In the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, Eric Spoelstra was asked about how the Heat's defense was stifling the Celtics offense.

"Our (defense) is a mindset of doing tough things."

What defense was the question about? Their 2-3 zone.

Good zones are not soft. No good defense is soft.

Does anyone consider the Heat soft? Of course not. They are probably considered the toughest team in the NBA. As soon as someone says "Heat Culture," you know they are referencing toughness.

What is soft is being a coach who's afraid to try something different because it might open them up to criticism.

The Zone Defense Contradiction That Coaches Must Answer

If you did a Family Feud style survey and asked coaches to list words they associate with "Zone Defense," it would be interesting to see the results.

I would be willing to bet that the word "soft" (or some variation) would be on the list.

I have heard countless coaches pledge their allegiance to man-to-man because they find it to be a "tougher" defense.

I'm not sure where this association came from. Perhaps coaches feel it's easier for players to relax in a zone (I've seen plenty of players, mine included, relax in man-to-man as well).

Regardless of where it came from, this stereotype exists. It prevents many coaches from even considering zone defense.

Now imagine another survey. In this one, coaches are asked the following question - "What type of defense would you prefer to play against, man-to-man or zone?"

I would guarantee that man-to-man would be the winner.

Does anyone else see the issue (and, if you're willing to change your mindset, the opportunity) presented by those statements?

Why Zones Are More Effective Now Than Ever Before

Zone defenses have been around forever. However, from my anecdotal experience, I'd say they are less common than they were in the past.

If that's true, that's even more reason you should consider a zone. Just doing something that causes your opponent to have to prepare differently is an advantage for your team.

Further, in the past couple of decades, we've seen a shift towards more of an emphasis on driving as opposed to passing. Zone defenses are designed to shut down driving lanes and exploit bad passing teams.

WATCH here as legendary Coach Al Marshall shares some of the reasons he went to the 2-3 Zone that helped him win over 700 games!

3 Surprising Reasons You Should Play Some Zone

1. It makes your game prep easier - there are only so many things that teams can do against a zone. If you practice defending those handful of actions, you'll be prepared for almost everything you'll see.
   
   That gives you more time to work on skill development and offensive concepts.
2. It allows you to dictate where shots come from - no defense takes away everything. Good zones do take away shots at the rim and free throws.
   
   But what about 3's? Yes, you may give some up - but they'll be ones you're okay with. Because players are moving on the flight of the ball, they will be contested or non-rhythm 3's. Those go in at a much lower rate.
3. It allows you to play your best players more - zones do expend less energy. That doesn't mean players play less hard, just that they move less.
   
   This allows you to keep your best players on the court for longer periods of time. The benefits of that speak for themselves.

The Hidden Mental Advantage of Playing Zone Defense

Maybe you're like most coaches in that you'd rather play against man-to-man. Well, don't let your competitors off the hook.

If they don't like playing against zone, that's all the more reason to play it! Even if your zone isn't great yet, you gain a mental advantage simply by putting your opponent into a negative headspace.

As your zone improves, you combine that mental advantage with the physical one created by a zone that moves as 1 and limits teams to contested jumpers.

The 2-3 Zone That Won 1 Coach 42 Championships

Al Marshall is a coaching legend in Iowa. In his career, he won over 700 games and 42 District & Conference Championships.

Oh yeah, he also led the state of Iowa in points allowed for 7 straight years, including one season allowing 31.9 PPG. To do that, your team has to be tough!

How did Coach Marshall do this? With the 2-3 Zone.

In this video, Coach Marshall systematically covers all areas of the 2-3 zone in a way that allows players to rotate decisively:

• Covering the high post
• Covering the short corner
• Taking away rhythm 3's
• Rebounding out of the zone
• How to guard screens

Are You Tough Enough To Try Something New?

If you're willing to reconsider how you define toughness, Al Marshall's 2-3 Zone may be exactly what you need. It's a versatile 2-3 zone that's designed to force teams to take contested mid-range shots, the least efficient shots in the game.

It's a defense that not only showcases your team's toughness but also makes life tough on your opponent. That's a winning combination!

What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...

Comments Most Likes First   Oldest First   Newest First Tyler Henderson says: 9/28/2024 at 11:48:32 AM Good article Like     login   register

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