Four man zone—one man man-for-man | Three man zone—two man man-for-man | Other types of combination defenses

A variety of combination defenses have been used by enterprising basketball coaches over the nation to combat particular strengths or to take advantage of weaknesses in the offense of opponents. The most popular of these defenses are the four man zone—one man man-for-man and the three man zone—two man man-for-man. These defenses are effective when the offense has one or two real scoring threats with their other teammates being weak scorers.

CHART 186. Revolving the Two-One-Two Zone into a One-Three-One Zone to meet the One-Three-One Zone Attack. This defensive maneuver can be very bothersome especially to the zone offense that does not have good player movement.

Four Man Zone—One Man Man-for-Man

In this defense, four defenders play zone and one defensive player is assigned the opposing high scorer. It is used primarily against the so-called "one man teams" that occasionally are met and is an excellent method for defensing the opposing star.

Two methods are commonly used in playing this defense:

1. Box and One (Chart 187).

2. Diamond and One (Chart 188).

CHART 187. "Box and One" Combination Defense. Defensive players 1, 2, 3, 4 set up a four-man zone defense while defensive player X5 guards the opposing star player man-for-man.

CHART 188. "Diamond and One" Combination Defense. Defensive players 1, 2, 3, 4 set up a four-man diamond zone defense while defensive player X5 guards the opposing star player man-for-man.

The "Box and One" is stronger at the guard position and weaker at forward while the "Diamond and One" is stronger at the forward position and weaker at the guards and in the corners. The position played by the opposing star that will be defensed man-for-man will determine which of the two defenses should be played. If the opposing star is a guard, strength will not be needed at the guard position since the one man playing man-for-man will be defensing the star at that position. Consequently, the "Diamond and One" should be selected. However, if the opposing star is a forward, more strength will be needed in the guard defensive area and the "Box and One" is more likely to prove successful.

CHART 189. Shifting responsibilities of the zone players in the "Box and One" Combination defense.

CHART 190. Shifting responsibilities of the zone players in the "Diamond and One" Combination defense.

The shifting responsibilities of the zone players in both type defenses are shown by Charts 189 and 190. Chart 191 diagrams an alternate method of positioning the zone players in this combination defense that adds strength to the corners and underbasket area but with less strength at the guards.

Three Man Zone—Two Man Man-for-Man

This defense is an excellent defense for the team that has two top threats, so often the case in high school basketball. Three defenders play in triangular zone positions and two defensive players are assigned to the two top scoring opponents. Chart 192 diagrams this defense and presents the basic shifting responsibilities of the zone players. The zone shifts are similar to those made by rear line defenders of the 2-1-2 zone defense.

CHART 191. An alternate method for the four man zone—one man man-for-man defense. The zone players can be positioned in a 1-3 formation as shown here to give more strength on the sides and under the basket.

CHART 192. The Triangle Zone-two man man-for-man combination defense. Defensive players 1, 2, and 3 play zone defense while defensive players X4 and X5 guard the two best opponents man-for-man. Shifting responsibilities are shown on the pass from offensive player 5 to 2.

Another method for playing this defense is to guard the opposing guards man-for-man and to zone the rear line. The offense will often mistake this defense for a standard man-for-man especially when the offensive guards are picked up aggressively at the midcourt line.

Other Types of Combination Defenses

Other combination defenses exist. A few teams have used zone tactics on the guards and man-for-man play on the rear line effectively. Occasionally an opponent will have an offensive player so weak that four defensive players can play man-for-man while one defender zones the area around the basket.

Defenses that change from one type of team defense to another with certain movements by the offense can be classed as combination defenses.

The team that sets up in a zone defense and changes to a man-£or-man when the offense sets up their zone attack is an example. The reverse can occur with a team playing man-for-man defense as long as the ball is at the guard position and changing to a zone defense on the first pass to a forward or center.

It is important to remember that the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent's offense will determine the use of these defenses. They will not prove successful against all opponents, for teams vary a great deal in offensive strengths and weaknesses.

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