Unlock Triple Gap Driving Lanes with the Northern Iowa Horns Zoom Set
Setup and Formation
This play uses a Horns formation, placing the point guard (1) at the top of the key, with two bigs (4 and 5) on the elbows, and wings (2 and 3) in each corner. This alignment creates spacing and disguises the zoom action that's about to unfold.
Execution Steps
Entry Pass to 5:
The play begins with 1 passing the ball to 5 at the elbow. This simple action sets up everything to come.Staggered Screen for 2:
As 5 secures the ball, both 1 and 4 move quickly to set a staggered screen for 2, who is positioned in the right corner. 2 sets up their defender and prepares to curl off the double screen.Zoom Action Initiation:
As 2 curls off the staggered screen, 5 dribbles toward them. This creates a dribble handoff (DHO) at the top of the key, this is the zoom.Attack the Triple Gap:
With 1 and 4 having screened and now spacing to the opposite side, the entire strong-side paint is cleared out. This gives 2 a triple gap to attack the basket immediately after the handoff.Roll and Spacing Options:
After handing off, 5 rolls hard to the rim, while 3 stays spaced in the weak-side corner. 4 and 1 float toward the left wing and corner to keep defenders occupied and maximize spacing.
Why This Play Works
Clear Rim Run: The staggered screen pulls help defenders away, leaving the paint wide open for the roller.
Triple Gap Creation: Zoom action combined with opposite-side spacing clears out any early help.
Versatile Outcomes: Whether it’s 2 driving, kicking to 3, hitting the roller, or continuing the offense through 1 or 4, the defense is forced to make multiple tough decisions.
Coaching Tips
Timing Matters: 5 must wait until 2 is nearly finished with both screens before initiating the dribble handoff to ensure optimal spacing and defensive confusion.
Stagger Screen Details: Screeners 1 and 4 must set solid, shoulder-to-shoulder picks, and then quickly space wide.
DHO Mechanics: 5 should dribble at 2’s defender, treating the DHO as both a screen and a pass. This small detail increases the likelihood of 2 turning the corner cleanly.
Roll Awareness: 5 should expect the defense to step up on the DHO, and be ready to slip quickly to the rim for a lob or bounce pass.
Help-Side Occupation: 3 must stay active in the corner. Even though they may not touch the ball, their presence is critical in freezing the low defender.
Full Breakdown: Maximizing the Horns Zoom Action
The Northern Iowa Horns Staggered Zoom is an excellent example of a play that blends traditional set structure with modern offensive principles like spacing, tempo, and side-to-side movement. Here's a detailed breakdown of why this works so well and how to teach it effectively.
1. Understanding Horns Alignment
The Horns set is popular in high school and college basketball for a reason, it balances the floor and offers multiple options. With both bigs on the elbows and shooters in the corners, the defense is forced to guard the entire half court. This makes help-side defense more difficult and allows quick flow into handoffs, ball screens, or post entries.
2. Disguised Movement to Distract the Defense
The staggered screen on the weak side, set by the point guard and the other big, is the decoy and the trigger. Defenses often key in on staggers for shooters, especially when it looks like 2 is the focal point. This triggers defensive rotation or switching, which opens the lane when the zoom action follows.
Key Teaching Point: Train your players to sell the off-ball action hard. 2 must make the defender believe they’re coming off to shoot, while 1 and 4 must screen with intent.
3. Dribble Handoff (Zoom) Timing
As 2 clears the final screen, the 5 (elbow player with the ball) initiates the Zoom DHO. This isn’t just a handoff, it functions like a ball screen and must be timed precisely. The moment 2 gets separation is when the Zoom begins.
Footwork Cue: 5 should take one strong dribble toward the arc, then deliver the ball as 2 curls tight. The closer this is executed to the defender’s body, the more effective it becomes.
4. The Triple Gap
What makes this play truly elite is how much space it creates for 2 to drive. With 1 and 4 spaced out opposite, and 3 in the corner, the strong side of the court becomes a triple gap.
Benefits of a Triple Gap:
Forces one-on-one defense.
Eliminates early help.
Forces defenders to close from the weak side, giving the roller or corner shooter a huge advantage.
5. Roll Option and Help Rotation
After the Zoom, the 5 is not just done, they roll hard to the rim, becoming the secondary scoring option. If 2 draws the help defender, they should be ready to lob, drop pass, or skip to the weak side.
Progression Reads for 2:
Drive and score (if uncontested).
Dump to 5 rolling to the rim.
Kick to 3 in the corner (especially if the low defender helps).
Reverse to 4 or 1 if the defense collapses hard.
6. Built-In Continuity
Even if the initial Zoom action is shut down, the floor remains spaced and dynamic. You can:
Enter a second-side ball screen with 4 and 1.
Reverse the ball to 1 and run Chicago action (pin down into DHO).
Flow straight into motion or continuity offense like 4-out 1-in or dribble-drive.
This makes the play both effective and versatile.
When to Use This Play
This play is perfect for:
High school and college teams running man-to-man offense
Teams with a strong ball-handling wing or combo guard
Situations where your standard horns sets are being overplayed
After-timeout situations where misdirection and miscommunication can lead to an easy score
It’s a high-IQ, low-risk play that can create early advantages without needing a reset.
Final Thoughts
The Northern Iowa Horns Staggered Zoom play isn’t just a creative name, it’s a smart way to generate separation, spacing, and scoring lanes using timing, deception, and modern action. It teaches your team how to blend structure with freedom, and gives your best player the space to create or score.
Add this to your half-court package if you're looking to modernize your offensive attack without overwhelming your players with complexity.
