How to Beat the 1-3-1 Zone

Zone defenses are popular among college and high school level teams, and utilize strong team cohesion to prevent offenses from scoring, as opposed to individuals closing down the best offensive players. In order to beat a zone like the 1-3-1, the offense must counter the defense's team play with cohesive play of its own. By exploiting the gaps in the defense and keeping the ball moving, an offense can force errors by the defense to create scoring opportunities.

Instructions

    • 1

      Drive through the heart of the zone with a quick point guard to cause disarray in the zone.

    • 2

      Position the power forward and center in the gaps at the top of the key, with the shooting guard and small forward at the top of the key extended.

    • 3

      Move the wing players into the corners as the point guard, with the ball moves to the side at the top of the three-point arc.

    • 4

      Cut to the basket if playing the top-of-the-key position opposite the direction the ball moves.

    • 5

      Feed the ball into the corner for a three-point shot, if it is open.

    • 6

      Pass to the big man remaining at the top of the key if the corner shot is not open.

    • 7

      Move the ball to the player cutting to the basket, or to the near corner, if either player becomes open when the ball reaches the top of the key.

    • 8

      Set a double screen with the big men near the hoop, then run the opposing corner man around the screen if the ball cannot be worked into the top of the key.

    • 9

      Reset the position back to the top of the arc if no good shot appears.