Set up two lines, one for the for the defending players (red) and the other for the attacking players (blue) who have one ball.
When the coach blows their whistle both players run around their respective cones (shown in diagram).
After the blue player has made their way around the cone another player in the offensive players' line passes the ball to them.
After they've run round the cones players play out the 1 vs 1.
Players need to understand advantage. If the defensive player is too far away from the offensive player they should take their opportunity and shoot.
If the defender is too close or running out to contest the shot, they must look to attack the basket.
Once the drill is dead players join the back of the other line. So the attacking player goes to the back of the defender's line and vice versa.
Progression:
Increase the distance of the cones from the start position.
Move to the other side of the court.
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.
Register for FREE and get coaching tips, top drills, session and more every week!
