What is the 1-1-2-1 press defense
The 1-1-2-1 press defense is a basketball defensive strategy that emphasizes backcourt ball pressure and frontcourt sideline traps to disrupt offensive flow, which could reduce scoring opportunities and create turnovers.
What is an example of the initial formation for the 1-1-2-1 press defense
This is an example of the initial formation for the 1-1-2-1 press defense. X1 starts in the backcourt below the dotted half circle. X2 also starts in the backcourt, but at the top of the arc.
X3 and X4 start in the frontcourt near the half court line and sidelines while X5 starts in the frontcourt near the high post area.
What are the general responsibilities of the defenders within the 1-1-2-1 press defense
The responsibilities of X1 are to initially pressure the player with the ball into dribbling towards the sideline, protect the middle area in the backcourt, or cover the ball side wing areas in the frontcourt.
The responsibilities of X2 are to protect the middle area in the backcourt or cover the ball side wing areas, influence the ball handler into dribbling towards the sideline, or trap the ball in the frontcourt.
The responsibilities of X3 and X4 all occur in the frontcourt and they are to trap the ball, protect the middle, or protect the basket in certain moments.
The responsibilities of X5 also occur in the frontcourt and X5 could protect the middle area near the high post or protect the basket, especially if one or more offensive players cut below the free throw line extended area in the frontcourt. Furthermore, in some instances, X5 could set traps near the corner areas with other defenders if necessary.
What are examples of the 1-1-2-1 press defense
Example 1
This is an example of the 1-1-2-1 press defense that demonstrates how the pressure of X1 (represented by the gray arrow) influences 1 to receive the ball near the corner.
Following that, X1 continues to influence 1 into dribbling the ball down the sideline until the primary trap could be set with X4 while X2 covers the middle area.
Afterwards, if 1 dribbles or executes a pass into the frontcourt, then X2 begins to cut towards the ball side wing area, shown with a gray arrow.
Also, at the same time, in the frontcourt, X3 drops back to protect the middle area while X5 drops back to protect the basket, particularly because there is at least one offensive player below the free throw line extended area.
Example 2
This is an example of the 1-1-2-1 press defense that displays how X1 and X4 could set the primary trap near the sideline after the ball moves across the half court line.
Also, X2 covers the ball side wing area and could intercept the wing entry pass if necessary, shown with the gray arrow.
X3 covers the high post area and could intercept any passes towards the middle or towards the opposite wing, also shown with gray arrows. X5 continues to protect the basket.
Example 3
This is an example of the 1-1-2-1 press defense that shows X2 and X5 setting an alternative trap near the corner in the frontcourt.
Also, X1 covers the ball side wing and could intercept the basketball if 1 were to receive it from 3, represented by the gray arrow.
Furthermore, X4 covers the high post area and could intercept passes towards the middle or opposite wing, shown with gray arrows. Additionally, X3 drops back to protect the basket in the lane.
Example 4
This is an example of the 1-1-2-1 press defense that demonstrates 1 having the foreknowledge to see the primary trap ahead.
Afterwards, 4 receives the ball from 1 and then 2 receives the ball from 4. When that occurs, X1 protects the middle area while X2 influences 2 into dribbling towards the sideline.
Following that, X3 prepares to set the primary trap and X1 eventually cuts across into the frontcourt towards the ball side wing area, shown with gray arrows. Furthermore, X4 cuts toward the high post area while X5 continues to protect the basket.
Example 5
This is an example of the 1-1-2-1 press defense that displays X2 and X3 setting the primary trap on the opposite side. X1 also covers the ball side wing area and could intercept a pass if necessary, represented by the gray arrow.
Additionally, X4 covers the high post area and could intercept a pass towards the middle or opposite wing if necessary, also shown with gray arrows. Also, X5 continues to protect the basket.
What are comparable defensive strategies in relation to the 1-1-2-1 press defense
The 1-1-3 press defense is a full court press that implements ball pressure in the backcourt and defensive traps in the frontcourt.
The 1-2-1-1 press defense is a full court press that could be implemented by teams with speed, quickness and very good conditioning with the main purpose of creating turnovers via traps set in the backcourt.
The 1-2-2 press defense features a variety of traps in the backcourt as well as the frontcourt, which could then lead to limited offensive scoring opportunities or potential turnovers.
The 1-3-1 press defense consists of backcourt ball pressure and frontcourt traps near the sidelines with the objective of limiting offensive scoring options.
The 2-1-2 press defense implements defensive traps near the sidelines to disrupt the scoring effectiveness of the offensive team with the additional possibility of creating turnovers.
The 2-2-1 press seeks to create quick turnovers or limit offensive scoring options with a primary backcourt trap and a secondary frontcourt trap.
The havoc press is a variation of the 1-2-1-1 press and it was popularized by Coach Shaka Smart, particularly during his time as the head coach of the VCU Rams men’s basketball team.
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What is supplementary material to potentially learn more about the 1-1-2-1 press
1-2-2 and 1-1-2-1 Three-Quarter Court Pressure Defense by Jay Wright features various defensive concepts of the 1-2-2 press defense as well as the 1-1-2-1 press defense such as attacking small and retreating big. Coach Wright also demonstrates how to shift out of the press action into a 2-3 zone defense and how to defend against on-ball screens, particularly while executing the zone defense.