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Step 1
Know that playing a zone defense requires players to play with an even greater commitment than a man-to-man defense does. In the 1-2-2 defense, put your two best interior defenses along the lane about 3 or 4 feet from the basket. These two are responsible for any player who tries to establish position down low in the blocks where the best scoring opportunities usually come from. Two more defenders are at the far points of the free-throw line and the final defender is at the top of the key. The two outside defenders must keep the ball from getting inside and also have to contest any shots within 5 feet of where they are stationed. The defender at the top of the key must keep the ball from getting inside and must defend the three-point shot.
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Step 2
Use the 2-3 zone. It uses two men at the outside portions of the free-throw line and three men along the base line. This is especially effective against a team with three effective big men. The 1-3-1 zone puts one man on the outside to guard against the three-point shot, three across the foul line and one big man under the hoop. This is a good defense against an opponent that has an excellent mid-range game but is not especially powerful down low.
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Step 3
Run the box-and-1 zone defense against an opponent with a superstar or great shooter and four solid players. The players forming the box are at the extended portions of the free-throw line on both sides and along the blocks at the lower portion of the lane. The other defender defies the zone and plays man-to-man against the other team's most effective offensive player.
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Step 4
Play the most effective defense by having the players in the zone double-team the player with the ball. For example, if an offensive player catches the ball in the low left block, the defender at the extended foul line on the same side drops down to harass the man with the ball. A turnover or a very poor shot is the desired result.
