How to run a 3-2 Zone Defense

[@GottiGzz24]

My coach had us run this exact type of defense against a team who are very good shooters and it worked very effectively

[@CoachRuss]

That’s awesome! This defense can be very effective against good shooting teams. Thanks for the comment!

[@sherrymorgan6745]

This is a helpful video, because slow teams, that can't play man, can benefit from learning the 3-2 because it does a better job of covering the 3-point shot than a 2-3 zone does. Good job.

[@CoachRuss]

Thanks for your positive feedback :) You're completely right, this zone is effective at covering the 3-point shot.

[@damongidley8938]

This great. I have implemented the 3-2 and we have struggled a bit. This gave me some great tips to helped us improve tremendously! Thanks!

[@CoachRuss]

Awesome! Thanks for the positive feedback!

[@CoachRuss]

Sorry everyone. This videos has already been posted but for some reason I discovered it had been deleted today.

[@KHALIL-hk2yu]

Thank you , ill be in the books soon

[@V1202-l8r]

Well said !!coach Russ 👌👍

[@kastrogoose4592]

Hey Coach, thanks for making the time to do this video. I know this may be a bit silly but I was struggling to keep up with a 2-3 and 3-2 zone in a basketball game. I realized it was because I didn't understand how it worked so your video helped me tons in that regard. Thank you! I have one question though - I was wondering if a 3-2 zone is effective in breaking a 5 out offense? I hope you are well whereever you are and thanks again!

[@nealevans8647]

Very good stuff. Thank You!

[@CoachRuss]

You’re welcome! Thanks for your feedback.

[@81mookthespook]

Im looking at this for 2k20 LOL!!!!

[@Blazin50s]

Not too useful for 2K, im guessing?

[@showmethem5ney]

@@Blazin50s man.. I'm just tryna figure out how to guard shooters.

[@wutaktai]

On GAAAAAWD

[@thedonbishop55]

Haha same here!

[@kenhutchison5293]

Very useful on 2k! Especially in the rec

[@Tarheelheat]

Thank you for this!

[@CoachRuss]

You’re so welcome! Thanks for the positive feedback.

[@Cornerback80]

I run my own versions of a 3-2, 2-3, and a 1-3-1. I use a lot of traps and my wings play high in all of my zones. We attack the ball as if it was a zone defense in football, i coach 7th and 8th grade. We generally have the best defense and have been to multiple championships. Im not going to lie, i put in lots of football related stuff and also stole some ideas from Syracuse basketball.

[@blazesand7079]

Middle school players should be learning man defense. This may win in the short term but is a disservice to their future and that of their HS coaches.

[@michaelflipse113]

do you have any videos or documents you could send me?

[@blakone]

@@michaelflipse113 id like to see this as well

[@ryans9593]

@@blazesand7079 Playing zone defenses is a great way to emphasize team defense which is key to man to man. The best man defenses are a blend of man and zone (switching, helping, hedging, communication) and having a deep understanding of zone concepts is a great foundation to build a man to man defense.

[@donotatmepls]

My first game for this season is in a couple of days and I hope your strategy works out. Thanks!

[@Milfhunter135]

How was it

[@balitangkyusi3234]

A very valuable materials. Ty Coach Russ.

[@markharris8723]

KC Eagles 3-2 Zone Defense Perfect love & like that! 2-3 Zone Defense Perfect I like & love that By:Robin Roberts.

[@ShamGam3]

Regarding the trap. Assuming the PG will just dribble towards the wing and into a double team is quite an assumption. Would you also trap the wing on a pass (which is more likely to happen)? I think you should try to bait the ball to the corners as much as possible and trap here.

[@SoulFire209]

This defense was the champion of our local church league 😀

[@Stregnth]

Tnx coach russ clear and awsome explanation

[@CoachRuss]

Thanks for the positive comment! I really appreciate it. Keeps me going.

[@jayjaybatangfrisco362]

Thanks coach

[@CoachRuss]

You’re welcome!

[@jacoburanga218]

Not a fan of this strategy, the bottom guys should cover the corners. The way you have the wings defend corners makes it a 2-3

[@eendgans]

Your version works if your bigmen move fast enough to guard 2-3 guys, if they are not, it is a problem that is being solved by the way shown in the video

[@lnd1998]

It’s such an up and down zone and I don’t feel like good teams ever struggle against it. Of course, there are always little mistakes that make it better but a bad 122 or 131 always do better for me than even a normal 3-2. Idk maybe it’s just my personnel

[@jcool931]

5:38 Got caught with this too many times last night.

[@ningquanwang142]

What about the guard passes the ball to the offense player at the free throw line??

[@atriainfo3440]

Hi coach, why would you recommend penetration be guided toward the middle? shouldn't it be NO middle as a general rule for every defense? Thanks.

[@steelertalk]

how do you run a wheel offence

[@NicolasGazoo]

Hi coach! You have a book ? Saludos de Chile :)

[@CoachRuss]

Hi Nicolas! Not yet. Working on some other things right now; a collection of the plays and practice drills on DVD. My book would later be mostly about coaching philosophy. My personal journey and experiences in coaching. Strategy is only one small part of coaching. You can have all the plays at your disposal but if you cannot connect with and earn the trust of your players, you really have no chance of implementing anything. Thanks for your comment.

[@brownl3082]

Under what circumstances might you apply a 3-2 zone, coach? When would you use thi over, say a 1 3 1 zone or 2-3?

[@josephkeane8346]

Brown L against a very aggressive team

[@josephkeane8346]

Brown L to prevent them from penetrating the centre

[@TheHooper93]

I would say if you are playing against a team that has good man offense and can shoot the 3, this can disrupt their flow. I find that if you can trap out of it it can lead to fast break points.

[@jppj3877]

Hi coach! Is this the same as the 1-2-2 defense?

[@CoachRuss]

+Jaypee Agbayani Yes, it is run the same way. Sometimes coaches differ on 1-2-2 and 3-2 based on how the cover the perimeter with the two wing guards. I hope that helps you.

[@brucemercer7753]

In my opinion this is just a WIDE 1-2-2 not a 3-2. I can see why you don't call it a 1-2-2 because of the area and movement you show. It is different enough that it should be labeled differently. I would suggest a different name if I could that could be used to distinguish 1 from the other but I can't think of a way to do so with Numbers. Your 3-2 Zone and the one I know are as different as a 2-3 Zone and 2-1-2 Zone. Mine is run more like an Inverted 2-3 Zone. Your reminds me more of a 1-3-1 Zone with the Center and Baseline guys being used differently. I think the Zone you have posted could work fine. It does seem to have every general option in the game covered. It is so open to the FT Line Jumper and the Skip Pass Wing 3. But every zone gives up something I suppose and I am sure a well drilled Defense can cover those gaps well enough once they know they are there. I think I will save this one to look at later. Maybe I will need it someday based on personnel instead of another Zone I know. Kinda cool seeing something new. Even though I was just looking for a video of the 3-2 I do know to show to my players.

[@houdini1237]

Thank you

[@PentatonicM]

Im watching this so i can beat the Bucks on HOF. Giannis is a cheat code

[@kordellfarmer9706]

Run 2-3 on giannis it clogs paint

[@danielbradt5816]

i trap out of it

[@CoachRuss]

Great strategy.