Purpose: The 'Attack the Diamond' drill is very similar to the 'Attack the Box' drill. The main difference, however, is the emphasis placed on the offensive players. Drill: The defense sets up in a 4-man diamond zone as shown. The four offensive players set up as shown. The offensive players attack the diamond by emphasizing diagonal passes and quick passes to the corner. Coaching Points: Many zone principles apply here such as penetrating the gaps and making skip passes. However, the emphasis … [Read more...]
Attack the Box Drill
Purpose: The 'Attack the Box' drill allows the offensive players to work against a box zone using any of the 21 Zone Principles discussed. Drill: The defense sets up with 4 players in a box zone as shown. Four offensive players are in a 1-2-1 offensive set as shown. The offensive players attack the box using the zone principles. Coaching Points: As a coach, you can also have the offensive players work only on specific principles such as penetrating the gaps, making skip passes, setting … [Read more...]
4 on 4 Zone Offense Principles
Purpose: To practice the zone offense principles and techniques that were previously taught and using them in a game-like situation. Drill: Four defenders set up in a box zone defense. Offensive players O1, O2, O3 and O4 set up in a manner shown. The perimeter players, O1, O2, and O3, attack the zone using perimeter player principles. O4 should run the baseline and flash to the high post looking to get open. Coaching Points: This drill can be performed in any number of ways. As a coach, … [Read more...]
Triangle Press Offense
1) The idea behind the triangle zone press offense is to keep the lanes filled but to also keep three players in a 'triangle' situation. With the lanes filled and a player down near the basket, the defense will have to make a decision as to who to trap and when. The triangle formation will always ensure that someone should be open if they do attempt a trap. O4 takes the ball out of bounds and passes to O1. O3 cuts hard to the middle looking for a pass from O1. If O1 passes to O3, O3 dribbles … [Read more...]
3 vs. Box Zone Offense Drill
Purpose: To teach the perimeter offensive players to penetrate the gap and force two players to guard you. It also helps them work on skip passes and kicking the ball back out. Drill: Four defenders sets up in a box zone. Three offensive players set up around the perimeter. There is no set pattern for this drill. The player with the ball should attempt to penetrate the gap between two defenders, forcing both to guard. If the dribbler is stopped, he will look to pass to the wing (if in the … [Read more...]
3-on-2 Penetrate and Kick Drill
Purpose: This drill helps the perimeter players work on penetrating the gaps in a zone and kicking to an open teammate when the gap is closed. Drill: The three offensive guards set up around the perimeter. The two defenders play as they would at the top of a zone. The drill can begin in any manner, however, for this diagram the drill begins with O1 passing to O2. O2 penetrates at the defense and kicks back out to O1. O1 then penetrates and kicks to O3. O3 would shoot if open, or if not, … [Read more...]
1-3-1 Double Stack Flash
The Doublestack Flash is a good zone offense set play to run against a 1-3-1 zone defense. 1) The play begins with O1 dribbling toward O3. O3 cuts through the lane and out to the weakside corner/wing. O2 slides over into the gap at the top of the key. 2) O1 passes to O2 cutting into the gap at the top. On the pass, O5 flashes in front of the center defender or screens down on the defensive center. O4 cuts behind O5. O2 passes to O4 for a possible shot attempt. 3) If O4 … [Read more...]
How to Break Pressure Defenses
:: From the Hoops U. 'How-To' Series :: The purpose of this article is to help the basketball player by giving specific tips, techniques and an understanding of how to beat pressure defenses such as full court presses and half court traps. Basketball coaches will also benefit from this article by sharing these ideas with your players. For specific offensive sets to help beat pressure, check the 'Attacking the Zone Press' page. As an offensive player going against either a full court press or … [Read more...]