Effective Basketball Defense Strategies: Zones and Techniques

Effective Basketball Defense Strategies

A. Single Defense

1) Defense Rated: Each defender is assigned to an attacker and only marks them.

It was not very efficient. Players were placed between the basket and the attacker.

B. Individual Defense Support

Every defender has to be aware of two references: the player with the ball and the player assigned to defend. The goal is to have more defenders than attackers in the vicinity of the ball (e.g., 5 defenders vs. 3 attackers).

Each attacker is linked by an imaginary line to the player with the ball (passing lane). The closer this line passes, the more pressure should be applied. Defenders are more buoyant when separated from the line.

C. Jump and Change (Unusual Defense)

One dribbling move. Attackers are looking for fast passes and bounces. The aim is to speed up the game for the opposing team.

Way to defend: When the opposing team moves the ball a lot.

Zone Defense

Objectives: It focuses not on the player itself but on defending an area within which a player is located.

A. Passive Zone Defense

Two players are on the first line of defense (e.g., 2-3 zone) and three are on the second. The goal is to avoid leaving spaces near the basket, with each player defending their space.

B. Active Zone Defense

Each player takes the other part of the space; performance spaces interrelate.

C. Setting

Place the defenders in positions similar to those of the attackers. In the event of a 2-3 defense, it could become a 1-2-2.

If a player is the attacker that is supposed to be short-man defense, the defense may be trying to deceive the opponents.

The priority is to defend a space. The defender is within an area of a player.

Aspects for Effective Defense

1. Delaying the Ball's Advance: Do not fast-forward. This is confirmed when the ball goes through the center or when the ball bounces too much, being careful not to pass the first dribble.
2. Pressure: Especially on passing lanes, particularly on passing lanes of penetration (going to the basket).
3. Defend the Cuts Toward the Ball: An attacker who goes to the player with the ball.
4. Defending Isolations: Avoiding one-on-one situations.
5. Avoid Disadvantages Around the Basket: Prevent the ball from reaching the center of the area. It is important that defenders near the basket are good one-on-one defenders.
6. Defense Against Blocks

Pass Defense and Cutting

Date: 04/12/08

Objectives:

1. Prevent the front-court player from receiving the ball.
2. If they cut in front, make it towards an area where we have help or away from the basket.
3. Avoid the ball getting inside the perimeter (a useful area).

Requirements:

1. Move to where the ball is directed.
2. Keep the vision of the ball and the player without the ball simultaneously.

Features:

1. Maintain the proportion between the position of the ball and the player without the ball (pass line).
2. Direct the movement of the attacker to where they can create less danger to the defense.
3. Contact the player without the ball when cutting around defenders.