Bo Ryan Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Zone Offense Part 3

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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Zone Offense

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September 4, 2014

Bo Ryan Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Zone Offense Part 3

2014 NCAA Tournament
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Zone offense
Part 3

This is part 3 of what I saw while watching this game and is specifically about the Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Zone offense against Baylor’s 2-3 zone:

11. Strategic 3pt shots: If you have players like mine they think that when a team plays zone it’s time to shoot the three. While that may be true it pays to stop and evaluate WHY you opponent is playing zone. One reason may because your team isn’t a very good shooting team. The Badgers were very smart in when, where, and WHO took the shots. Most of their three point attempts came from the penetration or pass inside and then the kick out. This allows players to catch facing the target and getting a good rhythm for their shot. (Also vary hard to guard!)

12. Get defense to commit/rotate hard and use that against them: A zone defense can be effective but if the offense is smart can be dangerous. Baylor was a very big and athletic team which means they like to go for steals, rotate hard, and block shots. The Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Team understood this through their game plan and when the ball was reversed it forced the defense to run at a perimeter player. As this player ran at the ball it allowed the offensive player to dribble behind them because of how hard they rotated. They were able to use their strength against them.

13. Effective offensive rebounding: Again, this plays against one of Baylor’s strengths. As the bigger more athletic team Baylor should have dominated the defensive boards. The Wisconsin Badgers Basketball Team used their offensive position to strategically rebound. They never sent 3-4 players to the boards but those that had an open line (not boxed out) were free to crash. This occurred from the high post and wing!

14. Guards must be a part of rebounding strategy: As previously mentioned make sure that you guards know that they have to be a part of securing the rebound especially on the defensive end. Wisconsin was able to get a few extra possessions because their guards got their nose in on the rebounding action.

15. Effective use of the shot fake: This may be the last observation I listed but it’s nowhere near the least important. This skill should be taught at a very young age but for too many it’s assumed to be understood. From the hips down should stay loaded and the shot fake should come with the shoulders and ball. Using this against a zone, especially when they’re closing down in a panic, is very effective because many zone defenders forget defensive fundamentals.

Mark Chapman is the Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Hamilton Township High School in Columbus, Ohio. Coach Mark Chapman always has great basketball plays and basketball coaching clinic notes to share with the basketball coaching world. Make sure that you check out his basketball X’s and O’s material. You will love some of his coaching ideas.