Set out the cones as shown in the diagram. One player starts with a ball with two other players starting in the middle of the cross (compass). One player is an attacker with the other a shadowing defender.
The player with the ball has to pass the ball to the attacker, who then passes the ball back. The attacker must then run to another point (cone) of the compass before returning to the middle to receive another pass.
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.
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