Defense may be more important than offense when it comes to winning basketball. Coaches Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Red Holzman and Chuck Daly made defensive pressure the priorities of their teams and all became championship coaches. Defense not only stops the opponents, but it activates the offense with steals and forced turnovers. Zone and man-to-man defenses can be effective at stopping opponents from mounting a consistent attack.
Man-to-Man Defense
Man-to-man is the most challenging way to stop an opponent. Each individual player on the floor is responsible for stopping one player on the other team. A defensive player cannot put his hands or his body on his opponent, but he can get within inches to pressure the player and keep him from dribbling, passing, moving or shooting. Opponents are allowed to block and opponent by setting a pick, but defensive players can switch when that happens and defensive players can switch assignments.
Zone Defense
A zone defense can be very difficult to score against, but defensive players are responsible for defending areas of the court and not individual players. The zone defense can cause problems for teams that rely on outside shooting. When a point guard penetrates the defense and kicks the ball to an open shooter, it doesn't take much for a defensive player to take one or two steps to get back to close off the shooter.
Considerations
Generally speaking, offensive players feel it is easier to play against a zone because defensive players don't have to take responsibility for guarding any one opponent. That allows an offensive player to position himself in the dead spots or transition areas where defensive players may not be sure who is responsible for stopping an opponent. As a result, the offensive player can take an open shot. Teams with excellent ball handlers can take advantage of man-to-man defense. The ball handler knows where he is going and the defensive player can only rely on his reactions. If he is guarding an opponent tightly, he can get faked out by a head-and-shoulder move or a ball fake and then give up an easy shot.
History
Professional basketball players were not allowed to play any form of zone defense. In the 2001-02 season, the NBA voted to allow zone defensive play. Professional basketball players have taken advantage of that rule change to use the zone when facing hot shooters, but most teams continue to play man-to-man defense a majority of the time.
Benefits
Man-to-man defense and zone defense can benefit a team. One of the main reasons to play man-to-man defense is that all players on the court always feel responsible for guarding their opponent. Any time a key play is made, a defensive player must take responsibility. This often leads to maximum effort on all plays. A zone defense can be an effective weapon when a team with less overall talent and athletic ability takes on a team with greater athletic skills. Instead of being forced to guard a better player, the zone defender knows he is responsible for a given area and that allows him to play with more freedom and feel less pressure.
Member Comments