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Youth basketball how to beat zone defense
Tips for Beating a Zone Defense in Basketball
This basketball coaching article was written by Basketball HQ co-founder Kyle Ohman.
Most zone defenses in basketball aim to keep the ball moving aimlessly around the perimeter before a low percentage shot is eventually put up. Even knowing this, there are still a lot of offenses that still fall into this trap. Offenses will hit a few 3 pointers at the start but will fall in love with low percentage shots, and by the end of the game, they have fallen right into the zone defense’s trap.
Zone defenses can be exploited, and there are high percentage shots to be had if your offense is set up with the right situations. Hopefully, this offensive basketball coaching article will provide you with a few tips for beating a zone defense in basketball.
Don’t Stand, Move With a Purpose Against the Zone
As basketball coaches, we have all at one point or another yelled, “don’t stand, move!” Unfortunately, most of the time, our players (for lack of a better term) start running around like chickens with their heads cut off.![]()
They cut and move with no timing, and nothing comes of it. When it comes to beating a zone defense in basketball, players must understand when and where they should be moving.
If you have a more experienced team, you can talk about timing and some of the purposes of cutting, and this usually is enough because they have a higher basketball IQ. However, if you have a less experienced basketball team, a great option is putting in a zone motion offense with specific rules for when and where a player should cut, fill, space, screen, etc. This will allow your players not to get bogged down with overthinking and will help simplify their responsibilities.
In a zone motion offense, players still need to understand what is going on, but with the different rules, it helps to alleviate a lot of the pressure of knowing what to do off the basketball.
Shift the Zone Defense by Moving the Ball
Equally as important (or even more) as player movement is ball movement.
A zone defense in basketball is designed to load up on the side of the ball so that there are no angles to penetrate or make entry passes. So if you can get the ball moving side to side and even better yet, inside out, you have a great chance of making the defense shift, which creates potential defensive breakdowns.
The key is not allowing any of your players to be ball stoppers. There will be players on your team that feel the need to catch and dribble every time they receive the ball. If you allow this to happen, your zone offense will not work. Catching and holding the ball or catching and dribbling the ball without purpose allows the defense to recover and reset. Keep the ball moving.
Before a player catches the ball, they should already know what they will do with it. The three main options are; catch and shoot (if open and a good shooter), drive the ball (either to score or to kick), or pass (which is usually the most common option). The longer a player holds the ball, the more time the defense has to recover.
So the ball must be moving from player to player with purpose.
Hard Cuts Through the Zone
We have already touched on player movement, but specifically talking about cutting, players must be cutting hard and with purpose, even if they aren’t getting the ball. If a player can execute a hard cut to the basket, it is going to force the defense to respect them, and that means that either they are going to get a scoring opportunity, or it is going to open up a scoring opportunity for someone else. However, if the player doesn’t cut hard, the defense doesn’t respect the cut, and there is no shifting or over helping.
Hard cuts are extremely important in beating a zone defense in basketball. You must force the defense to respect and guard every player that cuts through the zone. This will force the defense to move and communicate, which will lead to (you guessed it) more potential defensive breakdowns.
Play Inside Out Against the Zone
If the goal of a zone defense in basketball is to keep the ball outside on the perimeter, it makes sense that the offense should want to get the ball inside the zone.
Playing inside out can be accomplished in several different ways. It can be created with hard cuts/player movement like we just talked about, it can be achieved by dribble penetration and attacking gaps in a zone, and it can be done by feeding the low or high post and playing out of it.
If you can get the ball inside through one of these means, you force the defense to have to suck in to help; this opens up kick-outs for open HIGH PERCENTAGE shots. There is a huge difference between inside out 3’s and 3’s from a lack of ball movement. Playing inside out forces the defense to have to move, shift, and recover, and any time you get a defense doing this, it opens up scoring possibilities.
Set Zone Basketball Plays
Against a zone defense, you aren’t really going to be able to run a set basketball play every time down. Still, during a game, if you execute correctly and run your set basketball plays at advantageous times, you can usually get 8-10 points from them, which could easily be the difference between a win and a loss.
Great basketball coaches can put their best players in positions where they can succeed. So if you have a player that is a knockdown shooter, run some different zone 3 point basketball plays throughout the game that will get them a wide-open shot. If you have a freak athlete run a misdirection zone lob basketball play for them, or if you have a post player that can’t be stopped in the post, run some different actions to allow your post player to get the ball around the basket.
Depending on your basketball team and strengths, you are going to have different set plays. So find the zone basketball plays that work best for your team and take advantage of them periodically throughout the course of a game.
Use Screens Against the Zone
Even though defenders aren’t specifically assigned to guard one player in a zone, it is still beneficial to the offense to set screens. The two primary screens that work the best to score against a zone defense in basketball are seal-in screens and ball screens.
If used correctly, both can put the zone defense in a difficult situation that forces them to rotate, shift, and communicate. This means that there is potential for defensive breakdowns and opportunities for the offense to get a great look.
Ball screens against the top defenders of the zone are also great because they create angles for penetration and overload situations. If the top defender chooses to fight over the ball screen, there will be an angle for the ball handler to attack. If the defender decides to bump off the ball handler to the next defender in line, it will create an overload situation if you place a couple of good shooters on the perimeter and quickly swing the ball.
Seal in screens are great to use for shooters on a quick ball reversal or a skip pass. If you can get the defense rotating one way and then seal them in on the backside for a quick reversal or skip pass, you can end up with some good action. If the wing defender leaves too early, the screener will be open for a shot or a finish at the basket.
As it goes with pretty much anything, it is easier said than done. So while all of these keys provide the information for beating a zone defense in basketball, it also takes a commitment to working on these keys with your team. It is essential that as a coach, you are consistently going over the keys of good zone offense with your basketball team. Whether you are facing teams that primarily run zone or face teams that use it sparingly, you must be able to take advantage of it whenever you come across it.
3 Simple Strategies to Attack a Zone Defense
By Jeff Haefner
Home > Coaching > Basketball Offense > 3 Simple Strategies to Attack a Zone Defense
Want to score more points against zone defense? Here are 3 really simple yet effective strategies that every coach should consider.
These strategies work against all types of zone defenses and will help you score more points.
..
Strategy #1 - Put Your Best Ballhandler in the Middle (Even if They're 4 Foot Nothing)
I picked up this strategy from Danny Miles who is #4 with most wins in college
history (900) and the head coach of Oregon Tech.
It's very common for teams to put their big man at the free throw line in the middle of the zone offense. Instead, he urges you to put your best
ball-handler and creator there. It's doesn't matter if they're 5'2".
Big players usually aren't as good at catching and handling a ball in traffic. But if you put one of your best ball handlers in the high post area,
they will be able to drive around the bigger defensive players. They can score, dish, and cause lots of problems for the defense. This especially
causes match up problems for the defense because they always put the biggest clumsier players in the middle of the zone defense. They will not be able
stop your quick guards.
Coaches should take a real good look at just putting one of their taller kids in the middle - because usually those kids don't pass or shoot it very
well and you don't attack as well with that kind of kid.
Strategy #2 - Attack from Behind the Zone
One of the best ways to attack from behind the zone it to always have at least one player in the short corner area.
You'll find that on almost every ball reversal the player in the short corner will be open. Then the wing can pass down to the open player in the short
corner.
Once the ball is there, this is a very tough place to guard because at the moment none of the defenders are looking at the short corner player (because
he or she is "behind" the zone).
Once the ball is caught in the short corner you have several excellent options to get high percentage shots...
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If wide open, the short corner player can take one step to the basket for a lay up.
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The short corner player can shot fake and take it to the hole.
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The player in the middle can dive to the basket and receive the pass from short corner (this seems to be
open for a lay up almost 50% of the time).
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If they double down, the short corner can kick it out for a wide open three pointer.
The key is to force the defense to guard what is front of them (with ball reversals, cutting, and screening actions) and then attack from behind the
zone. It works extremely well!
Strategy #3 - Put Em Where They Ain't
I can thank Coach Ken Sartini for reminding me about this strategy and catchy phrase...
I heard a college coach say this about attacking zones... "it's not rocket science... put em where they aint!"
Keep things simple, put your kids in the gaps of the zone.
This is a common strategy but I feel it's worth mentioning in this context because it's a good reminder to keep things simple. Attacking a zone doesn't
have to be complicated.
Not to mention, wording things so players understand can certainly help. Sometimes when you say "find the gap" players don't really understand what you
mean (even when they tell you that they do understand).
Try wording things differently. Simply tell your players to find spots where's there no defense (go where they ain't at).
Do you currently employ all three of these strategies?
I'll bet not. Use these simple suggestions and you'll get better. These strategies work against all types of zone defenses.
Recommended Products:
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Beating the Zone - 75 Set Plays to Score Against Zone Defense
In this eBook, you will find 75 zone plays that you can use against any zone defense. It includes 2-3 zone plays, 3-2 zone plays, 1-3-1 zone plays, baseline out of bounds plays, and multi-purpose zone plays. You will also learn how to exploit the weaknesses of zone defenses, learn new ideas for running zone plays, and much more ... (more info)
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What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
A. Ya. Gomelsky about strategy and tactics in basketball
copies of swiss watches
Strategy is the main theoretical direction of the entire work of the team, which determines the means and methods of preparation for the main competitions. Four-year plan for the preparation of the USSR national team for the Olympics in Seoul - the strategy of the team in 1985-1988. The strategy also provides for the management of the team during the competition.
Tactics is a part of the strategy that solves the main tasks of training, taking into account specific capabilities - team resources, characteristics of opponents, competition conditions.
All this determines the tactical and combination baggage of the team.
When choosing tactics of the game (attack), one should proceed, firstly, from the real capabilities of the players, taking into account, first of all, their strengths, for the disclosure of which combinations are built and learned. Secondly, attack tactics are determined by the strength and weakness of a real opponent in a tournament, match.
I usually discuss playing combinations with the players for whom this combination is designed. I know the strengths of my players, but the players themselves know them even better and can make significant adjustments to the combinations I have proposed.
A.Ya. Gomelsky about playing defense
I believe that defense is the main concern of the coach: firstly, because the victory of the team largely depends on its strength, secondly, because the attack starts from the defense, like from the stove, in- thirdly, because the players themselves never work on the elements of protection, and finally, because the audience, as a rule, does not see it, even journalists often underestimate it.
The best team cannot win without a solid defense. Team defense is built on the individual characteristics, capabilities and mood of all players. Often in training, and even in competitions, individual players show indifference to defensive actions. It always bothered me and even angered me. Yes, the menial work on defense isn't that spectacular - except for things like block shots, rebounds, interceptions.' And many players are not aggressive on defense, they are resting on defense, trying to prove themselves in attack.
I am sure that without great desire, responsibility, initiative, passion, it is simply impossible to defend today.
If the defender allowed the attacker to receive the ball in the danger zone, he has already lost. And how many cases when the center is allowed to receive the ball in the three-second zone under the shield, without striving to actively fight for an advantageous position.
Often defensive players are in no hurry, they do not concentrate their attention and efforts enough on this part of the game.
I want to emphasize that the psychology of defense is one of the most important concerns of a coach, and often more depends on the focus on defense than on technique and physical condition. Doesn't the ability to intercept the ball and win the rebound depend on the mind and the ability to calculate one's strength? If a player goes to intercept the ball, exposing his rear, and slips past the ball, is this not the result of poor calculation, inability to predict, anticipate the situation, think and act responsibly? All this is the psychology of defense.
I believe that a player who is weak and inept in defense causes more damage to the team than a player who is weak in attack. The definition of "good defense is head and legs", while still valid, is incomplete. Fast, tenacious, active hands that can both hit and intercept the ball, and prevent a throw, pass, kick the ball while dribbling - are no less important for a defender
Counterattack
Counterattack is the most spectacular and quick use of all opportunities to achieve result.
Fast play requires high technique. The desire to play at high speeds is commendable and acceptable only if the speed does not exceed the state of the art. Otherwise, there will be more mistakes, losses of the ball than achievements. Therefore, in an effort to prepare a fast break, it is necessary to train the execution of all technical elements at high speeds, using both active and passive resistance of defenders in situations 1-1, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5--4 and with numerical equality.
My idea of a counter-attack is not only to move quickly towards the opponent's backboard, but also to quickly transfer the ball to the opponent's backboard with sharp passes, or, if there is no free recipient to receive the ball, by dribbling the ball, actively moving forward. In the final stage of the fast break, players strive to create a triangle in the front line of attack with the apex on the free throw line. There should be a player with the ball, and two other players - to the left and right of him, 4-5 m ahead.
A counterattack is possible in the following situations:
1) when intercepting the ball;
2) when taking a rebound on his shield;
3) after the opponent has made free throws;
4) after winning a dropped ball;
5) after the opponent manages to score the ball.
The best outcome of a fast break is taking the opponent's ring with a numerical advantage, when implementing situations in numerical equality: 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4. This is easier than beating a 5-5 defense that has already built up its defensive formations.
There are three phases in a counterattack that are equally important for success:
1) the beginning of a fast break - picking up the ball, first pass, movement of the players, their start;
2) the middle stage of the development of the attack - the transition by the players of the middle line of the field, their advancement;
3) completion of the attack - passing the ball at speed and throwing in close proximity to the backboard.
The timing of the "rehearsed fast break" depends on the speed of the players, the ball passes and the finishing shot. The USSR national team spent 5-7 s on a layered fast break. I think that the schemes of her tactical formations will provide great opportunities for the creativity of coaches working with any teams.
Playing in the USSR national team such powerful and tall centers as A. Sabonis and V. Tkachenko made it possible to carry out a counterattack through one long pass across the entire court.
Center #5, after recovering the ball from the backboard, passes it to runaway #2.
Such an attack was especially successful when building a zone or mixed defense, when one of the defenders or wingers playing in the front line of defense was given the task of running away at the moment of throwing at our ring, in the expectation that the giants would be able to take possession of the ball , bouncing off the shield, and make a long pass across the entire field.
Naturally, such a system of counterattack requires special coordination of actions, and its development takes considerable time in the training process.
Development of a quick counter-attack through the middle of the field.
Players #5, #4, #3 are fighting for the ball and, having mastered it, they try to make the first pass to player #2, who passes the ball to player #1. Player #1 rushes forward dribbling through the middle of the court. Players #2 and #3 overtake the dribbler at high speed, form a triangle with #1, and finish the attack with a close range throw if they manage to create a numerical advantage under the opponent's shield.
If it was not possible to complete the attack in the first echelon, then the second echelon comes into action - center players #4 and #5. They, each on their own side of the court, rush to the opponent's shield. The one on whose side the ball is on ends the attack.
Development of a fast sideline break.
On a rebound from the left side of the backboard, the post makes a quick pass to player #2, who opens to receive the pass to the sideline, just above the free throw line.
At the intersection of the sideline with the center, player #1 receives a pass from player #2, then passes it to player #4, who rushes forward on the left side. Player #4 has three possible continuations of the attack: give the ball to player #5 or #3, who is running towards the opponent's backboard in a straight line, or pass to player #2 in the area of the arc. It is clear that the transfer should be made to the most open player, who is in the most advantageous situation.
A similar situation occurs when attacking on the opposite side.
Development of a fast break after a free throw into our ring.
If player #4 catches a bounce or quickly clears a potted ball from behind the endline, the first pass is to the left sideline to player #1 opening at or slightly above the free throw line. Player #2 opens near the center circle, receives the ball and dribbles forward. Players #5 and #3 pass the dribbler along the touchlines, player #4 overtakes him from the right, and player #2 stays slightly back in the backing position.
Thus, player #2 has four options to choose the direction of the attack.
Same procedure as above, but after rebounding a field goal or after the ball is thrown in from behind the end line.
Developing a fast break after a dropped ball in the center circle or on the free throw line in our half of the field.
Player #5 discounts player #4 who is ready to receive the ball with his hands up. After catching the ball, #4 passes forward to player #1, who opens up to receive that pass after being screened by player #3. Players #2 and #4 support the attack. Such a combination can be played in both directions. At the heart of her success is high growth, good jumping ability and the ability to accurately throw the ball to the partner of the center player.
Same scheme, but now player #4 screens player #2 who, having received the ball from player #3, rushes forward.
The easiest way to complete a counterattack is for the players to take the shortest path to the opponent's shield.
However, with the development of a counterattack, options are possible with cross screens
interaction like a trio
setting up screens for the players of the second echelon in the center of the field.
Many teams in the world, including the USSR national team, after they failed to complete the counterattack with a scoring throw, in the transition to a positional attack, spent precious time placing players, thus allowing the enemy to prepare for defensive actions and occupy all defenders advantageous positions. This is why a quick or non-stop attack after a counterattack ("transition game") is increasingly used in the tactics of the best teams in the world. I will give an example of such an attack in the USSR national team.
The fast break was not completed by the players of the first attack tier #2 and #3, nor the second tier #4 and #5. They, each on their own side, set up screens for field-goers #3 and #2 for a shot from medium or long distance, and then go to the backboard to receive the ball in the three-second zone on the spot or to fight on the backboard, after a throw from one of the players # 2 or #3.
Options for a non-stop attack can be very different. This could be a double or triple screen for the team's sniper, or a winger's or center's three-second zone after receiving the screen. It all depends on the characteristics and capabilities of the player for whom the combination is being made.
Double screen to Marciulionis (#2) to attack with his left hand from the free throw area.
Players #4 (Volkov) and #3 (Tikhonenko) simultaneously put up two screens for player #2 (Marciulenis). #2 breaks into the free throw line, where he receives the ball from player #1 (Sokka). "Marciulionis has opportunities to continue the attack:
a) receiving the ball in motion and passing under the backboard;
b) receiving the ball with a stop and shooting at ring;
c) passing the ball to player #5 (Sabonis) in case there is a switch of defenders.
Players #4 and #2 after screening go under the backboard to fight for the rebound.
Mixed defense
There are several systems of mixed defense:
1.
Four players build a zone defense 2-2
or 1-2-1
capabilities and tactics of the opponent.
2. Three players build a 2-1 zone defense and two guard the enemy's strongest snipers.
3. One player completes the zone formation while four players cover the opponents personally.
4. Two players form a zone defense and three players act as an individual defense.
Mixed defense brought good luck to the USSR national team and the CSKA team more than once. The choice of defense has always been determined by the characteristics of the opponent and our capabilities.
In the final of the Olympic tournament in Seoul against the team of Yugoslavia, we used a mixed defense 1-4.
Sabonis played a zone defense, the rest of the players closely guarded their opponents. This was due to the presence of Vrankovic or Raja in the Yugoslav team, who are not very dangerous away from the shield, and the fact that Petrovich, Paspal, Kukoch posed a big threat.
The players who guarded the leaders of the Yugoslav team could, with a greater degree of risk, fight with their opponents to get the ball. They knew that Sabonis would help them if they were beaten.
A similar defense was chosen in the semi-final tournament in Seoul against the US team. Sabonis did a zone defense and let Robinson or Reed or Maning shoot from wide. But the rest of the US players were completely covered, and a player like Maning did not bring a single point to the team. As a result, the USSR national team won 82:76. And Sabonis, who participated in the Olympics after a serious injury, two operations, took first place in the selection of balls from shields and made a great contribution to the victory of the USSR team.
Sometimes, with two centers Sabonis - Tkachenko, we built a mixed, personally set defense 3-2. Two giants and one mobile defender played well in the zone. In the early 70s, it was Eremin, then Valters, and at the Olympics and the pre-Olympic tournament Sokk performed this function, and Belostenny and Volkov played instead of Sabonis and Tkachenko in Holland.
At the Seoul Olympics, we used such a defense (3 in the zone, 2 in person) against the Brazilian team.
Sabonis, Volkov and Sokk built a triangle on top of which Sabonis and Volkov played. Tikhonenko took care of So-uzu personally, and Marciulionis took care of Schmidt, and although these two players scored 65 points together, the match turned out to be very difficult for us, but we still won 110:105. The mistake in the choice of defense was that Schmidt outplayed the smaller Marciulionis in different positions, and Souza outplayed the slower Tikhonenko. In the last 10 minutes of the match, Volkov was attached to Schmidt, Marciulionis switched to Souza, and we changed Tikhonenko to Goborov in zone defense.
Benefits of mixed defense
allows you to fight with him to get the ball, while expecting the active help of teammates, without fear of a throw.
2. Such a system, if the opponent is not prepared for it, tactically introduces confusion and makes it difficult to carry out combinations of screens.
3. Combines the best aspects of individual and zone protection systems.
4. Promotes a quick transition from defense to counterattack.
5. Allows players to use their strengths defensively and not show their weaknesses.
6. Can take the point guard out of the game and deprive the opponent of the usual formation and rhythm, destroy the counterattack if applied pressure throughout the field.
Weakness of the mixed defense
1. A technically competent team that has several leaders easily rebuilds the offense and breaks the mixed defense.
2. Simultaneous movements of two or three players diagonally can destroy a mixed defense if the opponent manages to create a numerical advantage on one of the sides of the field.
3. Often vulnerable to medium throws from 3-4 m.
4. Requires special long preparation, coordinated actions, high teamwork of the whole team for rebuilding and interchangeability in positions.
5. If one of the five players did not have time to reorganize or did not cope with his duties, then the whole idea of such a defense breaks down.
A.Ya. Gomel. Pressing defense
Pressing is the most active type of defense, constant pressure on the opponent. It can be personal or zone, it can start from the moment the opponent throws it: all over the court, on 3/4 of it, in their own half, i.e. on 1/2 site.
The goal of defense by pressing is not only psychological pressure on the opponent, but also the desire to break the opponent's established game, break his habitual connections between defense and attack, his combinations, make inaccurate passes of the ball, hasty - throws. It is impossible to apply pressure without mastering enough methods of individual protection. This form of defense requires high physical condition, good reserve and teamwork of all players and team units.
Pressing is used both as a system of play for long periods of time, and as a forced measure: when losing in a score to increase the pace or when waiting for pressure from an opponent.
By pressing, we try to take the ball away from the opponent - we force him to make false, inaccurate passes that are easily intercepted.
Often, the opponents of the front line of pressing, having missed the opponents, do not pursue them, but watch the development of further events - this is a gross mistake. It is necessary to chase the player with the ball, trying to knock the ball from him from behind, stepping on his heels. Thus, you force the opponent to rush, worry, make mistakes.
If in zone or personal pressing you are left without a player and do not help a friend, you make a miscalculation. If one of the five pressers is not active, the work of the entire team goes down the drain. Pressing is primarily an active defense of the team.
In modern basketball, many coaches tend to believe that personal pressing is less effective, difficult, leads to a large number of personal violations and is inferior in usefulness to zone pressing systems. I also believe that a strong, technical player with good dribbling is able to cope with personal pressure.
In addition, with a stretched defense, it would be incredibly difficult to keep such players as Marciulionis, Volkov, Kurtinaitis, Petrovich, Schmidt, Kukach, Paspal, Rivier, Gallis one on one.
I'm not talking about NBA players. But although zone pressing has become more popular, it is impossible to do without the ability to play personal pressing. Therefore, it is necessary to train defense daily 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 all over the court, with and without the ball, with and without dribbling, with and without screens, first at a walk, then at high speed.
Exercises are useful in which the number of defenders prevails over the number of attackers. These exercises promote the interaction of the defenders, instill the skills of tackling the ball. They are also good for attacking players. When training personal pressing, due attention should be paid to the rapid movements of players in an active stance, in different directions, with a skillful change in the positions of players. Defenders of the first line of defense seek to push their attackers to the sidelines and prevent the attacker from getting around him with the ball and without the ball.
If one of the defenders managed to stop the attacker with the ball at the touchline at the intersection with the penalty or center line, the defensive partner must come to the aid of a friend: together they force him to make a cross pass, which the other three players are ready to intercept.
The initial stage of personal pressing is carried out by two fundamentally different tactical formations:
1. The opponent who introduces the ball into the game holds a high moving edge and with an active movement of the hands prevents him from making an aimed pass.
2. No one guards the opponent who puts the ball into play, but two pressers prevent the most dangerous dribbler from getting the ball.
For example, Volkov secured Sokk and Marciulionis from behind when passing to player 5.
A few tips when defending with personal pressure: make him stop and do not let him make an accurate pass, interfering with his hand movements;
2) if the defending partner allowed himself to be bypassed, immediately come to his aid, of course, without leaving your ward in a safe position under the shield;
3) constantly watch not only your ward, watch the actions of partners, learn to see the whole field.
In the USSR national team and CSKA, zone pressing 1-2-1 - 1 brought us the most success.
We started pressing from the opponent's front line after a goal and a free kick. High extreme Volkov interfered with the throw-in. If the ball was injected to the right, Marciulionis and Volkov attacked X2 defender together, trying to prevent him from going forward and make an aimed pass to XI defender, Sokk followed the movement of X3 and X4. Sabonis secured the rear, was responsible for long passes and for the X5 player. Tikhonenko in the center of the field followed X4's pass with a long pass and went to the ball passing side.
Returning with a weak attack, we built a defense 2-3
Zone defense in basketball
The meaning of this defense is that the players are in charge of a certain area of the field, in accordance with the position of the ball and the formation of the attacking team.
Benefits of zone defense:
1. Gives the opportunity to arrange players according to their physical, technical and mental characteristics.
Tall, jumpy players are located close to the shield, mobile, fast players - in positions higher from the shield.
2. More commanding, easy to master, able to compensate for the individual gaps in the defense of the players.
3. Promotes counter-attacking and frequent interceptions of the ball with the greatest possible degree of risk, because. Partners are always ready to help.
4. The number of fouls in a zone defense is usually less than in a personal defense.
5. This defense is less vulnerable to screen combinations.
6. Can concentrate with strong opponent centers and stretch with snipers.
7. More than personal protection, it saves players' strength and protects leaders from fouls.
8. Most effective against opponents with strong centers.
9. A team that owns a zone defense can easily build mixed forms of defense: 3-2, 4-1, 2-3.
10. Convenient and suitable for small fields.
Disadvantages of zone defense:
1. Inferior to the personal psychological responsibility of the players, their charge for individual victory in defense.
2. Less useful against teams with strong snipers.
3. As a rule, the corners of the court are less protected in zone defense.
4. Zone defense can be used occasionally and should not be the main form of defense. It is not advisable to use zone defense at the beginning of the match, when the opponent's players are not yet tired, energetic enough - their throws are more accurate and productive than at the end of the game.
There are several formations of the zone defense, however, each of the zone defenses should easily transform depending on the attack - stretch when attacking from a distance and group around the ring.
Even type of zone defense formations includes systems: 2-2-1, 2-1-2, 2-3.
Odd formation: 1-2-2, 1-3-1, 3-2.
Each of these constructions has its advantages and disadvantages, which are useful to analyze.
The arrows indicate the direction of movement of the players. The shaded places on the court are the weak positions of the defense.
Zone defense 1-2-2
#1 - the lightest, fastest defender, #2 and #3 - quite mobile, jumpy, good if their height is at least 2 m. #4 and #5 - centers. Their task is to fight with the opponent's centers, picking up balls from the shield.
This system is most useful against teams trying to attack from under the shield through the post. Disadvantages - weak positions indicated in the figure.
Zone defense 2-1-2
It is used against strong opponent's centers who are dangerous on the "second floor" when rebounding the ball. Good for developing a counterattack with fast #1 and #2 players. Vulnerable in corners under 45, in the center for long and medium throws. The task of post #5 is to mark the opponents' post and, together with ?3 and ?4, create a rebounding triangle. #3 and #4 are mobile and high wingers, they can be swapped depending on the place of the sniper's attack.
Zone Defense 1-3-1
Helps to keep #3, #5, #2 between the ball and the basket at all times, used against opponent's strong centers and shots from middle and close positions.
Her weakness is throws from the corners of the site and passes to the shield along the front line.
#1 - the fastest defender, running into the gap in every possible situation, #2 and #3 - mobile, jumping players, #5 - center, #4 - the fastest winger, able to move into the corners of the court.
Zone defense 3-2
#1, #2 and #3 are aggressive, mobile players, the success of the whole system largely depends on their activity. All three are focused on intercepting the ball and counterattacking. This system is most acceptable against teams seeking to attack from a distance, and less suitable against strong centers. The 3 second zone and 45 angle positions are the most vulnerable. #1 is in charge of the foul line. #2 and #3 are in a rebound fight. #5 and #4 are the first and second centers.
Zone protection 2-3
Strongest under the backboard, in the corners of the court along the front line. It is used against a tall, powerful team attacking from close positions and from under the shield.
Often used for group selection of the ball in the corners of the court. When interacting #4 and #2 or #3 and #1, the defense is less effective on the foul line and at a 45 angle. #5 - center, #4 - second center, #3 - winger, #1 and #2 - defenders, constantly aimed at interception and counterattack.
Zone protection 2-2-1
This defense is used by agile and short teams aiming to intercept the ball and constantly counterattack. This zone counterattack is used against teams seeking to attack from medium distances. Center #5 is responsible for rebounding, wingers #3 and #4 are responsible for positions in corners and under 45 , rebounding the ball and for the foul line.
Defenders #1 and #2 tend to close the passes to the shield and into the three-second zone, while they themselves are constantly aimed at counterattacking.
A.Ya. GomelskyDefense against ball carrier
It is necessary to work out the correct body position in a basketball stance: the center of gravity is evenly distributed on both legs, but not on a full foot, but on toes, with a "charged" (ready for any movement) foot, knees slightly bent, legs slightly wider than shoulders .
Boxing stance - like the great Michael Jordan.
If the opponent is in possession of the ball, one arm of the defender must be directed at the ball and constantly attack the opponent, preventing him from aiming or throwing (best if it touches the attacker), and the second arm slightly pulled back. Many defenders, being between the player with the ball and the basket, even in the correct stance, do not actively use their hands, do not make an offensive movement towards the attacker, which allows the opponent to calmly take further actions. At the same time, it must be remembered that you cannot cross your legs, that the distance between the defender and the opponent must be calculated so that the opponent can pass with a dribbling to the ring.
Contact defense against the ball carrier, although difficult and somewhat risky, is modern and has its advantages. If your arm extended to the opponent reaches his chest, then by doing so you prevent the attacker from lifting the ball up for a throw.
Defender's movements should be trained regularly:
a) in each training session - with and without resistance;
b) with one or two balls;
c) with side steps, making contact with the body closest to the attacker.
The defender's actions in different situations can be divided into 12 positions:
1. Defense against a dribbler driving the ball to your ring.
2. Defending against a player who has finished the dribble and is looking to either shoot or pass.
3. Defense against an attacker 5-6 m from the backboard, but not using the dribble.
4. Actions of defenders in numerical minority.
5. Actions of two defenders against three forwards.
6. Actions of three defenders against four forwards.
7. Actions of defenders during screenings.
8. Rear screen protection.
9. Slip protection.
10. Group ball tackle by two defenders.
11. Defense against the first pass to the counterattack.
12. Fighting the attacker in the corners of the court.
Let's try to analyze the defender's actions in each of these positions.
1. Defender's task - in a parallel low stance, without crossing the legs, move backwards, knees slightly bent, one hand all the time makes attacking movements towards the dribbler (feints with the body and head participate in this frightening dribbler movement), with the other hand he tries to stop the dribble (if possible, knock the ball out). The raised hand is ready to prevent the presenter from making the pass. Hands can be changed, they are always in motion.
As already mentioned, one should move on a "charged" foot, the heels do not touch the floor, the back is straight, slightly tilted forward, the head is raised up.
The leader should be pushed to the sideline, in the corner of the court, or his movement should be directed towards the defensive partner, remembering that the leader must not be allowed to go to the "strong" side (if left-handed - to the left, if right-handed - to the right).
The distance from the leader should be maintained depending on the speed of his rushing with the ball, his ability to attack or pass, as well as your ability, taking into account the position on the field of defensive partners. Do not rush to take the ball away from a good dribbler, wait for him to stop or make a mistake.
2. If the attacker has finished dribbling and has stopped to shoot or pass the ball, the defender must definitely get close to him, actively using his arms, preventing him from concentrating on the next action. The hand closest to the opponent must touch the fingers of his chest or stomach and not allow him to lift the ball up to attack the ring or pass. The defender seeks to force the opponent to turn his back to the shield and, without stopping attacking the attacker, prevents him from making an aimed pass. The defender must signal to his defensive partners to be ready to intercept the ball. These are already team actions.
3. If the opponent has received the ball 5-6 m from the backboard and he is in possession of the dribble, the defender must not stop actively attacking the attacker; make short lunges with your front foot, use your hands to prevent him from aiming.
The attacker cannot be missed to the shield along the front line, if he moves slightly towards it, none of the partners will help the defender. The hand close to the end line insures the passage with the lead, the other one attacks the attacker.
Do not give in to feints. If the attacker went to the end line where the defender took up position, you can meet him with his chest and show the referees that he knocked you down. Don't be afraid and learn to fall gently on your back.
If the attacker, despite the activity of the defender, lifted the ball for a throw, you should try to jump with him and prevent the throw. Do not stop working even when the opponent has already made a throw or pass. Do not turn away from him and block his path to the shield. When you take a step back, meet him with your face, and do not try to run after him. You should always be in these moments between the opponent and your shield.
4. If the defender is alone against two attackers, he tries to prevent the ball from being thrown from under the backboard and retreats with his back to his ring so that he can see both attackers.
With false movements, he tries to stop the player with the ball and prevent him from making a pass to the opponent under the ring or in time for him in order to block the throw from afar. Not allowing the ball to be thrown from under the shield, the defender will fulfill his mission.
2x1 training on the spot and on the move develops reaction in defenders, teaches active arm movement, backward movement, composure and ability to intercept the ball.
5. Two defenders against three forwards - a common situation in any match, so the defenders, regardless of their position, being in the minority, must know their maneuver.
The front defender moves towards the dribbler to stop him at the top of the three-point offensive zone. He uses a feint, showing that making contact with this attacker is his main real task. At the same time, he should not get close to the opponent leading the ball. The rear defensive player takes a position on the free throw line, behind the front one and, after the pass from the dribbler, moves towards the player who received the ball - he is responsible for passing this player to the backboard or throwing from close range.
The front defender, meanwhile, quickly moves to the third striker under the shield, managing to prevent him from getting the ball. The task of the two defenders is to prevent the ball from being thrown from under the shield. Exercises 3x2, 4x3, 5x4 are a good school for practicing such actions. You can train them by attacking with two balls.
6. If three defenders are defending against four attackers, their actions are built as follows. If attacker XI has the ball, defender ?1 rushes towards him, defender ?2 is responsible for throwing and moving to attacker XZ's shield, defender ?3 moves to the shield. If attacker X2 receives the ball, defender ?1 tends to it. Defender ?3 is responsible for attacker X4, defender ?2 moves to the basket.
A 4x3 drill on the spot and on the move, with rebounding the ball after a throw, with one and two balls - a good rehearsal for a defense of three against four.
7. Today, not a single even very serious team imagines an attack without a combination of screens.
Coordination of actions of the team's defenders, warning about the impending screen determine the preparation of the team to fight the screens.
The guard guarding the screening player must warn his partner of the imminent threat. If the screen without the ball is made by attackers of the same height, there is no great danger of changing the defenders.
If the defenders want to avoid changing when screening from the side, the defender must turn towards the defender and step back, bypassing him from behind, which will not allow the attacker to pass to the backboard.
If the attacker screens from the blind side, from behind, the defender must open towards the defensive partner, turning sideways to him. This will make it difficult to set up a barrier.
8. If your partner puts a screen on the sniper when attacking from medium or long distances behind the defender and you did not have time to get out from under such a screen, a change is necessary: your partner switches to the sniper with his hand raised and prevents him from making a throw.
You are left with a dangerous, taller opponent, and your task is to prevent him from getting the ball or picking up the ball after the throw.
It is difficult to do without the help of partners in this situation. In general, I am a supporter of the smallest shift with screens, because. this reduces individual responsibility and gives the attacker a chance to beat the defender.
9. If your player, while in possession of the ball, seeks to pass to a teammate who is close to him, you must step back and allow your defensive partner to slip, and then take an active position towards your attacker.
10. The defensive player should always try to get the dribbler to the touchline, into the corner of the court, stop him and turn his back to the backboard.
The second defender, seeing this situation, attacks the opponent with the ball from the other side. Both of them with active hand movements interfere with making an aimed pass. It is important that the rest of the defense players are ready, focused on intercepting the ball.
11. The USSR national team used the defense against the first pass in a fast break more than once against opponents who counterattack through a fast dribbler, sending him the first pass after picking up the ball from the backboard. So we often defended against the Spanish national team, where the ?1 dribbler was Carbolan or Salosobal.
Our team's tall center, who plays close to the backboard, whether it's Tkachenko, Sabonis or Belostenny, prevents the dribbler from making an accurate first pass. At the same time, our fast defender, for example, Homichujus, presses ?1 opponent and does not allow him to receive the ball. The other three of our players were to immediately return to their zone.
So often the counterattack of the Spanish national team failed, in which the Spaniards were especially dangerous and productive.
I must say that there are some significant differences between the game of our and American defenders. According to my conclusions, they are:
1.
Americans on the defensive are always offensive, they are not afraid of a contact attack on the attacker in possession of the ball.
In a low stance with arms raised, the US defender seeks to hit the ball, prevent a pass from being made, not to mention a shot. If the attacker lifts the ball up, the defender immediately reacts to this: his hand rises up and seeks to interfere with any actions of the attacker. The attacker put the ball down - the defender immediately takes two quick steps back, preparing to prevent the opponent's pass without losing his defensive stance.
2. When active, the American defender never allows the attacker to pass with the ball through the center, into the middle, but constantly pushes him to the sideline. When an attacker is missed on the front line, teammates immediately come to the aid of the defender. Our tactic is, on the contrary, to close the baseline, where, as we believe, it is more difficult to provide team assistance. I think it's best to find a compromise here: train the safety net both in the middle of the three-second zone and when passing on the front.
And in games, take into account the characteristics of attackers under guard, do not let them go in their favorite directions (left hand, favorite throw point, feints, etc.).
3. When screening, the American defender's first impulse is to pass behind his player. With a quick movement of the foot close to the screener, he tries to get ahead of the screening and stay with his ward, and if this fails, a change of attacking players follows. This does not reduce activity.
In the debut season - the second
On May 1 at 7 o'clock in the morning the silver medalist of the Major League - the team "AltaiBasket" - flew from Moscow to Barnaul on a flight. At the airport, sports heroes were met by relatives, friends, teammates and journalists who stayed at home. In the morning sun, sparkling with a cup, medals and smiles, basketball players shared their impressions of the trip and the season as a whole.
***
Gleb BEIGELZIMER was one of the first to appear in the arrivals hall:
- The goal for the season was to get into the top eight.
When the victories continued, it came as a surprise to everyone, including us.
- Thoughts about the task already completed prevented you from getting ready for the games in Vidnoye?
- Such thoughts happen before the game. And during the match, you already want to win at all costs. Therefore, it did not interfere.
- Which game do you remember the most?
- Final with Ataman.
- AltaiBasket started the tournament in Vidnoye with this team and ended with it. Why did you fail to beat the Rostovites?
- Firstly, Vladimir Pronin did not play in the final due to an injury, and secondly, fatigue affected - it was the fifth intense game in six days. The forces were running out. But in the future, I think we will take revenge on Ataman.
- You received a prize for the best player in the Major League. Was the reward unexpected?
- Yes, very much. It's nice that my game was noted.
- How do you rate the season as a whole?
- The season is completely successful. The team took second place in the first year of participation in the Major League, and I was recognized as the most valuable player in the championship.
- Are you already making plans for the future?
- Not yet. Soon we will go for a short rest, and then we will see. The future depends both on the leadership of AltaiBasket and other clubs - I don’t know what proposals will come.
Now I want to go home to Krasnoyarsk.
***
In the debut season - the second
The leader of "AltaiBasket" Yevgeny SHATOKHIN went to the final games with a serious knee injury. Before the decisive meeting with Ataman, the team's doctor Denis Poddubny made a diagnosis: Shatokhin should not play. But Yevgeny went to the site through pain.
- We had difficulties with "Ataman".
Rostovites played positionally, did not rush and did not stray into hasty throws. The team played its own basketball and, I think, rightfully took first place.
- Did the presence of the regional governor Alexander Karlin at the final match give you confidence? Or, on the contrary, strained?
- I don't know about the guys, but I definitely wasn't nervous. We set up, as usual, to play only to win.
- Were you very worried when at the last minute you received the fifth personal warning and left the court?
- The foul was tactical. By that time, Dmitry Zlobin had already been imprisoned for five violations, and Vladimir Pronin was injured at the very beginning of the game. Probably should have been careful. In the end, the guys were a little unlucky.
To be fair, refereeing in Vidnoye was at a high level, no one was sued. We played almost like at home. I haven't seen this in a long time, teams pitted against purely athletic strengths.
- The first place match was the fifth in six days. Did fatigue quickly make itself felt?
- I played normally for the first 10-15 minutes, and then my knee started to ache. But where to go? I had to go out and prove that we are a team and it was not by chance that we got to the finals.
- In the semi-final stage matches in Maikop, AltaiBasket switched to zone defense a couple of times. Was it used in Vidnoe?
- No. We are working on the “zone”, but now we are not ready to play like that. Still, it's a bit of an adventurous defense. I think next season we will play it more actively.
- You are talking about the next season. Are you staying in Barnaul?
- I hope. We will talk more on this topic with the director of the club, Mikhail Yuryevich Panfilov.
We need reinforcement. For almost the entire championship, eight players had constant practice, and the load on them was very serious.
- When you first arrived in Barnaul, did you ever think that you could win a championship medal with AltaiBasket?
- No. In general, during the season, I counted, the task changed five times. But, as they say, appetite comes with eating. Gradually, the task became more and more difficult. The team was on the move, some luck was on its side, and we decided not to miss this chance - we brought the matter to a prize-winning place.
- What is the most memorable moment of the season?
- Throw in the last seconds of the quarter in the match with Tver ( in a home meeting with KAMiT-University, Evgeny Shatokhin sent the ball into the opponent's basket with a throw almost from his ring - Ed.) . This is not forgotten.
***
AltaiBasket's head coach Alexander RACHENKOV, like all those who arrived, looked visibly tired. But he answered the questions asked with pleasure.
- Do you feel like a hero? Do you already know what you've done?
- Not fully understood.
Maybe we are not heroes, but somewhere below them - for sure. It's no secret that we have 7-8 players in the main squad. At the end of the tournament, the guys were tired to such an extent that there were no emotions.
- What match of the season can be called, if not ideal, then the best?
- Due to recent events, what was in the regular season has been forgotten a little. I liked the last games with Voronezh and especially with Tver - we won KAMiT-University precisely as a player, that is, thanks to the set-up for the match, and not some kind of outrageous luck.
- The season has just ended, but have you already thought about the next one?
- Of course. We won a ticket to the Super League, and if we strengthen ourselves in a targeted way, we can perform well there. But here the question is not only about financing - it is necessary to continue building the structure of the club.
Now there is a certain opinion about us.
I remember that after the opening rounds of the championship in Tver and Vidnoye they said: who are you anyway, where is this Altai located? And now the same Vladimir Revenko and Evgeny Izmailov ( specialists of the Department of the Russian Basketball Federation for organizing and holding competitions - Note. ed.) come up, congratulate: well done, you play great. Coaches of other teams are also suitable. That is, they say about us, we have earned some name for ourselves.
- And if the team remains in the Major League?
- It's okay. We did not have a task to enter the Super League in the next two or three seasons. There are examples when a team rises in the class and immediately "crumbles". As a result, both the leadership of the region and the fans turn away from it. First you need to build a club, put it on a solid foundation - so that a children's and youth school works, and so on. Then it is already possible to solve high tasks and come to the Super League for a long time, and not for one year.
You won’t get in there with a tip - the level of teams is completely different. I think we will be well prepared for the Super League in two seasons.
***
In the debut season - the second
Pavel TULIN, Chairman of the Regional Basketball Federation, did not hide his joy from the success of the Altai team:
- The tournament left a very good impression. Even the defeat in the game for the first place did not cause any negative emotions, especially since this meeting became the decoration of the entire championship in the Major League: bright, emotional, meaningful, with an unclear ending until the last seconds. By the final match, the main players, Shatokhin and Pronin, were injured, but both entered the court. The same Pronin tried to play almost on one leg. This once again shows how great this team's potential is, first of all, human.
The team fulfilled and overfulfilled the task for the season long ago, but the guys took to the court, and all of them were united by one desire - to win.
