Quick Links to Offensive Formations:
1-3-1 | 1-4 | 3 on 3 |
Box | Flex | Man |
Shuffle | Zone | Motion | Triangle | Specialty
Offensive Basketball Plays: ZONE OFFENSE
The following offensive basketball plays all utilize a Zone Offense, a versatile formation very difficult to
defend.
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There are a few plays on this page, so please scroll down to read all the way through. Each play is
accompanied with pictures and descriptions.
In the diagrams, the dotted line shows the direction the ball travels, while solid lines represent
movement of the players...
Play#2
Corners
Double-Stack-Low
Tempo
UCLA-Toby
ZoneA
Offensive Basketball Play #1:
PLAY #2
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1
#1 brings the ball over half court to start the play
in motion. Once #1 has dribble over the half court mark #4 sets a pick for #3 to break out to the
wing and #5 flashes to the free throw line for the pass. The first option should be
#5.
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2
If #5 is not open for the pass then #1 will pass to #3. When
the pass goes to #3, #2 will set a pick for #1 for the break to the basket.
#4 is posting hard at the block for a possible pass and #5 is the
security blanket for the entire play. If #3 gets stuck and doesn't have anyone to pass it to he can
always go to #5 and the play continues the exact same way.
The option to #4 is always there depending on his willingness to
"duck in" or half flash to the ball.
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3
Depending on who has the ball. The pass to the cutter can come from the #3 position
or the #5 position. It doesn't matter because the play will continue from either pass. The option
for #4 is always there... it depends on her willingness to "duck in" or half flash to the
ball.
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4
If #1 doesn't receive the ball on the cut she will continue to
the baseline. Let's say that #3 had the ball but couldn't make that pass to #1 on the cut. #3 will
pass the ball to #1 at the baseline for a shot.
#1
has the option to shoot the ball or pass to #4 at the block. #5 will always flash down a bit for a
consideration pass in the paint. What if neither option is open?
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5
#1 didn't have a shot and couldn't pass to #4 at the
block. She swings the ball back to #3. #5 pops out to the 3 point range to swing the ball and
passes to #2 on the cut to the basket.
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6
#2 and #1 are cutting at the same time in different
directions. |
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7
The pass could come from #5 to #2 or #1. The option to #4 is always available. And
#5 has the option to shoot.
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Offensive Basketball Play #2:
CORNERS
|
1
This play is designed to give a you variety of options and can be used against any
2-1-2 or 2-3 zone.
-The players are spaced out along the perimeter which will prove to be
important.
|
2
This play has two sides to it.The point gaurd can call this play
and say "left" or "right" to run it on either side. In this example, we are running it on the
right (your left).
-2 and 4 screen the nearest defender.2 screens a high defender, 4 screens the low
post defender. 4 should look to post up the defender if he is open.
-Make sure to set good screens because this is possibly the most important part of
the play.
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|
3
-2 and 4 complete their screen.
-2 should try to screen the defender with good position so he can't stop the point
guard.
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4
The point guard dribbles around the first pick and conitnues until stopped by the
defense. |
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5
-The defense shifts over and stops the point guard. At this point 4 will be
open.
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6
The point guard has a few options here.
-An entry pass into number four for an open layup or short jumper. -Look for 3 and pass to him
for a mid range jumper. -2 will be wide open if the defender he screened tries to stop the point
guard. -The point guard is in good position for a jumpshot.
The main option is the entry pass to 4. The next sequence shows this
option.
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7
4 can dribble into the key and shoot an easy layup.
-If 4 gets too far under, power out and then shoot.
-Look to draw the foul. Use pump fakes.
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8
All five players on offense
should be able to get into a good area for the rebound or at least step in some.
Important tips: -Coaches should teach all options of this play to their players.
-Emphasize good screens. -Players will learn to roll off their screens.
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Offensive Basketball Play #3:
DOUBLE STACK LOW
|
1
This is a simple zone play intended to get a jump shot from the weak
side.
The play starts off with Player 1 (This should be your best jump shooter) bringing
the ball to the middle.
|
2
Player's 2 & 3 pop out to the
wings to receive the ball
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3
Player 1 passes the ball to Player 2. Once the two
low post players sees where the ball is being passed to, the Player on the same side of the court
where the ball is passed (Player 4) goes to the opposite low post and sets a double
screen.
|
4
Player
1 cuts to the basket, looking for a pass from Player 2. If the pass isn't available the play
continues.
Player 3 moves to the top of the
key at the same time Player 2 is cutting to basket.
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|
5
Player 1 goes behind the double screen set by Players 4 & 5.
The ball is passed back to the top of the key to Player 3.
|
6
Player 3 passes the ball to Player 1 for the jump shot. Player 2 drops down to help
rebound. |
Offensive Basketball Play
#4: TEMPO
|
1
This play should be used against a 1-3-1 half court defense which your opponent may
use to try to change the tempo of the game.This is an excellent counter and will give you a quick
basket.
|
2
3 sprints over to the opposite side of the floor near the baseline. |
|
3
2, 5, and 4 screen the nearby defender.
-5 and 4 should do v-cuts before the screen so the defender doesn't see it
coming.
-If you are 4, watch 3 in the key.
|
4
As you can see 3 is open for the lob.
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5
If you are 3, jump to the ball if nessecary. |
6
3
dribbles in until picked up by the defending #5.
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7
4 should spin off his defender and be open for the entry
pass.
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8
4 lays it in. |
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9
3, 4, and 5 are in decent position for the rebound. 4 should try to step out of the
paint momentarily to get a fresh 3 seconds.
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Offensive Basketball Play #5:
UCLA-TOBY
|
1
To start the set 1 passes to 2 or 3, who have made a V-cut.
|
2
Ball-side post (4) comes up and weak-side post cuts through to the ball. 3 cuts through
to ball-side corner. |
|
3
2 has three passing options.
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4
After passing 2 cuts through. If 3 receives the ball, he should look for an open
shot. |
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5
If nobody gets open 3 passes the ball back to 1. 1 swings the ball to the other side
to 2.
|
6
4 and 5 are cutting to ball-side
as shown 3 cuts to ball-side, too. |
|
7
Same SET like before on the other side with 3
passing options (continuum).
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Offensive Basketball Play
#6: ZONE A
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1
4 is at the high post.
1 passes to the weak side ( the side with no center).
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2
The high post (4) cuts to the ball and then to the basket. If 4 is free he will
receive the ball.
3 cuts behind 4 to the free throw line.
If 3 is free then 2 can also pass
the ball to him/her
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3
If the ball is not passed: 4 sets a screen for 5. 5
flashes towards the ball and if free gets the ball.
If none of the cutters is free the ball goes back to the guard.
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4
The guard dribbles towards the wing. At the same time 5 gets
another block from 4 and cuts free at the baseline. |
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5
5 can shoot directly from the pass, or can play a
2-man-game with 4 at the baseline.
As an alternative another pass at the back of the zone is possible after 3 has
blocked for 2.
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6
5 shoots and 4,2 and 3 all go for the rebound. 1 is the safety. |
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