Zoom Action Playbook &
Implementation Guide
Zoom Action Playbook 2
Table of Contents
BONUS Zoom Drills
1V1 Zoom Drills 3
2V2 Zoom Drills 7
3V3 Zoom Drills 11
Zoom Set Diagrams
Penn State Horns Zoom Set 15
Northern Iowa Horns Staggered Zoom Set 16
Northern Iowa Back Screen Zoom Set 17
Loyola Staggered Zoom Set 19
Northern Iowa Transition Zoom Action 20
Northern Iowa Middle Zoom Action 21
BONUS Out-of-Bounds Sets
Kansas Zoom BLOB 22
UNI Zoom SLOB 23
Zoom Offense with Coach Nate Steege 24
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Zoom Action Playbook 3
1v1 Zoom Drills
Handoff Reads Drill
Purpose:
The first read for the zoom action involves the
player getting the handoff creating their own
shot. Working specifically on where those shots
come from can help the game slow down when
other reads are introduced.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts in the corner with a
defender guarding
● A chair is set in the spot where the
screen would occur in a zoom action
● Coach with a basketball starts at the top
of the key
Instructions:
● The coach dribbles at the chair (like in a
zoom)
● The offensive players sets up his
defender and comes towards the coach for a dribble handoff
● Once the player gets the ball it is live 1 on 1 to score.
● The offensive player cannot go past the lane line on the opposite side (any
farther will not be available with help defenders in games)
Points of Emphasis:
● Setting up defender for the handoff
● Reading where the defender is (chasing or going under)
● Attacking the handoff to get to try and get to the rim
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Zoom Action Playbook 4
Variations:
Allow Back Cuts: Working on reading the defender before the handoff is an important
skill to work on. Allowing the offensive player to make a back cut or come for the
dribble handoff is a good variation to add once the players feel comfortable making the
read.
Chair Instead of Coach: If a coach is not able to be used as the handoff player then
another chair can fill into that roll. Setting the ball on a second chair behind the first
and the player taking the handoff scoops the ball out of the chair as a fill in.
Coaching Tips:
● Make it as game-like as possible: Be sure players understand what situation
the drill is working on. Also, focus on good attacks off the catch and stop to talk
about reads players make.
● Keep it Competitive: A 1 on 1 drill can create a great competitive aspect to a
practice. Be sure to coach the offense and defense in the drill.
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Zoom Action Playbook 5
Screener Reads Drill
Purpose:
The other player who will be attacking down hill in zoom actions can be the screener.
This occurs when the player in the corner denies the handoff through a back cut or
fake dribble handoff. Reads are very similar to the player starting in the corner but
from a different spot/angle.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts in the screener position with
his body facing towards the baseline (like
setting a screen) and a defender guarding
him
● A coach in the corner (playing the handoff
player position)
● Coach at the top of the key with a basketball
Instructions:
● Coach in the corner makes a back cut move
● Coach at the top begins to dribble at player
1
● Player 1 turns for a dribble handoff
● Live 1 on 1 to score
Points of Emphasis:
● Timing of coming for handoff
● Reading the defender
● Coming tight off the handoff and attacking the middle
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Zoom Action Playbook 6
Variations:
Coach in Corner: The coach in the corner can be a player/manager/or none at all
depending on capability during practices. If the drill is done as a whole team or group
then a rotation can be set to have the backcut player be one of the players in the drill.
Allow Back Cuts: Just like the handoff player in the corner, a good read for the
screener is another backcut. Working on reading the defender before the handoff is an
important skill to work on. Allowing the offensive player to make a back cut or come for
the dribble handoff is a good variation to add once the players feel comfortable making
the read.
Coaching Tips:
● Think About Your Team: Which players will more likely be playing the corner
spot and which players will be screeners? Deciding which is the right 1 on 1 drill
for each player is important.
● Mix up the Defenders: Playing a team that is going to switch the handoffs?
Have a bigger player guard your smaller players to work on the different types of
looks that might be available.
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Zoom Action Playbook 7
2v2 Zoom Drills
DHO Reads Drill (Zoom and Screener Spots)
Purpose:
Once you feel confident your team is ready to make
reads while working together in handoff actions then
moving from 1 on 1 drills to 2 on 2 drills is a great
next step. This way players can work on the timing of
handoffs without the added confusion when more
players are involved.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts at the top of the key with a
basketball
● Player 2 starts either in the corner or in the
screener position.
Instructions:
● Player 1 dribbles at player 2, just like in a zoom
action. If working on the corner handoff then a
chair/coach in the screener spot can be used.
● Once player 1 receives the handoff or makes a
cut. It is live 2 on 2 to score. Again, only using
one half of the court for spacing purposes.
Points of Emphasis:
● Reads/reactions to the other player
● Timing of handoffs depending on position on
the court.
● Focusing on windows for kickbacks or dump
offs to the roller.
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Zoom Action Playbook 8
Variations:
Add in rules to work on specific actions: Create
situations that are a focus for your team. For
example, the player in the corner must backcut or
the defender guarding the player in the corner must
go under the screen.
Switches/Denials: One way teams try to stop a zoom
action is by switching within the action or denying all
handoffs. Make sure you know what defenses are
trying to do to stop your team's zooms and practice
those in the 2 on 2 setting.
Coaching Tips:
● Slow Down and Teach: Use any opportunity to teach specific reads that
happen. Use the 2 on 2 situation to rely on how that will translate to the 5 on 5
game.
● Who is in one spot?: If your team will only have your bigs delivering the
handoffs then be sure that they are the players in the position in these drills.
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Zoom Action Playbook 9
Zoom & Screener Read/Reaction Drill
Purpose:
Zoom actions allow for players to make reads and
reactions to what other players are doing. This
happens even before the handoff. This drill gives
players the reps on reacting to the zoom player in
the corner. If the zoom player back cuts, curls, takes
the handoff, or fakes the handoff all will result in a
different reaction from the screener.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts in the corner with a defender
● Player 2 starts in the screener spot with a
defender
● Coach/Manager at the top of the key
Instructions:
● Coach/Manager dribbles from the top of the
key towards the screener
● Player 2 sets the screener for player 1
● Player 1 comes off the screen and receives the dribble handoff
● Player 2 reads player 1 and it is then 2 on 2 live to score (only using half of the
court)
Points of Emphasis:
● Screener needs to focus on reading the cutter:
● If the cutter takes the dribble handoff then the screener should pop
● If the cutter doesn’t take the dribble handoff than the screener should come off
for a DHO
● If the cutter back cuts then again the screener should come off for a dribble
hand off
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Zoom Action Playbook 10
Variations:
Predetermine Reads: When beginning to teach the zoom action, it may be beneficial
to give the cutter a predetermined action (back cut, take dribble handoff, or don’t take
dribble handoff) in order to focus on exactly what the read will look like in live 5 on 5
action
Make it Take it: To keep the drill competitive, have the groups who score stay on and
make it a “make it take it” drill.
Coaching Tips:
● Look for Slips: Help the screeners look for opportunities to slip or face cut
before the screen even occurs for an easy basket.
● Good Screeners/Patience: Focus coaching on the timing of the screen and
when to come off. It is important for the zoom player to be patient and wait for
the screen to be set. Equally as important is the screener getting low enough to
link up with the zoom player and setting a good screen.
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Zoom Action Playbook 11
3v3 Zoom Drills
Zoom Reads Drill
Purpose:
Once players are able to make reads in the 1 on 1 and 2 on 2 drills then it is time to
introduce the full zoom action in 3 on 3 small sided games. This drill incorporates all
three spots and works on all of the reads that will be happening within this action. This
drill can be focused on a specific action, players, or read and should be a staple of any
practice plan for teams implementing zoom actions in their offense.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts at the top of the key with
a basketball and a defender
● Player 2 starts on the wing with a
defender
● Player 3 starts in the corner with a
defender
Instructions:
● The drill begins with player 2 setting a
screener for player 3 while at the same
time player 1 dribbles directly at player 2.
● At this point the drill is live 3 on 3 with
the opposite lane line serving as an out
of bounds.
Points of Emphasis:
● Reads/reactions to the other players
● Getting downhill into the paint on the
dribble handoffs.
● Quick/Hard cuts while reading the zoom action
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Zoom Action Playbook 12
Variations:
Start with the ball on the opposite wing: Have a coach or manager start with the
basketball and the drill begins when the ball is passed to the player at the top of the
key. Also, the defenders should be in their help positions while the ball is on the
opposite wing. This allows for a more accurate timing of when the ball is swung directly
into a zoom action.
Predetermine Reads: When beginning to teach the zoom action, it may be beneficial
to give the cutter a predetermined action (back cut, take dribble handoff, or don’t take
dribble handoff) in order to focus on exactly what the read will look like in live 5 on 5
action.
Specific Player Must Get a Shot: Challenge your players with giving them a
predetermined player who must get the shot. This will help them focus on which read
will be needed in the zoom action. This shouldn’t be done all of the time but a good
changeup to help get more out of the drill.
Coaching Tips:
● Mistakes Are Going to Happen: Remind players that the read they make won’t
be the best one every time. A bad read that is done quickly and decisively is
always better than indecision.
● Teach by Using the Defense: Teach the reads within the zoom by using the
defensive players. For example, talk about the defensive player who went under
the screen and that is why the offensive team got an open look. This will help the
players understand the “why” behind the reads of the zoom action.
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Zoom Action Playbook 13
Handoff and Help Drill
Purpose:
The zoom action occurs on one side of the floor but it is important to work on both
sides of the action for players to read. This drill works on players getting downhill and
into the paint and the decisions and reads that will occur in games.
Setup:
● Player 1 starts at the top of the key with a
basketball and a defender
● Player 2 starts in the corner with a
defender
● Player 3 starts in the opposite corner with
a defender
● A chair is put in between player 1 and
player 2 (where the screen in the zoom
would occur)
Instructions:
● The drill begins with player 1 dribble at the
chair (screener) and player 2 coming off for
a dribble handoff
● Once player 2 gets the basketball then the
drill is live 3 on 3. This time the entire floor
is in play.
Points of Emphasis:
● Where the help defender (x3) is at and what is the best play to make
● The opposite spot up player (3) staying low and having hands/feet ready for a
kick out opportunity.
● Player 2 reading the action and positioning themselves for a scoring opportunity.
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Zoom Action Playbook 14
Variations:
Start the Drill Going Both Ways: Player 1 could also choose which direction they want
to make the handoff. The other player would then become the spot up player. This
makes it more of a live action right off the start without any predetermined actions to
begin the drill.
4 on 4: This drill can also be done in the 4 on 4 setting. One variation would be to have
the full zoom action with three players on one side and a spot up player on the
opposite side. It also can be done with two spot up players on one side of the floor and
two players and a chair for the zoom action on the other.
Coaching Tips:
● Make the Help Defender Make a Decision: Getting downhill and into the paint
is a key to success in any action, especially the zoom action. Remind players that
the goal is to have the defender be in a position to have to make a decision. In
this drill that will be caused by the player receiving the dribble handoff getting
into the paint.
● Attacking Closeouts: This is a great drill to talk about how players should attack
closeouts. If the help defender is closing out hard to the kickout player then
attacking the shoulder of the defender is a great read. If the player is late to
close out then the player must be ready to catch and shoot off of the kick out.
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Zoom Action Playbook 15
Zoom Set Diagrams
Penn State Horns Zoom Set
Diagram 1: This horns set begins with point guard (1) at the top
of the key, the two guards (2 and 3) in each corner, and two bigs
(4 and 5) on the elbows to form the horns alignment.
Diagram 2: 1 enters to the 5 who is opposite of the guard (3)
who is receiving the zoom action. (This set can be run as an
option to which ever side the ball is entered to)
Once the ball is entered, player 4 turns and goes to set a down
screen for 3 in the corner.
Diagram 3: Once 3 begins to set his man up to come off the
screen then 2 clears to the other corner and 1 replaces to the
ballside corner. (1 can also cut off of 5 for a fake dribble hand
off)
3 cuts off the screen towards the top of the key where the
handoff of the zoom will take place.
Diagram 4: Once 1 clears, the 5 dribbles at 3 for a dribble
handoff. 3 attacks off the handoff while 5 rim runs to the front of
the rim. 1 spaces in the corner for a catch and shoot opportunity.
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Zoom Action Playbook 16
Horns Zoom Action Set
Northern Iowa Horns Staggered Zoom Set
Diagram 1: This horns set begins with point guard (1) at the top
of the key, the two guards (2 and 3) in each corner, and two bigs
(4 and 5) on the elbows to form the horns alignment.
Diagram 2: The set begins with 1 entering to 5. Once the 5
catches the ball both 4 and 1 go to set a staggered screen for 2
in the corner.
Diagram 3: 2 sets up his man and comes off of the staggered.
The 5, with the basketball, waits until 2 is coming off of both
screens to dribble at him for the zoom action.
Diagram 4: 5 and 2 complete a dribble handoff near the top of
the key. 5 then rolls to the rim while 2 attacks the paint. 3 is a
shooter spotted up in the corner and 4 and 1 space after setting
their screens on the opposite side.
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Zoom Action Playbook 17
Back Screen/Fake Ball Screen Zoom Action
Northern Iowa Back Screen Zoom Set
Diagram 1: This set alignment has the point guard (1) at the
top of the key, 2 players (2 & 4) on the left side, a big (5) on the
right block, and another player (3) in the right corner
Diagram 2: The set starts with a dribble handoff between 1
and 3 on the right wing. As this is happening 4 and 2 are
interchanging.
Diagram 3: After handing the ball off, 1 exits to the ballside
corner while 3 dribble towards the top of the key. 3 then swings
the ball over to player 2 on the left wing.
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Zoom Action Playbook 18
Northern Iowa Back Screen Zoom Set (Continued)
Diagram 4:Once 3 swings the ball to 2, then player 5 who is on
the elbow sets a back screen for 3.
Diagram 5:After the back screen, 3 continues the cut to the left
corner where 4 sets an off ball screen near the block. 5 steps to
the 3 point line and receives a pass from 2 who follows the pass
over the top of the 5 for a fake handoff.
Diagram 6:Once 2 clears over the top for the fake dribble
handoff, 5 follows player 2 with the dribble. Player 2 sets a
screen for 1 who comes off the screen for a dribble handoff from
5, completing the zoom action.
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Zoom Action Playbook 19
Loyola Chicago Staggered Zoom Set
Diagram 1:The Loyla staggered zoom can be run as a set or in transition. It begins in a standard 5
out look with the point guard (1) on the wing, a big who can handle the ball (5) on the top, the other
big (4) on the opposite wing, and a guard in each corner (2 & 3).
Diagram 2:The set starts with 1 passing to 5 at the top of the
key. Once 5 catches the ball, 4 cuts over the top for a fake hand
off. Both 1 and 4 go to set staggered screens for 3 in the corner.
Diagram 3:After the screeners are set, 3 comes off of both
screens while at the same time 5 is dribbling at the 4. A dribble
handoff between the 3 and the 5 completes the staggered zoom
action.
Diagram 4: 5 then rolls to the rim while 3 attacks the paint.
Players 1 and 4 space and player 2 is ready to catch and shoot
for kick out opportunities.
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Zoom Action Playbook 20
Using The Zoom in Transition
UNI Transition Zoom Action
Diagram 1: UNI runs zoom actions out of transition. This can be
used as a set secondary break or as a read within transition
offense. The zoom action begins in an alignment with the point
guard (1) dribbling up the left side of the floor. The big who can
handle the basketball best (5) is at the top of the key. The other
big (4) on the ball side wing, and a guard in each corner (2 & 3).
Diagram 2: The action starts with 1 entering to 5 at the top of the
key and immediately following the pass and cutting over the top
for a fake handoff. Once over the screen, 1 goes to set a down
screen for 3 in the corner.
Diagram 3: Once 1 cuts over the top, 5 follows 1 with the dribble
towards player 3. After the screener is set, 3 comes off of 1’s
screen into a dribble handoff with the 5 for the zoom action.
Diagram 4: After the ball is handed off to 3, then 5 rolls to the
rim while 3 attacks the paint. Player 1 fills up for a kickback
opportunity. The backside action is a flare screen which happens
once 3 begins to attack towards the middle.
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Zoom Action Playbook 21
UNI Transition Middle Zoom Action
Diagram 1: When UNI comes down in transition in a more
standard 5 out alignment then a middle zoom action is triggered.
The action begins the same as the first UNI transition zoom
action with 1 passing to 5 at the top of the key.
Diagram 2: Again, 1 follows the pass over the top of 5 for a fake
dribble handoff. This time, into a screen for 3 who is between the
wing and lane line extended area.
Diagram 3: 5 follows 1 with the dribble (one or two dribbles
based on spacing) and completes the middle zoom action with a
dribble handoff with 3.
Diagram 4: While 3 attacks the middle, 5 rolls to the rim and 1
follows behind to the top of the key. Players 2 and 4 stay spaced
in the corners ready for kick outs to catch and shoot.
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Zoom Action Playbook 22
Zoom Baseline Out of Bounds Plays
BONUS: Kansas Zoom BLOB
Diagram 1: Kansas runs a zoom action out of a box alignment
BLOB set. The two guards (2 & 3) are on the elbows, the two
bigs (4 & 5) on the blocks, and the player receiving the handoff
in the zoom action (1) inbound the ball.
Diagram 2: When the ball is handed in play, both 2 and 3 cut
to the corners. 5 holds off his defender and receives an entry
pass from 1.
Diagram 3: Once the ball is entered, 4 sets a screen for 1
near or just under the block. The 5 dribbles at the screen while
1 cuts around 4 and receives the dribble handoff for the zoom
action.
Diagram 4: After the screen, 4 clears to the opposite block
and 2 slides up to the wing. 5 exits the lane and 1 is attacking
the front of the rim.
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Zoom Action Playbook 23
Zoom Sideline Out of Bounds Plays
BONUS: UNI Zoom SLOB
Diagram 1: UNI even runs zoom actions out of sideline out of
bounds opportunities. The player receiving the handoff in the
zoom (2) starts in the opposite corner. The big who will be
handing off the ball (5) starts on the lane line extended closets
to the inbounder. Two other players (1 & 4) start on the opposite
lane line extended and opposite corner.
Diagram 2: Once the ball is put in play, the inbounder throws to
5 and steps in bounds to the wing. Once 5 gets the pass then 4
clears to the opposite corner and 1 goes to set a down screen
for 2.
Diagram 3: 5 follows 1 and begins to dribble towards the
screen. 2 waits until the screen is set and then sets up the
defender and goes off the screen towards 5. A dribble handoff
occurs near the wing between 2 and 5.
Diagram 4: After getting the handoff, 2 attacks the middle and 5
rolls to the rim. After setting the screen 1 fills up towards the
wing. On the backside a flare screen happens at the same time
of the handoff.
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Zoom Action Playbook 24
Want help implementing the Zoom Offense?
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experienced teams.
This product includes EVERYTHING you need to implement the offense including:
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● Breakdown Drills
● Offensive Sets
● 103 p. eBook with Diagrams
Learn more about The Zoom Offense with Coach Steege today to help your team create a more
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