3 Actions from Southern Utah's Highly Ranked System

• By Jaycob Ammerman

Last season, Southern Utah had one of the best offensive teams in the country according to Synergy Sports. Synergy lists them as the #10 ranked offensive team. 

Southern Utah was also marked as “excellent” in zone offense. 

Head Coach Todd Simon came from the high school level → then worked his way up to college level → and now he is the head coach of Southern Utah. 

Coach Simon’s philosophy against a zone defense is to dictate. To do this he uses many different actions within his zone offense.

Three of the main actions Southern Utah uses are: Inside Ball Screen Overload, Outside Ball Screen and Corner Action. 

#1 Inside Ball Screen Overload

Coach Simon’s zone offense is usually initiated by a wing entry then a throwback to get the defense moving. 

After the throwback, the big man comes up to set an inside slot ball screen. 

The best shooter will be located in the opposite slot. 

 The wing then sprints through to create an overload.

#2 Outside Ball Screen 

The outside ball screen is a mid-pick and roll which is designed to attack the defender when coming off the ball screen. 

- This will occupy that defender causing a chain reaction of open offensive players. 

- The numbers game sets up well for the offense in this set because it makes a defender guard two in certain situations. 

#3 Corner Action

The Corner Action is a quick overload that looks to get a player a catch around the dunker spot. 

- This action is hard to guard because it happens fast and gives many options.

- If the guy in the dunker spot is not open then usually the guy in the corner could be open. 

This is another set that puts the offense at an advantage with the numbers.

Coach Simon shared over 20 actions in his clinic that can be used with any player personnel, and he explains when to play them and adjust them based on game situation.

Southern Utah’s zone offensive menu has shown it can be very successful if executed. 

Thank you to Coach Simon for a great clinic.

Never get out-coached.