Zone Offense
Ages 13–15, Ages 16+
1-3-1 Zone Offense — Flash the Middle
Attacks a 1-3-1 zone by flashing a post player into the gap behind the middle defender, the classic soft spot in that zone shape, then reads a kick to either corner.
Reads & options
- 1. Once the ball is in the gap, the first read is a kick to either corner or wing for a catch-and-shoot three before the zone can rotate.
- 2. If the middle defender fronts the flash, throw a lob or skip pass over the top instead.
- 3. Attacking early in the shot clock — before the zone is set — is often more effective than working it late.
Coaching points
- · The whole point of attacking a 1-3-1 zone is finding and occupying the seams between defenders, especially the high-post gap behind the middle defender.
- · Ball reversal (side to side) is what actually breaks a zone, since zones struggle to rotate on a fast skip pass.
- · A shooter should always be spotted up in the corner, since that's the hardest passing angle for zone defenders to close out on in time.
Draw and animate your own plays
Build sets like 1-3-1 Zone Offense — Flash the Middle in the interactive Play Designer — drag players, chart cuts, screens, and passes, then watch the play run.
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