Zone Play "Baylor": Use Inside Screens to Shred Any Zone Defense
You don’t need a bunch of high-flyers or deep-range shooters to break a 2-3 zone. What you need is movement with purpose. And the Baylor Zone Play gives you exactly that, screens, misdirection, and easy points if you time it right.
It’s built for confusing defenses. Especially zones that get lazy or slow to rotate. And what I love about this one: it works. Over and over.
Goal:
Use a couple smart screens and off-ball action to punch a hole in the middle of a 2-3 zone. The defense gets pulled out of shape, and if your timing’s right, it ends in a layup.
Setup
Point guard (Player 1) up top
Wings (Player 2 & 3) spaced on the perimeter
Forwards (Player 4 & 5) stacked on the blocks
Simple. Clean. Everyone knows where they’re starting.
Step-by-Step Execution:
1. Initial Movement and Screen Setup:
The play begins with Player 2 and Player 3 crossing behind X1 and X2 (the defenders guarding the wings) and setting inside screens on the opposite guards. This action is crucial for confusing the defense and setting up the gap for Player 1 to attack.
2. Dribble Through the Gap:
After setting the screens, Player 1 (the point guard) dribbles through the gap created by the screens. This forces the defense to react to the movement and opens up opportunities for further actions.
3. Attack the Paint:
Player 1 now attacks the paint, drawing the attention of X5 (the center defending the paint). This forces the defender to step up, opening up a potential passing lane to Player 5.
4. Screen for the Wing Defender:
Player 4, who is positioned in the low post, sets a screen on X4 (the defender guarding the ball-side wing). This screen is designed to free up Player 1 for a clean look at the basket or to pass the ball to Player 5 for an easy layup.
5. Layup or Shot:
Player 1 now has two options:
If X5 stays low, Player 1 should take the shot, exploiting the space created by the screens.
If X5 steps up to contest, Player 1 can pass to Player 5, who should be open for a quick layup.
Coaching Tips:
Teach Them to Read X5
That one defender decides the whole play. Make sure your point guard knows how to read it, and make the decision fast.
Flip It for Lefties
Running it for a left-handed ball handler? Just flip the whole formation. Stack on the other side so their driving angle works better.
Sell the Screens
Most youth players don’t know how to screen yet. This is where you slow it down. Teach solid contact, good angles, and commitment to the role.
Why It Works:
Misdirection Wrecks Zones
Those cross screens get defenders looking in the wrong places. One beat too late, and someone’s open.Two Options, One Look
Either you get a clear shot, or you get a layup. The play forces a help decision, and whichever way they go, you’ve got a counter.Simple Execution
The movement looks more complicated than it is. Once your players run it a few times, it becomes muscle memory.
Full Breakdown:
Key Advantages of the Baylor Zone Play:
Unconventional Screening Actions:
The use of cross and inside screens confuses defenders and creates gaps in the defense, especially in a 2-3 zone. By drawing defenders out of position, this play opens up multiple scoring opportunities.Two Scoring Options:
Baylor gives Player 1 two potential scoring opportunities: a jump shot if X5 stays low, or a layup for Player 5 if the defense collapses in the paint.Misdirection:
The cross-screen movement and off-ball action keep defenders on their toes and prevent them from settling into a solid defensive position. The offensive players use misdirection to confuse the defense and open up lanes to the basket.
Teaching Adjustments for Youth & High School Levels:
Spacing:
At the youth and high school levels, players may struggle with spacing and timing. Make sure to emphasize the importance of proper spacing to ensure the screens are effective and the passing lanes are open.Quick Decision-Making:
Players must learn to read the defense quickly. At the high school level, defenders may react slower or hesitate, so players should be trained to take advantage of those moments by making fast decisions.Repetition:
Like any offensive play, Baylor requires repetition. Work on setting clean screens and making quick decisions during practice, so players can execute the play effectively during a game.
Conclusion
The Baylor Zone Play isn’t some tricky magic play you pull out once a season. It’s a foundational piece, a way to teach timing, spacing, and how to make the defense uncomfortable.
Whether you’re running a youth squad just learning how zones work or a high school team facing smarter rotations, this play fits.
It’s simple to teach. It creates real scoring options. And most importantly, it teaches your team how to think and react, not just memorize movement.
You want smart basketball? Start here.
