Defensive Basketball Plays: ZONE DEFENSEThe following defensive basketball plays all utilize a Zone defense, great for preventing penetration and one-on-one mismatches.
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Start by viewing the first defensive basketball play below, or you can jump directly to a specific play by clicking the links below: Defensive Basketball Play #1: 1-2-2 HALF COURT ZONE  The 1 is to meet the ball at half court to begin putting pressure on the ball..
The 2 & 3 are stationed at the elbow to prevent any penetration..
The 4 & 5 are at the box for interior defense and rebounds.  1 passes the ball to the 3. The defense should shift according to the ball.
So the 3 on defense would play man and the 1 would take his place on the elbow.  1 comes down to the elbow and the 3 is in man on the ball.  Let's say the 3 passes back to the 1 and goes to the corner followed by the one dribbling to the wing.
The 3 would follow and play the passing lane. The 1 would play a man on the ball. The 2 would move to the middle of the foul line. The 5 would front the post. The 4 would cheat over for help if needed and be in position for rebounding.
The 2 & 4 should be mindful of where there man is in case they try to cut down in the middle.  Let's say the 1 dribbleS back to the top & the 3 moveS up on the wing.
We're back in our original setup of the zone.  If they send a high post player, the 2 & 3 close in on this player if the ball is at the top of the key.  If the 2 dropS to the baseline:
The rotation is the 2 drop to the passing lane and the 3 front the high post.
The 4 can cheat up a little to the middle for no penetrating access.
The key to this defense is that there's always someone putting pressure on the ball. Defensive Basketball Play #2: 20 2-3 ZONE
 "20" is our 2-3 zone. Here we have our guards ready to defend the three point line, and the back row of the zone should line up with the first marker above the block. This forces the offense to start further than they want.
Can be effective against an aggressive penetrating team. Players will use our man to man principles when playing zone.  As the offense comes down the court the zone has to match-up. The arrows indicate the appropriate matchups for this alignment.
Communication is key when playing zone. The defense must be talking to each other.  If 1 passes the ball to 2 the defense would stay with their matchups, but if 1 passes to 3 then BUMPING begins.
x1 would bump x4 down. x4 does not leave until x1 tells him to.
BUMPING will occur only when a back line defender is out guarding a perimeter player.  In this situation the offense has a high post (5). x5 will match-up with 5.
x1 and x2 will help x5 by trying to get a hand in any passing lane to 5.
x5 will keep 5 as far away from the basket as possible on any shots taken by the offense.  If the offense overloads a side by sending a cutter through, it is very crucial that the defenders communicate. x2 must yell "cutter" and he must bump or slow down the cutter. x3 and x5 will also look to slow down the cutter.
x1 bumps x4 down, and x2 rotates up. x4 will match up with 2 in the corner.  If they overload to the opposite side. x2 does not bump. x4 yells "cutter" and slows down 3's progress. x3 will match-up with 3 on the perimeter, x5 will slide over and x4 takes the opposite low post (5). Basketball is a game made up of three components: Your skills, your mental focus, and your physical athleticism. While the drills and tips on this site will definitely help you with all three, if you truly want to take your game to the ultimate level, I highly suggest taking a look at the outstanding training aids below.
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If you truly want to dunk intensely, blow past your defender, and knock down shots with laser accuracy, you need to click below, and a new window will open next to this one: Defensive Basketball Play #3: 2-3 BASIC MOVEMENT  This is a basic defensive basketball play that will work for almost any team. It promotes team work and help defense.
When the defense is initially set up, the 1 and 2 guards are at the free throw line. 3 and 4 are the wings, 5 is in the middle.  When the ball is passed to the right wing, the 2 and 4 players play the ball. 1 denies the cross court pass, 3 denies the high post and 5 denies the low post.  This is the base set up again. If offensive player 1 tries to penetrate the defense, defenders 1 and 2 just close up and get side by side. 
Defensive Basketball Play #4: ZONAL 1-2-2
 Red players are the defensive team.
The zonal defense is set up as shown.
The attacking side may try to make runs into the key to try and score.  The players are cut off by marking them. as soon as the attacker comes within a certain range that the defender thinks is unsafe, the defender marks that attacker.
The attackers may try to pass the ball to opposition even if they are marked well.
Also the attackers may decide to retreat.
If they don't retreat, the defenders can keep the men marked.  The attackers will soon get agitated and try to move around a lot faster to try and get the ball.
The defenders should keep them marked at all times.
If the attacker is in a none deadly position, the defender may play as spare man and watch and organize the squad.  If the ball does get to another attacking player, (which it probably will) the spare man should either: a) try to intercept the ball or b) mark the attacker if unsure
Meanwhile the other defenders should be marking and cutting off the ball from reaching other attackers.  The attacker with the ball may then decide to: a) try passing the ball to a team-mate (even though it won't get there) or b) drive in and go for the lay-up
Either way the attacker is foiled.
Defender no.5 can intercept the ball if passed and he can mark and stop the player from driving.
The other defenders should be able to react if the attackers make a quick break. (BE ALERT)  The attackers will soon tire and retreat to try their luck at another attack.  If they do retreat then the defenders should resume their zonal positions again.
The attackers will try and draw you out by passing around each other, around the key.  Now when the ball is passed, intercept it.  Try to intercept the ball where the pass is the longest. There you should stand a chance.
The remaining defenders should then cover for their partners.
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