One player stands on each cone with a fifth player standing between two of the players, with the ball in hand.
The player in front of the player in possession should set off on a lead run and receive the pass from the fifth player.
After running onto the pass the next player in the square should make a lead run, looking to receive the next pass.
After passing players should continue to run until they reach the unoccupied cone.
Have hands ready to catch the ball.
Make sure the ball is being put in front of the receiving player so that they can move on to the ball and not have to reach behind.
Try to play an accurate lead pass to the player whilst they're on the move. Timing and accuracy are important in this drill.
Ensure there are no travelling violations.
Progression: Make the grid area larger.
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.