Ahmet Dedeoğlu
05-29-2008, 10:00 PM
3-2 Zone Defense
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1
This diagram and article will cover the basic principles for playing an aggressive and effective 3-2 zone defense. This defense is not utilized so that the players just stand around and let the offense attack. In the 3-2 zone defense, we want to be the aggressor. The defenders must move quickly and with purpose. We do not allow teams to penetrate the zone and we strive to keep the ball out of the middle. The defenders will wave their arms, try to steal the ball, and encourage the offense to attempt lob passes.
This first diagram illustrates the initial alignment of the 3-2 zone.
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2
Top Man
^1 is the top man (or middle man or point man). This player must be quick and will constantly be moving. The top man's responsibilities include the following list:
1) Attack the ball when in his territory.
2) Force the ball away from the middle and toward the wing.
3) Do not allow dribble penetration -- keep your man in front of you.
4) If the ball is passed over head into the high post, double team the ball forcing the post player to throw it back out.
5) When ball is passed to wing, move down and help defend the post area. (see right side of diagram)
6) When ball is in the corner, move down and cover the low post area. (see left side of diagram) Play on the side of the offensive post player rather than fronting.
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3
Wing Men
The responsibilities of the wing men include this following list:
1) Attack the ball when it is in your area.
2) Do not allow dribble penetration.
3) When the ball is passed over your head, all you do is turn around. If the offensive player on the wing is not a good shooter, however, the wing defender can go down and help with the low post defense.
4) When the ball is in the corner, make it difficult for that player to pass the ball back to the wing by denying the passing lane. The only pass they should be able to make is a lob pass. (see right side of diagram)
5) When the corner player begins to dribble, double team / trap that player with the corner defender. (see left side of diagram)
6) When the opposing team has an excellent post player, the wing defender should help defensively with the post defender.
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4
Back Men
The one major problem that can occur with this defense is allowing middle penetration. When this happens, the big men have to decide who helps stop the penetration and who is responsible for the post player. This inevitably leads to confusion and a score by the opposing team. This is why it is essential to keep the ball out of the middle.
Beyond that, the responsibilities for the back men are as follows:
1) When the ball is passed into the post from the wing, it is the opposite back man's responsibility to come up.
2) The back men must communicate with each other so they know who is responsible for coverage.
3) Keep the ball out of the low post area.
4) The weakside back man must come across and defend the ballside low post when the ball is in the corner...
5) The ballside back man must cover the ball in the corner. Also, do not give up the baseline drive. Direct the ball back to help (wing).
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5
Defensive Shifts in the 3-2 Zone
This diagram illustrates the shifts required when the ball is at the wing position.
1) ^2 defends the ball.
2) ^1 sldies down to cover the mid-post area.
3) ^4 discourages a pass to the low post but is prepared to cover #4 in the corner.
4) ^5 slides across the lane to help cover #5.
5) ^3 moves into the middle of the lane.
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6
Defensive Shifts in the 3-2 Zone (cont)
This diagram illustrates the shifts required when the ball is at the corner position.
1) ^4 defends the ball.
2) ^2 is in the passing lane between #4 and #2.
3) ^5 guards the low post
4) ^1 slides down to help keep ball out of the low post.
5) ^3 moves down to protect the basket.
As you can see, this is the basic concept behind playing the 3-2 zone defense. To be effective, you will need to drill on these concepts during practice.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
1
This diagram and article will cover the basic principles for playing an aggressive and effective 3-2 zone defense. This defense is not utilized so that the players just stand around and let the offense attack. In the 3-2 zone defense, we want to be the aggressor. The defenders must move quickly and with purpose. We do not allow teams to penetrate the zone and we strive to keep the ball out of the middle. The defenders will wave their arms, try to steal the ball, and encourage the offense to attempt lob passes.
This first diagram illustrates the initial alignment of the 3-2 zone.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
2
Top Man
^1 is the top man (or middle man or point man). This player must be quick and will constantly be moving. The top man's responsibilities include the following list:
1) Attack the ball when in his territory.
2) Force the ball away from the middle and toward the wing.
3) Do not allow dribble penetration -- keep your man in front of you.
4) If the ball is passed over head into the high post, double team the ball forcing the post player to throw it back out.
5) When ball is passed to wing, move down and help defend the post area. (see right side of diagram)
6) When ball is in the corner, move down and cover the low post area. (see left side of diagram) Play on the side of the offensive post player rather than fronting.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
3
Wing Men
The responsibilities of the wing men include this following list:
1) Attack the ball when it is in your area.
2) Do not allow dribble penetration.
3) When the ball is passed over your head, all you do is turn around. If the offensive player on the wing is not a good shooter, however, the wing defender can go down and help with the low post defense.
4) When the ball is in the corner, make it difficult for that player to pass the ball back to the wing by denying the passing lane. The only pass they should be able to make is a lob pass. (see right side of diagram)
5) When the corner player begins to dribble, double team / trap that player with the corner defender. (see left side of diagram)
6) When the opposing team has an excellent post player, the wing defender should help defensively with the post defender.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
4
Back Men
The one major problem that can occur with this defense is allowing middle penetration. When this happens, the big men have to decide who helps stop the penetration and who is responsible for the post player. This inevitably leads to confusion and a score by the opposing team. This is why it is essential to keep the ball out of the middle.
Beyond that, the responsibilities for the back men are as follows:
1) When the ball is passed into the post from the wing, it is the opposite back man's responsibility to come up.
2) The back men must communicate with each other so they know who is responsible for coverage.
3) Keep the ball out of the low post area.
4) The weakside back man must come across and defend the ballside low post when the ball is in the corner...
5) The ballside back man must cover the ball in the corner. Also, do not give up the baseline drive. Direct the ball back to help (wing).
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
5
Defensive Shifts in the 3-2 Zone
This diagram illustrates the shifts required when the ball is at the wing position.
1) ^2 defends the ball.
2) ^1 sldies down to cover the mid-post area.
3) ^4 discourages a pass to the low post but is prepared to cover #4 in the corner.
4) ^5 slides across the lane to help cover #5.
5) ^3 moves into the middle of the lane.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
6
Defensive Shifts in the 3-2 Zone (cont)
This diagram illustrates the shifts required when the ball is at the corner position.
1) ^4 defends the ball.
2) ^2 is in the passing lane between #4 and #2.
3) ^5 guards the low post
4) ^1 slides down to help keep ball out of the low post.
5) ^3 moves down to protect the basket.
As you can see, this is the basic concept behind playing the 3-2 zone defense. To be effective, you will need to drill on these concepts during practice.