Basketball - Zone Defence

Zone defense is a type of defense, used in team sports, which is the alternative to man-to-man defense; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area known as a "zone" to cover.

Reasons to Play Zone - Advantages of a Zone Defense

• Good zones can limit the numbers of fouls you commit. This means you can keep your better players on the floor for a longer period of time. Zone makes it easier to protect players in foul trouble.
• They can allow you to play less athletic players. Promotes aggressiveness in a confined area.
• Flexible - works with quick athletic players and slower less athletic players.
• Generally protects the basket better and a well played zone causes opponents to rush shots (causes impatience by the offense).
• Passing is a lost art. The zone requires good passing and few players possess the passing skills needed to effectively beat a zone.
• There are fewer offenses against the zone, therefore it takes less time for you to prepare defensively.
• Certain players don't have to work as hard in the zone, making fatigue less of an issue.

Disadvantages of a Zone Defense

• Some zone defenses can be more susceptible to the 3-point shot.
• Players are limited in their athletic development and foot coordination in the zone (there is less movement, particularly for players in the back of the zone). You can argue that man to man defense is better for the development of players.
• The offense can take advantages of mis-matches by putting their best player in the "zone area" of the opponents' weakest defender.
• Rebounding from a zone can be more difficult than in man to man defense. It's more difficult to figure out which person to block out when in a zone defense.
• Knowing responsibilities and who should guard the ball can be confusing as the ball is reversed, causing the ball to be uncovered at times. There is always some interpretation up to the players. Where in a man to man, you (in theory) always know who is supposed to be guarding the ball.