Triangle and Two

The triangle and 2 defense is a “junk defense” that can give a team a unique option to stop an offense that revolves mostly around only two players. A ‘junk defense’ is a defense that combines man-to-man and zone principles together. The Box and 1 is another example.

The Triangle and 2 can be effective because it’s so rarely used and practiced against.

This can frustrate opponent’s best players and force the other team to make offensive adjustments they’re not normally used to.

Strengths of the Triangle and 2 Defense:

1. Easily implemented. Although the Triangle and 2 may be something totally different from what a team is used to, it’s not overly complicated to implement this defense.
2. Gives a team another option. If you’re interested in implementing a new defense because your opponent centers their offense around two players, your obvious concern is that those two players could dominate against your typical defense. Having the Triangle and 2 in your back pocket can be another option in case your primary defense is not producing the stops you need to win the game.
3. Frustrates the other team’s stars. As mentioned earlier, one of the main reasons a Triangle and 2 defense can be effective is because it is so rarely used. This means that it’s unlikely that your opponent has seen this defense before – or even if they have, they have probably not practiced extensively against it. This inexperience can cause frustration for the other team, and specifically for the two stars that are being chased.
4. Fatigues their two best players. Because your two chasers will be playing full denial defense, the other team’s two best scorers should have to work harder in order to get touches. Not only will this frustrate them, but it will wear them down physically.
5. Forces other players to shoot. If the Triangle and 2 defense is working correctly, it should encourage your opponent’s two best scorers to give up the ball, and force the other three players on the floor to make plays they’re not used to making. Especially in bigger games, it’s less likely that the “role players” will feel comfortable stepping into a primary scoring role.

Weaknesses of the Triangle and 2 Defense:

1. Middle of the zone. Like most zones, the middle of the floor is where the Triangle and 2 defense will be the most vulnerable. Defending the middle of the floor will primarily be up to the 3 players who are in the triangle zone formation.
2. Three-point shooters. If you’re playing against a team with multiple outside shooting threats (outside of the two top scorers that are being chased), the Triangle and 2 may not be the best option because you have limited players responsible for guarding the entire three-point line. However, it’s unlikely that a team centered around only two scoring threats will also be littered with other great outside shooters.
3. Against post scorers. If one of the two scoring threats does most of their scoring in the post, then the Triangle and 2 may not be the best option. It’s primarily effective against perimeter players who prefer to shoot from the outside or make plays off the drive. If one of the players who is being chased is primarily posting up on the block, the lane can become too congested and you can end up with two of your defenders playing in the same spot.

Triangle and 2 Defense Rules:

1. Limit touches for the 2 star players. The reason players are running the Triangle and 2 defense is to limit opportunities for an offense that revolves around just two players. Two chasers must be in full denial defense, making it as difficult as possible for the player they’re guarding to get the ball. The chasers don’t need to worry about anything besides denying touches for the player they’re defending, and they must trust their teammates to play help defense.
2. Limit second chance points. Rebounding can be difficult in any zone, and the same goes for the Triangle and 2 defense. After a shot goes up, one player should contest the shot, and at least three players should be working for the rebound.
3. Defense collapses when stars get the ball. Even though chasers are playing full denial defense on the other team’s two best scorers, it’s inevitable that they will still get touches at some point. When this happens, the triangle zone defenders must collapse back into their triangle positions so they’re in position to help on the scorers. This should encourage the scorers to pass to a teammate because they do not have an open lane to the basket.

When running the Triangle and 2 defense, there are 3 different positions that defenders could play.

Chasers

The success of your Triangle and 2 defense will largely depend on the ability of your chasers. These are the two players you assign to the two primary scorers on the other team. The chasers need to play full denial defense at all times. The chasers are primarily focused on making everything as difficult as possible for the player they’re guarding. They’re not responsible for help defense or any other rotations.

One thing the chasers have to be very conscious of is staying out of foul trouble. Because they are playing full denial defense that’s designed to frustrate one of the other team’s best players, the chasers will have many opportunities to foul.

Bottom Triangle Defenders

Ideally, two of the bigger players will be positioned as the bottom two defenders in the triangle zone formation. They’re responsible for defending the low post (fronting if the ball is above the free throw line), guarding the ball when it is below the free throw line, and help defense on the weak side.

Like any zone, the Triangle and 2 defense can be susceptible to offensive rebounds, so the bottom triangle zone defenders must be solid rebounders who can limit opponent’s second chance points.

Top Triangle Defender

The best option for the top triangle zone defender is a quick player who is also a good on-ball defender, as they will be responsible for covering the biggest portion of the court. The top triangle zone defender is responsible for denying touches to the high post, and also guarding the ball any time it is above the free throw line.