NBA D-League Canton Charge 2-3 Zone Offense Quick Hitter

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.



Quick Hitters Basketball Plays



0 Comments(s)



November 12, 2014

NBA D-League Canton Charge 2-3 Zone Offense Quick Hitter by Adam Spinella

Last season the Canton Charge of the NBA D-League had a very nice quick-hitter against a 2-3 zone, where they used a looping motion of their big men to act as a decoy and a set of screeners for a shooter to flash to the corner. The corners are easily opened up against a 2-3 zone because as the ball moves on the perimeter, the back line must choose between leaving the block, jumping out to the ball on the perimeter and finding a cutter in the corner. Here is how this 2-3 zone offense quick hitter keys in on that position:

2-3 zone offense

The 2-3 Zone Offense Quick Hitter sets itself in a 3-out 2-in formation. 1 passes to 3 on the right wing. 2 cuts straight into the heart of the zone in the middle of the paint; if 5 doesn’t raise and they play a soft back line, this could be a quick jump shot for 2 on the flash. 4 goes block to block and sets up below 5 on the block.

3 then gets rid of the ball back to 1 at the top of the key, and must position himself just at the right place between x2 and x4 so that both have to pay attention to him. 2 cuts around the zone to the opposite corner, and 1 dribbles towards his side. 5 screens the middle of the zone. 4 looks to curl right off 5 and receive a pass from 1. If 4 is hugged by x3, then the shooter 2 will be open in the corner.

5 looks to seal the middle as well, so that if 4 curls out of the way without getting the ball he will have deep post position. If 4 gets the ball but does not have a shot, 4 can kick out to 3 for the open perimeter shot.

Special thanks to FastModel Sports and Coach Brandon Mullis!

Coach Adam Spinella is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach at Culver Academies in Culver, IN. Spinella spent the three years prior as a Student Assistant Coach at Division III Dickinson College. The Dickinson Men’s Team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and accumulated an overall record of 59-26 (.694) during the three-year span, with the 2013-2014 season ending in the Division III Elite Eight. A native of Bow, New Hampshire, Spinella has a keen interest in X’s and O’s, particularly in professional basketball, and skill development.

2-3 zone offense