NBC Sports College Basketball Analyst;
University of Massachusetts Head Coach from 2017 to 2022;
2016 Southern Conference Regular Season Champions;
2016 Southern Conference Tournament Champion;
2016 Southern Conference Coach of the Year;
Chattanooga Head Coach from 2015 to 2017;
University of Florida Assistant Coach from 2011 to 2015;
Florida Atlantic Assistant Coach from 2008 to 2011;
University of Florida Director of Operations from 2006 to 2008;
2x NCAA Tournament Champions (2006, 2007)When attacking a zone defense, the desire to find a way to attack the defense almost in the same way as a man-to-man defense has proven to be a challenging endeavor for most coaches and teams.
Matthew McCall, a coach with years of success and experience at the collegiate level, showcases game-tested ways that basic offensive concepts can be used to attack a zone defense in much the same way as a man-to-man would be attacked.
In this on-the-court presentation, Coach McCall goes through the detailed steps for building a successful offense that can work for your best players and proven plays that can take your zone offense to the next level.
Keys to Successful Offense
Coach McCall begins by covering his four areas of focus. These are based on the things that he does not want to give up on defense. They are flipped around to an offensive focus in that the things that he does not want to give up are the things that he wants to get on offense.
The four areas of focus for his offense include, 1) Layups & dunks, 2) Rhythm threes, 3) Free throw advantages, and, 4) Attacking the middle.
Additionally, transition opportunities are used to get layups, dunks, and rhythm threes.
Coach McCall explains that when the defense is set, he will have his team get into their half-court offense with no less than 25-26 seconds left on a 30-second shot clock.
Zone Offense Continuities
As much as possible, Coach McCall looks to have his zone offense continuities operate in the same manner as his man-to-man offense. This circumvents the problem that players face in trying to guess what the defense is running.
Here, Coach McCall showcases two continuity offenses that he likes to use against zones.
The first of these zone offenses is called ‘Power Gap,’ which can be run for either a 2-man or 3-man who is a great shooter. The job of the designated shooter is to always stay in line with the ball. Off a ball screen, the shooter can either get an open three-point shot in the corner or a post player can get the ball inside the zone on a duck-in look.
Against teams who like to ‘ice’ ball screens, Coach McCall highlights an attack called ‘Four Game,’ which is an effective way to attack zones. Hard and deep cuts are required as the offense is centered around the play of four guards.
From a 1-3-1 alignment, Coach McCall explains how the player in the middle of the zone fills the top on every pass from the point to the wing. Meanwhile, the wing opposite fills the middle while the player at the point replaces the wing.
Quick Hitters Versus Zones
Next, Coach McCall explains how he uses what he calls ‘actions’ against zones that are designed to score quickly. If these actions do not result in an immediate score, his team looks to run one of their two continuity offenses against the zone.
McCall highlights one of these ‘actions,’ which he calls ‘Overload;’ the point guard comes off a pick-and-pop set by the trailer who then looks to reverse the basketball.
While this is happening, the low post player sets a screen on the outside of the zone as the best shooter runs the baseline looking for a shot. If the play is not open, the offense flows into an action he calls ‘Power Gap.’
McCall then showcases a quick hitter that can be run before getting into their 4-out motion, called ‘Flash,’ which is a play centered around getting the best player the ball in the middle of the lane.
Out of a 1-4 high alignment, in ‘Flash,’ the ball is entered away from the best shooter who slides to the corner for a skip pass. When the best shooter gets the skip pass, their options are to get a post-up or an open three-point jumper, if available.
This is a highly valuable coaching video that uses sound principles of offensive basketball. Coach McCall shows you how to utilize your best players against whatever defense an opponent may try to throw at you!
47 minutes. 2024.