Screening the zone can be particularly effective at getting players on the perimeter open to receive a pass. However, a common mistake that teams make is to only shoot from the perimeter against a zone. After screening, the offensive player should look to receive a pass and the team should look to penetrate the ball into the zone.

Screening Behind the Zone

Screening behind the zone is most commonly setting a screen on the opposite side of the floor to where the court is.

4 sets a screen to free 3. If x3 fights to get to 3, 4 should step into the keyway and seal x5.

Here both 4 and 3 screen the “back” or “outside” of the zone. 1 relocates to the wing to receive the pass.

Instead of screening x3 (in order to free 3), 4 steps into the keyway to screen x5. 5 flashes to the short corner forcing x3 to decide whether to guard 3 or stay and guard 5.

Screening the Ballside

1 dribbles to the wing, being guarded by x2
3 sinks to the corner, and 4 steps in to screen x3
3 will be open to receive the pass. If x3 fights over the screen, 4 steps into keyway to seal x5.

In similar movement to above:

4 screens x2, which may free 1
3 sinks to the corner. 1 can either look for their shot, or pass to 3.
If x3 comes to defend 1, then 3 will be open as will 4 as the roll to the basket.

Combination of Screens and Dribble

1 dribbles to the wing and both 3 and 4 screen the outside of the zone – 1 may be open for a shot
3 steps to the top of the key to receive pass the from 1

3 “freezes” x1 and then reverses the ball to 2

4 and 1 screen the back of the zone, as 3 relocates to the wing to receive pass. This pass (a “skip” pass) is difficult for many players to throw accurately. These screens could be just as effective if 2 dribbled towards the key. Cette passe (une passe transversale au-dessus de la tête) est difficile à faire de manière précise pour de nombreux joueurs. Ces écrans pourraient être tout aussi efficaces si 2 dribblait vers la raquette.

Attacking Zones

Teams playing against a zone should also consider:

“Ball Reversal” – can move the zone “out of shape”. It is often most effective, where
- Screens are used on the back of the zone;
- Dribble penetration is used to “freeze” defenders;
Having a player opposite the ball on the 3 point line will often present a scoring option
Before passing the ball back to a player on the same side as the ball, the ball should cross
the split line (either by dribble or pass). This will help to move the zone “out of shape”
In order to get a shot for a particular player, take the ball away from them, and then
bring it back to them.
Dribbling the ball can drag defenders, passing the ball back will often find a free player
Use pass fakes to move zone defenders (who may move in anticipation) and then
attack the gap created.