Pitt

(Level – Intermediate and up)

Summary

If you have a point guard who is a solid decision maker, this play can work at any level. I’ve seen it used by Pittsburgh against Syracuse’s deadly 2-3 zone, and I’ve used it with 12 year olds as well.

Personnel

Player 1 should be a good penetrator with the ability to hit the mid-range jump shot. Player 5 should be able to set a good screen. Player 4 should be able to score underneath the basket and Player 3 should be a good perimeter shooter.

Instructions:

1. Player 2 will bring the ball up on the left side. (S)he makes the top guy of the zone commit to him/her.

2. Once the defender commits, Player 2 passes to Player 1 who should’ve floated near the top of the key.

3. As the pass is being thrown, Player 5 comes to set a screen on the outside guy on the top of the zone. That’s why it is important for Player 1 to slide over to the top of the key to set up the defensive player.

4. Player 1 will dribble off the screen. If nobody steps up to guard him, (s)he will shoot the 12-15 foot jump shot.

5. Soon as Player 1 starts to dribble Player 4 will cut underneath the hoop to the ball side and Player 3 will float to the corner.

6. Player 2 cuts to the weakside to keep the defensive Player #3 honest.

7. If the outside person on the bottom of the zone takes away Player 1’s shot and middle person takes away the pass to Player 4. Player 3 will be wide open for an outside shot.

8. If the defensive player covers the outside shot and the middle guy of the zone covers Player 1, Player 4 should be open underneath the hoop.