Coach ,

One of the benefits of using zipper actions within your offense is the ability to take your same half-court actions and run them from baseline as well as sideline situations. 

In this time of limited practice and game preparation, you can have a variety of actions to run from one base action.

Here is a basic action to start from. 2 and 3 getting open off screens by 4 and 5. Once the ball is entered in, 1 comes to the top off 4’s zipper screen. 3 passes to 1 and 5 sprints into the ball screen. 4 can move to a variety of spots based on how the defense guards the screen as well as 4’s strength as a shooter.

One of the zipper variations we have discussed in previous emails is the veer screen. In the diagrams below, the ball is passed to 1 on the top coming off the zipper screen. 5 sets the veer screen for 3 after 1 comes off the ball screen.

Another action you will see added to the zipper screen is a step-up ball screen. After 1 comes off the initial zipper screen and then receives the ball screen from 5, 1 will pass back to 3, who cuts above the free throw line extended to create spacing. 4 will sprint out to set up the step-up screen.

The diagrams above show an initial starting alignment with the guard's shoulder to shoulder on the foul line. Here are two variations with the guards in a stack. First action is an elevator screen for your best shooter.

Second action is having your best shooter inbound the ball and then come off a set of stagger screens to the top of the key.

Here is a video clip of Australia running this action.

Here is another example from Luka Baskins Elevator Door Screen Simple Option (Click Image to Watch)

Elevator Door Screen Simple option

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