Boston Zone Offense

Iowa Zone Offense

The "Boston" Zone Offense was developed and refined by Tom Davis. It's success received national exposure and recognition back in the early days of ESPN when he was coaching Boston College. What makes the Iowa zone offense unique is that the players play only one position. They do not interchange positions. They just flip sides. Since players do not have to learn multiple assignments, they can become much more efficient and productive in performing their single roles.

The Boston zone offense places a major emphasis on a strong low post attack along with using a dribble entry rather than a pass entry to initiate the offense. Because it is keyed off dribble penetration, it is an excellent early offense for any team playing up tempo. It also combines both overloading and spreading tactics and principles in attacking the zone.

Offensive Fundamentals Required

Attacking Zone Defense Principles

Zone Offense - Reads & Counters

Player Development - Developing a Strong Inside Game

Basic Player Alignment

Basic Alignment Left

Basic Alignment Right

The basic player alignment of the Boston zone offense is comprised of a point guard or ballhandler O1, a baseline runner or corner O3, a low post O5, a shooting or swing guard O2 at the top of the circle and a weakside rebounder or power forward O4. The ballhandling guard O1 can initiate the offense with dribble penetration to either wing. The post player O5 is the best post up scorer, not necessarily the tallest player. The baseline runner or corner O3 is usually the small forward who is proficient in shooting low angle, baseline and corner shots. The swing guard O2 is the best outside shooter. The weakside rebounder or power forward O4, is the second best inside player who is active of the offensive boards and can play outside.

Basic Continuity

Sharp accurate passing is a key ingredient in attacking any zone defense. Make the zone defense work by moving the ball from sideline to sideline. Good ball movement increases the chances of defensive break downs and results in good shots. Incorporate skip passes, post feeds, and pump fake passes. Pass to the open player. Do not force the ball or make difficult passes. Pass to a specific target away from the defense. Do not pass to any player that does not call for or want the ball. Eliminate dribbling especially the trap or one bounce dribble which allows the zone to recover and match up.

	Ball Reversal When the ball is pass out to the shooting guard O2, it triggers the weakside rebounder O4 to step out to the wing and the corner O3 to run the baseline. The post O5 drops and point O1 steps-in. When the shooting guard O2 passes to weakside rebounder O4 stepping out, all four non-ballhandlers are an offensive threat to receive a pass.
	Corner Basket Cut When the wing O4 passes to corner, they make a "give and go" basket cut. If O4 is covered and does not receive a pass, they empty out to the weakside and the post O5 flashes. Weakside wing O1 breaks into the middle and out to the ballside wing.
	Ball Reversal When the ball is passed out of the corner to O1, who in turns pass to O2 it triggers ball reversal with O4 stepping out to the weakside wing and O3 running the baseline.
	Corner Cut Opposite When the wing O4 passes to corner, they make a "give and go" basket cut. If O4 is covered and does not receive a pass, they empty out to the weakside and the post O5 flashes and O1 breaks into the middle and out to the ballside wing re-establishing the overload.

Inside Game - Post Reads

Post feeds play an important role in the Iowa zone offense. The post must establish a strong inside presence. Since most zone defenders play behind when guarding the low post area, get the ball to the post whenever possible. When the zone does collapse in order to protect the middle, it opens up outside shots for your spot up shooters.

Post Play

	When the post's defender plays behind, the post can expect a pass from any of the outside players.
	If the post's defender plays on the high side, the post seals the defender anticipating a pass from the corner.
	When the post's defender plays on the baseline side, the post seals them off and anticipating a pass from the wing or top of circle.
	If the defender fronts the post, the post seals them off anticipating a lob pass or a high/low feed from the weakside rebounder breaking up to the free throw line.
	When the corner's defenders sags off to help on the post, the corner spots up for an open shot.
	When the wing's defender sags off to help on the post, then the wing spots up for an open shot.

Baseline Runner Options

The baseline or corner runner causes matchup problems for zones. In addition, since the cutter is moving behind the defenders, it proses vision and communication problems.

	On ball reversal, when a bottom defender steps out to matchup against the open wing, it opens up a passing lane to the baseline cutter in the low post area.
	When the post defender of the zones moves over to guard the baseline cutter it creates a dilemma If defender stays in to protect the basket, it creates a wide open corner shot. If the defender continues out to the corner, it opens up the middle for post.
	When the post defenders switch matchup on the corner's baseline cut, the cutter has the option of doubling back for an open shot.

Overplay Counters

Anytime a pass to the next player is overplayed and denied, just simply make a skip pass to the next player. Do NOT force any passes. When a zone defense extends and exerts pressure, it also opens up the middle for post isolation mismatch or for dribble penetration.

	When the pass out of the corner is denied, the corner looks to make a skip pass pass out to the swing guard at the top of the circle.
	If the pass to the top of the circle is denied, the wing looks to make a cross court "X" to the weakside block. If the "X" pass is not open, then the wing can step out for a cross court skip pass.
	When the defender cuts off the reversal pass to the wing, the wing can back cuts hard to the basket for a lay-up or drop pass to the post.
	When the zone extends and pressures the passing lanes, it isolates the post defender one-on-one.
	When zones extend and pressure, the passing lanes, it also open ups dribble penetration into the middle or a seam. If any of the outside defenders sag off to help on the drive, it will create wide open shots off kick out passes. If a post defender drops off to help on the drive, it creates a drop pass for an easy layup.