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What is the 1-2-2 zone defense in basketball
The 1-2-2 zone defense is a basketball defensive strategy that seeks to limit low post scoring opportunities, restrict dribble penetration, and influence ineffective shot selection while executing on-ball pressure, particularly near the perimeter.
What are advantages of the 1-2-2 zone defense
One notable advantage of the 1-2-2 zone defense is that it disrupts the offensive team’s ability to take uncontested jump shots, particularly from the wings. Another advantage is that it is possible to create quick turnovers by setting traps near the corners.
What is a disadvantage of the 1-2-2 zone defense
One particular disadvantage of the 1-2-2 zone defense is that it could break down if the offensive team is able to get the ball into the high post area.
If that occurs, then this could lead to high low action, which typically involves a high post player executing a pass to a low post player for scoring opportunities around the basket.
Furthermore, if a player receives the ball in the high post, then that same player could also execute a skip pass to one of the two corners for three-point jump shot opportunities.
So, it is important that at least one defender covers the high post area and if a player on offense moves into the high post, then a high post defender could deny easy entry passes into that area.
What is an example of the initial formation for the 1-2-2 zone defense
This is an example of the initial formation for the 1-2-2 zone defense. X1 starts at the top above the three-point line. X2 and X3 start near the high post elbow areas. X4 and X5 start near the low post blocks.
What are the general responsibilities of the defenders within the 1-2-2 zone defense
The general responsibilities of X1 are to execute defensive pressure against the player with the ball at the top and cover the high post areas.
The typical responsibilities of X2 and X3 are to cover the wing or weak side areas. The usual responsibilities of X4 and X5 are to cover the corner areas or guard the low post areas.
What are general principles to consider for the 1-2-2 zone defense
Prevent high post touches
As mentioned earlier, if the ball gets into the high post, this could create a problem for the defensive team. Therefore, it is necessary for the zone defenders to prevent opportunities for offensive players to receive the ball at the high post.
This is implemented by using denial defense with a hand in the passing lane between the ball and the high post offensive player.
Additionally, on-ball zone defenders should have active hands that mirror the hands of the ball handler in an attempt to make any potential high post passes more challenging and/or as a way to deflect the ball, which could lead to a possible turnover.
Limit or prevent low post touches
Similarly, if the ball gets into the hands of a low post player with above average offensive skills, then that player could score quickly and efficiently against the nearest zone defender with a low post move.
So to alleviate this problem, the zone defender who guards that low post area could execute a three-quarter front against the offensive low post player by putting a hand in the passing lane between the low post player and the player with the ball that is near the wing or corner.
This will help prevent any easy post entry passes from those offensive players with the ball near the wing or corner.
As an alternative option, if the ball does get into the low post, then one of the strong side perimeter zone defenders near the wing or corner could double team the offensive low post player to influence that same player to pass the ball back to an offensive player near the perimeter.
Additionally, this type of double team strategy could be especially useful if the strong side wing or corner offensive players are below average shooters from the mid-range/three-point range.
Limit or prevent dribble penetration towards the middle
If the offensive team is able to attack the middle gap of the 1-2-2 zone defense with dribble penetration, particularly from the wing or corner, then this could lead to scoring opportunities.
Therefore, if the ball is on the wing, then the nearest off-ball zone defender should stand in the gap near the high post area.
In similar fashion, if the ball is in the corner, then the nearest off-ball defender should stand in the gap near the mid-post that is between the high post and low post area.
Limit or prevent uncontested jump shots
One of the main points of the 1-2-2 zone, like most zone defenses, is to influence jump shots. However, this does not automatically mean that offensive players should be able to freely take uncontested jump shots.
Instead, the defenders of the 1-2-2 zone defense should always try to closeout with good footwork and contest jump shots, even from below average shooters. This is specifically important for the defenders in the back of the zone whose basketball positions are usually the team’s power forward and center.
These defenders should emphasize executing good closeouts to prevent open jump shots and to limit dribble penetration because these same defenders are usually slower than the defenders in the front or middle of the zone.
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What are examples of defensive rotations for the 1-2-2 zone defense
Example 1
This is an example of the 1-2-2 zone defense when the ball is at the top. X1 executes defensive pressure on the the ball handler at the top.
Also, X2 and X3 cover the left and right side high post elbow areas while X4 and X5 cover the left and right side low post areas.
Additionally, if 1 attempts to pass into the high post from that current position near the top, then either X2 or X3 should be able to deflect or intercept that pass.
Furthermore, if 4 were to receive the ball from 1, then X1 should execute defensive pressure against that player as well.
Example 2
This is an example of the 1-2-2 zone defense when the ball is on the wing. X1 can drop back to deny the high post entry pass. At the same time, X3 can drop back to watch for any weak side action such as cutting to the basket by 3.
Additionally, X2 covers the the right side wing area to prevent easy dribble penetration or uncontested jump shots. X5 guards the right side low post with a possible three-quarter front.
X4 can help on potential baseline dribble penetration or utilize active high hands to prevent the low post entry pass.
Example 3
This is an example of the 1-2-2 zone defense when the ball is in the corner. X4 executes a closeout to prevent an uncontested three-point shot.
X2 drops back to help on potential middle dribble penetration or to prevent the low post entry pass.
X1 continues to cover the high post area while X3 continues to watch for any weak side action and X5 continues to guard the low post area.
Example 4
This is an example of the 1-2-2 zone defense when the ball gets into the low post. X5 executes solid low post defense without fouling.
Additionally, if either offensive players 2 or 3 are below average three-point shooters (whichever one is worst), then either X2 or X4 could execute double team action alongside X5, represented by the gray arrows.
Also, X1 continues to guard the high post area and X3 continues to cover the weak side.
Example 5
This is an example of a corner trap within the 1-2-2 zone defense. Once the ball gets passed to the corner, X2 (who would typically drop back to stand in the gap between the wing and the low post) will aggressively double team the ball with X4.
Both players should also have active hands to prevent the player in possession of the basketball from easily passing out of the trap.
At the same time, if there is an offensive player on the strong side wing (as shown on the diagram), then X1 (who would usually cover the high post area) could deny the potential pass to that wing player, represented by the gray arrow. Otherwise, X1 could simply continue to guard the high post area.
Additionally, if X1 denies the strong side wing and an offensive player were to cut towards the high post, then X3 could slide into the lane to temporarily guard the high post. Otherwise, X3 could continue to cover the weak side action as before. Also, X5 continues to defend the low post and protect the basket.
