Half court / Zone entry

Read the bottom of a 1–3–1

Move the ball to the wing to shift the 1-3-1 zone, flash the forward to the short corner, and pass into the baseline window if the bottom defender is late or displaced.

Make it yours

STARTING SET

Find the numbered players, starting ball holder, and space for the first action.

Playback shows the chosen read at a teaching pace. It does not simulate defenders or predict the game clock.

TEACH THE IDEA

When to use it

A 1–3–1 zone leaves a visible short-corner window after the wing pass. The bottom defender decides whether that pass is available.

Build on itAge 13 exampleZone offenseZone defense

Say these cues

Wing pass must be firm to shift the top and wing defenders of the zone.
Flash along the baseline below the vision of the middle defender.
Read the bottom defender: only pass into the short corner if that defender stays attached to the rim or is late closing out.

Keep a safe option

If the bottom defender sprints out to take away 5, 2 skips the short corner pass and kicks the ball safely back to 1 at the top.

Watch for this

The wing forces the pass when the bottom defender is already in the window.

Make it simpler

Use the wing, short-corner receiver and top safety with one guided bottom defender.

Drills that teach this play

High post or short corner

Show in a zone window

Teach the bottom-defender read