Block Baseline Versus 2-3 Zone

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Categories: Offense (Team)
Ages: All Ages Youth Middle School High School+

Summary:

An almost sure lay-in versus a 2-3 (or 1-1-3) zone. The key is to block zone defenders from getting to their slide spots. The point square passes to a wing without giving a hint as to which side the ball is going to in order to keep the middle defender in the back three from covering the block on the ball side.

The play is designed to also draw the wide baseline defender out to cover the wing. Then, by blocked the middle defender, there is no one to defend the other post who has crossed and the wing passes to the post for a layup.

Personnel:

Onside post blocks center - offside post does not want to overrun the easy shot. He needs to be patient and wait for the ball.

Instructions

The point guard will pass to a wing, but the point needs to make sure the bottom defenders (3 or 4) come out to guard the wing.
The point may need to dribble at the top defender to pull them up and then make the pass.

Both posts facing inside. If pass comes to their side, they take two big steps and block the middle defender.
Breaking post (4) does not overrun the play. He should stop, get wide for the pass and look for the ball from the wing (3).
Key is for defender (4) to come out and guard the wing.

Wing passes ball to post player on the block, who goes up strong for a lay in.

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Comments

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Alan Keane says:
12/26/2012 at 12:34:49 PM

Very nice play. Agree with above 1 dribbles at 2 to freeze him and can even drag him out with a back up dribble creating too much distance to recover to 3 therefore forcing 4 to close out on 3. You could also look to skip to 2 and quick lob to 4 on 5s back screen.

Coach K says:
1/29/2010 at 9:01:49 AM

The key is for D4 to guard O3 and free up the low post area for the pick. On a 2-3 I teach the bottom forward to cover below FT line (if above FT line, it's a quick help and recover) and guard above FT line as a general guide. 1 dribbling at 2 should freeze 2 and on the pass to 3, 4 D should come out and cover. If you put 3 closer to the corner than the wing -- 4D should bite and come get him or 3 will have a decent look. Nice play.

Coach Lee says:
1/25/2010 at 10:42:45 AM

The whole point of dribbling at the #2 defender is to freeze them on that player. #2 cannot stop the drive and cover #3 offender off the pass at the same time. Therefore #4 has to come out to get the #3 offender. This play would also work well on a reverse the ball from strong side to weak side because the #4 defender would have to close out on quick ball movement. At least that is my understanding of how the 2-3 zone is played.
Hubie Brown makes good use of that dribble at the defender in the zone to freeze them strategy in his teaching.

Brian Davis says:
1/18/2010 at 8:04:40 PM

I would think that if the ball moves quickly, player 2 (defense) can''''t get there in time. If he/she does, then player 3 (offense) swings the ball to player 1 (offense) or player 2 (offense) for an open jumper. I like this play especially if player 3 (offense) is an offensive threat so that player 4 (defense) has to come out to guard the wing. Also, player 3 (offense) has to be a good decision maker because there are enough options to consider.

Wendy Hunt says:
1/13/2010 at 7:15:20 AM

When running a 2 - 3 zone, I would expect player 2 would go down and take the ball #3.

If that is the case this move would be hard to execute. Suggestions

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