Just as the name states, this [tag]basketball offense[/tag] is run around the perimeter of the offensive shooting area. The diagram below shows the basic alignment:
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The main idea of the [tag]perimeter offense[/tag] is to create holes in the [tag]zone defense[/tag]. This is done by:
-“ Stretching the zone and creating a hole through quick passes, including swinging the ball from one side to another. When good quick passes and changes in direction are made, an undisciplined zone is stretched.
-“ When a player drives into the key, most zones are designed to collapse and create a mini-trap inside the key to prevent a drive. This almost instantly opens up a shooting lane for another player in the area of the two players collapsing the zone around the driving player.
The way you will create the holes in the zone is by passing the ball. Quick passes need to be made between players – and that player needs to be ready for a return pass as the ball is changed direction to keep the defense on its toes.
The 5 man will be active because they may be able to exploit a softness in the zone and get a quick pass in the paint for a score.
This offense can be difficult to run with players who don’t understand the purpose or the options that are available. Often times this offense can be run very quickly and some players aren’t so quick to catch on to the fact that a pass may be coming back to them as quickly as they sent one away.
But, a group of players who are on the ball can make the perimeter offense a potent one.
In the diagram on the previous page, you will notice that the passing arrows are going both ways. This signifies the fact that passes can go around the perimeter in any direction at any time. But it is important to remember this one key to the perimeter offense:
-“ The passing needs to go around the perimeter from player to player in consecutive order. One of the dangers of trying a cross-court pass against a zone is that you can bypass one player in the zone with the pass, but there is usually a second person in the zone able to steal the pass.
The first option for all of the players is to shoot if they have an open shooting lane. This is the primary objective of the perimeter offense.
The next option in the perimeter offense is the drive. The driver has three options when they hit the lane:
-“ They can take it to the hoop (if they have a good clear path)
-“ They can dish it to the post as the inside zone players will collapse on the player driving to the hoop.
-“ One the drive begins and the zone defenders collapse on a mini-trap, the driver can swing the ball back out to the open man on the perimeter for a shot in the open shooting lane.
The final option would be to stretch the offense with quick passes, to give the post player a soft area to receive a pass and make a quick post move in that spot. This is effective after you have taken a few perimeter shots in a row.
A coach can take the basic perimeter formation and add a few extra options to keep the zone defense in flux. If you want to add motion to the offense, you can simply rotate the players in a clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation so their position changes (while the post stays the same).
Further, the post player can be utilized in several different ways if a coach chooses to design plays specifically for that position.