1-2-2 Zone

The 1-2-2 zone defense is a variation of the more commonly used 2-3 zone. The main difference is that the 1-2-2 zone defense is a great defense against teams that score a majority of their points from the perimeter, whereas the 2-3 zone provides more inside presence. This is because, in the 1-2-2- zone, all 5 defenders have a responsibility to guard an area on the perimeter. This allows quick closeouts and the ability to contest every shot taken from the three-point line. Therefore, the 1-2-2 zone defense is often used against teams that have strong guards and three-point shooters but aren’t strong on the inside.

The three biggest strengths of the 1-2-2 zone defense are:

1. Defending Shooters – The 1-2-2 zone defense is better at defending against the three-point shot that the 2-3 zone is.
2. Fast Break – With the top player in the middle and two wings, the players are in great positions to transition into the fast break if there is a turnover. A point guard should be put on a wing and a long, athletic player that can finish should be at the top.
3. Trapping Opportunities – There are great trapping opportunities out of the 1-2-2 zone defense — especially in the corner.

The three biggest weaknesses of the 1-2-2 zone defense are:

1. Rebounding – Since no players have their own player they’re on, everyone must find a player to box out when there’s a shot.
2. The High Post – The opposition getting the basketball into the high post is what hurts a 1-2-2 zone defense the most. A good passing team that manages to get the basketball there often can pick your team apart.
3. Post Players Must Guard Corners – This can be a problem if you have post players that don’t move quickly, or if you only have a couple of big players that you’d prefer to leave inside the key.

1-2-2 Zone Defense Rules:

1. Hands Up at All Times – Teams must keep the basketball out of the paint and the high post. That’s where this defense is most vulnerable.
2. Move on Air Time of the Pass – If players don’t move on the air time of the pass, they’re going to get to their assignment too late which will allow the offensive player to take an uncontested shot or get in the lane and create for their teammates.
3. Prevent Inside Passes – When running the 1-2-2, we do not deny perimeter passes. Instead, all defenders sag back and prevent the inside pass (similar to the Pack Line defense).
4. Rebound – As with all zones, on each shot attempt, every player must find someone to box out and then go after the rebound.
5. Post Players Must Front the Post – In order to get out to the shooters in the corners quickly, all bigs must be fronting the post when the basketball is on their side of the court.

Top Defender

The top defender must be athletic and smart. This player is usually the key to how successful your 1-2-2 will be.

They have two main responsibilities:

1. When the basketball is at the top of the key and advancing over half-way, they should be guiding the offensive player to one side of the court.
2. When the basketball is anywhere else on the court, the top player must deny the basketball getting into the high post since this is the weakest area of the zone.

Wing Defenders

The wing defenders first responsibility is to protect the high post when the basketball is at the top of the key.

When the basketball is on their wing, the wing defender guards the basketball. And when the basketball is in the corner, the wing defender can either trap, deny the reverse pass, or sag into the lane.

Post Defenders

The post defenders main role is to protect the paint, guard the low-block, and rebound.

What makes this defense different from most others is that they’re also required to defend the basketball when it’s in the corners.

This requires the post defenders to be able to play both front the post player, and also defend them from behind.