Know The Game

Basketball IQ & Film

The plays you hear about on the broadcast, decoded. Zone defenses, the pick-and-roll, reading help-side — the evergreen explainers that make you smarter every time you watch or play.

A clean overhead tactical illustration shows five defenders in a two-high, three-low zone against a balanced offense.
Basketball IQ & Film

What Is a 2-3 Zone Defense? Rotations, Weaknesses, and Counters

Learn the starting alignment, rotation rules, rebounding responsibilities, common breakdowns, and practical ways to attack a 2-3 zone.

Jun 1, 2026 · 8 min read
Text-free overhead basketball diagram showing a weak-side defender tagging a rolling screener and a second defender rotating behind
Basketball IQ & Film

Low-Man and Tag Rotations in Basketball Defense

The first helper protects the roller; the next defenders must protect the helper and complete the possession.

Sep 3, 2026 · 8 min read
Text-free overhead basketball diagram showing a dribble handoff between two attackers against two defenders
Basketball IQ & Film

Basketball Dribble-Handoff Reads: Spacing, Timing, and Counters

A dribble handoff works when the giver and receiver preserve space, arrive together, and react to both defenders instead of forcing the exchange.

Sep 2, 2026 · 9 min read
A clean overhead tactical illustration shows a guard using an on-ball screen while the screener rolls toward the basket.
Basketball IQ & Film

The Pick-and-Roll, Explained: Reads, Coverages, and Spacing

A possession-by-possession guide to screen angles, ball-handler reads, roller decisions, defensive coverages, and weak-side spacing.

May 28, 2026 · 7 min read
Top-down basketball short-roll diagram showing the middle catch, a rotating helper, and two passing windows.
Basketball IQ & Film

The Short Roll in Basketball: Catching Windows and Reads

A short roll is not simply a roll that ends early. It is a decision window between the ball screen and the rim, where the screener receives the ball, sees the rotating defense, and connects the next advantage.

Aug 29, 2026 · 7 min read
A top-down diagram shows a post split with a screen, curl cut, and passing lane
Basketball IQ & Film

Post Split Action in Basketball: Spacing, Cuts, and Reads

A post split is not one memorized cut. It is a coordinated action in which the post player protects a passing window while two perimeter players screen, cut, and react to how defenders guard the exchange.

Aug 24, 2026 · 7 min read
A ball handler uses a side screen while the strong-side corner remains empty
Basketball IQ & Film

Empty-Corner Pick-and-Roll: Spacing, Reads, and Counters

Removing the strong-side corner player does not simplify the pick-and-roll. It moves the help farther away and makes every rotation easier to read—and harder to hide.

Aug 20, 2026 · 6 min read
A basketball player and coach review shot selection from game film on a tablet
Basketball IQ & Film

How to Analyze Basketball Shot Selection on Film

A made shot can be a poor decision, and a miss can be the right one. Better film review separates result from process and grades the context the shooter actually saw.

Aug 17, 2026 · 6 min read
A basketball player studies a bright half-court board that diagrams Spain pick-and-roll with six player tokens.
Basketball IQ & Film

Spain Pick-and-Roll Explained: Roles, Reads, and Defensive Answers

Spain pick-and-roll layers a back screen behind a standard ball screen, forcing three defenders to communicate through one compact action.

Aug 14, 2026 · 6 min read
Bright schematic basketball half-court with a five-player horns alignment, two elbow screeners, and route arrows.
Basketball IQ & Film

Horns Offense in Basketball Explained: Alignment, Reads, and Counters

Horns is a starting shape, not one finished call. Its value is that two elbow players give the ball handler more than one credible first read.

Aug 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Five basketball players move the ball through a bright half-court zone-defense spacing diagram.
Basketball IQ & Film

How to Attack a Basketball Zone Defense: Read the Gaps

A zone is not a wall to dribble through. Identify the defenders' rules, stretch two gaps, move the ball before the defense settles, and make the next read at game speed.

Aug 8, 2026 · 7 min read
Two offensive players execute a compact dribble handoff as two defenders navigate the action.
Basketball IQ & Film

Basketball Dribble Handoffs Explained: Spacing, Reads, and Counters

A dribble handoff is more than passing the ball at arm's length. Two teammates must arrive on one useful line, protect the exchange, and read the defender before the window disappears.

Aug 5, 2026 · 8 min read
Overhead basketball illustration showing a cutter curling tightly around a stationary pin-down screen while a defender trails and a passer sees the opening.
Basketball IQ & Film

Basketball Off-Ball Screens Explained: Reads, Angles, and Timing

An off-ball screen is not one player's shortcut to an open shot. It is a timed four-player conversation among the screener, cutter, passer, and defenders.

Aug 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Top-down half-court diagram with five offensive tokens reacting to a right-side baseline drive.
Basketball IQ & Film

Basketball Offensive Spacing Explained: Dynamic Width, Depth, and Drive Reactions

Coordinated positioning and movement away from the ball are the keys to breaking down modern defenses.

Jul 27, 2026 · 6 min read
A top-down tactical diagram of a basketball court showing transition defense positioning, with defensive tokens protecting the rim, stopping the ball near half-court, and recovering to the three-point line.
Basketball IQ & Film

Transition Defense: Stop the Ball, Protect the Rim, and Recover

Master the transition defense sequence: protect the basket, contain the ball, communicate matchups, and force low-percentage shots.

Jul 24, 2026 · 7 min read
Top-down basketball help-defense diagram showing weak-side rotations and X-out recovery paths
Basketball IQ & Film

Master the Chain: How to Coordinate Basketball Help-Side Defense and Rotations

A complete guide to building a fluid, communicative defensive shell that shrinks the floor without giving up open shots.

Jul 21, 2026 · 6 min read
Top-down basketball diagram showing a ball handler using a screen against drop coverage.
Basketball IQ & Film

Basketball Pick-and-Roll Coverages: Drop, Switch, Hedge & Ice

A comprehensive guide for players, coaches, and fans on the geometry, individual techniques, and tactical trade-offs of modern basketball's most critical defensive actions.

Jul 17, 2026 · 7 min read

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