Players line up opposite each other. Player 1 passes to Player 2 and then follows their pass to put pressure on the attacker.
The attacker has to go around the cone on either their left or right before passing the ball back to next person waiting in the queue.
The player waiting in the queue then throws the ball back to player 2 before the drill can start again.
The receiver must wait until the defender is approximately one-arm's length away before commencing their dribble.
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.