In a designated area, using lines or cones, the white team must attempt to dodge past each defending player.
Defending players can only use sideways movements in order to prevent this.
Defenders to be light on their feet and use small, quick steps to move.
Attackers to use sharp and committed movements.
Once the white player has reached the end of the area they become a defender and the first blue player becomes the next worker (to ensure all players have a chance to practice their getting free moves).
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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