Basketball's 1-2-2 Defense

A zone defense is a great way to change the tempo of any competitive battle. There are many variations of the zone defense with obvious advantage and disadvantages. The 1-2-2 zone is a great fit for a tempo controlling defense which allows for calculated trapping zones and provides for little risk while balancing out high rewards. What are some advantages of the 1-2-2 zone defense?

• takes advantage of teams who lack conditioning


• disrupts the offensive flow


• risk is minimized with high reward


• adaptable to any offensive attack


• easy to teach and easy to learn


• players enjoy running it

Coach Mac is well regarded as a leading contributor to basketball X's and O's on the web. Since 2006, Coach Mac has produced hundreds of basketball plays, drills, and clinic note resources for the basketball coach. One such release was the "Commander" 1-2-2 zone defensive package. The commander defense takes the basic slides of the 1-2-2 defense and uses them to create chaos for any offensive system. Traps, challenging slides, and unscoutable maneuvers highlight this downloadable playbook. Visit Coach Mac's and see for yourself what 100's before you already have.

The Commander 1-2-2 Defense

Coach's Membership Club

with Joanne P. McCallie,
Duke University Head Women's Basketball Coach,
2005 AP Coach of the Year,
11 NCAA Appearances, 2005 NCAA Runner-Up at Michigan State

Attack from all areas on the court!

Join Duke Women's Basketball Coach Joanne P. McCallie as she leads you through principles and responsibilities of the 1-2-2 Match-Up Zone Defense. Coach McCallie's on-court demonstration includes pass rules, dribble rules, rules vs. cutters, rules vs. a two-guard front, rules vs. the Pick and Pop and rules against two high posts for both of these attacking defenses.

Coach McCallie opens by explaining the four principles that your defensive scheme must follow if you want to be successful. Breaking down the 1-2-2 Match-Up, McCallie emphasizes that you must disrupt the ball, eliminate passing lanes and place pressure on the offense.

In addition to explaining these principles, McCallie demonstrates on the court where defenders must be in each situation. McCallie finishes out by providing two pressing drills that you can use to help your team build the pressure on your opponent to force turnovers and bad shots.

With this video you will be able to create a tough defense that will keep opponents guessing and change the tempo of the game.

Joanne McCallie: 1-2-2 Match-Up Zone Defense - Basketball -- Coach Mac's Video Recommendation.