Zone Offense: Sets & Philosophy

with Brad Underwood,
University of Illinois Head Coach;
2026 Final Four;
2x Elite Eight (2024, 2026);
2x Big Ten Tournament Champions (2021, 2024);
2023 NABC Coaches vs. Cancer Champion Award;
2022 Big Ten Regular Season Champions;
Oklahoma State University Head Coach from 2016 to 2017;
Stephen F. Austin University Head Coach from 2013 to 2016;
2014 Joe B. Hall Award Recipient (Nation's top first-year coach);
3x Southland Conference Regular Season Champions (2014 - 2016);
3x Southland Conference Tournament Champions (2014 - 2016);
3x Southland Conference Coach of the Year (2014 - 2016);
South Carolina Associate Head Coach from 2012 to 2013;
Kansas State Associate Head Coach from 2011 to 2012;
Daytona Beach Community College Head Coach from 2003 to 2006;
Western Illinois Assistant Coach from 1992 to 2003;
Dodge City Community College Head Coach from 1988 to 1992;
Hardin-Simmons University GA from 1986 to 1987;
played college basketball for Kansas State, Independence CC & Hardin-Simmons (guard)

Quick and simple actions against a zone defense can force the zone to rotate, which allows open areas to be attacked.

Coach Brad Underwood provides you with a video for breaking down zone defenses through different looks. Analytics are covered at the beginning, detailing changes to the college game, and how Underwood has adapted to them. He then breaks down secondary offense off transition against a zone, and multiple looks against different types of zones.

Different Looks

Sets are interchangeable within Coach Underwood's zone offense. By adding cutters, short corner, and flashing high post, traditional sets can be switched up within his continuity. Underwood keeps defenses on their toes with cutters and different looks, finding soft spots within the zone through ball reversals. Zone defenses can get complacent, and the simple actions taught by Underwood force the zone to rotate, opening up driving lanes and shooting areas.

Zone Passing

Coach Underwood provides a simple and effective drill that works on internal and external passing, utilizing cutters and open areas within the zone. The Zone Passing drill uses cuts to the elbow, movement to short corners and cutting lanes, all of which force the defense to rotate. Zone Passing can be worked on daily at practice and only takes a few minutes. All of the following concepts can be worked on at practice while running the drill:

• Spacing
• Passing
• Finding open areas in zone
• Building your zone offense
• Adjusting to your team's strengths

Coaches with older teams can benefit from this video tremendously due to the different looks and adjustments within Underwood's zone offense. Meanwhile, the Zone Passing drill can be utilized to build a zone offense from the ground up with younger players. No matter your team's skill level, if you need to improve on offense when facing a zone, the concepts in this video can help!

75 minutes. 2020.