ScoutIQ / Glossary / Basketball / Team Defense
How five defenders work together. Some terms are whole systems, like a zone; others are how you guard one action, like a ball screen.
Also Called Man, Player-to-Player
A defense where each defender is responsible for one opponent wherever they go. Teammates still help, but everyone knows exactly who they have.
How ScoutIQ Uses This Shows up in your film breakdown, so you can see how you score against it.
Also Called Two-Three Zone
A zone defense with two defenders near the free-throw line and three along the baseline. Each player guards an area instead of a person, which protects the paint but can leave gaps on the perimeter.
Coaching Tip Attack it from the middle: get the ball to the free-throw line and the zone has to collapse.
How ScoutIQ Uses This Shows up in your film breakdown, so you can see how you score against it.
Related 3-2 Zone · 1-3-1 Zone · Man-to-Man
Also Called Three-Two Zone
A zone defense with three defenders across the top and two near the basket. It guards the perimeter well but leaves more room along the baseline and in the short corners.
How ScoutIQ Uses This Shows up in your film breakdown, so you can see how you score against it.
Related 2-3 Zone · 1-3-1 Zone
Also Called One-Three-One
A zone with one defender at the top, three across the middle of the floor and one along the baseline. It's often used to trap the ball on the wing and force turnovers.
How ScoutIQ Uses This Shows up in your film breakdown, so you can see how you score against it.
Related 2-3 Zone · 3-2 Zone · Full-Court Press
A mixed defense where four players set up in a box-shaped zone and one player guards the opponent's best scorer man-to-man. It's meant to take one player out of the game.
Related Man-to-Man · 2-3 Zone
Also Called Press, Full Court
Guarding the other team the whole length of the floor, starting with the inbounds pass. Presses use traps and pressure to force turnovers or speed up the offense.
How ScoutIQ Uses This Shows up in your film breakdown, so you can see how you score against it.
Related Backcourt Violation · Transition · 1-3-1 Zone
When two defenders trade assignments, usually because of a screen. It stops the offense from getting open but can leave a small defender on a big player.
Coaching Tip Talk early. Call the switch before the screen arrives, not after.
Related Pick and Roll · Hedge · Man-to-Man
Also Called Show, Hard Hedge
A way to guard a ball screen where the screener's defender jumps out in front of the ball handler to slow them down, then hurries back to their own player. It buys time for the on-ball defender to get over the screen.
Related Pick and Roll · Drop Coverage · Ice
Also Called Down, Blue
A way to guard a side ball screen where the on-ball defender stops the ball handler from using the screen and pushes them toward the baseline. The screener's defender waits there to help.
Related Pick and Roll · Hedge · Drop Coverage
Also Called Drop, Sag
A way to guard a ball screen where the screener's defender backs off toward the paint instead of stepping out. It protects the rim but can give the ball handler room for a pull-up jumper.
Related Pick and Roll · Hedge · Pull-Up Jumper
Also Called Weak Side, Help Defense
The side of the floor away from the ball. Defenders there sag toward the paint so they can help stop a drive, then recover to their own player.
Coaching Tip See your player and the ball at the same time. Point to both.
Related Closeout · Man-to-Man
Running out to guard a player who just caught the ball, usually after helping. A good closeout takes away the open shot without letting the shooter drive past.
Coaching Tip Sprint the first half, then chop your feet with a hand high.
Related Help Side · Spot Up · Drive and Kick