Zone defense
Zone defense is a type of defense used in
sports which is the alternative to
man-to-man defense; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area, or a "zone", to cover.
A zone defense can be used in virtually all sports where a defending team is present.
The
NBA had barred teams from using zone defenses prior to
2002, which allowed a greater emphasis on "isolation" which would see one player become a focal point of his offense. Since the 2002 rule change, isolation has become rare and offenses have become more pass-oriented.
Most zone defenses in basketball are listed by a set of numbers that correspond to the number of players on the front of the zone working its way to the back of the zone. For example, a 2-3 zone is a zone defense in which two defenders are covering areas in the top of the zone (near the top of the key) while three defenders are covering areas closer to the basket. Typically, the defenders at the top of the zone are
guards, while those near the basket are
forwards or
centers. There are several forms of such zone defenses in basketball, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some examples:
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2-3 zone, a very common zone defense, particularly associated with Coach
Jim Boeheim of
Syracuse University, who has made an instructional video entirely dedicated to it.
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3-2 zone*
1-2-2 zone*
2-1-2 zone*
1-3-1 zone, a very rare defense, but who has one notable proponent in Coach
John Beilein of
West Virginia University, formerly of the
University of RichmondOther types of zone defense include:
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Match-up zone, a hybrid of man-to-man defense and zone defense where players apply man-to-man defense to whichever opposing player enters their area. Coach
John Chaney, formerly of
Temple University, is this defense's most famous proponent.
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Box-and-one in which four defenders are in a 2-2 zone and one defender guards a specific player on the offense. A variant of this is the
triangle-and-two, in which three defenders are in a 2-1 zone and two defenders guard two specific offensive players.
When a team plays a zone, the defenders must keep their hands up and in passing lanes and quickly adjust their positions as the ball and the offensive players move around. Teams that successfully play zone defenses are very vocal and effectively communicate where they, the ball, and their opponents are or will be.
Teams playing a zone occasionally try to
trap the ball handler, an aggressive strategy designed to
double-team the player with the ball. While this may cause a turnover, this tactic also leaves one or more players on the offense undefended.
Zone defenses were recently made legal in the
National Basketball Association, but their use remains much more common in
NCAA basketball and high school basketball.
Advantages of Playing a Zone Defense
There are several reasons for a team to use a zone defense. Some are listed below.
* The opposing team has a player or players too quick (in the case of guards) or too big (in the case of forwards or centers) for a man-to-man defense to be effective.
* Many zones pack defenders in the lane, but allow the offensive team to take long-range shots. If the opponents are poor long-range shooters, a zone can be very effective.
* Unless trapping is involved, zone defenses typically do not involve aggressive pressure on the ball handler and allow the offensive team to pass the ball around the perimeter, leading to more time being used by the offensive team before a shot is attempted. Therefore, teams wanting to slow down the tempo of a game will often choose to play zone.
* A poor defensive player can often be "hidden" in a zone because teammates can more easily help if he or she is beaten.
* If players are in danger of fouling out (especially forwards or centers), using a zone helps to take the pressure off of them.
* Playing a zone is usually less tiring than playing man-to-man, so fatigued teams are more inclined to use zones.
* Some teams play a zone when the opponents inbound the ball under the basket to help prevent easy scores off of screen plays.
* Against teams with inexperienced guards, trapping zones can disrupt the offense and force turnovers.
Disadvantages of Playing a Zone Defense
Playing a zone entails some risks. Some are listed below.
* Zones tend to be weak on the perimeter, so they are not very effective against teams with good outside shooters.
* Zones have gaps (areas that are not well-covered by defenders) that can be exploited by teams that pass well or have guards capable of penetrating the zone.
* If a team is behind in the game, playing a zone is a poor strategy because zones usually allow the offense to take more time off the clock on each possession, which limits the time remaining for the losing team to reduce the lead.
* When a shot is attempted, it is often harder for players in a zone to find counterparts to box out for the rebound, which sometimes results in an offensive player getting an easy offensive rebound.
Attacking a Zone Defense
While strategies for countering zone defenses vary and often depend on the strengths and weaknesses of both the offensive and defensive teams, there are some general principles that are typically used by offensive teams when facing a zone.
* Many popular zones (such as the 2-3 and 1-2-2) have a gap in the middle of the lane. Getting the ball in this area can be very effective because the defense is often forced to "collapse" on the ball handler, freeing up other players for open shots. To exploit this gap, many teams assign a forward to operate in the
high post area near the free throw line to catch and distribute the ball. A forward in the high post area can also set screens on the players at the top of the zone to allow penetration by the guards.
* Quick passing is an important element of attacking any zone. The defense will shift as the ball moves, but if the offense can move the ball faster than the defense can react, open shots can result.
* Dribble penetration is very effective in breaking down a zone. If a guard can dribble into the gaps in the zone, multiple defenders must converge on the ball. The ball handler can then often pass to an open teammate for a shot. This strategy illustrates why preventing dribble penetration is important in playing an effective zone defense.
The Zone Defence tactic, borrowed from basketball, was introduced into Australian Football in the late 1980s and revolutionised the game. It was used most effectively by legendary
Essendon Football Club coach
Kevin Sheedy.
The tactic is used from the
full-back kick in after a behind is scored. The side in opposition to the player kicking in places their forward players, including their
full-forward and
centre half forward, in evenly spaced zones in the back 50 metre arc. This makes it easier for them to block leading players and forces the kick in to be more precise, in effect increasing the margin for error which can cause a turnover and another shot at goal. As a result, the best ways to break the zone are for the full-back to bomb it long (over 50 metres), often requiring a low percentage torpedo punt, or to play a short chipping game out of defence and then to switch play as opposition players break the zone. The latter has negated the effectiveness of the tactic since the 1990s.
Another kick-in technique is the
cluster or
huddle, often used before the zone, which involves all of the players from the opposition team to the player is kicking in huddling together and then breaking in different directions. The kicker typically aims in whichever direction that the designated target (typically the
ruckman) runs in.
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Box and One Defense*
2-3 Zone Defense
