Runner & Runner Pin to Free Up Shooters Against 2-3 Defense
Setup
Begin in a 2-guard front.
Your best shooter (Player 3) starts in the opposite corner.
Forwards (4 and 5) are positioned in their typical zone offense spots: high post and short corner.
Execution – Runner Action
Baseline Movement:
Player 3 sprints along the baseline, using a screen from the ball-side forward (5) to get open on the wing. Player 1 makes the entry pass.Shot or Post Entry:
If x4 (zone defender) struggles through 5’s screen, Player 3 takes the shot. If denied, 5 seals x5 for a post look, and Player 4 flashes to the high post.Continuity and Reversal:
If the first look isn’t open, Player 3 reverses the ball to Player 1 → 2. Meanwhile, 4 returns to their original spot.Repeat:
Player 3 runs baseline again, but this time receives a screen from Player 4.Read and React:
If x3 overplays the screen, Player 2 fakes the pass and hits 4 flashing into the open gap.
Execution – Runner Pin (Counter)
Same Start:
The play starts identically to Runner.Change of Direction:
Player 3 starts the baseline run, but stops and reverses direction.Pin-In Screen:
Player 4 screens in x3, and 1 skips the ball to 3 on the opposite wing.Finishing Options:
Player 4 seals x5 at the rim. Meanwhile, 5 flashes to the high post.Three Reads:
3 can shoot if open.
3 can look to 4 at the rim.
3 can hit 5 flashing for a mid-range shot or short roll action.
Key Coaching Points
Use of Fakes:
Players 1 & 2 should use pass fakes to freeze bottom defenders and create passing lanes.Timing:
Player 3 must not run the baseline too early. Let the forwards establish position first.Spacing for Rebounding:
If 3 shoots from the corner, the opposite forward should stay low to be in rebounding position, not flash high.Hi-Lo Look:
If the ball enters the high post (5), they look for a quick drop pass to the low post (4). If the ball goes to the low post, look back to the high post dive.
Why This Works Against Zones
Most 2-3 zones teach defenders to protect gaps, not match up. The Runner/Runner Pin series forces defenders to chase through screens and make real-time decisions, tasks zones aren't built for. By leveraging baseline movement and pin-ins, these plays:
Stretch the back line of the zone.
Occupy the middle defender.
Create natural 2-on-1 situations near the block and corner.
Drills to Reinforce This Play
To build fluency and decision-making, integrate the following into practice:
Baseline Screening Drill – teach proper angle and footwork for 5 and 4.
Zone Skip Pass Shooting – simulate skip pass to shooter in game speed.
Hi-Lo Reading Drill – reinforce the timing between post flash and dump pass.
Live 3-on-3 Zone Closeouts – simulate corner skip with defensive rotation pressure.
Full Breakdown for Coaches: Unlocking the Zone with Runner & Runner Pin
When facing a traditional 2-3 zone, your offense must create movement, shift defenders, and exploit closeout gaps. The Runner and Runner Pin plays accomplish all of this through smart timing, well-placed screens, and sharp decision-making.
Let’s go deeper into how this works on the court:
The Purpose Behind the Design
The Runner series isn’t about complexity, it’s about rhythmic repetition with multiple layers of reads. The key is putting the zone in rotation mode, forcing defenders to make difficult decisions repeatedly, increasing the chance for defensive breakdowns.
The baseline runner draws attention from the bottom two defenders in the 2-3, while the flashing post players collapse the middle, leaving wings and corners open.
Key Actions That Break Down the Zone
1. Baseline Runner with Screen Support
Your shooter (3) runs baseline, using a strong screen from 5 or 4.
This forces the bottom zone defender to fight through or pass off coverage.
The act of running baseline immediately stretches the zone horizontally, creating gaps.
2. Zone Defender Fatigue and Confusion
Repeating this action 2–3 times tires defenders, especially if they’re switching or jumping.
They may lose track of the shooter, leave the short corner, or react late to flashes.
3. Flash Timing
When 4 or 5 flashes to the high post or middle lane, they force the middle defender in the 2-3 to step up, opening up lobs or quick dumps inside.
The Runner Pin: A Tactical Counter
This play punishes aggressive zones.
As soon as the defense anticipates the baseline cut, Player 3 reverses direction.
The unexpected movement, combined with a pin-in screen from 4, seals the bottom defender and gives 3 a wide-open look.
It’s especially deadly if 3 is a knockdown shooter. And if they aren’t? They can pass, drive, or dish.
Teaching Focus: What to Emphasize in Practice
Read the Overplay: Teach your shooter to recognize when the defender tries to cheat over the screen.
Sell the Cut: 3 must sprint baseline as if they’re the first option, because sometimes they are.
Pin Timing: The pin-in from 4 must come just as 3 reverses, any earlier, and it’s a moving screen. Any later, and 3 is blanketed.
Final Thoughts
The Runner and Runner Pin play combo is all about rhythm, deception, and reading the defense. When run with intention and proper pace, it creates constant tension on the zone. Defenders are pulled out of their comfort zones, literally, and your offense stays in control of the tempo.
Integrate this play into your zone offense package, especially if your team struggles to shoot over zones or needs a way to generate inside-out looks without relying on a dominant post player.
