Player starts the move by shooting - aiming to hit the rim to create the rebound for the other two players.
When the shot goes up the defensive player will turn and box-out the offensive player attempting to get the rebound.
If defence gets the ball, it will be passed out to the coach.
If offence gets the ball, the offensive player will play 1 on 1 against the defensive player.
Make sure that defensive players make contact and compete against each other.
After each turn players rotate in a clock-wise direction:
The attacker becomes the defender, the defender becomes the shooter and the shooter joins the back of the line.
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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