March/April 2019 - 25

DIAGRAM 7
DIAGRAM 8
DIAGRAM 9
DIAGRAM 10
Although the high-post player is often a tall forward,
this also could be a perimeter player who can pass, shoot
from mid-range, make good decisions and create.
DIAGRAM 5: 2 passes to 1 at the top of the key.
2 then cuts to the help-side to put two good outside
shooters on the same side. This takes advantage of
the help-and-recover action by the zone's forwards.
It also provides a 3-point shot or a post area scoring
opportunity.
DIAGRAM 6: 2 has the ball on the wing and dribbles
toward the key. On 2's dribble, 3 either cuts to the ball
side or fades to the corner on the help-side. 4 is ready to
act with gap cuts and screens. 2 reads the defenders and
acts accordingly.
DIAGRAM 7: 2 passes to 1 at the top of the key. 5
dives into the lane and puts a strong body seal on the
defensive center to establish good low-post position for a
pass from 1.
DIAGRAM 8: 5 has the ball in the low post. 5 can
pass to a low-post cutter from the help-side or to a diving
player coming from the high-post area.
DIAGRAM 9: 2 has the ball in the corner area. 4
moves up from the low post to the high-post area to draw
the defense up. 5 then fills with a cut across the lane, and
uses a body seal to establish a strong low-post position.
DIAGRAM 10: This stack set gives the 2-3 zone a
different offensive look. 4 is a hybrid player who can
help with traps, set screens, step out on the perimeter and
crash the boards. The bottom three offensive players can
set single or double screens, hit gaps, and gang up on the
weakest zone defensive rebounders.
At some point during your season, you're probably
going to face a very good 2-3 zone defense. When this
game comes, beat the defense down the court before it
gets organized. If you're unable to do that, attack this
zone on the inside with the 3-point shot, and with an
offense based on solid principles, flexibility, and strong
offensive rebounding.
Joe May coached the Exeter-West Greenwich (Rhode
Island) High School boys basketball team to its first state
championship. He also has served as a part-time assistant
women's basketball coach at the University of Rhode
Island and Providence College.
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March/April 2019

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