1 4 1 Top Step Off Zone Play Offense

Facing a zone can be extremely frustrating if your players are not prepared for it. 95% of the time you see a zone it will be a simple 3-3 zone. The 1-4-1 formation is best to beat a 3-3 zone because it puts players in between zones and commits the crease defender to two players. Our goal is to cross zones, overload one side, and make the defense rotate. 

How It Works

• The entire play is based off player 1 crossing zones with the ball and reading if he is being followed (pass back) or if he is being passed off (pass forward)

• Pass back (slides 2-5): players 4, 5, 6, and 3 all have the green light to shoot

• Pass forward (slides 6-8): players 2, 6, 3 all have the green light to shoot

• If none of that works out, move the ball quickly to the backside if the defense overcommits, otherwise reset into the 1-4-1 formation as you are now basically in a 2-3-1 which plays into the hands of a 3-3 defense

• If there is a pole top center of the zone or it is just hard to get that back pass off, you can throw it forward to your lefty and let him reverse it

Drills

• Rapid fire sideways 3v2s from each wing are really great at practice playing each side vs the zone 

• Sideways west genny

• Skills: back passing, step downs, inside finishing

Player Roles

1. Smart player that draws attention and can get hands free for a pass

2. Your best shooting lefty

3. Best inside finisher

4. Similar player to 1

5. Your best shooting righty

6. Your best two handed finisher, must be smart