Chapter 08 - Combination Defenses

There is a growing trend toward stunting defense. A combination of zone and man-for-man tactics is one of the oldest types of stunting methods. The major objective is to confuse the offensive team and force them into a game they do not desire to play. "Make them play your game" is one of the oldest truisms. If an offense is allowed to run its plays or patterns just as they have practiced them, they are surely going to win. They should always be pushed out of their practices routines as much as possible.

Combination defenses are especially valuable in forcing pattern teams into another game. The new routes may be very good and very dangerous to the defense. Even so, the offense will rarely perform well running new routes or using adjustments necessitated during the course of a game. They will rarely perform well using moves or position play that has not been practiced. The combination defense must admit that there is an offensive answer. The percentages should be figured closely. Will this team that is stronger than mine whip us more easily running its favorite routes, or with forced routes created by an unusual defense? The answer is obvious. Here is another example of the time a coach can do something. It might well be dangerous. It is possible there are better things he can do. Still, he is doing something. He is not sitting back assuming that the stronger team always wins. Combination defenses are not reserved for the time when the opponent is stronger. You might use it when you are actually the strongest.

The Triangle and Two.

We will call this first type of combination defense the triangle and two. The triangle is created by the zone play of the three deep or base line men.

Fig. 102

The two front men will play their opponents all over the half-court using man-for-man techniques (See Fig. 105).

The triangle and two is more effective when the offense has not recognized the defense. Of course, they will recognize it sooner or later but the later—the better. You can help conceal what you are doing by having the front two men press as soon as the ball crosses center line. The back three men should stand near the offensive men nearest their positions so that they think they are also being played man-for-man. Once the ball has penetrated the front court area, the three deep men drop off to their zone spots while the other men continue playing man-for-man (Fig. 106).

Fig. 103

The three deep men are left to cover the entire base line and middle area. Of course, the other two men will congest those areas since their men may be moving in and out. The greatest danger to the triangle and two is the use of clear outs by the offense.

Let's assume the offense either does not recognize the defense or does not know how to attack it. The three deep men will move in this manner.  With the ball at a front position they take this alignment (See Fig. 107).

Fig. 104

Fig. 105

If the ball moves to a wing position, here is the way the three deep men operate. (See Figures 108 and 109).

Fig. 106

The zone men cover these positions if the ball goes to a corner (See Figs. 110, 111).

The two men operating on man-for-man principles must go with their men. They should use sagging tactics whenever possible. The sag man should move out and pick up his man tightly as soon as he receives.

Ideal physical talent for this defense would be three tall, strong, zone men and two very fast front men. The defense can be used as an opener and then changed as soon as the offense recognizes it. If you move the front men to certain positions on the floor, you will see that the offense can ereate dangerous overload situations. If they don't recognize the defense, they will be stymied, however. When they do recognize the defense, they will probably call time. That is a good opportunity for you to change you tactics or go to another defense.

Fig. 107

Fig. 108

Fig. 109

The Box and One.

The box and one is sometimes used as a diamond and one. In either event, one man will play man-for-man while four men zone. Obviously, the one man will be assigned to guard the opponent's outstanding, super-star scoring threat. The four zone men will use the box or diamond formation from which they defend the entire critical scoring area.

The man playing man-for-man defense should strive to keep his man from receiving. The greatest value of the box and one lies in its strength against teams who have concentrated a large portion of their scoring around one man. If this one man can be stymied or heavily restricted, the offense of such a team is completely demoralized. Therefore, the first objective is to keep the "hot shot," the high scorer, from receiving the ball. Of course, it will be impossible to do this 100 per cent of the time, but the fewer times he receives, the lower the score. There are other reasons for not allowing him to receive. Most super-stars are accustomed to handling the ball a great deal. When they don't get their hands on the ball often, they become nervous. This nervousness may create errors when they do receive the ball. The most vulnerable position for attack is the middle. The four zone men should line up rather tightly on the edges of the three-second lane when the ball is at a front position (See Figs. 114, 115).

If the ball moves to a wing position the zone men will take these spots.   (Figures 116, 117).

A pass to the corner will be covered in this manner. (Figs.  118, 119).

There are many opportunities apparent for the offense. On a percentage basis, the four men left quasi-open will shoot more inefficiently since they are not accustomed to carrying the scoring load. The one man will shoot less efficiently since he is being "defensed" in a nerve-racking way for which he is unprepared. If the diamond zone formation is used, the slides for the various positions will be as indicated in diagrams 117 and 119.

Fig. 110

Fig. 111

Fig. 112

Fig. 113

Most offensive teams will concentrate their attack on the vulnerable middle area. They might even station their one man, who is being harassed, in the middle for the entire evening. If so, you are forced into what amounts to a 2-1-2 zone or a 1-3-1 zone.

Fig. 114

Fig. 115

Fig. 116

Fig. 117

Your chances are four out of five that the big scoring threat is still hampered. The chances are that he is forced into a position that he doesn't desire to play. So, your plan might still be effectuated.

If the offense should use this tactic, have the man-for-man defensive player move in front of his man at all times.

Fig. 118

The offense has served only to neutralize the vulnerable middle position and thus hamper their own scoring star. 121).

The Tandem and Three.

The tandem and three looks like a 1-1-3 (See Fig. 122).

It gets its name because the front two men use tandem positions (stacked) from which to defend. The three men play a base line zone. The front man on the tandem plays the most dangerous offensive guard man-for-man as long as that man is in either guard spot. If that man moves to a corner or out of the guard areas, the entire defense becomes zone.

Fig.  119

Fig. 120

This defense would work best against a team whose greatest scoring threat is an outstanding guard. Some teams have an offense that revolves entirely around one of its guards. If a team has balanced guard strength, the tandem and three would not be effective. If a team has a great guard who is the key to its entire offense, this defense would be worthwhile. That guard should receive a great deal of harassment each time he receives the ball out front. The other guard would be virtually ignored.

Fig. 121

The number 3 and number 4 men would play both the wing spots and the corner positions if the ball goes to those places.

Fig. 122

If the offensive guard being harassed leaves the outside area, the front man on the tandem assumes a 2-1-2 defensive slide position on the side of the ball.  (See also Fig. 127).
 
The tandem and three gives the team with one big man an opportunity to keep him near the goal as in the case of number 5. He is always in good rebounding position. It would also work well against a team that does not have an outstanding pivot threat.

Fig. 123

Fig. 124

The Diamond Defense.

Here is a combination defense that offers good floor coverage and confusing tactics. It is not a last resort defense. Assuming you have one fast, smart defensive player and four other men willing to work, the Diamond can be a reliable defense for virtually any contest (See Fig. 128).
 
Numbers 1 and 5 stand side by side. Number 1 should be the best, fastest defensive player on your team; number 5 should be a good re-bounder with good speed; numbers 2, 3, and 4 need have no specific qualifications other than being dedicated defensive performers.

Fig.  125

Fig. 126

Number 1 will cover the entire base line. If an offensive man goes into a corner or to the base line, number 1 covers him. Number 5 will fill in behind him as the second man in line with the basket. Number 1 is the quarterback. If an offensive player goes into the pivot area, he sends number 5 in that spot to play man-for man. As long as an offensive player occupies the middle area, number 5 covers him. If that area is not occupied, number 5 stays near the goal for rebounding. If the ball goes to a wing position, here are the slides.
 
Notice that number 1 is already moving to cover the corner if the ball goes there. He is in position to cover the receiver as soon as he receives.

Fig:  127

Fig. 128

These same movements (Figs. 131, 132) would be used if the ball goes into the wing or corner on the other side of the floor.

The defense looks like a 1-3-1 if there is an offensive man in the middle for number 5 to cover (See Fig. 133).

The corners are good places to double team receivers. If this method is used, the wing men, number 2 and number 4, would converge, cutting off the outlet pass and, along with number 1, create a double team. This may cause the ball handler to lob the ball out in order to get rid of it, and the point man might make an interception (Figs. 134,135 ).

Combination defenses evolved from the idea of taking the best of two defenses and combining them.  These defenses are unique and usually designed for a specific opponent on a particular night. The strength of the opponent determines their use. The proportion of strength at guard versus the forward strength will partially decide the use of combination. The strength of your own men will enter into the decision. These combinations are part zone and part man-for-man. They are combinations of various zone formations. The principles employed in any defense require dedicated athletes willing to take the extra step.

Fig. 129

Fig. 130

Fig. 131

Fig. 132

Fig. 133

Teaching Hints

1. Combination defenses are special and deserve special preparation. Be specific in your drill and instruction.

2. Be sure your players have full confidence in the combination defense you choose.
 
3. Use break-down drills. Take a part (two or three men) of the whole and practice it in detail.

4. Give your defense a chance. Don't get cold feet and quit too soon.

5. Prepare your combination defense several days in advance so that you will have plenty of rehearsal.

6. Validate your scouting information personally. If your scouting report is erroneous, a combination defense might actually help your opponent.

Are You Ready To Move Onto The Next Lesson? Click Here...