A 2-3 Zone is designed to keep the defenders closer to the basket making the offense have to play and shoot from farther away. Offenses can get into a habit of settling for outside shots making the 2-3 zone that much more effective. One of the easiest ways to beat a 2-3 zone is to score the ball on the inside of the zone.
By using movement and screens, an offense can misdirection the defense and get players open on the inside of the zone. When offenses can score the ball on the inside of the 2-3 zone; the defense is more likely to change into a different defense. If the defense uses the 2-3 zone as a primary defense, then getting inside baskets can make the defense change into a less effective defense for them. This can be the advantage the offense needs to win the game.
The play starts with a pass to the wing. This play can be ran to either side. In the diagram above the point(1) passes the ball to the guard(2). The forward(3) flashes into the high post and the big(4) clears out to the backside.
The defense is going to shift based upon the movement and initial pass. The ballside elbow will step out to guard the ball. The backside elbow will guard the flashing forward(3) in the high post. The back 3 defenders will be guarding the big(4) and center(5). The backside block defender will be focused on the big(4) running out to their side.
All of this movement is to get the defenders in the spots we as the offense want them to be in. Since the offense knows where the ball is going and who needs to be there at the right point in time, the offense can work to move the defense into spots to make it easier for the offense to score.
Now that the offense has moved the defense with the initial pass, they are going to attack the defense with the 2nd and 3rd passes. The guard(2) passes the ball back to the point(1). The two top defenders are now going to be matched up with the guard(2) and point(1). That leaves the back 3 defenders guarding the forward(3), big(4) and center(5).
The big(4) is going to work on getting the backside block defender to step out with them. If the defender stays then the big(4) will be open coming out to the wing. If the defender steps out with the big(4) as they should then the middle is where the offense will be attacking.
On the catch by the point(1), the forward(3) is stepping down and screening the middle defender. The center(5) is stepping into the middle of the lane. The point(1) is passing the ball straight into the center(5).
The timing of the screen by the forward(3) and pass by to the point(1) to the center(5) needs to be perfect. The offense needs to have the screen and pass in unison. Bad timing will give the defense time to react whereas good timing will give the center(5) just enough time to catch, turn and shoot without a defender closing out.
One of the little tweaks I like to do with this play is to run it at the end of the quarter. I will have the 3 guards on the outside just keep swinging the ball back and forth letting the clock run down. This keeps the defense moving back and forth. Then with about 10-12 seconds left on the clock the offense will run the play without having to stop and reset.
One of the ways to really beat a defense is to beat them in the areas where the defense is supposed to be the strongest. A 2-3 zone defense is supposed to defend best around the basket and weakest at the 3-point line. If an offense is able to get the ball on the inside of the zone and score in the lane then the 2-3 zone is not working. This can be demoralizing to a defense and opponent. This play is really good at getting an offense a shot where the defense is supposed to be strongest.
