The ball is placed one step away from the player.
As they step forwards to pick up the ball the player should bend their knees.
As they stand up in one movement the player should raise the ball above their head (bending at the elbow), locate the basket and push off the heels of their feet so that they are on their toes as they shoot.
Instil in your players the importance of using the knees, elbows and feet when shooting.
First coach this skill to players individually, getting them to perform the movement without actually shooting.
Once they have understood the movement put players into pairs, with one ball between two and shoot at a basket.
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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