Imagine that you have caught the ball out in front of you. You would then absorb the momentum of the ball by bringing in the ball to your chest, bending the knees. This also helps to protect the ball from defenders and gives you a stable platform.
Bringing the ball up your chest in an upward arc, release the ball out level with your chest, arm outstretched.
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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