Strategy- JH Zone Offense

I was asked by a reader to show some possible zone offenses to use on a JH level. 

Anyone who knows basketball knows two things about youth and JH basketball.

1- Having youth teams or JH teams play zone defenses is absolutely idiotic. Players are taught to stand around and are not taught the important skills of man to man defense. 

2- Teams who use zone defenses on youth and JH levels can dominate teams because it is a challenge for JH players offensively. 

If I were running a JH league, I would ban the use of zone defenses on a JH level. 

Grinnell Concept- 1-3-1- One of the things that Grinnell College has found effective is to put their best ball handler and most creative passer at the high post. Often it may be your point guard. 

High Post and Attack- Here #1 gets the ball at the high post and just looks to attack. They may get a shot themselves, a kick out to #2 in the corner, or a dump to #5 on the weakside.

Post Roll Under- If the player drives at #5, they need to learn to roll under the basket to get out of the way. 

Go 2-3 vs 2-3- It doesn’t seem like it should make sense, but at a JH level, match up with the zone defense. If they are 2-3, then go 2-3 against. In effect, make them match up and play man to man. With younger players, it may help them not to be in a gap and have to try to pass around a defender. The first option is to have a post come up and set ball screens for a guard. They run a pick and roll. If a defender stays with #2 in the corner, then either #1 or #4 should be open to shoot. If the zone is really good, then #5 will be open in the middle of the lane as the zone slides over to cover the ball screen.

Baseline Runner- Put your best shooter on the baseline, and run them along the baseline. 

Post to Post Cross Screen- Always have #4 cut high to take the middle defender high. By high- don’t go up to the high post but the cut should be higher toward the elbow than to the block. This should clear out for #5 to seal and come back to the ball. 

If nothing happens on this screen action. Reverse the ball with #2 running the baseline and running another ball screen for the guard when it is reversed.