A successful team should only need 2 halfcourt [tag]plays for basketball[/tag]. The first is a good motion [tag]offense[/tag] (which I posted about a couple days ago). The second is a play to beat a zone.
The key to this [tag]basketball play[/tag] is getting the ball into the weak spots that any zone has. The spots are usually:
1) At the free throw line
2) The Russian spot (8 feet from the basket, along either baseline
3) The baseline 3 point line
Entering the ball into these areas opens up the floor and forces the zone to shift. A well timed cut through the lane after entering the ball to one of these areas will almost certainly be open. The important thing with [tag]plays[/tag] for [tag]basketball[/tag] like this one is timing. Dribbling should only be used to improve a passing angle, or to create an easy shot (ie. driving to the hoop for a layup).
Too much dribbling will stagnate your offense… especially against a zone.
It’s also important to make sure that all your players (1 through 5) know how to pass. Your big guys (4 and 5 men) are essential to breaking down a zone. They need to cut to the open areas around the key, receive the ball, then square up and look to dump the ball into their fellow big man.
The big guys should also be able to shoot the ball from 10-12 feet out. A free throw line jumper or baseline jumper will often be open when running this zone offensive play.
Lastly, the perimeter players have to be willing to shoot the ball in a [tag]zone offense[/tag]. If“ you don’t have a legitimate three point threat, the defense can sag down into the lane and clog up the key. Your 1, 2 and 3 men need to be able to make open 3’s to keep the defense honest. Dumping the ball into the high post and Russian spot will usually cause the defense to collapse, and a well-timed kick-out and reversal will usually lead to a wide open shot for your perimiter gunners.