How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

[ImInThis]

I play with randoms and run into teams that play what looks like 2-3 or 3-2 zone, heck I think even 1-3-1 and of course we always get stomped. I understand playing with randoms you can't expect much, but the least I can do is give put on my mic and give tips

How do you beat the zone? What's the weakness? The only answer I get is ball movement, but good luck doing that because the passing lanes are very small.

My Post Scorer can shoot the 3 ball and mid-range, what's the best spot I should be standing? I've heard the free throw line is a good spot. Where should everyone else be positioned?

[TheDominator273]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

There are many ways to beat a zone defense but it requires everyone to be on the same page. My favorite key to beating a zone is to stress the middle of the zone, you will cause it to collapse unless the defense is extremely disciplined which will leave people open on the perimeter.

The simplest way to do this is to set up in a 2-1-2 on offense with people on each wing and in the corner with someone at the free throw line. Get the ball to the guy at the free throw line and read and react from there, chances are two defenders will commit towards that player leaving other players open, simply find the open player and if the defense rotates keep the ball moving to find the open shot. A stagnant ball is a killer for offense against a zone defense.

[BasketBalla21]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

If you're a post scorer that can shoot just set up at the free throw line. If you get the ball and you're open shoot it. If they crowd you hopefully your teammates know how to get open. A jokic style playstyle is your best bet.

Also, if you get the rebound on defense outlet pass immediately. The absolute best way to beat a zone is to attack it before it gets set.

[tru11]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

As a post scorer just post up the guards and abuse them.

If defenders start crashing, pray that your teammates have enough IQ to get open.

Attacking the basket to draw fouls works pretty darn good if you change your shot just before the block/contact comes.

Know how to shoot the midrange or bait defenders to abandon their man.

If you have a ball handeler that can shoot , id say to overload 1 side and screen him open with double or even triple screens.

Most guys stay in their zone covering air while most random thinks its a good idea to stand in a spot that has no passing lane.


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[jk31]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

outnumber them on one Side of the court. 1 and 2 a little higher than the wings, 3 in the corner, 4 on the high post, 5 on the low post. then you have 4 guys in the Ballside while they only have 3 defenders on that Side. get the Ball inside (to 4, 5 or via penetration from the outside), the others have to keep the spacing and move to open spaces and then kick the Ball out again. move from Side to Side and Do that 2 or 3 times and then you will have an open shot or layup.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

I miss these conversations. I'm surprised by the number of initial responses (all good advice BTW) recommending using a big in the high post.

Talking as a 2-way PG, I was thinking that the key to breaking the 2-3 zone begins with a good PG who HAS court awareness and knows how to use icon passing. I truly believe that the zone is OP, because people don't know how to dribble with their "heads up" and rely too much on the single button press for passes. Also, you need a PG who wants to setup his teammates instead of getting theirs. Lastly, you need teammates who know how to move to the open spots.

I did have one bad experience against the zone. However, having patience and taking time to probe the defense helps. I normally dribble to the middle of the floor, then briefly observe how the defense is covering my teammates. Personally, I'll pretty good at taking my man off the dribble, so my intentions is to make the zone "collapse" with my dribble penetration. Most players are "greedy", so you'll be surprised how many players will try to go for the steal attempt as you're coming into the mid-range area or try to double team you near the out-of-bounds lines.

As long as your teammates are moving to the open spots, it's just about reading and reacting then hitting your teammates. Most importantly, don't forget to hit your bigs who know how to dive to the rim. It always bug me when PGs (when I play C), don't pass me the ball when I making an uncontested dive to the rim.

[TheFinalEvent97]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Simplified way to beat 3-2 and 2-3 zones:

3-2: Shooter in each corner and big/slasher rolling down the middle.
2-3: Shooter on each wing
In both scenarios someone will be open, granted with how effective interceptor is it's a pain.

[ksuttonjr76]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Simplified way to beat 3-2 and 2-3 zones:

3-2: Shooter in each corner and big/slasher rolling down the middle.
2-3: Shooter on each wing
In both scenarios someone will be open, granted with how effective interceptor is it's a pain.

If your teammates don't move around to the open spots, then this simplified way literally plays into the strengths of the zone defense.

[TheFinalEvent97]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

If your teammates don't move around to the open spots, then this simplified way literally plays into the strengths of the zone defense.

I should have mentioned with 2-3 zone how important back door cuts are, these vids are from 18 and 19 but the same ideas still apply. (from JYoung AD's YT) (for the first video skip to 3minutes in)
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_jrsd0J-qaM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cUnls7mWnqw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[jyoung]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

I play with randoms and run into teams that play what looks like 2-3 or 3-2 zone, heck I think even 1-3-1 and of course we always get stomped. I understand playing with randoms you can't expect much, but the least I can do is give put on my mic and give tips

How do you beat the zone? What's the weakness? The only answer I get is ball movement, but good luck doing that because the passing lanes are very small.

My Post Scorer can shoot the 3 ball and mid-range, what's the best spot I should be standing? I've heard the free throw line is a good spot. Where should everyone else be positioned?

If you're playing with a team of randoms on a post scorer archetype I would just sit at the free throw line.

To maximize your offensive options in that area of the floor you'll want to have these badges equipped:

quick draw = at least silver + jumpshot 38
deadeye = at least bronze
catch & shoot = at least bronze
hot zone hunter = maxed out (it only takes 10 shot attempts at 55% shooting to get the free throw hot zone)
either deep fades or deep hooks (but not both) = at least silver
green machine = maxed out (it triggers on post fades)
pro touch (if you take hook shots) = maxed out (it triggers on post hooks)
difficult shots = max it if your build gets it (PFs and Cs don't) since it triggers on hops and stepbacks
lob city passer = bronze is enough
needle threader = bronze is enough
dimer = max it if your build gets it
dreamshake = max it (flick your right stick once before shooting a fade/hook to trigger post ankle breakers and increase your odds of making the shot)

This gives you the ability to shoot off the catch, shoot off the dribble/hop/stepback, fade/hook, or throw alley oops from the free throw position.

Against a 2-3 zone you will pull the center away from the basket and open up backdoor cutting lanes for anyone who can catch alley oops. Then if the center drops back to play the passing lane you'll have enough to space to shoot whatever your strongest shot type is (standing/hop/stepback/fade/hook).

Get in the habit of always throwing alley oops to your cutters. Any build that can't catch alley oops shouldn't be cutting to the basket in this game due to how bad the standing dunk/layup animations are and how easy they are to contest into blocks/misses.

Against a 3-2 the corner three point shot is what will be open instead of the cut to the basket once you're engaged with one of the back line defending bigs at the free throw line. Or if the middle perimeter defender picks you up then you'll probably have a post up mismatch against a guard/forward and should be able to score 1 on 1 if the back line bigs don't help out (if they do help it's an open corner three).

And any time you play with randoms the #1 thing to focus on as soon as the game starts is earning their trust with the ball and also figuring out which one of your teammates you can/cannot trust with the ball. If you use your gravity and passing to set people up with easy scoring opportunities at the start of the game and show your teammates that you're not an offensive black hole then they'll be more inclined to keep giving you the ball.

[YungGun]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Overload one side of the court, or have someone sit at the freethrow line.

[TheFgGoatLikesHawks]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Exactly. 2-3 zone is hard to beat for people who only play 5 out and think a Center is just there to be a screen spammer for the guards instead of being a playmaker a la Jokic or viable offensive option.

[tru11]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Kudos to your guys for sharing and showing that their are people with actual basketbal IQ.

Very refreshing to read rather then the its impossible broken crap people post because their gimmick they found on youtube aint working....


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[Pokes404]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Why can't I ever get teammed up with you guys in Rec!? I have a post-playing Center with a lethal midrange jumper (along with Gold Dimer and Gold Needle Threader). As soon as the other team goes zone, I immediately start working the elbows, and my team proceeds to ignore me the majority of the game. My guy is tailor-made to distribute and score from the middle of the zone, and even if I get on mic and try to explain that to people, that rarely ever listen and assume I'm just crying for the ball.

I mean, I kind of am, but it's because I can distribute from inside the zone so much easier than the guards can from the perimeter. It's really frustrating.

[howardphillips214]

Re: How do you beat zone in Rec in this game?

Kudos to your guys for sharing and showing that their are people with actual basketbal IQ.

Very refreshing to read rather then the its impossible broken crap people post because their gimmick they found on youtube aint working....


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Until i see video I'm gonna be skeptical.

How many players here actually have extensive experience in the Team Pro-Am?

I'll admit, we've busted plenty zones in the Rec. Id say we're about 60-40 W-L in Rec against zone. But teams that have 1000 games together and REALLY know how to run their zone and the offense, it's curtains.