How to Beat a 1-3-1 Zone Defense in Basketball

The 1-3-1 zone defense is usually utilized in an attempt to trap offensive players along the sidelines. This defense was made popular by UNLV in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is not used nearly as often as a 2-3 zone and most teams are not as familiar with its weaknesses.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Beating any zone defense can be as easy as beating them down the floor in transition. The goal of beating any defense is to get the defensive players out of position. If you can beat the defense down the floor, a basket can be made before the defense is in position.

2. Swing the ball around the perimeter. The defense must adjust every time the ball is passed. Defenders will get out of position the more the ball is moved around the court.

3. Attack the primary weakness of a 1-3-1 zone defense which is the baseline on the weak side. There is typically only one player assigned to cover the weak side of the zone. By sneaking a player around the weak side along the baseline it is possible to get an easy pass inside for a lay up.

4. Defending the post is also another weakness of the 1-3-1 defense. When the offense can get the ball to a post player on the block the only primary defender is the player running the baseline. This can be a mismatch as the runner will typically be a small forward or power forward.

5. Rebounding missed shots is more likely when playing against a 1-3-1 zone defense. With four defenders playing away from the basket it is easier to get offensive players in position for rebounding.

Tips & Warnings

• In a 1-3-1 zone defense there is one player who is in charge of running the baseline from sideline to sideline. Typically the player running the baseline is the team's best athlete. You can tire this player out by making him work hard running the baseline.