The goal of Weak defense is straightforward: to force the ball handler toward their weaker hand. Since the majority of players are right-handed, Weak defense typically means "forcing them left." To avoid confusion, many coaches simplify this by defining Weak as "left" and Strong as "right". Weak Defense is almost always paired with Ice coverage being used for side screen actions.
Ice defense, also referred to as blue, down, or push, is designed to force the ball handler toward the sideline. Many teams prefer to set screens that allow the ball handler to attack the middle of the court, where more scoring opportunities typically arise. Ice defense counters this philosophy by having the on-ball defender jump toward the screen, leaving the ball handler with no choice but to reject it and drive toward the sideline.
As teams began countering the Low Drop with a High Screen, a new defensive strategy emerged—the High Drop. This coverage addresses the spacing weaknesses of the Low Drop while continuing to protect the highest-percentage shot in basketball, the layup, through the "no man behind" defensive philosophy. Additionally, it still encourages the most inefficient shot in basketball: the long two-pointer. However, like any defensive scheme, the High Drop is not without its vulnerabilities. There are effective ways to exploit this coverage and turn it into an advantage for the offense.
In a Low Drop coverage, the screener’s defender drops deep into the middle of the paint to prioritize protecting the rim and contesting the highest-percentage shot in basketball—the layup—while deliberately allowing the least efficient shot: the long two-pointer. This strategy also offers additional benefits. It adheres to the defensive philosophy of "no man behind," enabling two defenders to handle the pick-and-roll without needing help from a tag man or a low man, thus keeping the rest of the defense intact.
Many coaches teach players to set screens at a 45-degree angle, with their back facing the corner of the court. While this advice is generally effective for on-ball screens, it often fails to explain why the 45-degree angle works so well.
This drill teaches 3 different passing options in a basic pick & roll. All the fundamental principles of 'Separation and Brush' apply here. Instead of finishing at the rim after using the screen, the ball handler will pass to the roll man to complete the play. Following the pass, the ball handler will backpedal to the three-point line for a catch-and-shoot opportunity.
This is a continuous offense that is particularly effective against a 2-3 zone. It is depicted here with the defensive shifts and all of the potential options. This offense works best when your players are equipped with basketball skills, such as the "read and react" knowledge.
This play is best used against 2-3 zone but will work against man-to-man if players make good cuts.
This is a quick hitter play that is great for the end of a quarter. It works best against a zone, but also works against man-to-man.
This is a continuous offense that can be used as a quick hitter. This works against any half court zone.
The goal of this outlet drill is to score 22 points as a team in 2 minutes. Each basket is worth 1. Feel free to adjust the time and score based on your teams skill level. It's a great drill for finding your outlet pass, pushing the ball up the court and finishing in transition. It's fast paced, high energy and a perfect way to get conditioning while working on game skills. The only time the ball should hit the floor is if you need to take one or two dribbles to make the transition pass ahead. Aim for the pass to the shooter to be in stride and within layup distance from the rim. The rebounder should grab the ball out of the net and outlet to the next player before the ball hits the ground. Once your team understand the rotations and movements, it becomes one continuous looping drill. Right off the transition pass, the passer continues sprinting around the cones getting to the other end for a layup as quick as possible. This outlet drill really encourages pace, teamwork and communication. Focus on teaching your team the fundamentals of meeting the outlet pass, the importance of timing, leading your teammate on the transition pass (not passing behind them) and finishing under time pressure.
In this drill, we can really focus on the fundamentals of the outlet pass and creating transition advantages. It's simple enough that we can see exactly where we need to shift our focus as coaches. Things to pay attention to: * rebounders footwork and passing * ball handler getting to the middle of the floor and reading the defense * lanes being filled correctly and spacing the floor Now, this is primarily an outlet and transition offense drill, but it can be used to apply defensive principals as well. Are we stopping ball first? Is the bottom covering first pass and the top defender dropping to see two players? Are we rotating and communicating? Are we boxing out?
This is a simple outlet passing drill to work on the fundamentals. Continue this drill until all players have played both positions, on both sides of the court.
Outlet pass & transition after a defensive rebound
This play starts with the ball handler drawing their defender into an initial ball screen, then quickly pivoting to receive a second screen from the opposite side. It’s tough to defend because the defense must navigate two screens in rapid succession.
The Horns "Flex" play elevates the standard Horns set by introducing more dynamic and engaging actions. This variation of Horns, gets the wings involved and uses the zoom motion to create scoring chances.
The foundational concept of the horns offense emphasizes floor spacing, creating an ideal setup for a traditional pick-and-roll action with a backdoor cutting option toward the basket. Corner wings play a critical role by maintaining proper spacing to stretch the defense. If the wing defenders collapse to help, the wings must be prepared to capitalize on a kick-out for a high-percentage three-point opportunity.
The high post is a vulnerable position in the 1-3-1 zone defense and we try to force the ball out of there as quickly as we can.
In the tight 1-3-1 Zone Defense, all the same rules apply except the defense is not trapping AND the players are more tightly packed in during the entire defensive possession. The main goal is to prevent the ball from entering the zone, and if it does, to quickly collapse on it and force it back outside.
As the dribbler crosses the half-court line, the ball-side wing will step up and set a trap. We try to force the offense to pick up the dribble and throw a weak lob pass that we can pick off.
As the name suggest, the 1-3-1 zone defense is set up in a 1-3-1 formation. It can be used in a multitude of ways - as a base defense, a change-of-pace defense, a trapping defense, and more.
If we want to put extra pressure on the offense we can play a 1-3-1 Zone Defense where we start picking up the ball at the opposing free throw line.
When the offense passes the ball to the corner we want to trap the player with the ball and force a soft lob pass over the zone that we can pick off.
This is a play out of the Stack formation that has multiple options for quick scores.
This extremely simple inbounds play will help you to get the ball thrown in without turning it over...and maybe score some points.
This is a classic set that has gotten many teams layups over the years. The pick-the-picker action confuses the defense and leaves open opportunities at the rim.
Iowa ran this BLOB to try and get shooters open when they needed a 3. The over cut and elevator action is tough for defenses to defend.
This is a very simple play designed to get an open mid-range shot for our best shooter or an open layup for one of our bigs.
Jeff Capel and Pittsburgh ran this play and had some success with it in ACC play. This is a good set if you have a shooter who you want to get the ball.
"4 Low Clear" is an inbounds play that becomes an isolation set for a driver out of 4-low alignment. This is a simple set that can get the ball to one of your best playmakers and give them space to make a play.
This classic baseline inbounds set helps to get your shooter (1) a clean look from 3.
A simple BLOB that can be used at any level to try to go for a quick score.
In the 2-3 Zone Defense you want to avoid the ball going to the High Post at all cost! If it happens anyways, a good passer has 4 passing options which makes it very hard to defend. Our goal is to pack the zone and prevent a high-low pass. At the same time, defenders need to be prepared to close out on shooters after a pass.
When the ball is in the corner we try to prevent passes to the high post and low post. We can sag off and pack the paint, or force the player with the ball to make a play.
When the ball is on the wing the job on the zone defense is: * To deny a pass to the high post (very dangerous) * Deny a pass to the low post We are okay with passes to the corner or back to the top of the key / ball reversal.
In the 2-3 zone defense with the ball at the top of the key our job is to: * Make sure that the point guard can't attack the paint * Deny the pass to the high post We are encouraging a pass to the wing, the forwards have to be ready to help out if necessary.
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