- 1). Use a 2-1-2 offensive set, the Coach's Clipboard website suggests. As the ball crosses over into the front court, have two post players flank the defender under the basket and two guards flank the defender at the top of the 1-3-1 zone. Your fifth offensive player should be in the middle of the front court, just above the line of three defenders across.
- 2). Have your point guard, the primary player who brings the ball upcourt, dribble toward one side of the top defender before crossing the half-court line. This forces the defense to commit its trap to one side before the ball has entered the front court. Neither guard should be in the front court yet, the Coach's Clipboard advises.
- 3). Have the point guard make a quick pass to the two-guard, his backcourt teammate, who should be behind the half-court line and near the opposite sideline.
- 4). Pass up the sideline quickly. As the two-guard receives the pass from the point guard and brings the ball across half court, the defense will attempt to trap. The two-guard must quickly pass the ball up the court to an open player closer to the basket. If the zone is shifted well out of position, the two-guard may also look to dribble toward the basket.
- 5). Attack the basket. The key to breaking a 1-3-1 trap is making quick decisions and taking advantage of the brief window when defenders are out of position. If the bottom defender shifts over to defend the pass down the sideline from the two-guard, for example, then a pass to the basket will be available.
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