Better Basketball logo

Attacking 1-3-1 Zones with Read & React

Tradition tells us to attack an odd fronted zone with an even fronted offense. In that case, to attack a 1-3-1 zone defense, you should use a two-guard offense to split that top defender.

But, what if you attacked odd with odd? What if you attacked that 1-3-1 with a 5 OUT formation?

In the first part of the video below, Uie Garcia has his team use the Read & React Zone Attack against a 1-3-1. The first series begins with a 5 OUT formation, then he switches to a more standard 4 OUT attack. Each seems to work equally well.

The point is this: don’t let the formation of the defense necessarily force you into an offensive formation that you don’t like. It is possible to attack a 1-3-1 effectively in 5 OUT.

This video is an excerpt from Read & React Clinics: Planning the R&R Practice. It’s a 5 DVD set designed to walk you through the finer points of designing and implementing an efficient Read & React practice.

Rick Torbett takes it a step further, adding the Pin & Skip. You must make help-side defense pay for cheating closer and closer to the ball. The easiest way to do this is to Pin a deep defender and Skip the pass over her head.

Do this a couple of times in a possession and even the most disciplined defensive teams will lose their spacing and wind up vulnerable. And, if nothing else, it will keep the help-side honest, opening up space in the lane.

Now, the best teams can generate Pins & Skips organically, but if your team needs a temporary crutch, try this one: any Dribble At against a zone creates a Pin & Skip for the player who was Dribbled At. So, if the guard Dribbles At the wing, the wing cuts (that’s basic layer 3 action) and receives the Skip pass on the other side of the court.

COACHES

Read & React 5-Player Coordination Drills

Enter your email address to get an inside look at teaching the Read & React Offense with the drills in this free video.

PLAYERS

Become a More Confident Shooter

From our friends at PGC Basketball — PGC’s Shooting Specialist shares 3 FREE video trainings for scoring more points & getting more playing time!  Enter your email to get started.

WINNING SYSTEMS

EXPLORE COURSES

about rick torbett

Rick Torbett has taught thousands of coaches to win more games through his innovative approach to the game. He has created powerful training for coaches at any level so they can coach their best and win more games.

Follow Us

Read & React 5-Player Coordination Drills

Enter your email address to get an inside look at teaching the Read & React Offense with the drills in this free video.