How To Play A Basketball Zone Offense

The zone defense has a definite place in defensive basketball. A good team is ready to face all types of zones. For an attack on any zone, certain principles must be followed. Offensive patterns that are used against a man-for-man defense will not be successful against a zone. In a zone the players have a certain area to guard and do not follow any particular opponent. In attacking a zone, emphasis is placed on moving the ball. The defense cannot move as quickly as the ball, thus they leave unguarded areas for shots at the basket.Break fast into scoring territory before the opponents can set up a defense. If this fails, basic plays should be used. The ball must be in constant motion. Short rapid passes, especially bounce passes, should be used. Always meet the ball on passes; do not wait for the pass to come to you! Do not cross-court your passes; they are easily intercepted! Keep faking! Only one player should cut at a time. Time your cut so that you are in a position to receive the ball. Maintain defensive balance. Avoid use of the dribble except when driving toward the goal.

Learn basic offenses to play against the zone. These offenses can be varied to meet any type of zone. Against a three-two defense, the weak spots are around the basket and in the corners. Therefore, your attack must be centered in these areas. The 2-2-1 offense is effective against the 3-2 zone. Offensive players 3, 4 and 5 hav a 3-2 advantage once the ball gets to then This will give them many opportunities fc shots around the basket. 3 works along the baseline, forcing D and E to maintain the\ positions. Players 4 and 5 must maintain defensive balance when 1 or 2 cuts through into the front court. Against a two-three defense the best scoring areas will be found on the sides of the court and in the center, behind the front line of defense. The 1-3-1 offense is effective against i 2-3 zone. The 2-3 zone protects the an close to the basket. Players 2, 4 and should be free for many scoring opportunities. 3 moves along the base line, setting up three on two situations against D a E. 3 should get opportunities to shoot from the corners. Player 2 should be a good be handler and have a good jump and or hand set shot. Player 1 directs the attack. Against a 2-1-2 defense, side shots, corn shots and under-the-basket sleepers w work best. The 1-3-1 offense is very effective against the 2-1-2. Player 1 must . alert to help out if 2, 4 and 5 get into difficulty. 2 must be on the move, forcing to stay with him. 2 must be a good be handler and possess a one-hand set at jump shot. 3 moves along the base line holding D and E in their zones. 3 has to I ready to move out and help with the attack under the basket. Players 1,2,4 and must keep the ball moving in order to kept the pressure on A and B. Players 4 and must keep defensive balance by working with player 1. If 1 cuts through, 4 or must take his place in the backcourt.

Against a 1-2-2, or "bottle" defense, the weak spots are in the corner, sides and the area around the foul circle. The 2-2-1 is effective against the 1-2-2 zone. This defense is bunched tight around the basket, which gives the offense an opportunity tc shoot within close range. Player 3 working along the base line forcing D and E to hole their positions. 3 should get opportunities to shoot from the corners. Rapid movement of the ball among players 1,2,4 ant 5 should free them for good shots at the basket. When defensive players B and C drop back under the basket, players 1 or 2 can drive through for a shot. Against a 1-3-1 defense, corner shots, shot from the pivot position and shots around the foul circle will work best. The "double" pivot with two players in the front court, and one player moving about freely is effective against the 1-3-1 zone. This defense was originated by Clair Bee, former coach at Long Island University, for the purpose of stopping the big man. Player is the key player in the attack. He move about freely from corner to corner and ; the foul circle. He sets up two on one at three on two situations. Players 1 and try to maneuver for shots around the fo circle and try to feed the ball into the pivot position. 3 always rebounds with 4 and 5.

DefenseThe old adage that "the best defense is a strong offense" is over-emphasized in today's basketball. True, winning basketball games requires you to score, but it also requires you to prevent the opponents from scoring. Any system of play requires a defense equally as strong as its offense. The good basketball team has a sound defense.

Defense is not as popular as offense. The scorer gets the headlines and the applause from the crowd. A good defensive play is rarely noticed. A good offense is not a substitute for a good defense. If the offensive strength of two teams is equal, the team with the better defense will win! Every team has its "off" night in shooting. When the ball is not going through the hoop, a sound defense is particularly important.

With the proper approach, playing good defense can give the true basketball player as much personal satisfaction as playing offense. Good defensive players can play havoc with the offense. They can force their opponents to make bad passes, hurry their shots, palm the ball, run with the ball and commit other costly errors. Man-for-man In order to become a good defensive player, you must spend as much time on defense as you do on offense.

Defensive stance. Note semicrouch position with knees slightly bent. You must have a good defensive stance. Get a comfortable stance, with one foot in front of the other. Your weight is on the balls of your feet. Take a semi-crouch position with your knees slightly bent. This will enable you to move quickly in either direction. Your hands are up; one is held high to discourage your opponent from shooting or to hinder him if he does shoot. The other hand is low to keep your man from going in that direction. If you want your opponent to go to your right, keep your left hand down. If you want him to go to your left, keep your right hand down. It is advisable to drive your man toward the inside of the court if he is playing near the side-line or end-line. Your team mates will be in a better position to help if he drives around you. Always stay between your man and the ball! Stick to him like glue! Do not take your eyes off him to watch the ball. If you do, he may not be there when you look for him. When this happens, you should immediately go to the basket you are defending. By doing this, you may prevent him from getting a short shot at the basket. If he is not under the basket, go out and get him. A good defensive man learns to keep his opponent and the ball in view at the same time. This will help you intercept passes and avoid being blocked out of the play. A good way to do this is to get the angle. Position your body and feet so that you can see your man and the ball at the same time. If you cannot watch your man and the ball at the same time, then watch your man.

A clever defensive man will always "box out" his opponent. This means preventing his man from making a direct cut ahead of him, forcing him to move in a direction away from the basket. Play far enough away from your man so he cannot dribble around you and stay close enough to him so he cannot shoot. Never leave your feet to block a shot! If your man bluffs a shot and you leave your feet in an attempt to block it, you are temporarily out of the play. You have left yourself wide open. Your opponent can now dribble around you for an easy lay-up shot. If he has already dribbled, a snap pass and a quick cut will carry him under the basket for an unguarded shot. Even if the shooter does make the try at the goal, he is still a threat, for he can follow in for a rebound ahead of you.

Considering these points, it is poor basketball to leave your feet to block a shot. It would be much safer to come up on the shooter with a hand stretched overhead. Always be careful to keep your balance and watch for a feint.Do not charge up hastily on an opponent. This will enable him to step aside and break for the goal. This is true whether the offensive man has the ball or not. A good defensive man will come up slowly. He will maintain good body balance and be ready to move in either direction. Body balance is very important in defensive play. Footwork is of utmost importance in basketball! Whether on the defense or on the offense, clever footwork will improve your game. When moving laterally on defense, you should not cross your feet. Use the boxer step. If you cross your feet, your opponent can get the jump on you easily by changing direction. His maneuver would leave you in an awkward position. Shuffle your feet along the floor. Your first step should be with the foot nearer to the direction in which you want to move. If you want to move to the right, the first step should be with the right foot. If you want to move to the left, the first step should be with the left foot. When moving up on a man, keep one foot ahead of the other. When moving backward, you follow the same procedure. Do not cross your feet! Shuffle them along.

The baseball catcher must be adept in moving to his left and to his right in catching balls wide of the plate. He uses the boxer step. This permits him to step out for the ball and still keep his body balance. If the catcher were to cross his left foot in front of his right foot or vice versa, he would have difficulty in catching and throwing the ball. A good drill to improve this type of footwork is to get out in the middle of the floor. Take your defensive stance with your hands up. Have some one give the commands: "To the right, to the left, advance, retreat." Mix the commands. This is not only fun but develops your footwork. To help yourself develop defensive maneuvers, report early for practice and get a teammate to work with you! Give him a ball about twenty feet from the basket. You guard him. Have him bluff a shot and try to drive around you. After a few minutes exchange positions. Do this every day before regular practice starts. You will improve yourself tremendously.

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