1. Line your players up at the free throw line in single file. Give the first two players in the line a basketball.
2. On your whistle, the first player in line will shoot a free throw. If they make it, they will retrieve the ball and pass it to the next person in line without a basketball. If they miss, they must retrieve the ball and make a lay-up or standing shot.
3. The next player in line is allowed to shoot a free throw as soon as the previous player’s ball hits the rim or goes through the net. If the previous player misses, the next player is attempting to make a free throw (or rebound shot) before that player makes their rebound shot.
4. If the second player makes their shot before rebound shot is made the previous player has to sit out for the rest of the drill.
5. This process continues until only one player remains.
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.