What is the 1-1-3 zone defense in basketball
The 1-1-3 zone defense is a basketball defensive strategy that seeks to prevent low post scoring opportunities while influencing contested field goal attempts and limiting dribble penetration with on-ball pressure, particularly near the top or wings.
What is an example of the initial formation for the 1-1-3 zone defense
This is an example of the initial formation for the 1-1-3 zone defense. X1 starts at the top of the zone above the three-point line. X2 starts near the high post area.
X3 and X4 start inside of the three-point line but extended out from the low post blocks. X5 starts inside of the lane area in front of the basket.
What are the general responsibilities of the defenders within the 1-1-3 zone defense
The responsibilities of X1 are to execute defensive pressure against the offensive player in possession of the ball at the top and cover the high post area. The responsibilities of X2 are to cover the high post/wing areas and in some instances, double team the low post.
The responsibilities of X3 and X4 are to cover the strong side corner areas and guard against the weak side wing/low post areas. The responsibilities of X5 are to protect the basket and execute low post defense when necessary.
What is an advantage of the 1-1-3 zone defense
One notable advantage of the 1-1-3 zone defense is that it could be beneficial against offensive teams that prefer to score around the basket with one or more skilled low post players.
Essentially, it could be somewhat of a challenge for post players to score efficiently near the basket via a series of low post moves because the 1-1-3 zone defense features at least two defenders near the basket most (if not all) of the time.
What is a disadvantage of the 1-1-3 zone defense
One particular disadvantage of the 1-1-3 zone defense is that it could become susceptible to open jump shots, particularly near the wings after ball reversal and/or skip passes.
Therefore, it is more suitable to utilize this type of zone defense against offensive teams that either prefer to generate points near the basket or against offensive teams with less than average shooting skills from the mid-range or beyond the three-point line.
What are examples of the 1-1-3 zone defense
Example 1
This is an example of the 1-1-3 zone defense when the ball is at the top. X1 executes defensive pressure on the the ball handler at the top.
X2 stays near the high post area and could deny any high post entry passes if necessary. X3, X4, and X5 stay near the initial areas in the back of the zone until the ball gets passed to the wing or corner.
Example 2
This is an example of the 1-1-3 zone defense when the ball is on the wing. X2 sprints from the high post to execute a defensive closeout.
Following that, X2 could contest any potential jump shots or prevent possible middle dribble penetration by 3 if necessary.
At the same time, X1 drops back from the top to take away any high post entry passes. X3 stays near the original spot and effectively stands in the gap between 2 and 5. Therefore, if 5 attempts to receive the ball from 3, then X3 could deflect that pass or steal the ball via interception.
Similarly, if 2 receives the basketball from 3, then X3 could execute a defensive closeout to contest the possible jump shot or prevent any easy dribble penetration.
X4 stays near the left side low post block watching for any potential weak side action by 1 or 4. X5 slides over towards the right side block to cover 5 and execute low post defense with a possible low post front if needed.
Example 3
This is an example of the 1-1-3 zone defense when the ball is in the corner. X3 immediately sprints to execute a defensive closeout and contest the jump shot or prevent dribble penetration of 2.
Also, as that happens, X2 drops back to help deny the potential low post entry pass or to prevent middle dribble penetration.
X5 continues to cover the right side low post area while X1 and X4 continue to cover the high post and weak side low post areas.
Example 4
Here is an example of the 1-1-3 zone defense if the ball gets into the low post. X2 can double team the offensive low post player with X5, particularly if 2 is not a good shooter.
Conversely, if 2 is a good shooter but 3 is below average, then the double team could be set with X3 instead of X2.
Additionally, X1 should continue to cover the high post area and X4 could take a step into the paint to provide extra rim protection.
Example 5
This is an example of the 1-1-3 zone defense when a skip pass occurs from the corner to the opposite wing. If that occurs, then X1 could attempt to deflect or intercept the pass.
However, if that is not possible, then X4 could temporarily cover the wing area, which is shown with the gray arrows, to take away any potential jump shots or dribble penetration from 4.
Afterwards, X2 should have enough time to recover to the wing and bump X4 to their original area in the back of the zone.
Example 6
This is an example of the 1-1-3 match-up zone defense when the ball is on the wing. X3 steps up and beyond the three-point line to execute defensive pressure on 3.
At the same time, X2 drops back to cover the strong side mid-post to prevent dribble penetration and/or low post entry passes.
Additionally, X1 drops back to cover the high post area while X5 slides out of the lane to cover the space between the low post and corner on strong side.
Lastly, X4 slides into the lane to protect the basket and prevent any weak side offensive action if necessary.
Example 7
This is an example of the 1-1-3 match-up zone defense when the ball is in the corner. X5 sprints to the corner to execute a defensive closeout and prevent the potential open jump shot or dribble penetration action.
Additionally, X2 could execute denial defense, represented by the gray arrow, by placing a hand in the passing lane so that 3 could not easily receive the ball from 2.
Also, X3 drops back to front against the low post offensive player, represented by the gray arrow. At the same time, X1 continues to cover the high post area while X4 continues to protect the basket and prevent any weak side action.
Example 8
This is an example of the 1-1-3 match-up zone defense when the ball gets into the low post. If that happens, a double team could be executed by X2 or X5, represented by the gray arrows.
The defender that executes the double team would depend on which of the two offensive players near the wing or corner is the weaker shooter. If 3 shoots worst than 2, then X2 could double team the ball with X3.
On the other hand, if 2 shoots worst than 3, then X5 could execute the double team alongside X3. At the same time, X1 continues to cover the high post while X4 continues to prevent weak side action while protecting the basket as before.