Sideline Gap

They are in a 2-3 zone. Coach calls "Sideline Gap". 3 has the ball out of bounds on the left sideline.

• 1Pop out to the gap up top, above the two top defenders.Nobody in the zone guards that spot. It is the safe catch.
• 2Hold the right elbow.You keep the top-right defender in the middle, so the gap stays open for 1.
• 3Pass to 1 in the gap, then step in to the left wing.Over the top defenders is the safe pass. Then step in, ready to shoot.
• 4Hold the left block.You keep the left low defender down, away from the entry pass.
• 5Hold the right block and get ready to flash.Wait for 1 to catch. Then the high post is yours.

Next: Flash and fill

1 has the ball in the gap up top. The top defenders have to come out to them. Now fill the open spots.

• 1Face the rim and watch the two top defenders.They show you the pass. If both come out, 5 is open. If one drops, 2 is open.
• 2Run out to the right wing, ready to shoot.The zone is leaning to the left. The far side is where the open shot is.
• 3Stay wide on the left wing, hands ready.You keep the top-left defender from running all the way out to 1.
• 4Hold the left block.You keep the middle defender low, so they can't step up to 5.
• 5Flash to the high post with your hands up.The middle of a zone opens up when the top defenders come out.

Then the defence shows one of 2 looks: Read: the high post is open (50%), Read: the far wing is open (50%).

Both top defenders came out high to 1. Nobody stepped up to 5 at the high post.

• 1Pass to 5 at the high post.Both top defenders came out to you. The middle of the zone is open.
• 2Slide down to the right corner, feet set.The right low defender has to go to 5. Fill the spot behind them.
• 3Stay wide on the left wing.You keep the left side of the zone spread out.
• 4Hold the left block and seal the middle defender.You keep them low, so only the right low defender can come up to 5.
• 5Catch, turn and face the rim, then hit 2 in the corner.The right low defender has to come up to you. That leaves the corner open.

Corner three for 2 off the high post.

The top-right defender dropped back to guard 5 at the high post. Nobody is near 2 on the right wing.

• 1Take two dribbles to the right, then pass to 2.The dribble makes the pass short. The top-right defender dropped in, so 2 is open.
• 2Stay wide on the wing, hands up, catch and shoot.Nobody is near you. Feet set before the ball gets there.
• 3Lift up toward the top as the safety.1 is dribbling away. Someone has to be back if the shot misses.
• 4Get inside position for the rebound.A shot from the right misses long to the left. That is your side.
• 5Hold the high post, then crash for the rebound.You keep the top-right defender busy. When the shot goes up, get to the rim.

Open three for 2 on the far wing.