Trap

They are waiting at half court in a 1-3-1 trap. Coach calls "Trap". 1 has the ball in the backcourt on the left, with 2 beside them.

• 1Dribble over half court away from the sideline, with your eyes up.Stay off the sideline. They want you in the corner, where the lines help them trap.
• 2Cross half court beside 1, four or five steps away.You are them first pass when the trap comes. Stay level with them, close enough for an easy pass.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing, opposite the ball.You stretch the zone. If it all runs to the ball, you are open on the far side.
• 4Stand at the free-throw line, in the middle of the zone, hands up.The middle is the hole in a 1-3-1. Be there, and be ready to catch.
• 5Wait on the left baseline, behind the zone.The whole zone is looking at the ball. Nobody can see you back there.

Next: The trap is coming

1 is just over half court on the left. The point and the left wing are running at them to trap. 2 is level with them on the right.

• 1Pass to 2 before the trap gets to you.Two defenders are coming to you, so the other side is short. Move it now, while you still can.
• 2Stay level with 1, show your hands and call for it.You are the easy pass out. Catch it and look at the middle right away.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing.The ball is coming to your side. Stay wide so the right wing defender has to choose.
• 4Slide across the free-throw line as the ball moves, hands up.Follow the ball. Find the gap between the defenders and show a target.
• 5Slide along the baseline toward the lane, still behind the zone.Stay behind the back defender. When the ball gets to the middle, you are the next pass.

Then the defence shows one of 3 looks: Read: the middle is open (50%), Read: they trap 2 (33%), Read: the whole zone runs to 2 (17%).

2 has the ball. The zone is slow to shift. The middle defender is still on the left, and 4 is open at the free-throw line.

• 1Stay behind the ball as the safety.If 2 gets stuck, you are the pass back. You are also the first one back on defence.
• 2Pass to 4 in the middle right away.The middle is the hole in this zone and 4 is open in it. Pass before the zone catches up.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing, ready to catch.You keep the right wing defender out wide, so they can't drop onto 4.
• 4Catch, turn to face the basket and look for 5 behind the zone.When you turn, the back defender has to come up to you. That leaves 5 alone at the rim.
• 5Cut to the rim behind the back defender when 4 catches.They step up to stop 4. Go behind them and show your hands.

Trap beaten. 4 turns in the middle and finds 5 behind the zone for a layup.

2 has the ball. The point and the right wing run at them to trap. The middle defender is in front of 4. Nobody is on 3.

• 1Stay level with 2 as the pass back.If they can't find 3, you are the way out of the trap.
• 2Pass down the sideline to 3 before the trap closes.The right wing left 3 to come to you. Pass to the player they left.
• 3Step up the sideline toward the ball, catch and attack the basket.Make the pass short and easy. Then go, before the wing defender can get back to you.
• 4Keep the middle defender on your back, then roll to the basket.You are covered, so keep them busy. When 3 attacks, get to the rim on the right side.
• 5Stay on the left side of the rim, behind the zone.When 3 drives, the back defender has to go to them. Then you are open for the pass or the rebound.

Trap beaten. 3 attacks from the right wing with 4 and 5 at the basket, before the zone can get back.

2 has the ball. The point and the right wing trap them, the middle defender is in front of 4, and the left wing has dropped into the lane. 1 is alone on the left.

• 1Stay level with 2, call for it, then attack the open left side.The zone left your side empty. Catch it and go before the left wing can get back out.
• 2Pass back to 1 before the trap closes.Everyone ran to you. The open player is the one you got the ball from.
• 3Stay wide on the right wing.You hold the right side of the zone over there, away from 1.
• 4Slide back to the left as the ball goes to 1, hands up.Follow the ball again. If the left wing runs out to 1, you are open behind them.
• 5Stay on the left side of the rim, behind the zone.The back defender went to the right. When 1 attacks, you are open at the rim.

Trap beaten. 1 attacks the open left side, with 4 in the middle and 5 at the rim.