Basketball Offense - 4-Out 1-In Zone Offense and Zone Plays
By Dr. James Gels, from the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net If you like this free page, please give us a "Like", a "+1" or a "Follow". Thanks! - Coach Gels |
You may find these 4-out, 1-in zone offenses helpful in counteracting zone defenses, especially if your main man-to-man offense is a 4-out, 1-in motion offense. You can stay in your familiar 4-out set, but run it a little differently against zones. A 4-out zone offense would also be helpful if you have a shortage of post players (foul trouble, injury, etc). Several 4-out zone plays are also included.
41 Patterned Zone Offense
This is one way of using the 4-out, 1-in set to attack zone defenses. This offense has a pattern and continuity.Refer to the diagrams below which show this offense vs a 1-2-2 zone defense. We start in our familiar 4-out set with O1 and O2 on the top and O3 and O4 at the wing-corner areas (Diagram A). O5 starts on the weakside low block. O1 dribbles at the X1 and X2 (trying to get the defenders to commit). O5 flashes into the middle of the paint, and if open, O1 could pass there. Notice that O3 has also crept down to the weakside low block. But let's say O1 passes to O4. Notice that the X4 defender will probably come out to guard O4. O5 cuts to the ball-side low block and posts-up for the possible pass from O4. But let's say the defense is solid and the pass goes back from O4 to O1 (Diagrams B and C). Now O3 flashes to the middle of the paint and O5 slips back to the weakside block. O1 could pass to O3 in the paint or, if X5 defender comes up on O3, O1 could make the lob pass over the top directly to O5. O3 could shoot or pass to O5 on the opposite block (Diagram D).
Diagram E... let's say the pass from O1 to O3 is denied. O3 cuts back outside and must avoid the 3-second call. The ball is swung over to O2 and then to O3. Diagram F... O5 posts-up on the ball-side block while O4 slips down to the weakside block. As the ball is passed back out to O2, O4 now flashes to the middle of the paint while O5 slips to the weakside low block (Diagram G). Again, the pass could go from O2 to either O4 or directly to O5. O4 could shoot or pass to O5 (Diagram H). If the pass from O2 to O4 (or O5) is denied, O4 cuts back out to the corner, O5 moves to the weakside block (Diagram I), and the ball is passed from O2 to O1. We are now in the same setup that we started with in Diagram A and can continue to run this pattern until something is open. Or we can go into our "Corners" offense (below).
41 "Corners" Zone Offense
Here is another 4-out, 1-in zone offense that is less-structured than the patterned offense, and is easy to teach. Refer to the diagram to see the basic set-up for this offense. We use four perimeter players and one post player. We can run this really against any zone defense. It is different from our "4-out" motion offense in the way we run it. In the 4-out motion offense (vs man-to-man), we are looking to pass, cut, screen, etc. In 41 "Corners", we do more outside passing and the post player inside follows the ball. |
The post player moves as the ball moves. When the ball is on top (O1 or O2), O5 should locate at high-post, ball-side elbow area. When the ball is on the low wing, corner (O3 or O4), then O5 should move down to the ball-side low post. If the ball is passed to O5 at the high post, O3 and O4 should be thinking about a back-cut to the hoop if they are being denied the pass. O5 passes to the back-cutter for the easy lay-up. |
Perimeter players should keep the ball moving with quick passes, including skip passes. By reversing the ball back and forth, we should be able to stretch the zone and really make them tired chasing the ball. Patience is a key in running this offense. Quick perimeter passing, reversing the ball from side-to-side, and skip passing should eventually cause the zone to become over-shifted and out of position... creating open shots, chances to pass into the post, and gaps that our outside players can attack.
Against the 1-2-2 zone, O5 should be able to get open between the two defenders at the high post, free-throw line area, or by cutting into the center of the paint (in the middle of the box created by the four defenders). Also, we ought to get the ball to the corners. When the low defender comes out, O5 again can dive to the ball-side low block looking for the quick pass from the corner.
Against the 1-3-1 zone, O5 may have an easier time getting the ball down on the low block, since there is only one down defender. This offense should create alignment problems for the 1-3-1 zone as we have O1 and O2 on either side of the top defender, and our corners O3 and O4 are set lower than their outside wing defenders want to be, which should cause problems for the wing defenders. Here too, we ought to get the ball to the corners and look to shoot or pass inside to the low post from there.
Against the 2-3 zone, O5 will have a better chance to get the pass inside at the free-throw line or in the gap just below the elbows. Since there are three down defenders in this zone, it would be pretty hard to post up on the low block. However, if the ball is in the corner and the outside low defender goes out, then O5 should dive to the ball-side low block looking for the pass.
These various zone attacks are choreographed in the animated diagram.
4-Out Zone Plays
"Stack", "Star", "Wing Flash", and "Weak" submitted by Mark Lane.41 Zone Play - "Corners 52"
Here is a set play you can run vs the 2-3 zone. See the diagrams below. Note that we start in our 4-out "Corners" offense. O1 passes to O2, while O5 slides up and screens X2. O3 slides down to the corner. O4 cuts underneath the zone to the ball-side block. O2 dribble-penetrates the seam, looking for (1) the pull-up jumper, or (2) the pass to O3 in the corner (if X5 drops inside), or (3) the pass to O4 cutting underneath the zone (if X3 comes up to defend).
41 Zone Play - "Stack"
Here is another 4-out, 1-in zone play that you can run against the 2-3 zone defense. See the diagrams below. O1 passes to O4 (diagram A), and O4 dribbles left to get the zone to shift. O3 and O5 double-screen the low right defender X4 inside (diagram B), as O2 cuts along the baseline to the right corner. Meanwhile, O4 passes back to O1. O1 dribbles right and could pass to a wide open O2 in the corner for a 3-point shot. Otherwise, if the X4 defender moves out to O2, O5 screens the middle low defender X5 (diagram C) and O3 cuts into the open slot for a pass from O1, and an open inside shot.
41 Zone Play - "Star"
Here is another simple, effective 4-out, 1-in zone play that you can run against the 2-3 zone defense. O4 pin-screens the top left defender X2 (diagram A), and O1 dribbles around screen attacking the gap. There are a few options here. O1 might have an open pull-up jump shot just inside the left elbow area. If the outside low defender X3 moves up to defend O1, O1 could pass to O2 in the corner for an open 3-point shot. If X3 stays low and X5 moves up (diagram B) to help defend against O1, O5 should be open for a pass inside from O1.
41 Zone Play - "Weak"
This play is similar to "Star" above, but here O5 starts on the weakside (left) low block. O4 cuts through to the opposite (right) block. O5 moves up and pin-screens X2, and O1 dribbles around the screen, attacking the gap. As in "Star", O1 may have a pull-up jump-shot, or O2 may be open in the corner for 3-point shot, or O4 could get open inside for the pass from O1.
41 Zone Play - "Wing Flash"
This 4-out, 1-in zone play is also run against the 2-3 zone defense. See the diagrams below. O1 passes to O4 (diagram A), and O4 passes to O2 in the corner. O3 flash-cuts to the ballside elbow (diagram B), and O5 cuts underneath the zone to the ballside short-corner and gets the pass from O2. Once O5 gets the pass, O3 dives inside for a quick pass from O5 and the lay-up (diagram C). Also O1 cuts to the weakside block and might be open if the X4 defender slides over to defend O3.
Several helpful DVD's...
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Bob Knight: Encyclopedia of Zone Offense
with Bob Knight, former head coach at Texas Tech and Indiana University; Over 900 career wins, 3X National Championship Coach, Five Final 4 appearances; 4X National Coach of the Year;1984 US Men's Olympic Coach (Gold Medal) Bob Knight opens his championship playbook and shows you how to beat zone defenses. Using the same concepts he used to amass over 900 career wins and three national titles, Knight doesn't just coach his zone offense, he teaches it. In this on-court clinic presentation, Coach Knight teaches you everything you need to know about playing against a zone defense.... (more info) Price: $119.99 
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Tom Izzo: The 1-3-1 Zone Offense
with Tom Izzo, Michigan State University Men's Basketball Head Coach, 2000 NCAA Champs, 3X National "Coach of the Year" Get an insider's view into the Michigan State playbook with this fantastic DVD instructed by Coach Tom Izzo. These set plays have led Tom Izzo and his program to one NCAA National Championship title, four Final Fours, and eight NCAA appearances in his ten years as a Division I head coach. Coach Izzo has won 77% of his games utilizing these set plays. This video will demonstrate ways to take advantage of any type of zone defense... (more info) Price: $39.99
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Bill Self: "Basic" and "Motion" 3-Out 2-In Zone Offenses
with Bill Self, University of Kansas Head Coach; 2008 NCAA Champions Bill Self focuses on seven principles for effective zone offense and teaches you the Jayhawks' "basic" and "motion" 3-Out 2-In Zone Offense. He walks you through the necessary techniques of both the perimeter and post players such as quick ball movement, skip passing, lob passing, utilizing the short corner and using high/low motion. Self also demonstrates drills that any coach at any level can use to enhance the continuity in the zone offense. He discusses responsibilities and reads and demonstrates the cuts, screens and movement for every position. As a bonus, Self also includes a handful of quick-hitter plays and out-of-bounds baseline plays... (more info) Price: $39.99
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Jim Boeheim's Complete Guide to Zone Offense
with Jim Boeheim, Head Coach, Syracuse University, 2003 NCAA Champions!! Coach Boeheim, one of the most respected minds on the zone and match-up zone defense, now shares on video, for the first time ever, his views on how to take advantage of any zone defense. Coach Boeheim's zone offensive principles are simple: ball movement, man movement, and patience. He uses each of these principles in teaching a zone offense which can be run against a 2-3, 3-2, 1-3-1, and match-up zone (odd or even fronts). He combines chalkboard instruction with on-court demonstration and game clips. In addition, he covers the techniques necessary to effectively attack any zone with these offenses that include... (more info) Price: $39.99
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Mike Krzyzewski: Duke Basketball Attacking the Zone
with Mike Krzyzewski "Coach K", Duke University Head Men's Basketball Coach; NABC "Coach of the Decade," 12X NABC "Coach of the Year," Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2001), 3X NCAA National Championships ('91, '92,'01) In an energetic and information-packed on-court presentation, Coach Krzyzewski explains the zone offense and principles he uses in attacking a half-court zone defense. Krzyzewski believes the secret to effective zone offense is to keep it simple by running one highly effective offense that can be utilized against even the most potent defenses. Coach Krzyzewski has designed a zone offense that is easy to implement and impossible to stop! In addition, Coach K shares the five major components... (more info) Price: $44.99
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Geno Auriemma: The Simplified Zone Offense
Head Women's Coach, UCONN, 5X NCAA Championship Coach, 5X National "Coach of the Year" In an exciting on-court presentation, Coach Auriemma teaches simple strategies for beating a zone defense that are easy to implement and impossible to stop! Auriemma provides drills, strategies and player positioning to help your perimeter and post players beat the zone. He demonstrates a 3-2 Zone Offense and a 1-3-1 Zone Offense that include similar principles, but will confuse your opponents. In addition, Coach Auriemma also gives you eight quick-hitter zone plays... (more info) Price: $39.99
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