Cross - "X" - Zone Offense

Cross

Offense against a 2-3 or 3-2 zone

*This offense has multiple options for all types of shots

This offense is called Cross, or X.  You can see why in frame 3.  It's a set offense against a zone, with the point guard on top, two wings, and two big men, the "crossers."  I prefer a zone offense that attacks the zone and causes the defense to work harder, but this is a very good "passive" offense that slows the game down and works for a good shot.

1. As I just mentioned above, the set-up for this offense is simply a guard on top, two wings, and two crossers in the paint.
2. When the ball is passed to the wing, the already ball-side big man posts up at the block asking for the ball.  The away-side big man flashes to the elbow/high post, and the away-side guard slides down to the corner.  Unless the ball is on top, the wings must always be opposite each other.  One will be in the corner, one will be on the wing.  This is so a skip pass opportunity is available.  A skip right across from wing to wing is a dangerous pass.
3. In frame 3, the ball is swung around.  As the ball is swung around, the wing without the ball slides to the corner, the forward who was just at the high post flashes down to the block and posts up, and the big man who was posting up flashes to the high post.  The offensive players in the paint essentially cross in the form of an X, giving this offense it's name.

Now let's go through the different shot options.  There are at least six (in no particular order):

Option 1:

The wing enters the ball to the crosser at the high post, where he looks for a jump shot for drives to the basket.  Simple enough.

Option 2:

The wing enters the ball down to the low post, and the high post crosser cuts to the basket.  A little drop off from the post creates a nice lay-up, and if that pass isn't there, the cutter must rotate back out and let his teammate make a post move.  

Option 3:

Similar to the previous option, the ball is entered to the post and dished to the cutting player.  This will most likely attract the attention of the third low-defender in a 2-3 or the third high-defender in a 3-2, and if this player can make the play, drive and kick to the corner for a wide-open three.

Option 4:

This one's sort of opposite option 2.  The ball is entered into the high post, and the low post flashes up or seals his man behind him and asks for the ball.  This creates a little high-low action, always effective.

Option 5:

Very simple here.  If the low man in the zone opposite the ball is cheating over in the paint, throw a strong skip pass to the corner for a three or a drive.

Option 6:

Working off of option 6, the skip pass is thrown to the corner, and the offense rotates as they would naturally in this play.  Crosser "F" flashes to the high post, and crosser "C" flashes down and posts up at the block.  Hit one of these and that's your offense.

Now the key is take what the defense gives you.  You're not going to run this play and call "Cross! Option 3!"  You can't plan for that.  All offensive players must be comfortable knowing what the right play is, what the right pass is.  And that's really what basketball is.  To some extent, you just have to play basketball.  And I know that sounds silly, but you'll learn what works and what doesn't work in practice, and then come game-day and things should click.

Shocker - Zone Offense

 Shocker

Offense against a 2-3 or 1-3-1 zone

The diagrams above illustrate a play I call "Shocker."  This is a quick-hitting play that is effective against a 2-3 or 1-3-1 zone defense that will result in an open three-pointer on the wing or a post man slipping for a lay-up.  

1. The play is set up with the point guard handling the ball in the middle of the court midway between the three-point line and half court line, and two double stacks at the blocks: the 2 stacks with the 4, and the 3 stacks with the 5, for example.  
2. Both sets of stackers jog up to the free throw line, the 2 and 3 staying right behind the 4 and 5, then once they hit the elbow, jet out (free-throw line extended) to the wing.  It is very important for the guards to break out this way in order to "get open" to sell the defender.  
3. The guard will then throw a high pass to the forward/center at or just above the elbow.  As this happens, the guard on the side the ball enters will then "banana-cut" under the basket to the corner (or wing), while the opposite side guard and big man set a screen on the high and low men in the zone, respectively.  As soon as the guard reaches his position, the ball should be skipped from the elbow to the opposite side corner.  Timing is everything.  
4. In this zone, the center man in the zone will be forced to guard the ball at the elbow, leaving the paint to the low man being screened by the offensive guard.  If the low man fights around the screen to cover the corner, the guard setting the screen will slip and open up to the basket.  The forward/center catching the initial pass must be able to read the defense appropriately.  As long as this offensive player can make both the skip pass or a slip pass, this play should work every time.  

Needless to say, this play can't be used every time, but if used two to three times a game, you should get two to three good shots from it.