This is the 1-2-2 pressure zone.
The 1 is to meet the ball at half court to begin putting pressure on the ball..
The 2 & 3 are stationed at the elbow to prevent any penetration..
The 4 & 5 are at the box for interior defense and rebounds.
1 passes the ball to the 3. The defense should shift according to the ball.
So the 3 on defense would play man and the 1 would take his place on the elbow.
1 comes down to the elbow and the 3 is in man on the ball.
Let's say the 3 passes back to the 1 and goes to the corner followed by the one dribbling to the wing.
The 3 would follow and play the passing lane. The 1 would play a man on the ball. The 2 would move to the middle of the foul line. The 5 would front the post. The 4 would cheat over for help if needed and be in position for rebounding.
The 2 & 4 should be mindful of where there man is in case they try to cut down in the middle.
Nothing for them to do.
Let's say the 1 dribble back to the top & the 3 move up on the wing.
We're back in our original setup of the zone.
If they send a high post player the 2 & 3 close in on this player if the ball is at the top of the key.
If the 2 drop to the baseline.
The rotation is the 2 drop to the passing lane and the 3 front the high post.
The 4 can cheat up a little to the middle for no penetrating access.
The key to this defense is that there's always someone putting pressure on the ball.
Submitted by: Eric Reid
Category: Defense zone