Playing solid defense in basketball is one of the primary factors in a team being successful. Successful defense is based on effort, technique and conditioning. Coaches don't expect all players to be dynamic scorers, but they demand that all players give maximum effort on the defensive end.
Man-to-Man Defense
Man-to-man defense is the most common form of defense played by teams at all levels. Man-to-man defense -- that term is used in the women's game as well -- is designed to have one defensive player contest every dribble, pass and shot of one player on the offensive team. The defensive player's primary job is to stay between the offensive player and the basket. This makes it easier to defend that opponent while shooting or beginning a drive to the basket. In man-to-man defense, each defensive player knows that he is responsible for stopping one offensive player from producing offensively. This leads to maximum effort and is one of the best aspects of using this type of technique.
Zone Defense
A zone defense is often used when facing opponents who have outstanding outside shooting ability. Teams that are fearful of giving an opponent open looks from 3-point range often station two or three defenders on the outside perimeter of the court to make it easier for their defensive players to defend against outside shots. Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim has used a zone defense for many years and his teams have been among the most successful in college basketball. A sharp passing opponent can find the openings inside the defense and find scoring opportunities closer to the basket.
Man-to-Man Issues
Playing man-to-man defense can be a problem for a team that does not have as many outstanding athletes as its opponent. When you ask a defensive player who does not have the speed, quickness or leaping ability as the player he is guarding, it becomes quite difficult to stop that player from getting excellent scoring opportunities. While man-to-man defense encourages individual responsibility, team defense must be taught. Players may have to switch defensive assignments from time to time. This is called switching. If defensive players are consumed by their original defensive assignment, they might not call out "switch" in time and it may be easy for opponents to get open.
Zone Issues
When a zone defense is played, a defensive player is responsible for covering a particular area and not an individual player. Zone defensive assignments are supposed to come with the same amount of individual responsibility as man-to-man defense in theory, but the reality is that players might not play with the same amount of effort as they do in a man-to-man defense. The level of hustle in a zone defense is not always maintained over a full game. This might leave the opponent with more uncontested shots than it will get when facing a man-to-man defense.
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