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Short Corner Backdoor (vs Zone)

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

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Half-court diagram of Short Corner Backdoor (vs Zone), step 1 of 2: 5 offensive players; player 1 has the ball; lines: 2 cuts, 1 pass.
We want to make sure that 2 and 3 are between the top and bottom guys on their side of the zone.Credit: Ball Coach

How it works

A 4-out-1-in zone set that places the wings in the gaps between the top and bottom defenders. Reverse to 2 and read the short corner, high-post flash, or skip; on a high-post catch, the short-corner player cuts backdoor.

When to use it

Against a 2-3 zone from 4-out-1-in, when you want to reverse the ball and find a short corner, high post or skip. Good when the wings can stand between the top and bottom defenders.

Personnel

1 starts with the ball and reverses to 2. 2 and 3 are the wings and stay in the gaps between the top and bottom defenders on their side. 4 flashes to the high post. 5 goes to the short corner and cuts backdoor on a high-post catch.

Step by step

  1. F112345

    Step 1. We want to make sure that 2 and 3 are between the top and bottom guys on their side of the zone.

  2. F212345

    Step 2. 2's options are 5 in short corner. 4 at high post, 1 for ball reversal or 3 on a skip pass. 2 hits 4 at high post anytime we hit high post short corner man cuts backdoor.

Reads

  1. First read. 5 in the short corner.
  2. Second read. 4 at the high post. Pass to 4 and 5 cuts backdoor.
  3. Third read. 1 for a ball reversal, or 3 on the skip pass.

Counter

If they take away the short corner and the high post, reverse the ball to 1 or skip to 3. If 4 catches at the high post, the short corner player cuts backdoor.

Teaching cues

  • 2 and 3: stay in the gaps between the top and bottom defenders.
  • 5: get to the short corner, then cut backdoor when the ball goes to 4.
  • 4: flash to the high post with your hands ready.
  • 2: look short corner, then high post, then reverse or skip.

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.
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Topics

  • 4-out-1-in
  • 2-3 zone
  • Backdoor cut
  • Ball reversal
  • Flash cut
  • Skip pass
  • High post
  • Screen the zone
  • Short corner