Players and cones will be set out as shown in animation.
Player 1 will pass to player 2. After Player 1 passes they will cut down towards the baseline, after a few steps they will cut back across towards the ball where they will receive a pass where they will catch and shoot.
Player 1 will get the rebound and pass the ball out to player 2.
Player 2 will pass the ball to the player at the front of the line and will join the back.
Player 1 will become the next passer
The ball screen produces almost half of all professional offensive possessions, yet most teams still teach it as a memorised play. The modern approach trains the read - giving players a framework to decide based on what the defence does, not what the coach called.
The closeout is the most repeated defensive action in modern basketball. With fouls per game climbing in the 2025-26 season, coaches must teach defenders to contest the three without surrendering the drive or putting shooters on the line.
The 2-3 zone defence remains one of the most effective defensive systems in basketball when coached and executed properly. This guide covers the fundamentals of running a 2-3 zone, including player roles, rotations, and when to deploy it for maximum impact.