom, the center in the middle, the shooting guard
on the right wing, and the small forward on the left wing.
Our point guard’s first move will be to make a pass to the two
guard on the right wing and a quick swing to the power
forward popping out into the ball side corner. The center will
follow the ball, moving along the lane line and posting up on
the strong block.
The three man will then flash to the strong elbow, while the
point guard fills the weak side wing and the shooting guard
receives the pass back from the power forward, taking a
couple of dribbles high.
Once the two guard is high enough that he has a clear passing
lane to the point guard, he’ll fire the pass off, signaling the
center to sprint to the ball side corner and the power forward
to the ball side elbow. The point guard will hit the center in the
corner, and the small forward will step off the weak elbow out
to the weak wing.
When the center has caught the ball in the corner, the power
forward will dive to the hoop looking for a bounce pass, and
the small forward will once again flash to the ball side elbow.
If neither entry pass is there, the power forward will sprint to
the other corner, and the ball will go back to the point guard,
who will dribble out to the top of the arc.
Our final look will be a flare screen from the center for the
small forward, with the point guard looking to pivot and hit the
three man popping out to the three point line.

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Play: Overload

Description: For this play the offense will overload the left
side of the zone. You can also run it to the right.

The PG will begin bringing the ball over half court and then the
pass will go to the SG. Once the PG passes he'll run through
the lane and go to the left corner. The PF will come across the
lane to the 3rd dash. The C will go across the lane to the right
elbow.

Frame 2: The SG will take the pass and then pass the ball into
the PF. The PF will pass the ball to the PG in the corner and
then post-up on the block.

Frame 3: The C will come to the left elbow. The SF will go to

the top of the key. This will create the overload. The PG will
pass into the PF and the PF will look to pass to the C cutting
through the lane.

Frame 4: If the pass isn't there, the ball will go back out to the
SG. The PF will try to post-up again and the C will return to the
right elbow.

Frame 5: The pass will go back into the PF. This time the SF will
cut through the lane and take the pass for the layup. If that
isn't open, the ball should go back out to the PG or SG and the
play should be run again with the players switching to the
opposite side.

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Play: Penetration

Description: The PG will bring the ball up. He will drive to the
foul line and then kick out to one of the wings.

Frame 2: The SF takes the pass and dribbles toward the top of
the key and then back to the wing. The C crosses to the right
elbow. The PG circles around to the corner. The PF posts up on
the right block. This puts four players on the right side and
offers many options for passing. Here the SF passes to the PF.

Frame 3: Once the ball goes into the PF, the SF will give and go.
The SF will pass and then fill the lane and get the pass for the
layup. If the pass isn't there, the PF can pass to the PG or cross
court to the SG.

Frame 4: Once the pass goes into the SF he should shoot. If he

is blocked off then he can pass to the corner to the PG and kick
it back out to the SG. The PG or SG should then take the shot.

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Play: Perimeter

Description: All five players start on the outside. The ball will
be worked around the perimeter of the zone to make the zone
move around. First the ball will be worked to the right then
back to the PG at the top of the key.

Frame 2: Next the ball will be worked to the left. The PG wil
pass to the SG who will pass to the C. The C will pass back to
the SG.

Frame 3: Instead of the pass going back to the PG. The SG will
fake the pass to the PG and throw a diagonal pass to the PF
cross court. The C will cut to the foul line. And the SG will cut
in behind the C and go to the basket.

Frame 4: The C will get the pass at the foul line and look to
pass into the SG cutting to the basket. If the pass isn't open,
the ball should go back out to the PG and a new play should be
run.

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Play: Zone Offense Skip Pass

Description: The ball starts with the PG out near half court.
The SG and SF are on the wings, the C is on the left lower
block, and then the PF is at the right elbow. The PG will pass to
the SG and then run toward the lane. The C will pop out to the
corner.

Frame 2: The SG will pass to the C in the corner. The PG, PF,
and SF will all circle through the lane. The PG will circle
through to the right wing. The SF will circle to the top of the
key. The PF will come down the lane, trailing the PG and look
for the pass.

Frame 3: The C will look to pass into the PF. If the initial cut is
not open, the PF should hook and look for a post-up pass. If
that isn't open the C should pass to the SG. The SG will then
throw a skip pass across to the PG. Once the pass is made, the
PF will go outside on the baseline and the C will move inside
and try to seal off the defender on the left block.

Frame 4: The PG will receive the skip pass and drive into the
lane. He has many options. He can pass to the C on the left
block. The PG can pass out on the baseline to the PF. The PG
throws cross court to the SG for an outside jumper. The PG
could pass back to where he just vacated for a jumper by the
SF (the SF will move from the top of the key to the wing). Or
the PG could take the shot. In this play he takes the shot.

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