Who Else Wants To Learn The Secrets To Running A Zone Defense?

"At Last! Simple Zone Defense Strategies That Really Work... Even If Your Team Is Small, Slow, or Inexperienced!"

	Why common methods of teaching zone defense usually backfire (and what you can do to teach it the right way)
	How to use the 2-2-1 Corner Trap to exploit weak ballhandlers and force easy turnovers
	The single biggest "key" to defensive basketball success (HINT: it has more to do with talking and listening than shuffling and sliding)
	How to wreak havoc and confusion in your opposition by using the sneaky "Shanghai" Zone Defense
	And much more...

First Name
Email

Just use your first name and valid email address as your password - then click the “Free Instant Access!” button above to enter!

We take your privacy very seriously and WILL NEVER rent or share your contact details. (C) ebasketballcoach.com, All Rights Reserved. By entering your email address you are also requesting and agreeing to subscribe to our Basketball Zone Defense newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Basketball Zone Defense

Basketball zone defense is an important addition to any well-rounded basketball team. Zone defense allows a team variety in their defensive moves, confusing the offense and forcing a change in their strategy. Zone defense has several advantages, but it also has disadvantages, and coaches must weigh their options before choosing zone defense in competition.

Background

Basketball zone defense is different from man to man defense in that players guard a part of the floor, or a zone, as opposed to a particular player. Defenders move in their zone depending on where the ball is. Basketball zone defense was created to stop offensive penetration from dribbling and protect against one-on-one moves where the offense might win.

Advantages of Zone Defense

There are several advantages of basketball zone defense. A zone defense can help level the playing field when a defense is matched up against a strong, quick offense, where they might otherwise not be able to defend on man-to-man. A zone defense also forces the offense to shoot from outside the paint, where shots are less accurate.

Zone defense also allows the defense to control the pace of the play by slowing things down a bit. Also, knowing a zone defense gives the defense a chance to switch things up between zone and man defense (a technique very effective against a motion offense).

Disadvantages of Zone Defense

The offense can hold onto the ball for longer, eating up important time for the defense. Zone is not a good defense to use the majority of the time, and should be utilized no more than 20% of the time. Finally, rebounding is more difficult on zone and more confusing, allowing the offense to slip inside and get the offensive rebound.

Diamond Play

Player 1 starts on the free throw line. Players 2-4 line up horizontally just outside the 3-point line. Player 5 is just over the half court line. Player 1 focuses on not allowing penetration down the middle. Players 2 and 4 must move and not get beat on the side. They must prevent passes. Player 3 must prevent the most obvious pass from happening, usually a pass downcourt. Player 3 also must communicate with their team, because they have a great view of the court. Player 5 cannot let a pass be completed behind him.

As with any zone defense play, the Diamond Play requires good communication between the team. Everyone needs to share information so that the team as a whole can move in the most effective manner possible.

Conclusion

Basketball zone defense is useful for a team, but it should not be the primary method of defense. Players should understand the differences between zone and man defense and use zone for its advantages—the ability to cover the floor, stop an aggressive, fast offense, and force the offense to shoot from a less-than-optimal location.

eBasketballCoach > Basketball Plays > Basketball Zone Defense