Thoughts on Building a Zone Attack

1) What is your philosophy against the zone defense?

2) What do you want to emphasize in your zone attack?

Get the ball inside.

The ball must be touched inside before a perimeter shot is taken.

Attack from the short corner.

Keep a man in the high post area, or flash into the post from below or behind the defense.

Screen the interior of the defense, screen on the perimeter, or both.

Patience and penetration by both the pass and dribble.

3) Executing sound basketball fundamentals of ball-handling, passing, cutting, screening and

faking will beat any zone defense!

4) Primary emphases against zone defense

Beat the defense down by fast breaking.

Patience and penetration.

Shot discipline.

Rebounding organization – two rebounders on the back side.

5) Offensive perimeter guidelines

Spacing – spread the defense.

“Get where they ain’t” – Adolph Rupp – Get in the gaps of the zone.

Be “shot ready” on the perimeter with the hands in shooting position and the knees and

hips down ready to catch and shoot.

Where did the defender come from who is guarding your area? Take him away from that

area.

Reverse the ball from side to side.

Use the dribble smartly – dribble from point to wing – dribble away from the baseline

toward the wing – Freeze a defender by dribbling at his inside shoulder.

Fill the high post by cutting from the back side wing position.

Backside wing must go to the offensive glass.

6) Inside and post guidelines

Fill the post from behind and under the defense.

Post strong and pin a defender inside or out.

Step out and fill the short corner.

Step out and fill the point to reverse the ball.

When the high post receives the ball – the low post goes to the rim.

When the low post (short corner) receives the ball – the high post cuts to the rim.

Screen the middle man in the zone defense.

Screen the back side wing of the defense.

Sprint out and screen a perimeter defender guarding the ball.

7) Details

Emphasize the use of pass fakes and shot fakes.

Take the ball to one side of the court – reverse the ball – attack the short corner,

Take the ball to one side of the court – reverse the ball – attack the middle of the defense.

Attack the weakest defenders in the zone.

Fill the high post from under and behind the defense.

Fill the high post from the back side wing.

Fill the high post from the point.

Use stacks against the zone and then overload an area.

Distort the zone by dribble penetration.

Dribble off the point to pull defender out of position.

Dribble at the inside shoulder of a perimeter defender to freeze him.

Reverse the ball.

When passing from the wing to the top, the ball must be dribbled or passed across the

“mid-line” before it can be returned to the passer.

Keep a post player away from and below the defense. Have that post “pin” on ball reversal.

Flash into the middle of the defense from the back side wing.

Flash a post into the middle from behind and below the defense.

Attack the zone from the short corner.

If the ball is received in the middle of the defense, look low and then opposite.

Handle the ball!

Pass away from the defense.

Look to make the bounce pass into the post.

Play to your strengths and the defenses weaknesses.

Have discipline and get great shots.

Try to make one defender guard two offensive players.

Catch, dribble freeze a defender and then pass.

Against one guard front zones, look for the diagonal skip pass from corner to back side wing

then the down pass to the corner.

Have good ball movement and good player movement.

Move the ball quicker than the defense can move.

Zone attack• Stacks are a great way to distort the look of the zone.

• On the skip pass, #5 screens the middle defender and #4 curlsdown toward the baseline.

• After screening, #5 will try to seal the defender and post up in themiddle.

• Note: #1 can dribble the ball to the wing. If this occurs, #2 willrun a shallow cut and fill the point.

• The wings can be stacked in the middle of the defense with onefilling the point while the other can choose to cut to the ball sidecorner, the back side corner, fill the back side wing, or post in themiddle of the defense.

• Form double stacks and vary the cuts of the wings as they breakout of the stacks..

• Note: this is a great way to play against people who are running amatchup zone.

• Note: There is a triangle formed on the ball side

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Zone offense12 - strongside

• #1 passes to #3, and #3 moves the ball on to #5 in the corner. #3will cut through the defense after passing to #5, and #1 and #2 willrotate toward the ball and form a 2-guard front.

• #4 will flash up into the middle of the defense on pass from #1 to#3.

• #5 will pass out to #1 and then screen in for #3. #3 will use thescreen to free himself in the corner.

• #1 will look for #3 in the corner, to #5 if the defense cheats, or hecan swing the ball on to #2.

• If #1 makes the pass to #2, #4 will step into the middle of the zonelooking for a pass from #2.

• Note: #2 can throw the skip pass to #3, if #3 is open in the corner.

• On pass from #1 to #2, #5 will cut hard to the ball side corner.After making the pass to #5, #2 will cut through the defense to the backside block.

• #2 can cut in front of , or behind #4.

• #1 and #3 will rotate toward the ball to maintain the 2-guard front.

• Every so often, #2 may be open on his cut through the defense.

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Zone offense• #5 will pass to #1 and screen in for #2.

• #2 will use the screen to free himself in the corner.

• #1 can pass to #2 in the corner, or look to #5 slipping his screen.

• Note: if #5 would pass to #4, he would still screen in for #2 and#2 would use the screen and cut to the corner.

• #5 will post if the pass is made to #2.

• When #2 receives the ball, he may have a shot, he may have apass to #5 on the block, or he may pass to #4 in the high post.

• If the pass goes to #4, #4 will look for his shot, then down to #5 atthe rim, and finally to #3 on the back side wing.

• #2 may also look to skip the ball over the top to #3.

• If nothing is open, #2 will start ball reversal by passing out to #1.#1 will swing the ball on to #3.

• On the pass from #1 to #3, #5 will cut hard to the opposite corner.

• #3 will pass to #5 and cut through to the back side block.

• #1 and #2 will rotate toward the ball to maintain the same 2-guardfront.

• Note: if #3 would pass to #4, #4 would look for his shot, for #5 atthe rim, or to #2 on the back side.

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Zone offense• If #5 makes the skip pass out to $2, #5 will still screen in for #3.

• #2 may have a shot opportunity, a pass into #4 in the middle, orhe may skip the ball back down to #3 in the corner.

• If #2 passes to #1, #4 will flash back toward ball, and #3 willcontinue his move to the ball side corner.

• #1 can pass to #4 in the middle, to #3 in the corner, or to #5slipping the screen.

• If #1 passes back to #2, #5 would move out to the corner and theaction would continue.

• If #1 would pass to #4, #4 would inside pivot and look for hisshot, then down to #5 crossing the lane, to #2 drifting down to thebackside wing. #4 could also look to hit #3 in the corner.

• If the pass goes from #4 to #2, #5 will slide to the corner and theoffensive action will continue. #2 would pass to #5 and cut through tothe back side wing. #1 and #3 would rotate toward the ball to maintainthe 2-guard front.

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Zone offense3 - rover

• #3 can cut to either corner, OR

• He can slide out of the middle to either wing.

• #2 and #3 can align in a tandem. #3 could cut to either corner and#2 would step out and fill the back side guard spot.

• The players could also change roles and #2 could become therover and #3 would step out and fill the guard spot.

• On a pass from guard to guard, the backside post player can stepinto the middle of the defense,

• The guard should look inside and then down to #3 in the corner.

• If the post player does not receive the ball he must get back to theback side block area.

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Zone offense• On court reversal, #5 will screen the outside defender down low

and #4 will cut from low post to the opposite corner.

• On the pass from #2 to #1, #3 will flash into the middle frombehind the defense.

• #1 can hit #3 on the flash, #5 slipping the screen, or #4 cutting tothe corner.

• On the pass from #4 to #1, #3 will screen on the baseline and #5will cut on the baseline out to the corner.

• #1 should look to #3 slipping the screen if the defender cheatsand does not protect the middle.

• On the pass from #1 to #2, #4 should try to flash into the middlefrom behind the defense.

• When #5 catches, he should look inside to #3, or take the shot ifopen.

• Rule: If the ball is skip passed from the corner to the back sideguard, the postman on the side of the passer, will flash up toward theball. The passer will run the baseline to the rim and the post player onthe opposite side will move out toward the corner.

• #1 can hit #3 flashing into the middle of the lane, #5 running tothe rim, or he can finish the court reversal by throwing to #4 in thecorner.

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Zone offense• If even more player movement is desired, the guards can

interchange when one of them passes the ball to a teammate in thecorner.

• This is a good way to get a good shooter moving toward the ballin a position to catch and shoot.

• On the pass from #4 to #2, #3 will screen and #5 will use thescreen to move out to the corner. #4 will flash into the middle on thepass from #2 to #1.

• #1 should look for #4 flashing into the middle from behind thedefense. If this pass occurs, #4 should catch, pivot inside, look for theshot, a pass down to #3 and then to #2 drifting down toward the baseline.

• Rule: if the high post receives the ball, he will look first for hisshot, then down low and finally to the back side wing where a guardshould be positioned.

• The guards should always be looking to make a pass fake tofreeze a defender and then penetrate into the gap between twodefenders.

• The guards can also dribble at a defender to freeze him. Whendribbling at a defender, the ball handler should dribble at the insideshoulder of the defender.

• The "3-rover" zone offense is best used against an odd frontdefense and works especially well against a 3-2 or 1-2-2 zone.

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Zone offense• If a scoring opportunity is not available, #4 will slide out to the

wing.

• #2 will pass to #4, and then cut through to the opposite corner.

• #4 may be able to get the ball inside to #5.

• If not, #4 will move the ball out to #1, who has filled the vacatedguard spot.

• #1 will swing the ball on to #3.

• On the pass to #3, #4 will move down in the corner. #5 will screenagain and #3 will skip the ball over the defense to #4.

• Note: if the defender cheats, #3 may be able to make a direct passto #5 in the lane.

• #4 may have a shot, or post feed down to #5

• #3 will make the skip pass and then move into the opening in themiddle of the offense.

• #2 wil rotate up and replace #3.

• If #4 does not have a shot or post feed, he will pass out to #1 andthen run the baseline to the opposite side of the court.

• #3 will slide out and fill the wing and #5 will move up to the highpost area.

• #1 will swing the ball to #2 and the play can be executed again, oranother action may be initiated.

• Note: if the defense is playing the passing lane between #4 and#1, #3 can step out to the wing.

• #4 would then pass to #3 and #3 would make the pass to #1.

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1-4 offense Zone attack - spartan

• Zone Attack - Spartan • #1 enters the ball to #3. • #4 and #5 slide down the lane with #5 sliding out to the ball side short

corner. • #2 flashes from the backside wing into the middle of the defense trying

to find the open hole.

• If #3 cannot pass to #5 or #2 cutting into the middle, he will pass to #1 at the point.

• #1 will swing the ball to #4, who cuts to the wing. • #5 runs the baseline to the opposite short corner, #2 slides down to the

backside block and #3 flashes into the middle. • #4 will look to #5 on the baseline and to #3 flashing into the middle.

• This diagram illustrates another ball reversal with #2 moving out to the wing, #5 running the baseline, #3 sliding down to the back side block and #4 flashing into the middle.

• #2 will look down to #5 on the baseline, and #4 flashing into the middle. • If #2 passes to #4, #4 will look first to score, then to either #3 or #5 on

the baseline. • Note: If the ball goes to the man in the middle, the man in the short

corner will go to the rim.

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1-4 offense • When #4 gets the ball in the middle, #5 will go to the rim. • #1 will slide down toward the wing on the back side and get into #4's

vision. • If #4 cannot get the ball to #3 or #5, he will look to #1 on the back side. • On the pass from #4 to #1, #3 will slide out to the perimeter and #5

would continue his cut to the ball side short corner. • #4 would slide down to the back side block and #2 would flash into the

middle.

• This diagram illustrates ball reversal from wing to the opposite short corner.

• On the pass from #3 to #5, #2 would slide down to the rim. • #5 may have a shot, a pass to #2 going to the rim, or #5 can look to

skip the ball to #1 at the point.

• If #5 throws the skip pass to #1, #4 will slide out to the wing, #5 would run the baseline, #3 will flash across the middle, and #2 holds on the back side block.

• Again, as with any other zone attack, encourage ball movement,

penetrating the gaps, good shot and pass fakes, making the extra pass, good discipline and patience.

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Zone offense14 - pro

• #1 will initiate the offense by making a pass to #2.

• #4 will slide down toward the baseline and #3 will drift down tothe baseline corner on the back side.

• #2 will take a couple of dribbles toward the corner to pull thedefense over.

• #1 will slide over toward the ball.

• #2 will throw the ball back out to #1.

• #1 will drive the ball off a screen set by #5.

• If #1 is open, he may have a wide open jump shot from 15 or 16feet -- if the wing defender comes up to stop the penetration, he canpass to #3 down in the corner for a "3."

• If the wing plays #3 in the corner, #1 may be able to hit #4, whohas slid across the lane under the defense.

• #5 after setting the screen for #1, will continue over and set asecond screen -- this time screening for #2.

• If nothing is available on the strong side, #1 will throw back to #2who should have an open "3" point shot from the top of the circle.

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Zone offenseBaseline drill

• The following situations can be drilled with the post player tryingto execute different moves, cuts and screens with good timing, as theball is moved around the perimeter.

• #4, the offensive player under the defense will try to make variouscuts as the ball is passed on the perimeter by #1, #2 and #3.

• In this diagram, #4 is trying to fill the short corner, or cut into themiddle of the offense from under and behind the defenders.

• The post player should find the open hole in the middle, cut to theshort corner and work on sealing and screening.

• In this diagram, #4 is trying to seal X4 out and get inside positionon a pass from the point to the opposite wing.

• If X4 fights and gets inside position, #4 can screen X4 inside andthe ball can be skipped from #2 to #3.

• In this diagram, #4 seals the middle defender as the ball is movedaround the perimeter. #4 would move to seal the middle defender asthe ball is pass from #1 to #3.

• Note: you can add a second post player with #4 and they wouldwork as a team on timing, moves, cuts and screens as a two man teamworking together.

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Zone offense3 vs.4 perimeter drill

• 3 vs. 4: have the three perimeter players attack the gaps andmake the pass to the next receiver,

• Run the same drill with 4 offensive players and 5 defenders set upin a 2-3 zone. Run the drill with 3 perimeter players around a post andwork on your own zone attack rules and principles..

• Set up 3-on-4 drills and have the perimeter passers work onattacking the inside shoulder of a defender to pull him in, or freeze himand then make the pass to the open player.

• 3-on-4: set up a drill that has the perimeter players utilize the"dribble chase" and have the player who is chased run a shallow cutand replace the dribbler.

• Note: you could also have a wing "dribble chase" the point. Thepoint would run a shallow cut and replace the vacated wing.

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Zone offense• 3-on-4 drill: have the point man pass and move into the open

hole in the middle of the zone.

• The back side wing would move to fill the vacated point position.

• On ball reversal, #1 would move out and fill the vacant wingposition.

• 3-on-4 drill: have the back side wing flash into the middle of thezone, and then fill the point if he does not receive the ball.

• The point, after passing, would fill the vacated wing position.

• Note: you can take any of your perimeter rules and principles anddrill them from a 3 vs. 4 situation.

• 4-on-4: you can also set up drill situations against an odd-frontzone front defense from a 4-on-4 situation.

• You can work on attacking the gaps of a one guard front, onmaking the diagonal skip pass, on the "freeze dribble" to attack theinside shoulder of a defender, and making the point man of the defensereally work to wear him out

• Run the same drill with 3 perimeter players and 1 post player.

• Run this same drill with 4 offensive players and 5 defenders setup in a 1-3-1 zone.

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