Youth Zone Offense 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 | Zone Offense

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December 28, 2013

Youth Zone Offense by Wes Kosel

Here is a youth zone offense that can be used against an even or odd front zone. This youth zone offense came from Coach Matt Decker of the Phillips 66 Lil’ 66ers in Bartlesville, OK. I played for Coach Decker during my middle school years. To run this play against an odd front, the point guard should dribble to either the left or the right of the one-front defense. It is important for the point guard to get a good passing angle to pass to 3 in the free-throw area. This youth zone offense works by getting the ball to the middle of the defense and forming a triangle around the basket. The triangle is formed by the player in the middle and the two players at the block.

In option 1, 3 looks to pass to 4 or 5 sealing the defenders at the block. 3 can also look to take the ball to the basket, as in option 2. In option 3, 3 passes to 2 in the corner. 5 steps to the short corner, and 3 sets a down screen for 4. 3 should set the screen on the defender just inside of 4. Once 2 has the ball in the corner, 2 can shoot, pass to 3 sealing the defender under the basket, or 4 at the elbow. In option 4, 3 passes to 1 on the wing. 3 then cuts to the corner, and 2 flashes to the free-throw area in the middle of the floor. 1 can pass to 3 in the corner for a shot or to 2. Once two has the ball in the middle of the floor, 1 moves to the opposite wing and the offense is set back up. 2 can run any of the options 1) pass to 4 or 5, 2) drive to the basket, 3) pass to 3 in the corner, or 4) pass to 1 on the wing.

I hope you enjoy this youth zone offense.

Coach Wes Kosel

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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