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Initial Alignment

The 1-3-1 alignment is commonly seen. Against a zone it is particularly important for a player to be in a baseline position – behind the zone defenders.

If defenders “ball watch” it will often provide an opportunity for 4 to cut.

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On Ball Screen

The high post can set a screen for 1.

As 1 dribbles, 4 moves to the opposite corner and the strong side wing player also sinks to the corner.

The high post player steps into the key, but allow 1 room to penetrate.

(English) Whichever side that 1 dribbles has two players and the opposite side (“weak” side) has 2 perimeter players and the high post player.

This creates opportunities for the two perimeter players to have a 2x1 opportunity against one of the “frontline” defenders (e.g. 2 and 4 against x3).

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Pass to the Wing

Many zone defences will defend a pass to the wing by having a frontline player rotate. By having Player 4 move to the corner, this can now create a 2x1 situation.

5 can also seal the high post defender or cut into the key to receive a pass. If x3 has moved to the perimeter, 5 can seal x5 rather than just cutting into space.

(English) If the ball is passed to the corner, this provides an opportunity to pass the ball to 5 as they dive to the basket, sealing either x3 (as they rotate back to the key) or x4.

(English) Passing the ball to the corner also provides the opportunity for 4 to penetrate, in which case 5 should delay their cut.

(English) When the ball is in the corner, 2 can also cut to the basket to receive a pass. This is particularly effective if:

• The zone denies the pass back to the wing (x3);
• The post player establishes a low post position.

(English) Other zones have the guard (x2) move to defend the pass to the wing. However the same 2x1 situation can still be created by:

• Passing to the wing
• The baseline player moving to the opposite corner
• “skip” passing the ball to the opposite wing

(English) 2 and 4 are in a 2x1 situation against x3.

(English) Young players may lack the strength to throw an effective “skip pass”. Instead the ball can be reversed by passing to 1 who passes to the wing. 5 can screen the defender at the foul line to force x3 to rotate to the wing.

(English) 5 may also screen x1 to make the skip pass (if players have the strength to throw it).

(English) A third and similar way to create the 2x1 opportunity (at any time) is for the high post player to screen the guard on the pass to the wing forcing a frontline player to rotate and defend the wing player.

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Pass to the High Post

The High Post will often be defended by one of the frontline players when they receive a pass. The perimeter players should move to the corners and wing.

The zone is effectively in”man to man” now, with each player responsible for one offensive player. Anytime a player moves to “help” against the high post player, the high post player can pass to that offensive player. For example, if x3 helps, pass to 4.

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Screening or Freezing Rotating Defender

Another effective tactic can be to screen the defender that would normally rotate to defend the ball.

As 3 passes to 1, a screen on x2 forces x1 to be involved - any dribble should look to penetrate past x1. If x1 commits to 1, a pass to 2 creates a 2x1. If x1 slides across to 2, 1 can penetrate into the key.

(English) A ball screen on x2, forces x1 to defend penetration from 2.

A pass to 1, forces a rotation by x4 and a further pass to 3 would create a “scramble” as x5 rotated to the corner.

(English) Here, x4 has a long close-out which presents an opportunity for 1 to penetrate, as well as 5 cutting (or “rolling”) to the basket after screening for 2.

(English) 1 can also pass the ball to 3 in the corner, who may have the opportunity to shoot or drive. 5 still dives to the basket.

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Swing Cutters

“Reversing” the ball (passing from one side to the other) can create opportunities to penetrate or get an open shot.

Here as 2 cuts to the basket, 4 passes to 1, who reverses the ball to Player 3. Player 2 follows through to the corner.

Alternatively, 4 could pass to 2 and then “Swing” or cut through to the opposite corner. The cut is often most effective, if they pause in the key and then sprint to the corner.