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Box Zipper Side

A play against man-to-man: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Box Zipper Side, step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 1 dribble, 2 screens, 2 cuts, 1 pass.
- 3 zipper cuts to the key to receive a pass from 1 - 4 screens for 2 to pop to the corner as a 2nd option for a 3Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

From a box set, 3 zipper cuts for the entry while 4 screens 2 out to the corner. 5 then ball-screens for 3 as 1 down-screens for 2, with 3 reading the drive, corner option, or a dump-off/lob to 4 behind the help.

When to use it

After a timeout or dead ball when you need a two, against man-to-man, from a box set. Good when you have a guard who can attack off a side ball screen and a big who can finish a dump-off or lob.

Personnel

3 zipper cuts to the key and starts the ball screen action, so he needs to be able to drive and read. 4 screens for 2 first, then reads help near the rim. 5 sets the ball screen for 3. 1 inbounds and later down-screens for 2. 2 pops to the corner and later uses 1's down screen.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. - 3 zipper cuts to the key to receive a pass from 1 - 4 screens for 2 to pop to the corner as a 2nd option for a 3

  2. F212345

    Step 2. - 5 sets a ball screen for 3 to attack the lane while 1 down screens for 2 - 4 reads defender and looks for dump pass or lob on defensive help

Reads

  1. First read. 3 catching at the key off the zipper from 1.
  2. Second read. 3 driving the lane off 5's ball screen while 1 down-screens for 2.
  3. Third read. 2 coming off 1's down screen, or in the corner after the pop. Pass to 2 if his defender helps on the drive.
  4. Fourth read. 4 behind the help. If a defender leaves him, dump the ball to 4 or throw a lob.

Counter

If the defense stays home on the drive and the corner, 3 can use the ball screen again to find 4 behind the help. If they switch the screen, attack the switch or look for 4.

Teaching cues

  • 3: cut hard to the key off the zipper and catch ready to attack.
  • 4: screen 2's defender so 2 can pop to the corner.
  • 5: set the ball screen with your feet set and roll to the rim.
  • 1: after the pass, down-screen for 2.
  • 4: read the help defender and be ready for a dump-off or lob.

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
  • Down screen
  • Lob
  • Zipper cut