Baseline Runner

They are in a 2-3 zone. Coach calls "Baseline Runner". 1 has the ball up top, in the gap between the two top defenders.

• 1Pass to 2 on the left wing.Start on 4's side. The zone has to shift left to guard it.
• 2Catch on the left wing and face the basket.Face up so you can see 4 in the short corner and 5 in the middle.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing.You get the ball when it comes back around. Stay wide so the zone has to run to you.
• 4Stay in the left short corner.Sit behind the low defender. They have to keep an eye on you.
• 5Hold the high post with your hands up.You sit in the hole of the 2-3.

Next: Reverse it and run the baseline

2 has the ball on the left wing. The zone has shifted left to them. The right side of the zone is thin.

• 1Catch from 2 and swing it right away to 3.Move it fast. The zone has to run all the way back.
• 2Pass back to 1 at the top.The zone is loaded on your side. Send it back the other way.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing and catch.You catch on the thin side. Be ready to shoot or pass.
• 4Run the baseline under the zone to the right corner.The low defenders turn to watch the ball. Go behind them to the far corner.
• 5Flash to the right side of the free-throw line as the ball swings.Follow the ball. You sit in the hole on the ball side.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: the low defender stays in (50%), Read: the low defender takes the corner (25%), Read: the zone shifts too far (25%).

3 has the ball on the right wing. The right low defender stays in the lane. Nobody is out with 4 in the right corner.

• 1Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 2Stay wide on the left wing, then crash on the shot.Hold the far side. Shots from the corner miss long, to you.
• 3Pass to 4 in the right corner.The low defender stayed inside. 4 is open.
• 4Land with your feet set and your hands up.Nobody came out to you. Be ready to shoot on the catch.
• 5Hold the free-throw line, then crash.You keep the top-left defender in the middle. Crash on the shot.

Corner three for 4 at the end of the baseline run.

3 has the ball on the right wing. The right low defender runs out to 4 in the corner, and the middle slides to the block. Nobody is with 5.

• 1Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 2Stay wide on the left wing.If the zone sinks onto 5, you are the next pass.
• 3Pass to 5 at the free-throw line.The low defender went to the corner and the middle went to the block. 5 is alone.
• 4Stay in the corner.You pulled the low defender out. Keep them there.
• 5Catch at the free-throw line and face the basket.You are in the hole. Turn and see the rim first.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Finish: free-throw-line jumper (67%), Read: the top defender drops onto 5 (33%).

5 has the ball at the free-throw line, facing the basket. Nobody steps up to them.

• 1Get back as the safety.The shot is going up. Someone has to stop the fast break.
• 2Crash the weak side for the rebound.Nobody is boxing you out. Go get it.
• 3Hold the wing, then get back.1 is the safety. You are the second one back.
• 4Crash from the corner to the rim.Get inside the low defender for the rebound.
• 5Shoot the free-throw-line jumper.Nobody stepped up. Take it in rhythm.

Free-throw-line jumper for 5, with 2 and 4 crashing.

5 has the ball at the free-throw line. The top-left defender sinks down onto them. 2 is alone on the left wing.

• 1Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 2Show your hands on the left wing, ready to shoot.Nobody is near you. Catch and shoot.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing.You keep the top-right defender out with you.
• 4Stay in the corner, then crash on the shot.Shots from the left side miss to the right side. Be there.
• 5Pass to 2 on the left wing.The top-left defender left them to guard you. 2 is open.

Open three for 2 on the left wing.

3 has the ball on the right wing. The top-left defender slides all the way over to stop 5. Nobody is near 2 on the left wing.

• 1Stay at the top as the safety.Always one back.
• 2Show your hands on the left wing, ready to shoot.The whole zone is on the right side. Catch and shoot.
• 3Skip it over the top to 2 on the left wing.The top-left defender left the far side. One skip pass and 2 is open.
• 4Stay in the corner, then crash on the shot.Shots from the left side miss to the right side. Be there.
• 5Hold the free-throw line, then crash.You keep the top-left defender away from 2.

Open three for 2 off the skip pass.