Chapter - 18

Pressing Defenses

Prerequisites for pressing defenses | Types of  pressing  defenses | Man-for-man  press | Full-court man-for-man  press | Three-quarter-court man-for-man press | Half-court man-for-man  press | Zone  presses | One-two-two | Two-two-one | Two-one-two | One-three-one | Half-court zone press

It is absolutely necessary for every basketball team to have some type of pressing defense. This is simply because a team must be able to press for the ball when behind in the score late in the game. However, the usefulness of pressing defenses is not limited to this situation alone. Pressing defenses are strategically sound in the following situations:

1. When behind in the score late in the game.

2. Against the poor ball-handling team.

3. Against the inexperienced team.

4. Against the poorly conditioned team.

5. Against the methodical, slow-breaking team.

6. Against the team that has a very outstanding offensive center.

7. As a "surprise" element.

Prerequisites for Pressing Defenses

The following essentials are prerequisites for any pressing defense:

1. Desire and pride.

2. Hustle and aggressiveness.

3. Anticipation.

4. Teamwork.

5. Speed and agility.

6. Talk.

7. Conditioning.

Types of Pressing Defenses

Pressing defenses usually are either a type of man-for-man or a type of zone. Occasionally, a combination of the two is used. There are three positions of pick-up for both man-for-man and zone presses—full-court, three-quarter court, and half-court.

Man-For-Man Press

Full-Court Man-for-Man Press

Since the entire court area must be defensed, the full-court man-for-man press demands the utmost in team cooperation for success to be achieved. Failure of one defensive player to do his job completely voids the work of four others. This point must be constantly emphasized when teaching the defense.

Inbounds Pass. After a basket, the defense must first concentrate its efforts on the inbounds pass. Pressure must be exerted on every inbounds player in a coordinated team effort to force a bad pass on the throw-in. Every defensive player must pick up his assigned opponent immediately and play in such a position as to be able to see both the ball and his opponent (Chart 193). This is the only time when it is absolutely necessary for the offense to make a pass. After the throw-in, the offense may elect to clear the floor for a clever dribbler and allow him to advance the ball downcourt. Since this pass must be made, proper defensive pressure will result in

opportunities for interceptions.

CHART  193.    Full-court man-for-man defensive positioning.

The defensive player guarding the inbounds passer may either harass the passer in an effort to prevent an easy throw-in or he may drop away from the passer to double-team possible receivers. It may be necessary to overplay the passer in efforts to keep the ball away from particular opponents. For example, if the opponent's best dribbler is on the left side of the court, the out-of-bounds player may be overplayed to the left to encourage the pass to a less proficient ball-handler on the right.

When pressure is being exerted successfully in preventing the throw-in, the offensive team usually will resort to screening tactics to free a player for a pass. Since the pass must be made inbounds within five seconds, simple switches can nullify the effectiveness of these screens.

Downcourt Advancement. After the throw-in has been made successfully, many offensive teams cut the out-of-bounds player down the middle for a return pass. The maneuver often results in outnumbering the offense downcourt. For this reason, the defensive player guarding this opponent must be particularly alert after the pass to prevent the success of this maneuver.

Many press attacks will clear the floor for the good dribbler and let him advance the ball downcourt. Preventing this dribbler from advancing the ball downcourt can be extremely difficult. The best defensive player should be assigned this dribbler. Though he should be continually harassed, he should not be fouled. Excessive fouling ruins any pressing defense. The dribbler should be forced to the sideline where the sideline can be utilized as an "extra" defensive player. When he is forced down the sideline, the dribbler is limited both to the direction he may go and the direction he may pass. If he is allowed to go to the middle, the defense may be in trouble for he can set up scoring opportunities to the left and to the right. If the dribbler can be forced to stop his dribble in the "coffin corner" (Chart 194), the defense has the help of both the sideline and the midcourt line and double-team tactics are doubly effective.

Of course, it is not always possible to force the dribbler down the sideline. If he succeeds in going to the middle, the defensive player must strive to maintain a position between the dribbler and the basket to impede his progress. When this dribbler goes to the middle, the possibility of a double-team situation is still not eliminated especially if an offensive player is in relatively close proximity to the dribbler. Chart 195 presents a sound maneuver that can be used to double-team the dribbler in the middle of the court.

If the dribbler succeeds in driving by his defensive opponent, he must be picked up immediately by the nearest defensive opponent. The defensive player who was guarding the dribbler must then hustle to pick up the open offensive player and complete the switch. Charts 196 and 197 diagram two methods of switching to the open dribbler.

The offense may use other methods in advancing the ball downcourt. If the forwards and center are breaking back to meet passes, defensive players must stay in position to contest for these passes. There often is a tendency for the defensive center to be lax in his assignment here. This cannot be permitted. If the center cannot press his opponent, he must be replaced with another player who will.

CHART 194. THE “COFFIN CORNER.” If the dribbler can be forced to stop his dribble in this corner, he is limited in offensive potential and double-team tactics are doubly effective.

CHART 195. a maneuver that can be used to double-team the dribbler when he drives down the middle. X2 and Xx double-team the dribbler. X4 must hustle out to pick up the logical pass receiver, 2. X3 and X5 must move into position to zone offensive players 3, 4, and 5.

CHART 196. The switch to pick up the open dribbler. As 1 dribbles by X1, X2 hustles over to stop the dribbler. X1 must hurry to defensive position on 2.

CHART 197. An alternate method of switching to stop the open dribbler. As 1 drives by X1 defensive players rotate clockwise with X3 stopping the dribbler, X5 moving to 3, X4 to 5, X2 to 4, and X1 to 2. If the dribbler is on the opposite side of the floor, the rotation of the defensive players would be counter-clockwise. This maneuver is sound but must be thoroughly practiced so that each defensive player will know his definite assignment.

If the offense is using screening tactics to advance the ball downcourt, the defense must have clear assignments as to how the screens will be handled. Simple switches usually reduce the value of the screen in these situations. If the switch is to be made, it should be made aggressively and decisively. Talk is of supreme importance to allow coordinated defensive moves against these screens and to prevent fouling. If the defense is trailing in score, the double-team should be used on all screens on the ball in an effort to gain possession. If an offensive player with the ball turns his back so that his vision of the overall defense is limited, the double-team again should be used. (See Chart 198 for double-team technique.)

CHART 198.    Double-team technique.

The full-court press after a rebound is not as easily formed since the offense does not have to take the ball out-of-bounds. Basic defensive technique is the same as the press after a score with the exception of the player responsible for defensive balance. This player must check to be certain no offensive player is cutting downcourt unguarded before he releases backcourt responsibility and hurries to press his opponent.

Three-Quarter Court Man-for-Man Press

The defensive technique for the three-quarter court man-for-man press is basically the same as for the full-court press. The position of pick-up is from ten to fifteen feet from the midcourt line as shown by Chart 199. Since the defense does not have as much area to cover, it is not as susceptible to the long scoring pass or other errors as is the full-court defense. It is excellent for use after the opponents rebound a missed shot, for it does not require as much time to establish defensive positions. Forcing the dribbler to the sideline is again a sound maneuver but provision must be made for double-teaming when he succeeds in driving the middle. If two quick and agile guards are available, this defense can be used to harass the offense into making costly mistakes.

CHART 199.    Position of pick-up for the three-quarter-court man-for-man  press.

Half-Court Man-for-Man Press

The half-court man-for-man press challenges the offense as they attempt to advance the ball across midcourt. This is an excellent defense for use against the team that is a methodical set-play type of team for it can force them out of their preferred pattern and into unaccustomed cutting maneuvers. The offense that likes to dribble the ball across court uncontested and then call their plays by some pre-arranged signal can find this defense particularly troublesome. Since this defense does not have as much of the floor area to cover as the full-court and three-quarter-court presses, it is stronger in the scoring area. Reduced floor coverage does not require as much stamina and conditioning. The team with little squad depth probably will find this defense more suitable than the full-court press.

CHART 200.    The half-court man-for-man press.

CHART 201. Defensive coverage for the missed interception attempt. X3 attempts interception unsuccessfully. As 3 drives for basket, X5 picks him up while X4 shifts to defense 5. The other defensive players shift accordingly.

As the offense advances the ball across midcourt, the defense should force the dribbler to the sideline (Chart 200). Of course, the objective should be to force the dribbler to stop his dribble in the "coffin corner." Once the offensive player has picked up his dribble and become "dead," the defensive player guarding him should pounce on him, continually moving his hands and arms in efforts to prevent a good pass. The lob pass or bounce pass should be encouraged. The other defensive players should guard between their respective opponents and the ball in an effort to prevent any opponent from being open for a pass. Interception attempts must be encouraged and methods for defensing situations that arise from unsuccessful interception attempts (Chart 201) must be thoroughly practiced.

Zone Presses

Full-Court and Three-Quarter-Court Zone Press

Most zone presses, whether full-court, three-quarter-court, or half-court, are a variation of one of the following:

1. One-Two-Two.

2. Two-Two-One.

3. Two-One-Two.

4. One-Three-One.

Since shifting responsibilities are the same for the full-court zone press as for the three-quarter-court zone press with the major difference existing in position of pick-up, there is no necessity for discussing the two separately.

One-Two-Two

The 1-2-2 may be used as a 3-2, a 1-2-1-1, or a 3-1-1 dependent on the positions of the offensive players and whether or not a challenge for the inbounds pass is to be made. A three-man front is more effective for contesting the throw-in. Basically, all set-ups involve the same responsibilities and shifts. Chart 202 illustrates the original set-up for the 1-2-2 while Chart 203 diagrams an adjustment to a 1-2-1-1 as a result of different offensive positions.

After the throw-in, Xi forces the dribbler to the sideline where he is trapped by X2 (Chart 204a). X3 is in the key position for it is he that must defense two players and be ready to attempt an interception of a pass to either. X1 and X2 must not allow the dribbler to drive between them or the defense will be defeated. If 2 succeeds in passing to 3, X3 must stop his dribble while X1 hustles over to double-team (Chart 204b). If 2 passes to 4 instead of 3, X4 must stop his dribble while X2 moves in for the double-team (Chart 204c).

CHART 202.    Original set-up for the 1-2-2 full-court zone press.

CHART   203.   Adjusting   the   1-2-2   to   a 1-2-1-1 with offensive position changes.

CHART 204a. The 1-2-2 full-court zone press. X1 and X2 set double-team on dribbler. X3 must be in position to attempt an interception of a pass to 3 or to 1 coming from out-of-bounds.

CHART 204b. I£ 2 passes to 3, X3 must stop his dribble while X1 hustles over to double-team. X2 shifts to the middle of the court in position for an interception attempt.

CHART 204C. If 2 passes to 4, X4 stops his dribble while X2 hurries to double-team. X3 slides deep for defensive protection while X1 shifts into interception position.

CHART 205. Shifting the 1-2-2 into a 3-2 to be able to challenge the inbounds pass.

CHART 206. The 2-2-1 full-court zone press. X1 forces 2 down the sideline where he is stopped by X3. X1 and X3 apply the double-team while X4 shifts to cover 4 and X2 shifts to a possible interception position.

Two-Two-One

The 2-2-1 zone press is more effective than the 1-2-2 in preventing the inbounds pass since four players congregate in the backcourt area regardless of offensive positioning. After the throw-in, Xi again forces the dribbler down the sideline where he is stopped by X3. X1 and X3 apply the double-team while the other defensive players make the shifts shown in Chart 206.

Two-One-Two

The 2-1-2 full-court zone press is diagrammed in Chart 207a. It is most effective when two fast guards are available for the two front chasing positions. As the dribbler is forced down the sideline, X3 cuts over to stop the dribble and form double-team situation with X1 as X2 slides into position for possible interception attempt. If the dribbler should drive the middle, the double-team is applied by X1 and X2 (Chart 207b).

CHART 207a. The 2-1-2 full-court zone press. X1 and X3 form the double-team on dribbler 2 while X2 slides into position to attempt interception. X4 and X5 must defense 4 and 5 but must remain alert for other offensive players cutting into their areas.

CHART 207b. The 2-1-2 full-court zone press. If dribbler 2 drives the middle, the double-team is made by X1 and X2. X3 and X4 must be in position for interception attempts while X5 is responsible for the back-line

defense.

One-Three-One

Charts 208a and 208b diagram the 1-3-1 full-court zone press. Xi and X2 double-team the dribbler if he moves down the sideline. If the dribbler passes across to teammate 3, the double-team is set by X4 and X1.

COACHING HINT: Once the double-team has been established, all full-court zone presses are basically alike. This is true because only three players will remain to defense four and a triangle defense will result in all types of zone presses. An understanding of this by the players should be an asset to their learning more than one type of full-court zone press. After the offense has advanced the ball across the midcourt line, the defense may continue zone pressing tactics or fall back into another defense. If a defensive change is to be made after the ball crosses midcourt, players must have a clear understanding of the defense to be used and thorough practice in perfecting the change.

CHART 208a. The 1-3-1 full-court zone press. X1 and X2 set double-team on dribbler as the other defensive players shift as shown.

CHART 208b. If 2 passes across to 3, X4 and X1 must form double-team. X3 will slide over to cover 5 while X2 will move to the center of the court for interception attempts. X5 must remain the backline defense.

Half-Court Zone Press

Since the half-court zone press does not have to cover as large an area as the full-court and three-quarter court zone presses, it is stronger in the scoring area and not as susceptible to error. It is a very good defense to use in the earlier stages of the game when ball possession is not desperately needed. It is excellent for use against the stall for double-team situations are established and under-basket protection can be maintained. The same type of player alignment used in the full-court zone presses can be used for the half-court zone presses. Shifting responsibilities are basically the same. Charts 209-212 diagram player positioning and initial shifting responsibilities for the 1-2-2, 2-2-1, 2-1-2, and 1-3-1 half-court zone presses. Chart 213 illustrates a corner-trap maneuver from the 1-3-1 formation that can produce interceptions.

CHART  209.   The   1-2-2  half-court  zone press.  X1 forces the dribbler out of the middle.   X2   rushes   the   dribbler   as   he crosses the midcourt line and joins X1 in the double-team. If the pass is made to 3, X4 and X2 will double-team. The shifts are  primarily the same as  for the   1-2-2 full-court zone press.

CHART  210.   The  2-2-1   half-court  zone press.  X1  and X3  double-team as  other defensive players shift as shown. If X5 is a slow defensive player or an outstanding rebounder, X4 may make the shift to 3. If 1 should attempt a dribble between X1 and  X2,   these  two  players  attempt   the double-team.

CHART 211. The 2-1-2 half-court zone press. X3 will join in the double-team if the ball is advanced to either side.

CHART 212.    The   1-3-1   half-court   zone press.

CHART 213. The corner-trap maneuver from the 1-3-1 zone press formation. As 1 passes to 3 in the corner, X5 and X2 move for the double-team. X3 slides between the ball and 5, X4 moves back to defense 4 and X1 defenses 1. The only offensive player left open is player 2 and a long lob pass would be required to him.

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