Chapter - 07

Attacking The Zone

The fast-break | Set zone attack patterns | Weak areas of zone defenses | The1-3-1 attack | The 2-1-2 attack | Screening  the  zone | Basic zone attack principles

Methods of attacking zone defenses are probably more interesting to the high school coach than are methods of attacking man-for-man defenses. This is simply because a great percentage of high school teams, particularly in certain areas of the country, employ the zone defense as their basic team defense. Zone defenses can be very difficult to penetrate and, unless a sound zone attack pattern is prepared in advance, efforts to defeat the zone may prove futile.

Of course, the simplest and most proficient method for defeating the zone is by good outside shooting. If a team boasts shooters that can consistently score from 25 to 30 feet out, few zone defenses will defeat them. Unfortunately, few of us possess such shooters and an attack must be readied that will penetrate the zone and obtain closer shots.

The Fast Break

The best method for getting the close shot against the zone defense is by use of the fast break. To be strong, the zone defense must be allowed to set up around the basket with each player in his assigned area. By using fast-breaking tactics, the offense can get the ball downfloor and into a percentage shooting area before the zone has time to organize. In addition to gaining more percentage shots, offensive rebounding is strengthened when shots are taken before the zone has formed.

Set Zone Attack Patterns

Since many teams will not possess good outside shooting and the fast break will not always materialize, a set zone attack must be prepared. Attacks may vary with the strengths of the offensive personnel and particular coaching philosophies but should be directed at the weak areas of the zone.

Weak Areas of Zone Defenses

The weak areas of zone defenses will vary with each type of zone. Charts 75 through 80 depict the weaknesses of the major types of zones.

CHART 75.    Circles indicate major weak spots of a 3-2 zone defense.

CHART 76.    Circles indicate major weak spots of a 1-3-1 zone defense.

CHART 77.    Circles indicate major weak areas of a 2-1-2 zone defense.

CHART 78.    Circles indicate major weak areas of a 2-3 zone defense.

CHART 79.    Circles  indicate major weak spots of a 1-2-2 zone defense.

CHART 80.    Circles indicate major weak spots of a 2-2-1 zone defense.

CHART 81. The basic formation for the 1-3-1 zone attack. 1 must be the key ball-handler and "quarterback." 2 and 3 should be the better side shooters while 4 and 5 should be good jump-shooters from the pivot area and good rebounders.

The 1-3-1 Attack

The most popular attack for the zone defense is the 1-3-1 attack. It is particularly effective against the 2-1-2, 2-3, and 2-2-1 zone defenses. Chart 81 diagrams the basic formation for this attack. Number 1 is the key ball-handler and must assume responsibility for directing the attack. Numbers 2 and 3 must be good shooters from the sides. Number 4 should be a good jump-shooter from the free-throw area and will have a major part of the offensive rebounding responsibility. Number 5 is the baseline "rover" and should possess a good shot from the baseline as well as be a good rebounder.

In initiating the attack, it is important for number 1 to advance the ball down the center of the floor until he meets opposition. Once he meets opposition, he should pass to the side from where the defensive challenge is made.

Chart 82 assumes the defensive challenge is made by the right guard, thus 1 passes to forward 3. Numbers 4 and 5 move toward 3 as shown. 3 has several options. He may shoot if unguarded, pass to either 4 or 5, or return pass to 1. If he shoots, offensive rebounding responsibilities should be handled by 2, 4, and 5 with backcourt defensive responsibility going to 1. The shooter, 3, remains in the area of the free-throw lane to take care of the long rebound or to prevent the defensive rebounders from making a quick pass out to begin the fast break.

CHART 82. A 1-3-1 zone attack pattern. 1 advances the ball down the center of the floor and passes to the side from where the defensive challenge is made. Assuming the challenge is made from his right, 1 passes to 3. 3 may shoot, pass to 4 or 5, or return pass to 1. If he passes to 5 on the baseline as shown here, 3 cuts through looking for the return pass and 4 cuts close behind 3. 1 fills the hole vacated by 3 while 2 cuts out to the position vacated by 1. If no shot materializes, 3 will become the left wing, 2.

If 3 passes to 5 on the baseline, he cuts through alert for the return pass. 4 slides down close behind 3 for a possible pass. 1 fills the position vacated by 3 while 2 moves out to the spot vacated by 1. 3 continues on through to the opposite wing position, 2.

If 3 fails to shoot or pass to 4 or 5, he return passes to 1 who quickly passes to 2. With quick movement of the ball, a good clear shot is often obtained for 2. If no shot is available, 2 has the same options available to 3 previously.

A variety of plays and scoring options can be used with the 1-3-1 attack formation. Several are suggested by Charts 83 through 88.

CHART 83. The 1-3-1 attack. If 3 return passes to 1, 1 quickly passes to 2 who may have a clear shot. If 2 cannot shoot, he has the same options previously open to 3—a pass to either 4 or 5 or a return pass to 1.

CHART 84. An option open to 4 if he receives pass from 3. This is simple but effective.

CHART 85.    If 4 receives a direct pass from 1, he may pass to either 2, 3, or 5.

CHART 86. Many teams like to cut player 3 through when he passes to 5 but like for 1 to remain at the top of the circle. In this case, 4 cuts close behind 3 for a possible pass and on to the position vacated by 3. 2 cuts into the free-throw area vacated by 4 while 3 fills 2's left wing position.

CHART 87. Cutting into the 1-3-1 attack formation from a single pivot set-up. 1 should be the better shooter of the guards for he will often be open for a shot on the baseline.

CHART 88. Another method for cutting into the 1-3-1 attack formation from a single pivot set-up.

CHART 89.    The basic 2-1-2 zone attack formation.

The 2-1-2 Attack

The 2-1-2 attack is used by many teams and is particularly effective against the 1-3-1, 3-2, and 1-2-2 zone defenses. The attack formation is shown in Chart 89. 1 and 2 are the guards and must possess shooting ability from those positions. 3 and 4 are the forwards and should be the best shooters from the corner areas. 5 is the center and should be the best pivot scorer and best offensive rebounder.

In initiating the attack, guard 1 passes to guard 2 who passes to corner player 4. As 4 receives the ball in the corner, 5 slides in path shown to the baseline while the off-corner player, 3, cuts to the position vacated by 5. 4 may shoot, pass to 5 or 3 for a shot, or return pass to guard 2. If he return passes to 2, 2 should quickly look for an opening for a pass to 3. If no opening exists, a quick return pass to corner player 4 may result in such an opening to either 3 or 5.

CHART 90. The 2-1-2 zone attack. As 2 passes to 4, 5 slides down to the baseline and 3 fills spot vacated by 5. 4 may pass to either 5 or 3 or return pass to 2.

CHART 91. The 2-1-2 attack continuity. If 3 or 5 are not open, 4 return passes to 2. 2 may have an opportunity to pass to 3 for a shot or he may quickly pass back to 4. If 2 passes to guard 1, 5 cuts along baseline to become the new corner player and receive pass from 1. As 5 receives pass, 3 slides to baseline and 4 cuts into the position vacated by 3.

CHART 92. A direct pass to 5 can result in a 3 on 2 situation especially against the 3-2 zone defense.

If 2 elects to pass to guard 1, center 5 slides out to the left corner position to receive a pass from 1. As 5 receives the pass, forward 3 at the free-throw line will assume the responsibility originally held by 5 and will slide to the baseline. 4 will cut into the free-throw area to the position vacated by 3. The continuity is diagrammed in Charts 90 and 91.

Offensive and defensive responsibilities are easily delegated. Players 3, 4, and 5 are responsible for offensive rebounding while 1 and 2 are responsible for defensive balance. Either 1 or 2 should press outlet pass receivers if the opponents are a fast-breaking team.

Screening the Zone

With the development of defenses that change back and forth from a zone to a man-for-man, many coaches have developed screening plays that can be used successfully against both types of defenses. Screens are established to prevent defensive players from sliding to cover offensive opponents in their respective zone areas. Charts 93 and 94 diagram screen plays that have been found effective against zone defenses.

CHART 93. The use of a single screen to prevent the zone from shifting rapidly. 1 dribbles around screen set by 3. He may have a shot or a pass to 3 or 5 dependent upon the movement by the rear zone defenders.

CHART 94. The use of the double-screen to prevent the zone from shifting rapidly. 1 passes to 2 causing the zone to shift left. As 2 return passes to 1, 4 and 5 set double-screen as shown. 1 passes to 3 who passes to 2 for a shot behind the screen.

Basic Zone Attack Principles

The following principles will add  to  the  effectiveness  of any  type of zone offense:

1.  There must be rapid movement of the ball.

2.  Dribbling should be held to a minimum.

3.  Play for the good shot and eliminate the bad ones.

4.  Pull the opponent's better rebounders away from the basket.

5.  Attack areas guarded by weak defensive players.

6.  Get the second shot.

7.  Control the ball when leading late in the game.

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