Player 1 dribbles around the cone and at the same time player 2 sprints around his cone.
Player 1 deliberately dribbles towards defender 1, trying to draw them towards them, before passing to player 2 once the defender has committed to trying to mark him.
Attacker 2 now throws at the goal.
Although this a pre-arranged set of moves players should treat it as if it were an overload in a game situation.
Similarly, if the defender fails to commit fully to marking player 1 then player 1 should take the shot on themselves.
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.
Register for FREE and get coaching tips, top drills, session and more every week!
