Below are ten thoughts about zone offense that I took away from a coaches clinic:
- Why are they playing zone? Do they do it because that is what they do or are they hiding someone.
- Know your personnel. Who are your shooters, rebounders and penetrators.
- You must penetrate using the pass and the dribble.
- Make the defense react, ball and player movement, ball fakes.
- Screen the zone. Up top, baseline or the middle man.
- Know your opponents personnel. Pull away shot blockers and rebounders, make them step out. Attack poor defenders.
- Give you players confidence when facing a zone. Prepare for it everyday.
- Is the zone designed to make you shoot quick or take you out of your man offense?
- Get the ball inside.
- Shot discipline. You are always potentially one play away from getting them out of it.
