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Reverse Pin and Loop (vs Zone)

A zone offense play against 2-3 zone: 2 steps with diagrams and coaching points.

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Half-court diagram of Reverse Pin and Loop (vs Zone), step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 2 passes, 1 cut.
- 1 passes to 2 who receives the ball back from 2Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A zone set against a 2-3 zone that reverses the ball before 5 pins the middle defender and 2 loops through the lane. On the weak side, 4 screens the bottom defender to free 3 for a perimeter catch, with 1 shortening the passing angle off the dribble.

When to use it

Against a 2-3 zone, when you want to reverse the ball and get a perimeter catch on the weak side. Good when you have a guard who can shorten passing lanes off the dribble and a big who can pin the middle.

Personnel

1 starts at the top, 2 on one wing, 3 on the other, 4 on the weak-side block, 5 at the middle. 1 passes to 2 and gets the ball back. 5 pins the middle defender while 2 loops up through the lane. 4 screens the bottom of the zone for 3, who pops out. 1 uses a dribble to shorten the passing lanes.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. - 1 passes to 2 who receives the ball back from 2

  2. F212345

    Step 2. - 5 pins the middle defender in the zone while 2 loops up through the lane - 4 screens the bottom of the zone for 3 to pop out - 1 uses a dribble to shorten passing lanes

Reads

  1. First: the reversal. 1 passes to 2 and the ball returns to 1. The reversal moves the zone before the screens.
  2. Second: 3 popping out. 4 screens the bottom defender and 3 pops out. Pass to 3 for a perimeter catch if the zone doesn't close.
  3. Third: 2 through the lane. 2 loops through the lane while 5 pins the middle. Look for 2 if the middle defender is held.

Counter

If 3's pop is taken away, 1 keeps the dribble and reverses back, or looks to 2 coming through the lane.

Teaching cues

  • 5: pin the middle defender and hold the screen.
  • 2: loop through the lane right after the pin.
  • 4: screen the bottom of the zone, then show 3 where to pop.
  • 1: dribble to shorten the passing lane.

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
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Topics

  • Zone offense
  • 2-3 zone
  • Ball reversal
  • Loop
  • Pin screen
  • High post
  • Screen the zone