Beating a Zone Defense

While zone defenses are used at every level of the game, when you coach youth basketball, you definitely have to learn how to play against a zone defense. A zone defense can be a strategic part of any game plan and when you are playing for State or National titles at the High School and Collegiate levels, I understand utilizing these strategies as often as necessary to win. At the youth level, I feel a little different.

Fundamental defense is taught at the man-ball level through a man-to-man (M2M) defense. Too often, coaches are more worried about winning than developing their players and take the easy way out and stick their kids in a zone. Why does it give them a good chance to win? Well, outside shooting is a premium as kids lack strength or consistency to be a regular threat. Also, it crowds up the middle slowing down offenses and it looks a little menacing to young kids seeing all of those obstacles to the basket. Plus, you can sometimes hide weaker players.

I personally feel that zone defenses should not be taught until they have mastered the M2M defense. Besides, a well executed M2M looks like a zone or match-up zone as the weak side players slide to the middle to protect against the drive. I have actually had coaches say that their kids couldn't "get" a man defense. That they are not "good enough" to play man. Well, that is a coach not holding up his end of the bargain. It is the coaches job to teach, instruct and reinforce the proper way of playing M2M and EXPECT it from his players.

Even when we have been out-sized, I typically stuck to my guns and statyed in the M2M defense. I made adjustments and stressed points of emphasis such as doubling down with a wing defender. Helping from the top side and packing in the back side help. As my team matured and developed we began to introduce some aggressive zone such as a 1-3-1 trap and then a more traditional 2-3 or 3-2. We still run 90% man, playing in your face, full-court defense with a lot of weak side help. Whether you are the one playing defense or the one being guarded, when our game is done, you know that you have been in a ball game!

Here are a few tips and points of emphasis that I use when facing a zone defens:

Fastbreak
Don't let them set up their Zone...score early, score often. We set the tempo!

Move the Ball
Make the Zone work, make them move. The Zone will break down if we continue to reverse the ball.

Flash
Flash into the openings between the defenders. "Split the defenders." "Find the seams." Look for the ball, look to score!

Penetrate
Drive into the Zone...but not too deep!
Drive into the Zone...pull up for your shot.
Drive into the Zone...drop it to the post.
Drive into the Zone...kick it to the wing.

Hit the Jumper!
When you are open, you have to knock it down. Be shot-ready. Be square. Be ready to pull the trigger. Practice at game speed so you will play at game speed.

Expand the plan
Be disciplined and execute the offense...but don't be afraid to freelance. Float to the openings. Move without the ball. Make something happen!

Rebound
Work to get to the board - THEY have to find YOU! Block THEM out! Top man stay back...we can't get burnt. Limit their offense to one shot...we can't start the fastbreak without the ball.

Practice
If you don't practice how will you get better? If you don't get better how will the team get better? If the team doesn't get better how will we reach our potential? If we don't reach our potential how will we succeed?