When Iowa hired Ben McCollum, coaches across the country took notice. His teams at Northwest Missouri State were known for their pace, precision, and ability to pick apart any defense — including zones.

That same offensive clarity is already showing up in Iowa City. In a recent possession of a game against Western Illinois, the Hawkeyes faced a 1-3-1 zone and attacked it beautifully — with purpose, pace, and confidence.

In this post, we’ll break down that possession and look at 11 specific tactics Iowa used to attack the zone and create a great shot — concepts you can steal for your own team, no matter the level.

Take a look at the clip below to see it in action. Then we’ll walk through each of the 11 tactics Iowa used — from spacing and timing to screening angles — that made this possession so effective against zone defense.

11 Tactics Iowa Used to Attack the 1-3-1 Zone

1. Ball Screens

   Iowa starts with a ball screen on the top player. This does a couple of things. It gets the ball handler going downhill. Too many teams are content to pass the ball around the perimeter against a 1-3-1. The ball screen starts the possession with penetration.

   It also forces the defense to rotate by bringing the center defender to the perimeter.

2. Post Play

   After setting the ball screen, Iowa’s forward rolls into the post where he receives a pass from the wing. Whether it’s through penetration or postups, getting the ball inside is critical to zone offense.

   Postups can be especially effective against a 1-3-1 as coaches often position smaller players in the back spot. This can create a size mismatch.

3. Scanning For Skips

   On the catch, the big immediately scans to the weak side. Zone load up to the ball side, making skip passes a must.

4. Blind Cuts

   While the ball is in the post, all five defenders turn to watch the ball. The Iowa player positioned in the opposite corner (#15) sees this and cuts to the basket.

   Cutting when your defender loses vision is a great offensive principle against man or zone. Even though he doesn’t get the ball, his cut forces defensive rotation

5. Quick Reversals

   On the kickout, Iowa employs another sound principle - looking opposite & reversing the ball. By quickly moving the ball opposite of where it came from, they keep the zone in rotation.

6. Pass Fake

   When the ball reaches the wing, #15 uses a pass fake. Pass fakes work well against zones as they make all five players move in a false direction.

7. Probing

   After pass faking, #15 penetrates the gap. This engages multiple defenders, creating a numerical advantage elsewhere. He then probes the gap, drawing defenders towards him.

8. “Boomerang Passes”

   The Iowa player at the top uses a counter to the quick ball reversal principle mentioned above. 

   He uses a boomerang pass, throwing the ball right back where it came from. This works because it utilizes the momentum of shifting defenders against them.

9. “Buddy” Ball

   Most zone offenses put players in the high post and short corners. Whenever one of those players catches the ball, they should immediately look for the other.

   Because of the way zones rotate, the pass from high post to short corner (or vice versa) is often open.

   Here, Western Illinois big steps up on the high post pass, leaving space for the touch pass to #23 on the baseline.

10. “One More” Passes

    Zones tend to crash down on the ball when it reaches the block. Here #23 has three defenders on him. Instead of forcing a shot, he makes the “one more” pass to the corner for the open 3.

11. Headlights Spacing

    Notice how #7 stays in #23’s headlights, making it an easier pass. This is a key spacing principle. Against a zone, players must position themselves so that they will not be “three in a row” with the defender.

    

The amazing thing is that Iowa was able to bake all those concepts into a :27 possession. What should reassure you is that almost all of those 11 concepts are effective against every defense.

So the next time you see a 1-3-1, don’t panic and try to reinvent the wheel. Stick to solid and sound offensive principles and watch your team carve up the defense!

If you’re looking for more zone offense concepts to attack any zone, check out Don Kelbick’s Continuity Zone Offense And Concepts To Beat Any Zone Defense.

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