Basketball: Attacking the 2-3 Zone
Half-court 5-on-5 offense against a 2-3 zone. Students learn to sit in the gaps between defenders, swing the ball side to side and use the high post to break the zone without over-dribbling.
How to play
- Make teams of 5 and use two half courts; waiting teams stand behind the baseline. Mark five spots with cones: point, two wings and two corners (3 min).
- Explain the 2-3 zone: two defenders up top and three underneath, each guarding an area instead of a player (3 min).
- Round 1: the offense sits in the gaps and must reverse the ball twice before shooting (6 min).
- Round 2: add a high-post player who catches and chooses to shoot, kick out to the corner or dump it to the low post (6 min).
- A basket after a reversal is worth 3; others are worth 2. Every 4 possessions, offense goes to defense, defense steps off and the waiting team comes on (5 min).
- Wrap-up: each team names the gap that gave them the most open looks (2 min).
Rules
- Defenders may not leave their area for more than two seconds to play man.
- Maximum two dribbles per player: the ball moves with passes.
- Box out with your body on rebounds, never push with your hands.
- Waiting teams stay off the court and stop loose balls.
Variations
Easier
The offense plays 5-on-4 so there is always an open gap.
Standard
5-on-5 offense with two required reversals and a high-post player.
Harder
On the teacher's signal the defense may switch to a 3-2 zone without telling the offense.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play point or corner shooter with a defender staying an arm's length away.
- Autism: give a card showing their spot and the passing sequence, and preview each round change.
- Lower skill level: may shoot from closer, and their basket counts 3 even without a reversal.
Learning goals
- Fill the open spaces between zone defenders.
- Reverse the ball quickly to shift the defense.
- Make sound decisions from the high post.
Equipment for a class of 25
- basketballs: 4
- basketball hoops: 2
- pinnies: 15
- cones: 10
Teacher tip
The classic mistake is dribbling into the zone: freeze play and show how one quick pass moves all five defenders. Have the defense talk out loud.
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