Zone defense

Zone defense is a type of defense used in sports which is the alternative to man-to-man defense; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area, or a "zone", to cover.

Related Topics:
Sports - Man-to-man defense

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While zone defense is most known for its use in basketball, it can be used in virtually all sports where a defending team is present.

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Zone defenses in basketball are listed by a set of numbers that correspond to the number of people on the front of the zone working its way to the back of the zone. For example, a 2-3 zone is a zone defense in which two defenders are covering areas in the top of the zone while three defenders are covering areas closer to the basket.

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There are several forms of zone defense in basketball, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Some examples:

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• 2-3 zone
• 3-2 zone
• 1-2-2 zone
• 1-3-1 zone

Zone defenses often are used to cover a player's weakness in defense or disadvantage in speed.

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Zone defenses were recently made legal in the National Basketball Association, although they are much more common in NCAA basketball.

Related Topics:
National Basketball Association - NCAA

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