A tactic that is becoming increasingly popular today in basketball, is that of a 2-3 zone defense. By utilizing a zone defense it allows teams to do several things: • Protect the paint • Hide poor and/or un-athletic defenders • Play 3 frontline players without getting exposed on defense In order to combat this adjustment, coaches of all levels need to have in place a zone motion offense. While quick hitting offensive sets are good to get quick looks at the basket a zone motion offense brings one important thing to the table; it makes the defense shift side to side. It is here after the defense has shifted several times where it is most vulnerable.

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The X Game-hoopskills.com
The X Game - A Simplified Motion
Offense
-by Coach Dave Stricklin
http://www.hoopskills.com
A tactic that is becoming increasingly popular today is that of a 2-3
zone defense. By utilizing a zone defense it allows teams to do
several things:
• Protect the paint
• Hide poor and/or un-athletic defenders
• Play 3 frontline players without getting exposed on defense
In order to combat this adjustment, coaches of all levels need to
have in place a zone motion offense. While quick hitting offensive
sets are good to get quick looks at the basket a zone motion
offense brings one important thing to the table; it makes the
defense shift side to side. It is here after the defense has shifted
several times where it is most vulnerable.
A popular zone motion offense that is being ran today at all levels
of basketball is called X Game. X Game is essentially a 3 out 2 in
motion offense in which the two inside players work in harmony
executing an x-ing action between the high and low posts. By
performing these movements simultaneously the offense can
maintain good spacing while taking advantage of the gaps of the
defense.
Let's take a look at the basic but effective rotations of X Game:
The point guard or whoever is at the top of the key enters the ball
to either wing. The strong side top defender will match up on the
new ball handler while the off ball top defender will drop to cover

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The X Game-hoopskills.com
the high post. The weak side inside player, in this case 4, will flash
hard to the high post looking for the ball.
The ball handler will then reverse the ball back up to the top of the
key who will then in return swing the ball to 3 on the other wing. As
the ball is swung, the off ball top defender, X2, will pursue the ball
to the top of the key and then to the weak side wing where they
will bump off the bottom forward defender X4 to the short corner.

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The X Game-hoopskills.com
Once the ball is on the wing, 4, who was previously occupying the
high post will cut hard to the strong side block. As this happens 5
will flash hard to the high post performing the "x-ing" action.
Here the wing has several options. He can either pass the ball to the
post player cutting to the block, hit the top of the key if X1 is
defending the high post OR enter the ball into the high post to 5. It
is important that your players understand that the high post is your
first option. By getting the ball into the belly of the defense it opens
up options. From here the high post can shoot, drive, pass hi-low or
kick out to the weak side for a three pointer.

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If the ball is passed back to the top of the key a great drive lane is
presented. Emphasize to your perimeter players that this is a great
time to attack the defense with the dribble.
If 1 chooses to reverse the ball, the defense will shift according to
their principles. As the ball is swung, the off ball top defender will
pursue the ball to the top of the key and then to the weak side wing
where they will bump off the bottom forward defender X3 to the
short corner.

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The X Game-hoopskills.com
Once on the wing, the two inside players will t hen again perform
their "x-ing" action. 5 will cut hard to the strong side block while 4
will flash to the high post looking to receive an entry pass.
X Game is a great offense for several reasons:
1. It is very simple but highly effective!
2. It can be used at lower levels of competition to teach players
spacing and zone offense fundamentals.

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3. It can be used at high levels of play to exploit zone defense
because of the mismatches that are created through ball
reversals.
4. Because of its 3 out 2 in spacing it works great with quick hitting
sets.
5. Lastly, players love running this offense because it provides great
spacing and allows them the opportunity to create when the
right situation presents itself.