Mike Hopkins: 2-3 Zone Defense - Scouting Adjustments and Breakdown Drills

with Mike Hopkins,
University of Washington Head Coach;
2018 & 2019 Pac-12 Coach of the Year;
former Syracuse University Assistant Coach;
Court Coach for Team USA in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2010 and 2012;
two-year starter for Syracuse and was a team captain his senior year

Mike Hopkins has been an assistant coach for the Syracuse University basketball program for more than 20 years. Under head coach Jim Boeheim, Coach Hopkins has helped guide the Orange to the NCAA Tournament 16 times, including a National Championship in the 2002-03 season. In addition to his role at Syracuse, Coach Hopkins has been an on-court coach for Team USA's Men's National 21-and under team trials (2000, 2001) and recently was responsible for player evaluation and selection for USA Basketball at the London Olympics.

Syracuse basketball is acclaimed for its exclusive use of the 2-3 zone defense. Mike Hopkins has a unique expertise in this defensive style. He has both played for legendary coach Jim Boeheim and coached for the Syracuse Orange for over 20 years. Along the way, they have made postseason appearances every year with just one lone exception. This is in large part because of the 2-3 zone's ability to frustrate opponents.

Coach Hopkins gives you the "secret sauce" to the Syracuse 2-3 zone. You will learn everything that makes their zone defense unique through a detailed explanation of player responsibilities of each position, in-game adjustments, breakdown drills and more!

2-3 Zone Rotation and Responsibilities

With his coverage of each position, you will learn critical teaching points for guards, forwards, and centers. With the ball at the wing, Coach Hopkins shows how players should slide to take away the shot without giving up driving lanes. You'll see how to take away the high post pass and cover return passes to the top. The ball in the short corner initiates their "54 Trap." Coach Hopkins demonstrates how to pressure opponents with this trap and how to counter the high post dive with help-side defenders.

2-3 Zone vs Common Offense Sets

With a long history of running the 2-3 zone, the coaching staff of Syracuse University has had to pioneer the evolution of numerous defensive adjustments as opponents find new ways to attack their defense. Coach Hopkins shows you how to adapt to some of the most common offensive strategies used against the zone.

• Change your tactics versus high post players with different skill levels
• See how you can press up or sag with your center when the ball gets to the high post
• Keep the ball out of the middle by disrupting double high post flashes with your guards
• See how you can fight through "inside" ball screens and rotate players to cover shooters versus quick ball reversal
• Learn how to defend high ball screens by creating a wall with your center

Additional strategies are discussed for defending the low post, rotating your center to cover perimeter shooters, "icing" ball screens, stunting versus dribble penetration, and defending opponents that use four perimeter players on offense.

2-3 Zone Position Drills

Coach Hopkins demonstrates five position-specific drills to help you teach the fundamentals to each piece of the zone defense. Three drills for your center will train them to become a living wall that can shut down drives into the paint. One drill will help your guards focus on denying the high post and fighting through screens to cover shooters. Another drill teaches your forwards how to rotate from the wing to short corner.

Additionally, Coach Hopkins discusses how to defend plays using the 1-4 High alignment and using the zone versus baseline inbounds. You will also gain some ideas for increasing your pressure with different half court traps and full court pressure.

Coach Hopkins has delivered THE must-have resource for any