How to Run a 2 3 Zone Defense (Part 1)

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The 2-3 zone defense is an alternative to man-to-man or match-up defensive strategy used in basketball. It is referred to as the 2–3 because of its formation on the court, which consists of two players at the front of the defense and three players closer to the basket.

The 2-3 zone is usually one of the first zone defenses coaches and players learn and deploy. That’s probably because of it’s intuitive nature and ease of learning. The two players on the top of the zone are typically the two guards; the shooting and point guards. They guard the area of the zone on the perimeter and three-point arc.

The forwards (3 and 4 players) guard the sides of the zone and the center (5 player) guards the lane and center of the zone. When your opponent moves the basketball around the court, the entire zone shifts to cover their designated areas in the zone. As the ball moves throughout the court, the defense shifts simultaneously in the direction of the ball.

Communication is probably the most important thing to remember when playing a 2–3 zone (or any zone defense). Every player needs to talk to each other on the court . Typically, the center acts as a defensive director in the 2-3 zone because they care able to see more of the court. They are always shouting who should be where, what the offense is doing, and acts as the eyes behind the heads of their fellow teammates.

Even though the 2-3 zone is a “zone” defense, every player on the court should always be aware of the where the offensive players are on the court. It’s critical that the defense move to guard an open player than stay within the normal constraints of the 2-3 zone with offensive players that are closer to the basket taking a high priority.

The strength of the 2-3 zone originates at the basket and radiates outward. It’s typically deployed against an opponent who is stronger/bigger inside and are poor perimeter shooters. A general goal of the 2-3 zone is to force the offense to take perimeter shots and prevent entry into the paint by pass or drives.

The 2–3 zone is a very effective defense when teams communicate and rotate properly. It’s generally true that the further away from the basket, the lower the chances of scoring. The 2–3 zone protects the key and is great at preventing penetration into the lane. Because of that, it’s forces perimeter shooting as an offense's most accessible option, thus lowering your opponents overall field goal shooting percentage.

There are some times when using the 2-3 zone would leave your team vulnerable. With the perimeter, especially the 33-point arc, wide open, teams that are great at 3-point shots and mid-range shots can easily dismantle the 2-3 zone. Teams don’t remain in a 2-3 zone for very long when their opponents start knocking down long range shots with ease and consistency. If you’re committed to staying in a zone, your might want to switch to a 3-2 zone against a good perimeter shooting team.

The 2–3 zone requires good communication, teamwork and trust. Every player must know exactly where to be at all times, where their teammates should be, and where their opponents are at all times. Zone defense is more complex than just chasing one player around the court and staying between them and the basket. If you practice all aspects of this zone and defend as one single unit on the court, your team will be formidable with this zone defense.

Please watch part 2 here

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[CoachRuss]

Typo at 1:49. Should read 2-3 zone not 3-2. Thanks leroyfj for the catch!

[leslielopez]

Thank you so much for this video. As a newbie youth coach who knows nothing about basketball, your explanation was very clear. I look forward to going through the rest of your videos.

[simplyblesd]

Very helpful! Watching this multiple times...

[billterrenicestreetman]

Thanks Coach Russ! Some of this stuff I knew, some I did not! Thanks for helping me pay more attention to detail!

[AZ-rgrf]

Your video is the best on youtube. You win the internet for today.

[clarksalac]

Thanks for this vid coach! Btw, may I know what app are you using to draw these plays and positions?

[caesaraugustus]

Really well-explained and very helpful!

[courtneykatherine]

Hi Coach Russ! Thank you for your videos! Very detailed and easy to understand which I appreciate a lot. I am a high school basketball coach and I am looking two develop more of my team. How do you get your girl/boys to communicate more on a 2-3? I know that may seem like a weird question but no matter how many times I saw talk they don't. Do you think maybe its because they don't know what to say? Also during the high post and how to defend it it looks like you have defenders on the outside and the offense is on the inside with number five also being under the basket.. Do we want them to be on the outside down below in a zone or should they remain inside the block? Thanks!

[thirst]

used this video to learn how to teach zone to my middle school team, its my first year as a coach and the schools 2nd year with a program and we are 4-2 and just won our leagues mid season tournament

[lxveplays]

Thanks my Aau coach has been on my head for not covering the middle

[abeldelfin]

hello. Your explanatory video is very interesting, it makes it easy for any basketball coach to understand how players can understand each other in the game in positions 2-3, good presentation, thanks.

[SmokeKas]

I subscribed to your channel because me and my friends we play nba 2k in pro am and this stuffs useful to me so thank you

[benjieandaya]

thank you so much coach, additional knowledge as a player...

[Keepfaith]

Love it, I will put this to practice!!

[jameacr]

Great Video ! Coach Russ, how do you stop middle/shaded area cuts from the top ? Thank you !

[Swervin]

Thanks now are team can finally get a win

[avinashhiremath]

Hello sir... Plz make a video on 2+2+1 zone defence

[k_den]

I’m a point guard and I play top right I never shift this much because weak side is going to get a wide open shot

[simplyblesd]

Only noticed because I’m making slides, but at 1:49 the slide says 3-2 Zone Defense vs 2-3.

[JHZ_]

dang i was so confuse when my coach explain me 2-3 zone today at basketball practice but i didnt understand so i did very bad im rewatching it but on youtube yikes....and i also have a basketball game this sat yikes...