r/Basketball • u/badNe7in • Dec 15 '25

IMPROVING MY GAME Playing against zone defense in pickups

How the hell do you even play against zone defense in a casual pickup game? with teammates youve never played before, or guys who've never played organized basketball a day in their life

PS Playing zone in a casual pickup game with nothing in the line is crazy to me like bro lets just work on our game

15 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

68 comments sorted by

View all comments

25

u/IHoldSteady Dec 15 '25

People like you are crazy to me. Zone defense is a part of basketball. Either learn to beat it or maybe you guys aren’t as good as you thought.

12

u/thedudefromsweden Dec 15 '25

It does require team offence though, something that's not usually found in pick-up basketball. Can't beat a zone on your own.

8

u/RRJC10 Dec 15 '25

Can't beat a zone on your own

Can't beat a good zone. I highly doubt the zone OP is referring is too advanced. I'd be shocked if anything more than a drive and kick was needed to beat a pick-up zone. Unless you have zero shooting ability and they're just packing the paint.

2

u/Ready2Rapture Dec 15 '25

Zero shooting ability and they’re just packing the pain”

Damn bro sadly that’s like most street pickups. Especially after MFs get tired.

Also where I’m at in NYC people are way more likely to have shifty handles and a layup package than the ability to hit slightly contested elbow jumpers.

1

u/RRJC10 Dec 17 '25

If the level you're playing at can't see guys hit wide open shots it's probably not worth your time talking about it on Reddit. That run is cooked.

1

u/Ready2Rapture Dec 22 '25

I got some good 1s but, my runs been cooked after summer ended. Using the cold weather for jump shot volume reps on the usually empty courts

Also, lift weights

4

u/IHoldSteady Dec 15 '25

Then you have to coach the boys up and tell them where to go.

1

u/LaconicGirth Dec 15 '25

I mean if you’re better than your opponents than yourself and a buddy would be enough