Newsletter #307

Today's Theme... "Buzz" - "Twilight Zone" Defense

This variation of the 2-3 zone defense puts defenders in the passing lanes, rather than directly on the ball and causes the offense to make lob passes (instead of straight line passes), and forces the action.

It is an aggressive defense that forces teams that like to delay and slow the tempo, to play faster, resulting if quick outside shots, long rebounds and opportunities for easy baskets in transition (off steals and long rebounds). It collapses in the paint on dribble-penetration and forces outside shots.

Features of the Buzz Defense

• Uses your team's athleticism. Good quick athletic defenders like this defense, and you don't necessarily need a tall post defender.
• Opponent's players have difficulty making good inside passes and accurate skip passes with defenders playing in the passing lanes.
• Forces tempo and opponents tend to rush shots.
• Works well against patterned offenses.
• Protects your "bigs" from foul trouble. Usually teams commit fewer fouls when playing this defense.
• Easy to disguise this defense.
• Good rebounding opportunities which help get your fast break started.
• Forces the offense to play away from the basket as it's hard to get the ball inside.

Alignment - Zone Coverage

The defense starts with a 2-3 zone look (diagram A).

• X2 is your taller guard and plays on the right side as most point guards tend to go more to their right and pass to their right.
• X1 is the left guard.
• X5 is probably your tallest player, but also needs to be able to sprint and move quickly. X5's main rule is to always stay in a direct line between the ball and the basket.
• X4 is your best rebounder, so put him/her on the back-side where 70% of missed shots (from the right wing and corner) tend to go. O4 cleans up the back-side rebound when the shot is taken from the right wing or corner.
• X3 is our most athletic defender who has quickness and basketball savvy and is a good anticipator and pass interceptor.

See the complete article The Buzz Twilight Zone Defense for details and rotations for:

• Ball on the Top - point
• Ball is offset on the top - point
• Ball on the Wing
• Ball in the corner
• Covering Skip Passes
• Defending the dribble
• Defending the shooter... when to pressure the ball
• Rebounding positioning
• Covering the High-Post
• X5 Break-down Drill
• Covering the Low-Post