Why use a 2-3 zone defense?
Coach Marshall's reasons for using the 2-3 zone defense:- The 2-3 zone defense will benefit teams that are less athletic, less quick, not as tall, by keeping the ball outside and turning the opponent into an outside jump-shooting team. Athletic teams will benefit as well by being more aggressive on the outside, trapping, etc.
- Opponents tend to become impatient against the zone and often rush shots.
- Most high school players are just average passers, and have difficulty making good inside passes and accurate skip passes.
- Compared to man-to-man offenses, there are far fewer zone offenses to contend with. Man-to-man defenses may have to contend with numerous man offenses (e.g. flex, motion, triangle, read and react, Princeton, pick and roll, swing, dribble-drive, etc) as well as many set plays. Use a 2-3 zone defense and now the opponent usually has to switch to a zone offense, and there aren't nearly as many zone offenses to choose from.
- The 2-3 zone is very adaptable in countering the opponent's zone offense and plays, and their star players.
- Usually teams will commit fewer fouls when playing zone defense.
Three goals for an effective zone defense
Coach Marshall's defensive goals:- No lay-ups... clog the inside and force the opponent to shoot from outside.
- No second shots... be aggressive rebounders.
- No fouls.
Three important fundamentals in playing zone defense
- Close-out on the shooter with high hands, to pressure the shot and the pass. We are less concerned with dribble-penetration since the zone creates too much congestion inside for the dribble-drive.
- Stay in your defensive stance. This is especially important for weakside defenders. The weakside low defender should keep his "butt to the baseline" so that he can see the floor, and any potential cutters or screeners coming his way.
- Move on the flight of the ball... move quickly when the ball is in the air. Contrary to what many players think, there is no loafing or standing around in a zone. Players must "get there" and rotate quickly and must move once the ball leaves the passer's hands.
Share this page...
