The zoom action is something that I have noticed becoming more used in recent years. A zoom action is a downscreen followed by a dribble hand off(DHO) to free a player to attack the basket with the ball. A zoom is normally coming up out of the corner using the down screen to get into space. Then the DHO gives the player a chance to get the ball using the DHO as a 2nd screen. This makes it hard for a defender to stay with the offensive player.
A zoom action by itself can be enough to get an offensive player into open space for them to make a play. But a defense can start to adjust to a standard zoom action. That is when an offense needs to add a wrinkle to gain an advantage over the defense.
A ball screen following the zoom action gives the look of a horns set. This gives the offensive player a down screen followed by essentially 2 ball screens. All of this should create space for the player to get a good open shot at the basket. The shot could be a layup, midrange, or a 3-point shot. Depending on how the defense tries to get around all of the screens, the player coming off all the screens will be able to decide where the open shot is going to come from.
This Quick Hitter(ATO) starts in a 1-4 High Set. As the point(1) dribbles to one side, both wings drop into the corners. The ballside elbow, in the diagram, the center(5) cuts up to the top of the key. The point(1) passes to the center(5).
Now the ball is in the middle of the court with the floor still balanced. The point(1) and guard(2) are on the left side of the court. The big(4) and forward(3) are on the right.
As the center(5) catches the pass from the point(1), both sides of the court are setting down screens. The big(4) sets a down screen for the forward(3). The forward(3) continues the run into a DHO. This is the zoom action. The big(4) sets the down screen and the center(5) gives the DHO.
As this is happening, the point(1) is setting a down screen for the guard(2). The guard(2) is coming quickly off of the down screen up to the top of the key.
The zoom action is occurring on ball side to get the forward(3) the ball. The backside down screen helps to occupy the backside defenders and not let them overplay the zoom action.
As the forward(3) is coming off of the zoom action, the guard(2) comes up and sets another ball screen. The downscreen by the point(1) should give the guard(2) some open space. This open space does not allow the guard’s(2) defender to be in a spot to help defend the ball screen. This gives the forward(3) the ability to turn and attack the basket off of the guard’s(2) screen.
The forward(3) can attack the basket and get a layup. The forward(3) can stop around the midpost or elbow and take the jump shot. Or they can stop behind the ball screen and shoot the 3. The forward(3) is reading the defense and taking the best shot available depending on how the defense tries to guard the ball screen.
The last option is the kick out pass to the point(1) for a 3-point shot. The point’s(1) defender could step into the lane to help the ball screen leaving the point(1) all alone in the corner. This is a great spot for a good 3-point shooting point(1). They are able to get off the ball and get set up for a catch and shoot chance.
Final Thoughts
Zoom actions can be hard to guard. Outside defenders can struggle guarding a pick and roll. Having the guard’s(2) defender fight a down screen and then move straight into a pick and roll can give the offense a bunch of space to work.
The guard(2) would be a great spot to put the best offensive player on the team to act as a decoy. Everybody will be rushing to them especially as they are coming off of the down screen. The defender will rush to get back to them leaving the pick and roll wide open. The defense is looking for the guard(2) to be the main option and they are acting as a decoy.
This ATO is using a zoom action and turns it into a horns set. The on the ball defender is having to try and go through a down screen, DHO and another ball screen. This is a great set to free up somebody to get them the ball and let them attack the defense. The defense will be chasing giving the offensive player a chance to read and react to get the best shot they can.
