How to Run a 2 3 Zone Defense (Part 2)
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Published 2017-08-08
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The 2-3 zone defense is an alternative to man-to-man or match-up defensive strategy used in basketball. It is referred to as the 2–3 because of its formation on the court, which consists of two players at the front of the defense and three players closer to the basket.
The 2-3 zone is usually one of the first zone defenses coaches and players learn and deploy. That’s probably because of it’s intuitive nature and ease of learning. The two players on the top of the zone are typically the two guards; the shooting and point guards. They guard the area of the zone on the perimeter and three-point arc.
The forwards (3 and 4 players) guard the sides of the zone and the center (5 player) guards the lane and center of the zone. When your opponent moves the basketball around the court, the entire zone shifts to cover their designated areas in the zone. As the ball moves throughout the court, the defense shifts simultaneously in the direction of the ball.
Communication is probably the most important thing to remember when playing a 2–3 zone (or any zone defense). Every player needs to talk to each other on the court . Typically, the center acts as a defensive director in the 2-3 zone because they care able to see more of the court. They are always shouting who should be where, what the offense is doing, and acts as the eyes behind the heads of their fellow teammates.
Even though the 2-3 zone is a “zone” defense, every player on the court should always be aware of the where the offensive players are on the court. It’s critical that the defense move to guard an open player than stay within the normal constraints of the 2-3 zone with offensive players that are closer to the basket taking a high priority.
The strength of the 2-3 zone originates at the basket and radiates outward. It’s typically deployed against an opponent who is stronger/bigger inside and are poor perimeter shooters. A general goal of the 2-3 zone is to force the offense to take perimeter shots and prevent entry into the paint by pass or drives.
The 2–3 zone is a very effective defense when teams communicate and rotate properly. It’s generally true that the further away from the basket, the lower the chances of scoring. The 2–3 zone protects the key and is great at preventing penetration into the lane. Because of that, it’s forces perimeter shooting as an offense's most accessible option, thus lowering your opponents overall field goal shooting percentage.
There are some times when using the 2-3 zone would leave your team vulnerable. With the perimeter, especially the 33-point arc, wide open, teams that are great at 3-point shots and mid-range shots can easily dismantle the 2-3 zone. Teams don’t remain in a 2-3 zone for very long when their opponents start knocking down long range shots with ease and consistency. If you’re committed to staying in a zone, your might want to switch to a 3-2 zone against a good perimeter shooting team.
The 2–3 zone requires good communication, teamwork and trust. Every player must know exactly where to be at all times, where their teammates should be, and where their opponents are at all times. Zone defense is more complex than just chasing one player around the court and staying between them and the basket. If you practice all aspects of this zone and defend as one single unit on the court, your team will be formidable with this zone defense.
Please watch part 1 here
• How to Run a 2 3 Zone Defense (Part 1)
Thank you for watching my video and visiting my channel. Please check out other videos for play ideas for your team.
All Comments (17)
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I love your method I’m going to work this in soon.
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Love your videos I help coach middle schoolers and alot of your videos are knowledgeable and to the point!
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Awesome video!!!
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Awesome instructions and illustrations! Part 1 & 2
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this really helped me. thank you!
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Will be my first time coaching this summer, I'm gonna use this zone defense along with man to man
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this helped me so much
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That kind of defense is very hard to execute offense.if you make more fluid and prepared for that defense.you can control the tempo the offense of the other team.Very Good Job Sir.
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Nice video sir👍☝👆
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Thank you coach more video please..
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Ive learn much
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Your profile pic looks like Jeremy Lin age 40, ha ha ha ha. Good video
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nice video
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good job! what happens when the low post pass comes from the high post?
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Amazing! But our team traps the low post with the forward and the center.While trapping, the guards are responsable for the kickout pass and the premiter players.it's that Ok?
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hey, coach- quick question: At 1:40, you basically leave the high post uncovered.. how would you guard the low-high pass ? especially if the high post cuts to the basket?
