Structures and Strategies- Basketball

1. Structures and Strategies- Basketball Key Concept 2- Identification of strengths and weaknesses in performance in terms of: roles and relationships; formations; tactical and design elements Zone defence

2. Zone Defence • Within zone defence each player is responsible for guarding an area of the floor, or “zone”, and any offensive player that comes into that area. Zone defenders move their position on court in relation to where the ball moves. It is vital the team co-operates, watches the ball, and adjust their positions as a defensive unit. This is often effective in stopping dribble penetration and one on one moves. It also provides an opportunity to pressurise the ball, press the passing lanes and pack the zone thus forcing perimeter shots. • REMEMBER! The ball is the primary focus as well as players who enter your zone • Defensive movement depends on which attacking player has received or is going to receive the ball. If the attacking player is in a position to receive the ball the defender should anticipate this and prevent them from receiving the pass, stealing the ball if possible. If the player has received the pass and is in a position to shoot it is crucial the shooting player is pressurised to try and force a weak shot. The defensive stance is widespread, moving arms and closing off available space presenting an impenetrable barrier to the offensive player.

3. Advantages of Zone • Helps protect tall, strong defenders who are not particularly quick. Man to man would expose these defenders in 1v1 situations. A zone can look intimidating with big players standing in formation with their hands up. • It helps against opponents who are outstanding players and too quick to defend against individually. • Forces perimeter shots and helps to protect the key. • Helps prevent dribble penetration and 1v1 situations. • You can slow the game and help control the tempo. This can help your team protect a lead. • Less physically demanding than man to man. Helps to conserve energy of tired players. • Encourages aggressive steals. • Helps to protect players in foul trouble. • Establishes good rebound position. Players have court position to block out. • Effective against pass and cut moves.

4. Disadvantages of Zone • If you are behind you won’t be able to pressure the ball, therefore, the opposition can run down the clock. • It is ineffective against good perimeter shooters. Particularly good three point shooters. • Weak against good ball handlers i.e. quick, decisive passers. • Weak against the fast break as players are required to get into their allocated “zone”. The fast break is aimed at preventing teams from becoming organised. Zone requires excellent organisation. • Players must move as a team. Loss of concentration can allow attacking players to penetrate the zone. • Players can become lazy and lose basic defensive fundamentals.

5. Important points to remember when defending in a zone • Try to keep the ball outside the key. “Help”/double-team the ball in the key. • Teamwork and co-operation are crucial. Communicate with each other. • Move; adjust your position relative to the ball. • Get your hands up and out to shrink the passing lanes. • When the offence attempts to dribble penetrate the key, work together and close the gap. • Analyse your opponents. Close down the best shooters, sag off opponents who never shoot. • If you are ahead, remain disciplined. Attempt to steal, pressure the ball and force the low percentage outside shot.

6. Types of Zone Defence- Formations • The first numbers are the players nearest the top of the key. • 2-1-2 2-3 1-2-2 • 2-2-1 3-2 1-3-1 Adapting the Zone • Like all structures and strategies each zone formation has its advantages and disadvantages. A good team responds to their opponents success against their chosen strategy i.e. baskets scored. Adapting the strategy to prevent opponents utilising their strengths is crucial. This can be done in a variety of ways. • Adapting from one zone formation to another. • Moving players positions within the zone e.g. front court player moves to back court position. • Remaining within the zone formation but altering positions slightly e.g. moving the centre player slightly further back.

7. Winning defensive rebounds in basketball is crucial. This should be straightforward in zone defence as you can have your tall, physically strong players nearest the basket, with fast, agile players nearer the front. Establishing a rebound triangle (refer to 2-1-2) in all zone defences is vital and it requires each team member to co-operate and know what their responsibilities are. Things to remember Make sure you box out. The defender on the ball boxes out the shooter. Along with the rebound triangle there should be a perimeter rebounder at about the level of the free throw line to get the long rebound. Defensive rebounders should get to their spot but also “find” the nearest offensive player to box out. When forming the rebound triangle (one defender either side of the basket and one in front) do not get too low under the basket. The offence can nudge you further under and win the offensive rebound over your back without making enough contact to cause a foul. Rebounding out of the Zone

8. Principles of Play- Zone Defence • Width in defence- All of the above zone formations/structures have varying degrees of width in defence. Width in defence is evident in some areas of the court, however, may be weak in other areas. For example, the 1-3-1 formation is strong across the free throw line, however, is weak in the corner areas. It is important you analyse the formations above and identify where width in defence is strong and weak. Deciding upon which formation to choose would depend on which areas of the perimeter your opponents regularly score from. • Depth in defence- All of the zone formations above have depth in defence. They are effective against the dribble penetration as they provide support to the furthest defenders from the basket. If these defenders are beaten there are additional defenders to prevent a clear drive into the key towards the basket. • Mobility- Although it is vital the zone moves as one to ensure the ball remains out with the key there is little opportunity for players to interchange positions. Each role within the zone has specific responsibilities and your position in the formation depends on your physical, technical and mental qualities. If the zone is to remain effective players must quickly make the transition from offence to defence, be organised and in the correct zone. If you find yourself in the wrong zone and lacking the qualities to fulfil that role effectively then a good offence will exploit this and score baskets. Mobility will need to occur in formations where a player crucial to the rebound triangle has moved out of position to block a shot in the corner areas. A player at the front should then move in to that zone to ensure the rebound triangle is formed. This should also happen when the formation does not have players already in position for a rebound triangle to occur immediately i.e. 2-2-1, 1-2-2. Front players must take responsibility for helping to form the rebound triangle in these situations.

9. Roles and Responsibilities Selecting individual positional responsibilities within a zone formation will depend on each player’s physical, technical and mental qualities. Players in the 2-1-2 zone have individual responsibilities and must have specific qualities to fulfil their role effectively. Back Players • Stay in position • Block out offensive rebound threat (triangle) • Deny passes to low post players • Prevent baseline drives • Win rebounds in the back corners • Put arm up on any shot threat from back corners • Deny cutting players and pass them on to adjacent team mate

10. Physical Qualities (Ideally these players should be forwards) • CRE- required supporting in offence and defence over 4 quarters whilst maintaining a high skill level throughout. • Speed- quick transition from offence to defence is vital so they are in the correct zone, organised and set up by the time the opposition are attacking. • Power- crucial part of the rebound triangle, therefore, explosive power when jumping is required to win rebounds over offence. • Strength- required to block out and ensure defensive rebounds are won. • Muscular Endurance- effectively winning defensive rebounds over 4 quarters requires good ME in the leg muscles.

11. Physical Qualities-Skill Related • Balance-required when defending to quickly change direction when moving in relation to the ball. Balanced position is crucial when preparing to jump for the rebound. • Agility-required when attempting to steal the ball and when reaching over the offence to win the defensive rebound. • Reaction Time- required to quickly respond to passes on the perimeter and attempt to steal. Quickly changing position when moving in relation to the ball. • Movement Anticipation- required when anticipating attackers movements and position they will take to block the passing lanes and steal. Crucial when blocking out the offence and anticipating which direction the rebound will travel. • Timing- required when attempting to steal, block shots from the corners and jumping when rebounding.

12. Mental Qualities • Managing your emotions- remaining disciplined, patient and sustaining concentration will ensure the zone remains in formation and opponents become frustrated and take low percentage shots. Remaining calm and disciplined will help to prevent foul trouble later in the game.

13. Roles and Responsibilities Centre Player • Stay in position • Block out offensive rebound threat in central area (triangle) • Deny passes to players in the middle of the Zone (especially in the high post) • Deny cutting players and pass them on to adjacent team-mate. • Put arm up on any shot threat from the centre area.

14. Qualities • The centre is the biggest player in the team and is a vital part of the rebound triangle. They are also crucial in stealing passes and preventing drives in the key area. They should also attempt to block any shots from the central areas. Their role and responsibility is similar to the back players, therefore, their qualities are similar. The only difference being their body size and height advantage.

15. Roles and Responsibilities Front Player • Move to the ball and prevent drive to the basket. • ARM UP on all shooters. • Deny return pass to point guard spot • Prevent baseline drives and force threat towards centre player. • Deny cutting players and pass them on to adjacent team-mate. • Maintain positional responsibility by staying in tandem with the other front player.

16. Physical Qualities (Ideally these players should be your guards) • CRE- required supporting in offence and defence over 4 quarters whilst maintaining a high skill level throughout. • Speed- quick transition from offence to defence is vital so they are in the correct zone, organised and set up by the time the opposition are attacking. Move feet quickly whilst maintaining defensive stance, attempting to steal and quickly closing down perimeter shots. • Muscular Endurance- effectively maintaining a good defensive stance, hustling and forcing opponents into poor passing and shooting decisions requires good ME in the leg muscles.

17. Physical Qualities- Skill Related • Balance-required when defending to quickly change direction when moving in relation to the ball. Balanced position is vital in order to maintain positional stability at the front of the court. • Agility-required when attempting to steal the ball and when changing direction at the front of the court. • Reaction Time- required to quickly respond to passes on the perimeter and attempt to steal. Quickly changing position when moving in relation to the ball. Required when responding to shot attempts on the perimeter. • Movement Anticipation- required when anticipating attackers movements and position they will take to block the passing lanes and steal. Required when trying to force baseline drives so this can be prevented and the offence can be directed in towards the centre player. • Timing-required when attempting to steal, block shots from the perimeter. • Co-ordination-required when constantly moving hands and feet in the defensive stance so the ball is always pressurised.

18. Mental Qualities • Managing your emotions- remaining disciplined, patient and sustaining concentration will increase the number of steals and blocked shots on the perimeter. It will also ensure both front players move in tandem and remain a defensive threat at the front of the zone. Remaining calm and disciplined will help to prevent foul trouble later in the game.

19. Team Relationships Being an organised defensive team who have outstanding individuals that perform their role effectively is not enough to be a successful defending team. Strong relationships and good group dynamics are an essential part of ensuring you defend successfully in any sport. Co-operation • Required to support and stimulate each other. A motivated, confident team is much harder to defeat. • Decisions must be made in relation to the ball and your opponents movements. It is vital the team responds effectively to an individual team-mates decision to ensure the zone remains strong. • Players must work together. Front players- moving in tandem to ensure the zone remains strong at the front. Front players and centre player- front players deny baseline drives to force the offence in towards the centre player. Centre player and back players- position themselves in tandem to form a strong rebound triangle and block out the offence to win defensive rebounds.

20. Communication Effective communication is very important to ensure the zone moves in tandem and players are supported in difficult situations. • Verbal Communication- essential when moving in relation to the ball and informing team-mates of possible offensive threats. Required to ensure “help” defence is applied and opponents can be double-teamed. • Visual signals- can be used to instruct team-mates of an adaptation to the zone without informing opponents. This should be decided beforehand so everyone is familiar with all visual signals that could be used.

21. Homework • Complete HW 5 in your Structures and Strategies HW Pack