Open Practice: Zone Offense

with Bill Self,University of Kansas Head Coach
2022 NCAA National Champions;
2022 USBWA District Coach of the Year 2022;
Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2017);
2008 NCAA National Champions;
2012 NCAA Runner-Up;
2018 Final Four;
17x Big 12 Regular Season Champions (2005-2018, 2020, 2022, 2023);
6x Big 12 Coach of the Year;
5x AP Coach of the Year (2006, 2009, 2022, 2012, 2017, 2018);
2016 USA Today, Bleacher Report's & NABC Coach of the Year;
John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award (2013);
2012 Naismith College Coach of the Year;
2009 Henry Iba Award;
Illinois Head Coach from 2000 to 2013;
2x Big Ten Regular Season Champions;
Tulsa Head Coach from 1997 to 2000;
2000 WAC Coach of the Year;
Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (2000);
780+ Career Wins

Strengthen your playbook with proven strategies from legendary University of Kansas Head Coach Bill Self. Coach Self shares two zone offenses that create scoring opportunities along with several counters that will make your offense unstoppable. With the primary goal of forcing four defenders to play just three offensive players, his zone offenses create confusion, scrambles and open shots that devastate opposing teams.

In his "stationary" strategy, Coach Self uses a quick moving zone offense to create scoring opportunities in the post, utilizing the short corner to stretch the defense. Players find gaps within the defense allowing them to score around the rim or take a quick striking three-point shot. Also in this segment, Coach Self introduces the "hot potato" concept to demonstrate how to move the ball quickly against a 2-3 zone.

The more intricate, equally effective "slash" strategy is Coach Self's answer to the 3-2 and the 1-3-1 zone defense. In the "slash," Coach Self uses three cutters to fill four open spots along the perimeter. Primary and secondary cutters are used through the lane to create an element of surprise. Coach Self uses 5v5 demonstrations to teach his young team how to expose the weaknesses of a 2-3 zone.

Coach Self completes this package by demonstrating the Kansas press offense, which any team can use against a zone press. Your team will dissect your opponent's pressure defense by taking advantage of the middle of the court, allowing you to score layup after lay-up in the open court.

This is a great video to add to your collection if you are looking for a zone offense that attacks your opponent's weaknesses and creates scoring opportunities around the rim.

94 minutes. 2014.