Ten years ago, I installed an offense that was heavy in on-ball actions. It featured a lot of ball screens and hand-offs. It even integrated some Zoom action (although I didn’t know the name at that time). 

It looked great on paper. I could see us getting paint touch after paint touch, leading to wide-open shots.

When we ran it 5v0, we cooked. We looked unguardable.

Then came 5v5. We would run our action - that wasn’t the issue. The issue was that the action wasn’t creating an advantage.

I looked at the film to see where we were going wrong. We were actually doing a lot of things right:

• Setting up the on-ball action

• Getting shoulder to shoulder

• Rolling hard and lifting behind the ball

Unfortunately, that was all being negated by 1 (math) problem. Let's see what it is and how 2x State Champ Nate Steege solves it!

Why Screening Geometry Creates Favorable Scoring Odds

Most screeners set lazy screens. They think that if they get close to the defender, they’ve done their job.

They ignore their screening angle. When that happens, the on-ball defender can go under the screen.

The primary option that leaves the dribbler is an off the dribble 3 - a low percentage shot. Because the dribbler can’t turn the corner and get downhill, the defense doesn’t need to help. As a result, the on ball action tends to fizzle out.

In The Zoom Offense With Nate Steege, Coach Steege teaches his screeners to go “inside out.” They attempt to screen the back pocket of the on-ball defender.

By doing so, they force the chase. That means the defender has to go over the screen. This immediately creates an advantage for the offense by putting the defender behind the ball. 

This creates a 2v1 against the screener’s defender, setting up a high percentage shot.

The same principle applies to handoffs and zooms. Most players giving the handoff dribble at their teammate. That allows the defender to slide under the action.

Instead, the dribbler must go right at the back pocket of the defender (x1).

This simple geometry lesson will transform your on-ball actions. By forcing the chase, you’ll get more paint touches and high-percentage shots, allowing you to take advantage of everything the zoom offers.

If you'd like to learn more about the zoom offense, click below!

Tired of Watching Your Offense Stall?
Here's the Fix.

Coach Nate Steege's Zoom Offense Conceptual Basketball gives you a modern, fast-paced system that keeps the defense guessing and your players attacking. You'll learn how to:

• Create constant offensive advantages with Zoom actions

• Turn hesitation into aggression with read-and-react drills

• Simplify your offense without losing creativity or freedom

• Boost team FG% and scoring — proven by a 2× State Champion

FIX YOUR OFFENSE NOW

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Peter says: 10/31/2025 at 12:19:32 PM First, in the statement above: "That means the defender has to go over the screen. This immediately creates an advantage for the defense by putting the defender behind the ball." Should the word be Disadvantage for the D? Second, that diagram showing the 2v1 presumes that the defender (x5) is not coached to hedge the screener to prevent ball-handler from doing exactly what is intended in that example/diagram. Like   1 reply   login   register Jeff Huber says: 10/31/2025 at 12:53:41 PM Hello, It should say advantage for the offense - good catch! Yes, hedging would change the dynamic. However, the offense would still have an advantage because with a hard hedge and on ball defender over the screen, the roller would be open (or it would force and extreme rotation and 4v3 out of the short roll). Thanks for writing in! Like     login   register

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