Zoom Action: Pindown Into Dribble Handoff
What is zoom action?
Zoom is two screens chained together. The first is a pindown (a down screen) for a player in the corner or on the baseline. The second is a dribble handoff from a player at the wing or slot. The shooter curls off the pindown and immediately receives the handoff, which works like a second screen.
The point of chaining them is momentum. On a normal handoff the receiver starts from a standstill. In zoom, the receiver has already run off one screen and catches the ball at speed, with his defender trailing.
How to run zoom action
- Pindown. The 4 (or any screener) steps toward the corner and sets a down screen for the shooter (2). The shooter sets his defender up by taking a step toward the baseline first.
- Curl into the handoff. 2 comes off the pindown toward the wing. The ball handler (5) dribbles at him and hands the ball off, screening 2's defender in the process.
- Attack downhill. 2 catches the handoff with a head of steam and drives toward the middle of the floor.
- Roll and lift. 5 rolls to the rim after the handoff. The pindown screener (4) lifts to the corner for spacing. The driver reads the roller, the corner, or his own shot.
When to use it
Zoom is a strong entry for any team with one good shooter who can also drive. It is used constantly in college and the NBA as a way to get a scorer the ball on the move instead of standing still. At the high school level it is an easy install because every piece (down screen, handoff, roll) is something players already know.
It is also a good counter to defenses that deny the wing. Instead of fighting for a wing entry pass, the shooter gets the ball in a handoff.
Coaching points
- The pindown screener must make contact. A lazy screen means the defender beats the shooter to the handoff.
- The handoff player dribbles at the shooter. Don't wait for him; meet him.
- The shooter catches and goes in one motion. Two hands on the ball, then a hard first dribble toward the middle.
- If the defense goes under the handoff, stop and shoot. If they switch, the roller has a smaller defender.
Frequently asked questions
Zoom is a coaching term for a pindown screen that flows directly into a dribble handoff. Some programs call it "Chicago action" after the Chicago Bulls, who ran it heavily.
Yes, most coaches use the terms interchangeably. Both describe a pindown followed immediately by a dribble handoff.
Shoot it. If the defender ducks under the handoff, the shooter has space at the three-point line. The defense will stop going under after one or two makes, which opens the drive back up.
Related
Boys Program Director, MN Rush. Varsity assistant for Rogers Boys Basketball and former head coach at North Branch. Founded MN Rush in 2017. boys@mnrush.com