Coach ,

All coaches know that overcoming a zone defense requires well-designed offensive sets. 

This is why we’ve taken three battle-tested zone offense sets from high-level basketball coaches and included them for your use. 

Robert Jones - ‘Flash’ Zone Offense Set

Robert Jones - ‘Flash’ Zone Offense Set

Robert Jones is in his 12th season leading the Norfolk State men’s basketball program in 2024-25, and his 18th year overall with the Spartans. 

In his ‘Offensive Zone Sets’ clinic, Coach Jones details his Flash offensive set, which focuses on movement and interior passing to attack the high post and elbows. 

The set starts with three guards along the wing with two big men in the post. The ball handler passes to either wing, which prompts the big on that side of the ball to get a back screen for the other big, who’ll set up for a midrange or corner shot along the baseline. 

If that pass isn’t available, the guard will dribble to the top of the key. Once this happens, the other guard on the wing is going to flash to the free throw line. If that pass isn’t there, the ball handler will pass to the initial player with the ball (who moved to the opposite wing) and then will flash to the hoop. 

The wing who cut to the free throw line will pop to the top of the key, and the player who flashed to the corner goes to the free throw line. 

Rob Lanier - 41 Set Play

Rob Lanier - 41 Set Play

Rob Lanier was named the 26th head men’s basketball coach at Rice on March 24, 2024.    

In his ‘Zone Offense’ clinic, Coach Lanier explains a zone offensive set called 41, which starts one big at the wing, one in the post, two guards in the corners, and the ball handler at the top of the key. 

The ball handler conducts a dribble handoff with that big at the wing, who will then pass it back to them. The big in the post will set a ball screen. 

Depending on how the zone defense responds to this, the guard will either penetrate or throw it back to the big man on the wing, who should be open for a shot if the dribble drive isn’t available. 

If the dribble drive is available but the defensive big (assuming this is a 2-3 zone defense) steps up to contest, the big who set the screen should flash to the opposite block for a lob or bounce pass. The opposite side wing should also become available in this scenario. 

Steve Pikiell - Gap Double Cut

Steve Pikiell - Gap Double Cut

Steve Pikiell enters his 9th season as head coach of the Scarlet Knights in 2024-25. Under Pikiell’s leadership, the team returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991. 

Coach Pikiell’s ‘Steve Pikiell - Attacking Zones’ clinic conveys one offensive gap he calls the Gap Double Cut, which begins with a wing player or big man at the top of the key. 

Once the ball is swung to the wing and into the post, that player at the top of the key will cut into the lane, which opens up an angle for an alley-oop or easy layup because the zone defense’s focus will be on the ball. 

Thanks again for these awesome coaches sharing!

Never get out coached,

Community of Coaches Helping Coaches