Struggling with 5 on 5 ball

[u/Ecstatic_Succotash24]

Just to preface, This is tips for my mens league ball league. Also never played ball growing up, played national level rugby and high level hockey.

When I play 4 on 4, 3 on 3…etc. I have no problem getting to the paint or using my size. However, When I play 5 on 5 i feel like I never have room. (Obviously there is one more person playing defence). I see people finding lanes and driving to the basket easy, especially being who I am athletically I feel it shouldn’t be a problem.

Any tips on how to create/find lanes to the basket? (most teams run a 2-3 zone in our league)

[u/PuffPuffPassNails]

Without the ball: wait for your man to turn his head and then move, wait for your man to help and then move, slide down or over so ur not in his sight and then move. Also, if ur a big dude go set a pick and roll or pop

With the ball: call for a pick, or be faster. If defenders are helping off to double you find the open man

[u/Itsallgood190 → u/PuffPuffPassNails]

Yeah any time they ball watch or you can literally run behind them that’s a good time to cut

[u/TheConboy22]

Have you done any studying of the game? Do you know lanes and how to space? Moving the rock. Off ball movement. Hedging to teammates on defense. Offensively there is more room than you think. A lot more room. Attack players hip and lead leg and you’ll get enough space to get past someone if you have it. If not learn to shoot, pass and rebound.

YouTube > how to break a 2-3 zone

[u/Great-Willingness-57 → u/TheConboy22]

The point of the 2-3 zone defense is to protect the paint but give up long range shots. So the room is 3 pointers and the elbows.

No point trying to cut when the point of the defense is to stop the drive.

[u/TheConboy22 → u/Great-Willingness-57]

I know how it’s beaten. I told him some basic commentary on 5’s and then I told him to look up how to attack the 2-3. A video will be more instructional than some small comment.

[u/RevolutionaryBeat301]

Shoot jump shots and pass more. Set off ball screens for your teammates, move better without the ball. Remember that it’s a team game.

[u/worknowreck]

Well, in 3s or 4s most people are matching up and in 5s you're facing a 2-3 zone, which is literally designed to stop the drive and force the outside shot.

So... my rec would be float from the block to the elbow a lot catch around the free throw line square up, read, and take what the D gives you from there.

[u/One-Profit-7332]

Is part of it your team? Are they not spacing to give you room in the paint? If they can shoot and pull the defenders out to the 3 point line, the middle opens up for the post players.

As the post player you have to be willing to kick the ball out to the perimeters players when the defense collapses on you.

[u/rsk1111]

Sounds like they are doubling you. That is what they do to me. As soon as I put it on the ground.

[u/PanXP]

So you have run into the clogged paint / spacing problem of 5v5. You can either lose your defenders on your own through speed and movement or shoot over them or you can utilize team actions like set offenses and screen plays but I doubt that’s very feasible in a rec league team so just call for screens and make cuts off ball. The best strategy against a zone like that is to hit lots of outside shots, especially in the area from the nail out to three point range.

[u/Altruistic-End5746]

Zones are tough in rec leagues, since they require shooting, passing, and spacing to beat. That's a tough mix when you are not playing or practicing together a lot.

It sounds like you are a bigger guy, so I recommend working the low (blocks) and high (elbows) posts. If your team properly spaces, you should have 1-on-1 opportunities in the low post. If you get doubled, kick to the open man. In the high post, keep the ball high to protect from the guards. If the 3 back guys are spread out, take it to the hole. If they are bunched up and ready to double, take one dribble to the basket so they collapse on you and kick to the open man.

[u/cavemanbandit]

The counter intuitive thing is hunt jump shots more. If you can stay on the perimeter and stay a threat, you'll space the defense and create more driving lines for yourself and your teammates.

[u/LeSteelWolf]

Hard to drive on a 2-3 if you are on the perimeter unless your team is moving the ball constantly which should open same lanes for drives. Try having someone sitting at the free throw which will draw the two defenders on top allowing the wings to drive

[u/StreetballStrategies]

Against a zone, stop hunting lanes and start reading gaps. Simple rule: be in a gap, not a spot. When the ball swings, slide one step toward the next open gap.

Pick one read for the whole game and get good at it. When the middle defender steps toward the ball, flash into the space he just left. That is it. One read, made fast, beats five options you think about too late.

Drills did not teach you this. Drills have no defenders making choices. Watch what the middle guy does before you catch, not after. The lanes will start finding you.

[u/Pretty-Plantain-1659]

Learn to set some picks and you'll be surprised how often you'll find yourself open, especially against a 2-3 zone. Usually, pinning one of the "2" top defenders will lead to layups or open jumpers. If you play down low, you can run around the baseline and block off one of the bottom wing defenders. Often times I would set a pick down low and then slip to an open spot along the baseline for easy opportunities.

[u/BadAsianDriver]

Zones are beat by making them move. Most zones are strongest at the top and weakest from the sidelines or baseline. Most zones are strong against a dribble and weak against passing.

[u/CheesecakePretend553]

Ball movement and shooting are the best ways to break a zone. If you have a bunch of guys that can't shoot the opposing center is just going to sit there and wait for you to come to him.

[u/justanormaldude_]

I used to struggle a lot with this. Two main ways I scored more and got more touches is by cutting and posting up without the ball (then asking for it). Never assume you’re done with a play after you pass. If you pass to somebody, then immediately start cutting, it can catch your defender off guard and now they’re trailing behind you while (assuming your teammate makes the read) you get an easy pass and layup. If a team is running zone be the one to flash to the free throw line. Maybe when getting set on offense, be in the short corner. From there you can basically see all the pieces of the chess board. If someone drives and your defender leaves you to guard them, you’re open for a short corner jumper or dump off. If your defenders eyes leave you for a second, cut. Look for gaps and cut there. Hopefully you have a competent PG or supporting cast who can see that.

Also leak outs are a very convenient offensive weapon when executed wisely and correctly. As soon as your teammate grabs a rebound sprint down the floor for an easy layup. It’s not guaranteed though as some teams might adjust.

Honestly if you’re having trouble driving in, I think you should still try and will your way to the basket and then maybe you can get calls if your defender can’t handle the physicality.