Good basketball plays to break the 2-3 or 2-1-2 zone defense?

Question

I play for a youth basketball team, and we play well together. But we have 3 plays that never work, and we only play well because of personal skill. Preferably, the plays should include a lot of guard work and little forward work (our guards are better and we have more). Next season, we will be in a higher league and I'm worried...

Answer 1

As a youth and inexperienced player and team you need something simple. That also can be used for all types of ZONES.The move is 1:3:1 attach or sometimes called the wheel.

This is good for when you have only 1 or two big men/forwards.The basic set up is:

Point guard (with ball) at top/in middle of court(about 2m from top of circle of key hole) The centre/big man, in centre of circle(standing above the free shot line-out of 3 seconds area) mainly in middle(but can set up off centre if need). The next two(2)players small/bigger players(really more mobile players) set up on the extended free shot line,out to a 45o angle to the basket.The last player sets up on the end line(bit in court) about the bottom of key hole(to start) This player should have good foot work and passing skills.

The starting pass is from point to flanker(on 45 extended)Then the pass to the base liners,who breaks out to receive the ball.The flanker(on the 45) cuts to the basket(looking to receive a pass from the base liner)As this happens the centre rolls to the corner of key,then on the back of the cutter(arms raised high-looking for a pass)The base liner looks to firstly feed the cutter,then the rolling centre(which is the best option on the first swing of the offence. The balance is:

The point follows there pass,to the 45(the opps 45 balances up to the point position and the first cutter from the 45. Continues thru the ZONE to the opps 45.

So now the ZONE has collasped onto the cutter and the middle.

Just here there is an option for the base liner(who still has the ball) To take a shot. If not the ball goes to the 45.Who passes back to the point.The offence starts again,with the base liner,running the base to the other side.The ball rotates to the other side(following the base liner,to the 45 and the start it again.The same action applies to the other side.

There are some 50 options that apply but you get the basics first.

Answer 2

As a team the best way to beat the zone is to make it move. With good ball movement it can be beat. The high post is the most vulnerable spot for the zone to be penetrated. Find the Yo-Yo offense. I use this offense when I coach and it has resulted in easy baskets. Especially if you have good shooters and big men who are patient, can pass, but very aggressive. It is very easy to learn too. As an individual, you still have to be patient. Pass the ball, move and get it back. If one stands in the same spot while the defense is playing zone, then you will not be successful. Rather than looking to score in the zone first...pass the ball in order to find the zone's weak spots. Once you find those weak areas...exploit them. As a point guard, you must know how to beat the zone better than any of your teammates. Pass the ball and move. Instruct your team to do the same. Do not have them shoot after one or two passes. Make them move ball around at least four times before taking any shots, but all need to move once the have passed the ball. You must make the defense work. The defense does not need to see the same player in the same spot when your team has the ball. Make your big men switch between the high and low post during passes. They must screen not only for you, but for each other as well. The best way as an individual to beat the zone is to set your team up to do it for you. Especially since you are a PG.

Answer 3

Breaking a zone is simple, but it requires everyone on the team to be on the same page.

First, DON"T try to take on the zone via isolation. Most plays that fail against a zone fail when individuals try to take it on.

First rule: ALWAYS have someone at the top of the key. This person's role is very simple they recieve the ball from the wing, then either reverse it to the other side, dump it inside, or take the shot if they are open. If the play breaks down, they are the first player back on D.

Rule 2: Have shooters on both wings.

Rule 3: The big men must be prepared to pass the ball back out to the wing when they get it down low. The big men should work together to screen eachother to allow the other to receive a pass from either the point (top of the key) or from the wing).



In addition, one of the bigs can flare out to set a screen for the shooter on the far side while the ball is on the other. This way, when the ball is swung around, the wing player will be open.



If you see a zone defense spreading out, then it's really just a bad man to man and you should attack it through driving to the hole and drawing fouls off the big man.



Rule 4; If the zone is loose, DRIVE. If you drive, the bigs should move to the baseline for short jump shots if you decide to dump the ball off. Or draw the foul on the big man, or kick out to open shooters if the zone collapses.



Don't put your head down. You need to see where everyone is.



IMPORTANT: A zone defense if run properly will move to the side of the court that the ball is on, which is why you should start from the side. Swinging the ball from one side of the court to the other will create open shooters and open up the inside for the big guys. Zone is designed to shut down one on one players, and to shut down teams that cannot shoot well from outside.



if your team can't organize this, then at least make sure you all play good defense and get back on D.

Answer 4

Good Basketball Plays

Answer 5

The best way to break any zone defense is with quick ball movement. You need to get the ball around before the defense has a chance to adjust. Practice running those same plays, just quicker (without getting sloppier.)