I heard Jim Boeheim on ESPN last night explain why he decided to start playing the 2-3 zone defense, his players were under sized back then and he felt like it was the best opportunity for his team to be able to compete and win against the bigger teams, he also said that they had very little depth so they needed to keep their starters on the floor and out of foul trouble, they did such a good job at playing this that he decided to continue playing it even after they started getting good big men. He also said that when you get into playing conference tournaments that it really saves his players legs and feels that is why his team is able to play 3 or 4 games in as many days, he also went on to talk about why so many teams play mostly a man defense because it is a macho thing.
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Defense
- Thread starter real fan
- Start date
bigdaddystuck
New member
He is right on about the macho thing. I've played/coached basketball for the last 25 years and some of the best coaches/teams I've been around have been able to adjust to the players they have. I coach at a small jr. high and we don't have the fastest, tallest, or most athletic players. I have used 2-3, 3-2, and 1-3-1 zones for most of the time I have been here. I use them for the very reasons he lists. We play a very demanding schedule of larger schools and couldn't compete if we tried to go man to man! Funny thing is that the local public schools have tried to undermine what we do, by telling our parents and players, they know, that playing zone isn't good basketball. That we aren't teaching them anything! I see too many coaches who are unwilling to use the zone, at all, because they believe it isn't smart basketball!
BradleyBrave
New member
I think Boeheim is a jerk personally, but he is a HOF coach and I think he's spot-on with this.
I have been going to and watching basketball for over 40 plus years at both the high school and college level and the great coaches play whatever defense they believe will help make their team successful against their opponent, would you rather give your team a better chance to win or be one of the so called smart ones and lose.
it's boogie time
Active member
My high school coach used to say that zone was a four letter word. It would have helped us out.
I think they can be effective against the right lineups.
I think they can be effective against the right lineups.
BradleyBrave
New member
One of my old coaches used to say that you had to work just as hard in a zone defense as you do in man-to-man if you want to play it well. I tend to agree.
However, I think we all know that a zone isn't a 'cure all'. Part of why I think teams seem to shoot so well against BU is that I don't think we make them work hard enough on offense to get a shot. Even if we are contesting with a hand in the face, if the guy doesn't have to work his rear off to get open to take that shot, the chances of him making it are better. If guys have fresh legs, the shots are more likely to go in. SIU, Indiana St, and WSU immediately come to mind. Fortunately for us, we won 2 of those.
However, I think we all know that a zone isn't a 'cure all'. Part of why I think teams seem to shoot so well against BU is that I don't think we make them work hard enough on offense to get a shot. Even if we are contesting with a hand in the face, if the guy doesn't have to work his rear off to get open to take that shot, the chances of him making it are better. If guys have fresh legs, the shots are more likely to go in. SIU, Indiana St, and WSU immediately come to mind. Fortunately for us, we won 2 of those.
You are correct. A zone CAN work. It can also get you killed if you leave big holes and a team is hot.
Jim B. talked about changing the zone all the time. Small adjustments and wrinkles here and there.
Adjustments need to be made in any of the defenses that you play, the most important is knowing who the best shooters are and not giving them open looks as in Graham Hatch and Clevin Hannah the other night.
Agreed. The key to all coaching, in any sport is adjusting. You must be able to adapt to each team you play.
BradleyBrave
New member
I wouldn't mind seeing us stick with our current starting lineup and coming out in a zone to start Arch Madness. We're 2-0 with this lineup. 
I wouldn't mind seeing us stick with our current starting lineup and coming out in a zone to start Arch Madness. We're 2-0 with this lineup.
We need to keep WE from foul problems because with SS in there, teams feel no need to double down. Now if SS starts hitting that inside the key jump shot then things can open up on the offensive side with him in the game.