Pistol Set Vs. Zoom Set - What's the Difference?

The ball handler (1) dribbles quickly up the floor towards a wing player (2) positioned in the corner. A third player (5 - often a post) is positioned near the top of the key.

3 and 4 are positioned on the opposite side of the floor on the wing and corner.

The ball handler (1) and ball-side wing (2) run a Get, also referred to as Throw and Go. The ball handler (1) passes to the wing (2) then follows the pass for a handoff.

The guard (1) looks to score off the handoff.

After the handoff, the post (5) sets a flare screen for the initial wing (2). That way, if the handoff is denied, there are more options.

If the ball handler (1) reverses their dribble, after the flare screen, the post (5) will often continue to set a ball screen for the ball handler (1).

This is just the base action for the pistol set.

There are many reads and counters you can execute off the pistol action that involve ball screens, keeps, weakside pin downs, and other actions. But for the purpose of this article, we're not covering them.

Whereas with the Zoom action, it is initiated with a pass to the top which is often a post (5).

Then the guard (1) sets a down screen for the wing (3).

At the same time, the ball handler (5) dribbles towards the action for a handoff with (3).

Now (3) looks to get downhill and score as (5) can roll to the bucket and (1) can space back out on the perimeter.