Players line up around the edge of the 3 point line with a defender behind each of them. Each of the attackers has a ball with their back to the basket. The coach calls out one of the defenders names and they tap the attacker in front of them on the shoulder.
The attacker turns to face the defender and they play a 1 v 1. The attacker has only 3 dribbles, whilst the defender has to try and either stop the dribble, box out or close the baseline.
The ball screen produces almost half of all professional offensive possessions, yet most teams still teach it as a memorised play. The modern approach trains the read - giving players a framework to decide based on what the defence does, not what the coach called.
The closeout is the most repeated defensive action in modern basketball. With fouls per game climbing in the 2025-26 season, coaches must teach defenders to contest the three without surrendering the drive or putting shooters on the line.
The 2-3 zone defence remains one of the most effective defensive systems in basketball when coached and executed properly. This guide covers the fundamentals of running a 2-3 zone, including player roles, rotations, and when to deploy it for maximum impact.
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