Younger basketball players often get caught up in the razzle dazzle of the offensive side of the game. Sure, it's fun to crossover like Allen Iverson, but what will really help you make the team is your ability to hold it down on defense. One important type of defense is the zone defense. Beginning basketball players must be aware of how a zone defense works and its variations.
A zone defense means that you do not pick an opponent and defend him one on one. Instead, each defender is responsible for covering an area of the court and defending whoever is in that area.
This article will deal with the most basic zone defense, which is a 2-3 zone. What this means is that there are two defenders guarding the perimeter and three defenders guarding the inside. The two perimeter defenders would be your guards, who would set up just inside the three point line, one on each side of the court. Their goal is to minimize penetration by the opposing ball carrier. Their designated area is at the top of the court from the three point line to the foul line. They will also help down the sidelines.
The center is the core of the zone defense. They patrol the paint and keep attackers at bay. They rebound the ball and call the paint their home. The center generally stays within 8 feet of the basket. Anyone that comes near the net is theirs. When watching the NBA, watch the areas of the court that Shaq, Yao Ming and Ben Wallace generally cover. This will give you a good idea of the area the center should play.
The two forwards are the wingmen in a zone defense. They are down low in the zone like the center, however they are flared out on either side of him, covering the baseline, cutting attackers, and the corners of the court. They also provide help at the basket and are equally responsible for rebounding.
This is the most basic form of zone defense. There are many other forms to learn and master, but try this one first. It will be especially advantageous to you if:
1)Your center is not very mobile (like Shaq and Yao).
2)Your opponent is not a strong passing team or is a team who likes to go one on one.
3)Your opponent prefers to drive the ball to the basket rather than shoot.
So go ahead, expand your defensive boundaries. Try something new. Get zoned out.
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