WELCOME TO THEHOOPSCOACH.COM - A GLOBAL BASKETBALL COACHING COMMUNITY

INSTAND DOWNLOADS
EDITABLE TEMPLATES
SECURE CHECKOUT

Zipper DHO

ATO that stacks a zipper cut, dribble handoff, and middle ball screen to guarantee a clean look in a critical moment.

OFFENSE

ATO

FORMATION

Box

CORE ACTIONS

Zipper Cut, Ball Screen / PnR, Dribble Handoff (DHO)

PLAY DESCRIPTION

Quick Overview
Zipper DHO disguises its true intent by running a zipper entry into a misdirection DHO, immediately followed by a middle ball screen. The sequence of three back-to-back actions forces multiple defenders into tough decisions, creating a high-percentage drive or kick-out.

Why It Works
The zipper screen lifts the guard cleanly into the slot. The misdirection DHO reverses the action back toward the original side before the defense can reset. By the time the middle ball screen arrives, spacing is perfect and the defense is spread thin, opening the lane for 1 or a baseline corner three for 3.

Key Teaching Points

  • 4 must screen tightly on the zipper to free 2 into the slot.

  • 2 must flow directly into the DHO with 1 — no hesitation.

  • 1 must attack the DHO downhill with pace, forcing the big defender to commit.

  • 5 must sprint into the middle ball screen and roll hard to the rim.

  • 3 must stay disciplined in the weak-side corner, ready for the corner three.

PRIMARY ACTIONS

  • Setup: 1 left slot (ball), 4 left elbow, 2 left block, 5 right elbow, 3 right corner.

  • 1 dribbles toward the left wing.

  • 4 sets a zipper screen for 2, who cuts up into the left slot.

  • 4 clears to the left corner.

  • 1 passes to 2, then immediately receives a DHO back from 2 (misdirection).

  • 5 steps up into a middle ball screen for 1.

  • 1 attacks downhill, with 5 rolling to the rim.

  • Spacing: 2 left slot, 3 right corner, 4 left corner.

  • Reads: 1 finishing, pocket/lob to 5, or kick-out to 3 in the corner if help rotates.

MEDIA

Zipper DHO A Zipper DHO B Zipper DHO C
DOWNLOAD PLAYSHEET
RETURN TO ALL PLAYS

We send one email/week. Unsubscribe anytime.

Join the THEHOOPSCOACH Insider List

Enter your email and get exclusive weekly content you won’t find on the website or social channels — drills, tools, and practical coaching ideas shared only with our insider community. Built to inspire your practices and make coaching more efficient.

Join THEHOOPSCOACH Community

Join a global community of Coaches…

… and get exclusive coaching ideas, tools, plays, drills, and applied practice concepts designed to help you run your team more efficiently.

Double opt-in. Unsubscribe anytime