NBA Zipper Plays by Wes Kosel

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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Basketball Coaching | Basketball Plays | Basketball Set Plays

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December 6, 2013

NBA Zipper Plays by Wes Kosel

Here are 3 zipper plays used by NBA teams that feature zipper action. The plays use zipper cuts by the wing players, and the third play uses a zipper cut by the point guard. The zipper cut is a great way to make an easy entry into the offensive play. The player is cutting up the floor off of a screen from a big man, so this usually gives him enough space to be open to initiate the play. Also, if the cutter is open around the elbow this can be a quick, open shot.

Zipper Plays 1: Stagger

This play starts with the point dribbling to the wing. The 2 guard can either start on the low block, or start on the wing and cut to the block when 1 dribbles him out. 2 then zipper cuts off of 5, and receives a pass from 1. 1 then runs off a staggered screen from 5 and 4 across the floor. 2 dribbles toward the area where 1 is cutting, and can pass him the ball if he is open. At the same time, 5 moves up to set a ball screen for 2, and then can pop or roll to the basket.

Zipper Plays 2: Flex

This play also starts with the point dribbling to the wing. 3 zipper cuts to the top and receives the pass from 1. After 3 runs up, 4 immediately turns and posts hard looking for the hi/lo action from 3 to 4. If this is not open, 5 is setting a wide down screen for 2 who cuts to the elbow looking for a shot. If 2 doesn’t have an open shot after receiving the pass. 1 cuts to the corner then flex cuts off of 4 toward the basket. 3 slides down to the wing and 4 turns to the ball after setting the flex screen.

Zipper Plays 3: Point

This play gets zipper action for your point guard. 2 cuts to the wing to receive the pass from 1. 1 then cuts to the block and then zipper cuts right back up to the top. If 1 is open for a shot he can take it here. If not, 4 steps over to set a ball screen with 1 looking to drive to the basket. If 1 isn’t open off of the zipper action, 4 sets a screen for 1 to flare to the opposite wing looking for a skip pass from 2. If 1 doesn’t have a shot, 4 will step over and set a ball screen with 1 looking to penetrate and kick.

Wes Kosel is an assistant coach for men’s basketball under Head Coach Tommy Jones at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, TX. 2013-2014 marks the second year for Kosel at TLU. Prior to arriving at TLU, Kosel served as a student assistant coach under Head Coach Chad Killscrow at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS. Kosel has an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from the University of Kansas, and is pursuing a Master’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Houston. The Bartlesville, OK native is also a NSCA Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and teaches weight training and aerobic fitness courses at Texas Lutheran. He has coached AAU programs, volunteered with elementary and middle school basketball teams, and has worked basketball camps for various programs including the Houston Rockets, University of Houston, Texas State, and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

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