James Chang
Published 01 April 2026

China 2-3 Zone Offense

This is a 2-3 Zone offense that works against teams that guard the two-man action with only the front line. It forces an outnumbered situation at the top and attacks the nail, the weakest spots in a zone defense.
The shooter always stays on the strong side, creating another outnumbered situation at the wing.
Phase 1
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The offense starts in a high Horns setup, with both wings at the 45 instead of the corners.
5 sets the ball screen at the top.
3 swings to the opposite corner to create an outnumbered situation on the wing.
The key detail is 4 setting a screen on X2. 4 must loop around to set the screen because X2 will be closing in on the top pick-and-roll and won’t see it coming.
This frees up 2, with X4 forced to make a long closeout.
Phase 2
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1 passes to 2.
After 4 and 5 set the screen, both roll to the rim. 4 short rolls and 5 dives all the way down, naturally creating a 2-on-1.
If X3 or X4 stays home and doesn’t follow 3, then 3 is open in the corner.
Phase 3
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4 will make decisions at the nail.
Video 1
Video 2
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