Zoom Action: The Offensive Cheat Code For All Levels

Basketball is a game of creating numerical advantages by forcing a double team. This can be achieved through elite isolation play, post-up mismatches, dribble penetration, or screen action. Zoom action blends screen action and dribble penetration to generate these advantages. By combining a down screen with a dribble handoff (DHO), it creates space and enables players to attack the paint with speed, forcing defensive breakdowns and leading to high-quality scoring opportunities.

What is Zoom Action?

Zoom action is a dynamic offensive sequence built around three key components:

1. Down Screen

A screener sets a down screen for the primary decision-maker, who uses it to gain separation from their defender and move toward the ball. This initial screen allows them to receive the ball in motion, already creating an advantage.

2. Dribble Handoff (DHO)

The ball handler, typically a big man, dribbles toward the receiver and executes a dribble handoff (DHO). A DHO functions as both a pass and a screen, enabling the receiver to attack immediately without slowing down. This action forces the defense to react instantly—deciding whether to switch, fight over, or go under the handoff.

3. Decision Making

Once the primary decision-maker receives the ball, they must quickly read the defense and respond:

• Drive to the basket if the defender is trailing.
• Pull up for a shot if the defender goes under.
• If the defender stays attached, the big can re-screen to shift the defense and create a new angle of attack.
• Make a quick pass to exploit defensive rotations and find an open teammate.

Why Zoom Action is a Nightmare for Defenses

Three-man actions like Spain Pick-and-Roll, Double Drag, and Horns Offense are notoriously difficult to guard because they demand perfect defensive synchronization from at least three defenders—unlike traditional pick-and-rolls, which typically require coordination between just two defenders.

Similarly, Zoom action creates chaos for defenses by involving multiple moving parts, including screens, handoffs, and potential kick-outs. To neutralize Zoom action, defenders must not only communicate and rotate perfectly but also anticipate multiple scoring options, which can be overwhelming.

The unpredictability of Zoom action makes it a defensive nightmare, as offenses can seamlessly transition into secondary actions like ball screens, backdoor cuts, or weak-side movement, keeping the defense in a constant state of reaction.

Roles in Zoom Action

Bigman

The bigman initiates the Zoom action and plays a crucial role in setting up scoring opportunities.

Responsibilities:

• Dribble toward the receiver while controlling tempo and setting up the DHO at the right angle.
• Read the defense—attack if defenders sag off or make the pass if a teammate gets open.
• Be ready to re-screen or slip into a secondary action if needed.
• If the defender overplays, pass to the screener or receiver on the backdoor cut.

Receiver

The receiver is the primary decision-maker in Zoom action, as they get the ball on the move and must quickly determine the best scoring option.

Responsibilities:

• Use the down screen effectively to create separation before the handoff.
• Maintain speed through the DHO to keep the defense off balance and maximize attacking options.
• Read the defense and choose to drive, shoot, pass, or call for a re-screen based on the defender's positioning.
• If the defender overplays the initial screen or DHO, cut straight to the basket.

Screener

The screener plays a pivotal role in freeing up the receiver and potentially becoming a scoring option if the defense collapses.

Responsibilities:

• Set a well-timed down screen to maximize separation for the receiver.
• Roll, pop, or slip based on defensive coverage and spacing needs.
• Recognize weak-side rotations and relocate for potential passing opportunities.

Variations of Zoom Action

While Zoom Action can be executed in various ways, the most widely recognized “standard” setup involves the action starting from the corner and flowing up to the top of the key for a dribble handoff (DHO).

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Wing Zoom Action

While the corner-to-top Zoom Action is widely recognized as the standard setup, another common variation involves running Zoom Action from one wing to the other while keeping players spaced in the corners.

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SLOB Zoom Action

The advantage of running Zoom Action at the elbow is the multiple offensive options if the primary action breaks down. Take a look at this Sideline Out of Bounds (SLOB) play as an example.

The play was designed for Murray (#27 in white) to attack downhill off a handoff from Jokic (#15 in white), but Dort (#5 in black) plays excellent deny defense, preventing Murray from getting the ball. The secondary action for Porter Jr. (#1 in white) also breaks down as Dort disrupts the pass.

With both options covered, Jokic puts the ball on the floor and takes his defender to the rim. Starting from the elbow gave him a natural advantage, allowing him to get closer to the basket. In just seconds, Zoom Action created three strong offensive options, showcasing its versatility and ability to keep defenses off balance.

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Empty Zoom Action Variation

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.

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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Corner Zoom Action Variation

Zoom Action has become so popular that coaches often disguise it to keep the defense from anticipating the play.

After Harris (#13 in blue) passes to Duren (#0 in blue), instead of setting a screen for Cunningham (#2 in blue) in the corner for Zoom Action, he cuts into the paint. This movement triggers Hardaway Jr. (#8 in blue) to move toward the ball, appearing to set up a handoff for a downhill attack. However, instead of receiving the handoff, Hardaway Jr. sets a screen for Cunningham (#2 in blue), becoming the screener for Zoom Action.

This play highlights how coaches disguise actions, using misdirection to throw curveballs at the defense and keep them off balance.

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Horns Zoom Action

There are multiple ways to initiate Zoom Action. Here, the Boston Celtics use the popular Horns setup to trigger the action.

As Horford (#42 in black) catches the ball, Smart (#36 in black) runs to set a down screen for Tatum (#0 in black), initiating Zoom Action. With Horford beating his initial defender off the dribble, Porter Jr. (#32 in white) is forced to drop to help. Meanwhile, Smart’s screen on Wiggins (#22 in white) creates enough separation for Tatum to get an open three.

Notice how the Celtics initially disguised the Zoom Action within the Horns setup. Also, the Horns setup naturally allows the Zoom Action to flow in either direction. If Smart had caught the ball, the play would have instead triggered a Zoom Action for Brown (#7 in black) on the opposite side.

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Zoom Action Motion Offense - Washington Wizards

As shown in the previous example, integrating Zoom Action into a team's motion offense is a common strategy. Take a look at the Wizards' Zoom Motion Series to see how they seamlessly incorporate it into their offensive flow.

After passing to Holmes (#22 in white), Smart (#36 in white) sets a down screen for Kispert (#24 in white). However, instead of cutting to the wing for the handoff, Kispert curls toward the basket, forcing the defense to react. This movement triggers Smart to come up for the handoff, creating a 2-on-1 advantage for the offense.

This time, Champagnie (#9 in white) initiates the action. After passing to Holmes (#22 in white), he sets a down screen for Kispert (#24 in white), who once again curls toward the basket. However, notice how Champagnie’s defender locks onto him, preventing movement. Seeing this, Holmes looks to the opposite side to keep the offense flowing. Carrington (#8 in white) cuts to the basket, and Smart (#36 in white) receives the handoff to finish the play.

Just like this, Zoom Action isn’t just a standalone play—it can seamlessly integrate into a team’s motion offense, making it even more effective when executed properly. Dan Hurley’s UConn team is a great example, known for its intricate offensive sets that incorporate Zoom Actions.

Check out this detailed breakdown to see how they use it to create advantages.

Zoom Action Drills for Players

Read & React: 3-Level Scoring Drill

Why This Drill is Important

A receiver’s 3-level scoring ability is crucial in Zoom Action. To maximize spacing and offensive options, the receiver must be a threat to score from three, mid-range, and at the rim immediately after the catch. This drill helps develop shooting consistency, decision-making, and scoring versatility off the handoff.

1. No Defenders

• Corner to Three: The receiver starts in the corner, curls up to the top of the key, receives the handoff, and shoots a three.
• Corner to Mid-Range: The receiver starts in the corner, curls up to the top of the key, takes one dribble inside the perimeter, and pulls up for a mid-range shot.
• Corner to Rim Attack: The receiver starts in the corner, curls up to the top of the key, makes a quick move, and finishes at the rim.
• Repeat on the opposite side to develop balance and versatility.

2. Dummy Defenders

To make this drill more realistic and effective, introduce a dummy defender on both the receiver and the big man executing the handoff. This forces the receiver to read the defense and react accordingly:

• If the receiver’s defender sags on the handoff → Shoot a three.
• If the defender chases over the top & the big man’s defender plays low drop → Take one dribble inside the perimeter and pull up for a mid-range shot.
• If the defender chases over the top & the big man’s defender plays high on the screen → Pass to the rolling big man or attack the rim with a quick move.

3. 2v2 Live

Now, run the same drill at live speed to simulate game conditions. Since the focus is on the receiver’s 3-level scoring ability, the initial screener is not needed. The receiver must make quick reads and reactions off the handoff

These drills can also be repeated from wing/elbow to the opposite wing/elbow, simulating different Zoom Action setups and reinforcing scoring versatility from multiple angles on the floor.

It’s important to run this drill from both sides of the floor, as players often have a natural preference for shooting or driving in a certain direction. However, to be truly effective in Zoom Action, players must develop the ability to score efficiently from either side, ensuring they remain a threat regardless of where they curl from.

Numbers Advantage Drill

Why This Drill is Important

Assuming Zoom Action creates a numbers advantage, the offense must capitalize on the outnumbered situation. This drill is designed to replicate game-like scenarios with live defenders, forcing players to make real-time decisions while developing chemistry between the receiver, screener, and big. Additionally, they emphasize finishing at the rim while reading help defense effectively, ensuring players can consistently generate and convert high-quality scoring opportunities.

4v3 Dummy Defenders & Live

• The receiver starts in the corner, comes off a down screen, and curls to the top of the key to receive a handoff from the big man.
• The initial screener pops after setting the down screen.
• The big man who executed the handoff rolls to the basket.
• The offense must score at the basket every trip down the floor.

Read & React: Bigman Drill

Why This Drill is Important

Although the traditional Zoom Action is highly effective, what makes it truly special is the endless variations it can create within the same setup.

For example, if the defense overplays the handoff, the receiver can cut backdoor instead of curling to the top of the key. Alternatively, the receiver can curl off the first screen to exploit an open lane. The initial screener also has the option to backdoor cut, and even the weak-side corner player can make a backdoor move if the defense is too preoccupied with the Zoom Action.

To execute these options effectively, the big man with the ball must be a high-level decision-maker, capable of reading the defense and making precise passes. This drill is designed to sharpen those passing instincts and ensure the offense maximizes every opportunity created by Zoom Action.

4v4 Dummy Defenders & Live

The offensive team will decide their options without informing the big man, forcing them to read and react in real-time. These options can include:

• The receiver cutting backdoor
• The receiver curling off the initial screen
• The receiver coming up to the top for a handoff
• The initial screener cutting backdoor
• The initial screener setting a screen, then receiving one from the receiver, reversing their roles.
• The weak-side corner player cutting backdoor

In this drill, the big man should focus on reading and reacting to the offense’s movements. If a player cuts backdoor and is open, the big must deliver the pass immediately. If the receiver comes up to the top for a handoff, the big must assess the defense and decide whether to roll to the basket or set a re-screen to create a better attacking angle. If all options break down, the big should recognize the situation and attack 1-on-1 to generate a scoring opportunity.

Developing these decision-making skills allows the big man to become a playmaking hub, making Zoom Action even more unpredictable and effective.