What is the 1-1-3 press defense in basketball
The 1-1-3 press defense is a basketball defensive strategy that uses on-ball pressure and sideline traps to disrupt offensive flow, which in turn, limits scoring opportunities and generates turnovers.
What is an example of the initial formation for the 1-1-3 press defense
This is an example of the initial setup for the 1-1-3 press. In the backcourt, X1 starts slightly below the free throw line while X2 starts at the top above the three-point arc.
In the frontcourt, X3 starts near the center of the court while X4 and X5 cover the corners near the half court line.
What are the general responsibilities of the defenders within the 1-1-3 press defense
The responsibilities of X1 are to influence the ball handler into dribbling towards a sideline, set traps, or cover the extended wing areas. The responsibilities of X2 are to protect the middle area or influence the ball handler towards a sideline.
The responsibilities of X3 are to cover the ball side wing area or set traps. The responsibilities of X4 and X5 are to set traps, cover the top, or protect the basket if at least one offensive player cuts below the free throw line extended area.
What is an advantage of the 1-1-3 press defense
One particular advantage of the 1-1-3 press defense is that it features a defender that always covers the middle area of the press.
When a defender covers this middle area, the offensive team would have a more difficult time breaking the press, which usually occurs once an offensive player with the ball passes it to another teammate in the middle of the press.
So, if a defender covers that middle area, then the player with the ball would be taking a risk by passing it to another teammate near the middle of the press.
This could, in turn, potentially lead to an interception or other type of turnover such as an inaccurate pass that sails out of bounds.
What are disadvantages of the 1-1-3 press defense
One particular disadvantage of the 1-1-3 press defense is that at the start of the press, when the offensive team is executing the inbound pass, the defenders in the back of the press will set up near the half court line, and this creates no initial rim protection.
So, the offensive player that makes the inbound pass could, in theory, throw a baseball pass down the court to another teammate for an easy layup if the defenders in the back of the press are not paying proper attention or those same defenders do not recover in time to protect the basket.
Another notable disadvantage is that the defenders have to quickly sprint to certain areas of the court during offensive ball movement.
Therefore, if defensive teams have less than ideal speed and/or quickness, then the 1-1-3 press may not be as effective, especially in the frontcourt.
What are examples of the 1-1-3 press defense
Example 1
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that showcases how 1 receives the basketball from 4 and then X1 influences 1 to dribble towards the sideline.
As that occurs, X4 is in preparation to set the primary trap while X2 covers the middle area.
Also, X3 moves across to the ball side wing area while X5 cuts to the top and then towards the basket (shown with the gray arrow) because 5 begins to cut below the free throw line extended area.
Example 2
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that demonstrates X1 and X4 setting the primary trap near the corner after the ball moves across the half court line.
Also, X2 protects the middle area, X3 covers the ball side wing area, and X5 protects the basket.
Example 3
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that features an alternative trap set by X3 and X4 near the wing area in the frontcourt.
Additionally, X1 covers the extended wing area, X2 protects the middle near the high post, and X5 continues to protect the basket.
Example 4
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that includes ball movement from one side of the court to the other side in the backcourt.
To start, 4 receives the ball from 1 and following that, X2 executes a defensive closeout towards 4 and then X2 influences 4 to dribble towards the opposite sideline.
As that happens, X1 fills the area vacated by X2 to protect the middle. Also, at the same time, X5 sprints up towards the half court line to set the primary trap with X2.
Furthermore, X3 sprints across the court to cover the ball side wing area while X4 sprints down to protect the basket.
Example 5
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that shows the primary trap set by X2 and X5 near the corner once the ball gets across the half court line.
Additionally, X1 protects the middle area, X3 covers the ball side wing area, and X4 protects the rim.
Example 6
This is an example of the 1-1-3 press defense that consists of an alternative trap set by X3 and X5 near the wing area in the frontcourt.
Also, X2 covers the extended wing area, X1 covers the high post area, and X4 protects the basket.
What are comparable defensive strategies in relation to the 1-1-3 press
The 1-1-2-1 press defense is a full court press that utilizes defensive pressure in the backcourt and afterwards, defensive players set sideline traps in the frontcourt, typically near the half court area to create potential turnovers.
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.