More Zipper Plays From Around the World

• By Coach Perkins

If you missed the first set of plays, you can find them here→//coachtube.com/basketball/articles/3-plays-from-zipper-actions-to-create-open-looks">find them here→

Zipper Deep Sweepweep

A variation of the Zipper action is called a Deep Sweep (thank you Liam Flynn for your help on this), where the cutter comes from across the lane and off the zipper screen to catch the ball on the opposite side of the floor.  In this clip, Spanish professional team Manresa runs the Deep Sweep action to get into a high pick and roll. 

Zipper Step Upp Up

A popular set in Europe several years ago to get the ball to the wing area for a step up screen.  1 dribbles down as 2 cuts to the top off the zipper screen.  3 clears to the ball side corner and 1 passes to 2.  1 will then cut off 4 to the opposite side of the floor.  2 passes to 1.  On the pass to 1.  5 sprints up to set the step up screen for 1.

Different action, but here is a video clip of Valencia utilizing a zipper action to set up a step up action on the opposite side of the floor.  

Zipper SpurSpur

Coach Pop has utilized zipper actions throughout the years with the Spurs.  This is a variation of one of their floppy actions.  1 dribbles to a side and 3 cuts to the top.  1 hits 3.  With the ball centered, 4 will pin down for 2, who curls into the lane as 5 sets a back screen for 1.  1 and 2 now run floppy action.

Zipper Twistwist

Another popular tactic in international basketball is to run your offensive actions to one side of the floor, then change sides to create a single tag situation.  In this example, 4 will pin down for 3, who cuts to the top and receives the ball from 3.  3 will then dribble off 5’s ball screen as 4 lifts to the top and 1 spaces to the corner.  5 will change his angle, and now 3 looks to attack the middle of the floor off 5s ball screen as 2 lifts from the corner, creating a single tag situation.

Zipper Clearlear

This is a quick hitting set that allows you to isolate your best player in the middle of the floor.

Here are some additional courses from Coachtube that feature zipper actions.

 Our friends at B Hoops have compiled some excellent playbooks from the best coaches in Europe such as the David Blatt Playbook, Spanish coaching legend Aito Garcia, and Valencia coach Jaume Ponsarnau.

Luka Bassin shares a collection of sideline plays utilizing zipper actions, along with end of game plays in SOB Collection.

KJ Smith’s course Offensive Concepts in Brazilian Basketball highlights some zipper actions utilized by professional teams in Brazil.

Teams in the NBA have used zipper actions for years.  The Boston Celtics Pace, Space, and Pick/Pop playbook share the zipper actions utilized by Brad Stevens in his first years with the Celtics.