One of the best ways to attack a 2-3 zone defense is to set ball screens. By understanding the positions of the zone and who is responsible for defending each area the offense can exploit the limitations of the 2-3 zone defense. Along with a ball screen, a skip pass can be used to flip the defense. The offense can dictate where each defender is going to be so they know how to attack and where the spaces will be open.
This play puts offensive players in positions where the defense will rotate based upon the keys of the 2-3 zone defense. Because of the this the offense will know exactly where the defense is going to be positioned and where an attacking player will be most effective. A simple cut and skip pass gets the defense into the spots the offense needs the defense to be in.
The start of the play begins with an entry pass to the wing. After the point(1) passes to the wing they are cutting to the high post. This pass and cut will occupy the top two defenders of the 2-3 zone. The ballside elbow defender will closeout to the guard(2) and guard the ball. The backside elbow defender will come across to take away the high post where the point(1) has cut into.
The back row of defenders will shift towards the ball. This leaves the backside empty of any defenders. The big(4) will stay on the backside block to keep that backside block defender from cheating up towards the backside wing where the forward(3) is positioned. The middle defender and ballside block defenders will be surrounding the center(5) on the ballside block. The rotations of the 2-3 zone will leave the forward(3) as the only player on the backside.
The skip pass now puts the defense into a major shift. The shift is what gives the offense the ability to attack. The backside block defender will be closing out to the forward(3). The center defender will be coming across to the ballside block. The backside elbow defender will be sprinting out to the forward(3) but good execution will prevent them from being involved in the play.
Once the forward(3) catches the ball, the offense knows where the defense is going so it can move into the open spots being left on the floor. Depending on how the defense reacts, the offense should have a shot near the basket.
The offense is attacking the block defender with the ball screen to the baseline and reading and reacting to the center defender to get their shot. The big(4) is following the skip pass to set the ball screen. The point(1) is running out behind the forward(3). The center(5) is moving into the middle of the lane. The guard(2) is moving down to the corner.
The forward(3) is using the ball screen to attack the baseline which leaves the middle defender as the only player left between them and the basket. Depending on how the defense reacts somebody will be open for a shot.
If the middle defender does not rotate to the ball quick enough then the forward(3) will have the layup.
If the middle defender does rotate to stop the ball then the center(5) is moving into the middle of the lane where the middle defender just left. This gives the chance for a pass and layup by the center(5).
If the top defenders collapse into the middle of the lane then the kick out back out to the point(1) will be open.
If the middle defender and the backside block defender both rotate across the lane then the kick out to the corner will give the guard(2) the open 3-point shot. By moving down into the corner this makes the closeout by the backside top defender an almost impossible run to get there.
The defense will not be able to stop this action if the offense executes it correctly. The 2-3 zone defense is not designed to cover all the spots the offense is moving into. Somebody on the offense will be open. It is just a matter of the offense correctly reacting to what the defense is giving up. This could be a layup by either the forward(3) or center(5). Or it could be a kick out 3 to the point(1) or guard(2).
Plays can be simple by with the right positioning they are impossible to defend. This is a play that can work at any age level. The key to beating and scoring against a zone defense is attacking the defense and force them to react to the offense. An attacking offense will beat a zone defense.
This play has a simple action that puts the offense into an immediate attacking scenario. And when the defense takes away one shot, they will open up another shot. It will take a perfect defensive rotation to stop this play. Anything less than perfect gives the offense an open shot.
