How to Run a Basketball Defense: Zone 2-1-2

Zone defenses are easy to deploy and fairly effective. Each player guards an area of the court.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Basketballs

1. Set two guards flanking the point ' at the top of the key, standing on the three-point line and even with each foul line.
2. Set two forwards close to the baseline ' even with the basket and just outside of the key.
3. Position the center in the middle of the key and at the center of the first four defenders, like the axis of an X.
4. Engage any ball handler entering the zone.
5. Stay between the ball and the basket.
6. Shift the defenders slightly to the left or right, following the movement of the ball on the court.

Tips & Warnings

• Protect the seams between each zone. This is where the ball tends to slip through.
• A zone defense, although effective, is often boring. It forces the offense to take outside shots, which for young teams can be difficult.