Chapter - 19

Defensing The Big Man

One-three-one zone | Two-one-two   zone | "Sinking"  man-for-man | "Collapsing" man-for-man | Combination  defenses | Pressing  defenses

The value of the big man has become so pronounced in basketball today that any successful team must devote considerable practice time toward perfecting defensive techniques designed to contain him. One defense for all teams blessed with high-scoring centers may not suffice for offensive personnel supporting this center will vary greatly. If the opponent is an inept outside shooting team, a zone defense may be best. If the opponent has good outside shooters, a man-for-man defense may be necessary. Other player characteristics may suggest other defenses.

Once the big center gets the ball close to the basket, it is virtually impossible to prevent him from attempting a shot from this high-percentage area. With this fact in mind, the defense must be designed to prevent this big pivotman from receiving the ball if any defensive success is expected.

The following defenses can restrict ball possession by the pivotman and are recommended techniques for defensing this major threat:

1. The one-three-one zone.

2. The two-one-two zone.

3. The ''sinking" man-for-man.

4. The "collapsing" man-for-man.

5. Combination defenses.

6. Pressing defenses.

One-Three-One Zone

Originated by Clair Bee for the express purpose of stopping the high-scoring center, the 1-3-1 zone (Charts 181-183, Chapter 16) is designed so that one player may play in front and one defender to the rear of the pivotman at all times. This defensive positioning makes passes to this pivotman very difficult. In addition, the rear man in the zone can keep the center screened away from the board on rebound attempts. This defense can be the toughest of all defenses against the big man if the opponents are weak shooters from the guards and corners.

Two-One-Two Zone

The 2-1-2 zone (Charts 173-175, Chapter 16) can be adjusted slightly so that one defensive player may play the center in front and another defender in the rear. Though possibly not quite as effective in preventing this opponent from receiving the ball as is the 1-3-1, it is a stronger defense at the guard positions and in the corners.

"Sinking" Man-for-Man

This defense combines man-for-man principles with zone principles and congests the area around the basket. It is the most popular adjustment of the man-for-man defense for combating the big man. The defensive center must guard the pivotman in front at any time this opponent is inside the free-throw area within 10 to 12 feet of the basket. Players away from the ball, particularly the offside forward, must sag into the middle to combat a lob pass over the head of the defensive player fronting the center (Chart 214). Reference is made to Chapter 15 and to Charts 162 and 163 for a more complete discussion of "sinking" man-for-man techniques.

"Collapsing" Man-for-Man

In this adjustment of the man-for-man defense, the defensive guards drop away from their respective opponents when they do not have the ball and play in front of the center to prevent him from receiving a pass. The defensive center guards more to the rear and side of the pivotman than when playing the "sinking" man-for-man (Chart 215). If the center does receive the ball, the defensive guards join the defensive center in double- and triple-teaming him making offensive maneuvers by this opponent more difficult.

CHART 214. Illustrating the responsibility of the weakside forward on the lob pass over the defensive player fronting the big man.

CHART 215. The "collapsing" man-for-man defense. Defensive guards sag in front of the pivot player to prevent his receiving the ball.

Combination Defenses

The combination defenses discussed in Chapter 17 can be employed to defense the big man particularly if weak opponents can be spotted. If the opponents have only one top scorer to aid this center, the three-man zone—two man man-for-man can be successful. The triangle zone around the center working in conjunction with the defensive player assigned to this center man-for-man can make passes into this player virtually impossible. However, playing the center man-for-man and using the triangle zone around the basket leaves the area 15 feet from the basket very vulnerable. This area can be strengthened by assigning the players guarding man-for-man to outside opponents leaving the triangle zone the responsibility of preventing the pass to the pivotman.

If the overall strength of the supporting players is difficult to determine, a four man zone—one man man-for-man may be used. The "Diamond and One" usually is more effective since it closely resembles a standard 1-3-1 zone defense.

Pressing Defenses

If the opponents are good outside shooters, the above defenses may fail to contain the big center. If this is the case, the use of a pressing defense, either man-for-man or zone, half- or full-court, may prove successful particularly if the opponents are weak ball-handlers. Working on the assumption that the center can score if he gets the ball, the pressing defense attempts to force ball-handling mistakes and thereby reduce the number of passes to the center.

Pressing defenses are often successful in defensing a big center even when offensive ball-handling is good. Many teams use the center near mid-court when attacking full-court presses and at the top of the circle in attacking half-court presses. If the center is forced away from the basket to aid in the press attack, the effectiveness of his offensive maneuvers will be reduced since he will be in an unaccustomed position.

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