2-3 zone defence

Setup

1. Five attackers on the perimeter: top, two wings, two corners.
2. Five defenders in a 2-3: two guards up top, three across the baseline.
3. Check your competition's rules on zone defence for juniors before using it in games.

How it runs

1. Attackers pass around the perimeter, holding each catch for two seconds.
2. The zone shifts on every pass while the ball is in the air.
3. After two minutes, allow drives into gaps and play to a stop.

Coaching points

• Move on the pass, not on the catch.
• Wing: the guard takes the ball; corner: the baseline defender closes out.
• The middle defender protects the ball-side block; the far one covers the rim.
• Hands up and active to take away passes into the high post.

Common mistakes

• Guards chasing the ball to the corner and leaving the top open.
• Baseline defenders standing flat and leaving the short corner open.