Player on top of the perimeter is a passer and player on the side is a cutter. The cutter runs towards the key until on foot is inside the key then they change direction and move towards the ball. When they are free they must signal for the ball with their outside hand.
Once they receive the ball they can then square up towards the basket and go for a shot or drive for a lay up.
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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