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Double Zipper Return

A baseline out of bounds play against man-to-man: 4 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Double Zipper Return, step 1 of 4: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 1 screen, 1 pass, 1 cut.
Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A four-frame baseline sequence. 5 frees 3 for the entry pass, then 4 and 5 zipper the inbounder (1) onto the floor for the return pass. As 1 dribbles to the top, 3 clears the lane and the same pair screens 2 to the weak-side wing for a shot.

When to use it

Under your basket, against man-to-man, when your inbounder can come onto the floor and handle, and you have a shooter for the weak-side wing.

Personnel

4 and 5 are the screeners and must set two actions in a row. 3 takes the entry and then clears. 1 inbounds, then comes off the zipper from 4 and 5 to catch the return pass and dribble to the top. 2 is the weak-side shooter.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. Diagram only.

  2. F212345

    Step 2. Diagram only.

  3. F312345

    Step 3. Diagram only.

  4. F412345

    Step 4. Diagram only.

Reads

  1. First read. The entry to 3, then the return pass to 1 coming off the zipper.
  2. Second read. 2 coming off the screen from 4 and 5 to the weak-side wing for the shot.

Counter

If the entry is denied, the screener (5) who freed 3 is the second outlet.

Teaching cues

  • Screeners: set the first screen, then get to the second one quickly.
  • 1: after you pass, come off the zipper tight and catch with your hands ready.
  • 3: after the entry, clear the lane fully so 2 has room.

Use this play

Version
1 (current), approved October 1, 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.

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