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Box Zipper Flare

A play against man-to-man: 3 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Box Zipper Flare, step 1 of 3: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 1 dribble, 1 pass, 2 screens, 1 cut.
- 3 zipper cuts to the key and then flares off of a flare screen from 5Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

From a box alignment, 3 zipper cuts up the lane and uses 5's flare screen for the primary three-point look. If that is covered, 2 pops to the corner off 4's screen; the final read is a 5-3 ball screen to attack the lane.

When to use it

A half-court set against man-to-man when you need a three, such as end of a quarter or a late-game special. Built to get your best shooter (3) a catch-and-shoot off a flare screen.

Personnel

Box: 3 and 4 on one side, 2 and 5 on the other, 1 with the ball up top. 3 is the shooter and must be ready to catch and shoot. 5 sets the flare screen. 4 screens for 2. 2 needs to be able to shoot from the corner. 1 passes to 3 and then spaces on the weak side.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. - 3 zipper cuts to the key and then flares off of a flare screen from 5

  2. F212345

    Step 2. - 4 screens for 2 to pop to the corner as a 2nd option for a 3

  3. F312345

    Step 3. - As a last option, if 3 does not have a shot, 5 ball screens for 3 to attack the lane

Reads

  1. First read. 3 zipper cuts up the lane to the key, then flares off 5's screen. If 3's defender trails or gets caught on the screen, 1 passes to 3 for the three.
  2. Second read. 4 screens for 2, and 2 pops to the corner. If the defense stays with 3, look for 2 in the corner for a three.
  3. Last option. If 3 has no shot, 5 comes up and sets a ball screen for 3, and 3 attacks the lane off it.

Counter

If the flare is jammed up and 2 is covered too, 3 keeps the ball and uses 5's ball screen to drive. Do not force a three that is contested.

Teaching cues

  • 3: set your defender up on the lane, then use the flare screen tight.
  • 5: set the flare with your feet planted, then come up for the ball screen.
  • 4: screen for 2, then clear. 2: pop to the corner and be ready to shoot.
  • 1: pass to 3 on time, then space on the weak side.

Use this play

Version
1 (current), approved October 2, 2026
Published by
Ball Coach
Source
Published by Ball Coach under its first-party license, credited to Ball Coach. Released as a fixed version; any later edit gets a new version number.
Use
Free to view, print and add unchanged to your playbook.

Topics

  • Box
  • Man-to-man
  • Ball screen
  • Flare screen
  • Zipper cut