Andreas Rauh
Andreas Rauh
Published 22 April 2025

Empty Zoom Action Variation - Pheonix Suns

Zoom Action is so widely used that defenses often anticipate a specific path once they recognize the setup. Coaches can leverage this expectation by incorporating decoy movements, creating different scoring opportunities while maintaining the same structure.

Setup
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  • 1 sets a screen for 4 and initiate the Zoom Action
Zoom Action
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  • 4 fakes the Zoom Action and cuts to the opposite corner
  • Simultaenously, 1 receives a handoff from 5

This setup appears designed for Bol (#11 in black), but he acts as a decoy for Booker (#1 in black). As Bol cuts backdoor, it triggers Booker to receive the DHO from Richards (#2 in black).

Because Booker is a major perimeter threat, both defenders in white focus on him, leaving Richards with a clear roll lane. This action forces a 4v3 advantage on the backline, creating an easy scoring opportunity through a simple yet deliberate movement.

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