What is the 2-1-2 press defense in basketball
The 2-1-2 press defense is a basketball defensive strategy that implements a modest amount of on-ball pressure, particularly in the backcourt, and sideline traps, especially in the frontcourt, to disrupt the scoring effectiveness of the offensive team with the additional possibility of creating turnovers.
What is an example of the initial formation for the 2-1-2 press defense
This is an example of the initial formation for the 2-1-2 press defense. X1 and X2 start above the three-point arc near the slot areas in the backcourt.
X3 starts near the half court line in the backcourt while X4 and X5 start above the three-point arc near the slot areas in the frontcourt.
What are the general responsibilities of the defenders within the 2-1-2 press defense
The responsibilities of X1 and X2 are to pressure the ball and influence the ball handler towards a sideline, protect the middle area of the court, or set traps.
The responsibilities of X3 are to initially cover the middle area in the backcourt or the ball side wing area in the frontcourt.
Additionally, X3 could also help set traps in some instances. The responsibilities of X4 and X5 are to set traps or protect the basket.
What is an advantage of the 2-1-2 press defense
One particular advantage of the 2-1-2 press defense is that there is a defender in the middle of the press who fills the gap. This means that theoretically, it would very challenging for the offensive team to simply pass the ball into the middle of the press as that could lead to turnovers.
Furthermore, since a defender occupies the middle of the press, this means that the player with the ball, particularly in the backcourt area, is effectively forced to dribble near the sidelines, which makes it easier for the defensive team to set traps.
What are examples of the 2-1-2 press defense
Example 1
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense when 1 receives the basketball from 5 and after that, X1 pressures the ball and influences 1 to dribble towards the sideline. As that occurs, X4 steps up towards the half court line in preparation to set the primary trap with X1.
At the same time, X3 fills and replaces X4’s previous location near the ball side wing area while X2 drops back to protect the middle of the court and X5 drops back to protect the basket.
Example 2
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense when X1 and X4 set the primary trap that occurs after 1 dribbles across the half court line.
Also, X2 protects the middle area while X3 covers the ball side wing area and X5 continues to protect the basket.
Example 3
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense if 4 was able to receive the ball from 1. After that occurs, X3 and X4 can set a secondary trap near the wing area while X1 denies the potential pass back to 1. Also, X2 continues to cover the middle area and X5 keeps protecting the basket.
Example 4
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense if 2 was able to receive a cross court skip pass from 1. When that occurs, X2 and X5 sprint across the court to set an alternative trap near the wing area.
At the same time, X1 covers the middle area, X3 covers the weak side slot area, and X4 drops back to protect the basket.
Example 5
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense if 1 was able to throw a backwards pass in the backcourt before the initial primary trap could be set.
When that occurs, 5 receives the ball from 1 and then immediately after, 2 receives the ball from 5. As that happens, X2 sprints across the court to keep 2 near the sideline while X1 contains the middle area.
Additionally, in the frontcourt, X5 sprints towards the half court near the ball side in preparation to set the trap with X2 while X3 covers the ball side wing area. Also, X4 fills and replaces X5’s previous location to protect the basket in the lane.
Example 6
This is an example of the 2-1-2 press defense when X2 and X5 set a primary trap after 2 dribbles across the half court line. Additionally, X1 protects the middle area while X3 covers the ball side wing area and X4 protects the basket.
What are comparable defensive strategies in relation to the 2-1-2 press
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 utilized 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 2-2-1 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.