What this version covers
The reviewed Runner example uses a two-guard front, unlike our default high-post start.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
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offense
Zone offense
First identify the zone. Spread out to create clear passes, move the ball from side to side and look for a teammate inside. Depending on the zone, put extra receivers on one side or drive between defenders.
How it runs
Pass from the wing through the high post
One example against a 2-3 zone uses 5 near the free-throw line and 4 beside the paint near the baseline. Other zones may need different passes. Four-out dribble-drive is another way to attack a zone. Defenders are not shown. Each step explains what to do if the defense reacts as described. Player spots are examples.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 6
1. Find space between the defenders
1 passes to 2 on the wing. 5 is near the free-throw line. 4 stands beside the paint near the baseline. 3 stays on the other side.
Diagram key
- Offense
- Defense
- Coach
- Neutral
- Ball
- Cone
- Cut
- Dribble
- Pass
- Screen
- Hand-off
- Shot
- Def. slide
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
Our visuals show one 2-3 high-post example and one gap-to-return sequence. Other zone fronts and matchup rules require separate preparation; this is not a promise that one pattern solves every zone.
In this guide · jump to a topic
Starting jobs and useful space
Identify the defender between each pair of receivers
Our 1 starts high, 2 and 3 on the wings, 5 around the free-throw line and 4 beside the paint near the baseline. Ask the passer which defender must move to open the next lane. A player standing in a named gap is not automatically open if a defender can reach the pass.
The inside pair must remain separated enough to pass to each other. Keep an outside return visible when either catches. Adjust spacing to the group’s passing range; a long skip is not useful if the ball arrives late enough for the entire zone to recover.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Keep the possession going
Read the catch before choosing the next cut
Practice an outside pass, a safe high catch and a return without requiring a shot. Then let one defender move toward the high player and ask which receiver becomes useful. Keep the inside pass optional. If the high catch is denied, use the outside connection instead of repeatedly throwing at the same closed gap.
On a reversal, give the inside players time to create new angles before sending another pass into the paint. Continue from the next catch with the defense still live. Finish through the rebound and name who gets back; zone offense does not remove the opponent’s transition threat.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Decisions against the defense
The high-post entry is blocked
When: The top and low defenders close the intended lane.
Do this: Move the ball or use a controlled gap attack to make a defender choose.
Then: Return safely if the drive is contained; do not confuse touching the paint with creating an advantage.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The lower receiver catches under pressure
When: A low defender leaves the basket to contest.
Do this: Face the available inside and outside targets before shooting.
Then: If the inside pass is covered, retain the outside return and reorganize across the zone.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
What to emphasize
- Practice passing, cutting and filling the space a teammate leaves. Then add drives between defenders. One source has the defense alternate between man and zone.
Problems, fixes and checks
Both inside players follow the ball
Problem: One defender obstructs both receivers.
Try this correction: Pause and separate the high and low targets before restarting.
Check: The holder sees two different passing lines.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
The plan assumes the wrong zone front
Problem: Players attack a gap that the actual defense occupies.
Try this correction: Identify the top defenders and who takes the corner before selecting the entry.
Check: Describe the rotation observed, not just the formation name.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Versions and diagram coverage
Gap attack and return
Changes: entry, continuation.
- The linked example starts with a drive and outside return rather than a compulsory high-post catch.
When to use it: Use to practice moving a top defender while preserving possession.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Different fronts need their own jobs
Changes: setup, coverage.
- The two-guard Runner formation remains written-only. Reversing its direction or swapping its inside numbers is not a new offense.
When to use it: Choose and teach that arrangement separately; these visuals do not cover every front or matchup-zone rule.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
How to teach it
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Practice it step by step
Find a receiver beside the defender
Set it up: Two attackers and one guided defender with short passing distances.
- Defender removes one line to the basket.
- Receiver moves to another angle and shows hands.
Add more when: The passer waits for a visible lane.
Check it in play
- No overhead throw simply to avoid looking for a gap.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
What can go wrong and how to adjust
- Counting defenders across the front of the zone can help choose starting positions, but it does not settle every matchup. The cited dribble-drive version changes its usual approach against the crowded middle of a 1-3-1.
Coaches and teams that use it
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
Drills for this scheme · steps and diagrams
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Double Skip Pass vs Zone
Court diagram · view the drill first
Practices this scheme: Rehearses passes around the outside and across the court while an inside receiver holds position between a defender and the basket against a 2-3 zone. It is not a guaranteed opening or the same attack against every zone.
Against a 2-3 zone, two possible passes across the court test when to reverse the ball and whether a shot or post entry is available.
10–12 players · 8–15 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
Against a 2-3 zone, two possible passes across the court test when to reverse the ball and whether a shot or post entry is available.
Set it up
Ten players: five attackers against a guided 2-3 zone, one ball. Use manageable passing distances and declare when play can become live. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- Enter to a wing and observe the zone’s shift.
- Pass across the court only through a clear route to the opposite receiver.
- That receiver checks whether a second pass across the court, a shot or an interior pass is available; reset instead of forcing the return.
- Rehearse from the other side and then let guided defenders choose whether to recover or stay.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- Two skips do not guarantee an opening; defenders can anticipate or recover.
- Read the pass and the post target together. Use a controlled trajectory that clears the defender without exceeding the passer’s range.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
Ways to adapt the drill
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
High-Low Post Passing
Court diagram · view the drill first
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Trains a receiver near the free-throw line to see a teammate holding receiving position near the basket, with a pass to the opposite side when the entry is covered. The four-player drill is not a complete zone offense.
A high-post catch creates a possible pass to a legally positioned low-post target.
4–12 players · 6–12 minutes · basketballs
Purpose
A high-post catch creates a possible pass to a legally positioned low-post target.
Set it up
Four players: wing passer, high post near the free-throw line, low post near the basket and guided low-post defender, one ball. Work one group in the lane at a time. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Run the drill
- Agree on a short timed interval and begin at walkthrough pace. Use one active ball and one group in the playing area; add controlled opposition only when players understand the routes and can stop safely.
- Wing enters to the high post, who catches balanced and faces the basket.
- Low post establishes position without grabbing or displacing the defender and presents a visible target.
- Read the target and help: deliver a controlled high-low pass only with clear catching/landing space.
- If the entry is unavailable, use a balanced shot, reversal or reset. Rotate all four roles.
- End the repetition on a controlled finish, dead ball or coach stop. Clear the ball and landing area before restarting; rotate roles and rest within the planned interval, without extending it to reach a target.
Scoring
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Coach the details
- A post player gets between the defender and the ball using legal position, not a pin or shove.
- Pass to a catchable space suited to the receiver; a forced lob or above-rim catch is not required.
- Use comfortable passing and shooting distances and an appropriate ball. Progress by demonstrated control, not speed: keep eyes on the play, leave stopping/landing space, and stop if a route or loose ball creates a collision risk.
Ways to adapt the drill
- Original CoachAssist display adaptation: these edited steps, workload limits and optional scoring are coaching adaptations, not a claim that the cited author prescribed this exact version.
- The teaching-level selector does not automatically adapt these drills for age or ability. A coach must choose suitable roles, equipment, contact, space and progressions; simplify or defer anything the group is not ready to perform.
Sources and what we could confirm
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
The main ideas are supported by the sources below. These sources do not cover every possible version.
- Zone Offense
James A. Gels · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- Dribble-Drive Zone Offense
James A. Gels, discussing Jerry Petitgoue · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
- 1-2-2 Zone Attack
James A. Gels · Coach’s Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public Runner section and Diagram A checked. Named zones retain their differences; no universal claim that every zone becomes 2-3.
- Offensive Breakdown Drills for Attacking the 2-3 Zone Defense
James A. Gels · Coach’s Clipboard · publication date not listed
Selected public post-pair and small-sided teaching; Diagram 16 visually checked. Four-on-three component is not a five-player offense.