Concepts & Plays Versus A Triangle-And-2 Defense | Attacking Junk Defense
What happens when your opponent breaks out a Triangle-And-2 against you? For many teams, confusion reigns.
Players look at the coach, unsure of what to do. Coaches scramble for a solution to a defense they haven’t prepared for.
Junk defenses can be tricky. They are part man, part zone. They are designed to shut down your 2 best players.
So what should you do? Keep calm and read on!
What Is A Triangle-And-2 Defense?
The Triangle-and-2 defense consists of three defenders playing a zone (forming a triangle) while the remaining two defenders play man-to-man defense against the opponent’s two primary scorers. Here are the fundamental rules:
-
Three Defenders in a Triangle Zone:
2 players (x4 & x5) position themselves at the blocks (typically your strongest post defenders).
1 defender positions themself near the free-throw line extended or at the elbows. This is usually a quicker guard
These three players work together to protect the paint, contest drives, and rebound effectively. No basket should be scored from the interior of the triangle.
-
Two Defenders in Man-to-Man:
These two defenders are assigned to the opposing team’s top two scorers.
Their role is to deny passes, contest shots, and prevent their assignments from getting open looks.
They have no help responsibilities.
Why would your opponent play a Triangle-And-2 against you? If your opponent is playing that, it means they think you have 2 players really capable of hurting them.
The Triangle-And-2 can also mentally affect your team. The players being chased often react in 1 of 2 ways:
They get frustrated and disengage
They get frustrated and start to force the action
The players not being guarded often react 1 or 2 ways as well:
They start taking shots they aren’t proficient at (what the defense wants them to do)
They get really tentative and lose confidence
If you don’t have a plan for how to attack a Triangle-And-2, it can be the difference in winning and losing a big game.
So, what should you do?
4 Options For Attacking A Triangle-And-2 Defense
When it comes to attacking junk defenses, you have options:
-
Run your normal man to man offense - junk defenses are intended to make your players hesitant. One way to prevent this is to run your normal offense against it. While your offense may be designed to work against man to man, there should be actions that work against a triangle as well.
If you choose this route, devote some practice time to running your offense against a Triangle-And-2. There might be some slight tweaks you would use against a junk defense. For instance, instead of basket cutting, you might have players pause in the center of the triangle for a second, since that area is vulnerable.
-
Run your zone offense & attack soft spots - a second option is to run your zone offense.
Most zone offenses attack 2 areas - the high post and short corner. While the hi post is covered when the ball is up top, it becomes exposed when the ball is off center.
Likewise, when one of the bottom triangle defenders has to move out to guard the ball, it opens up the short corner.
-
Run plays or a special offense - if you know you are going to see junk defense, it might be worth your time to work on some specific actions to generate great shots against it. If you can do so a couple times, many teams will come out of it.
These could be plays (see below) or continuity actions. Plays could be designed to free up your star players. Often these are on ball actions like hand offs or ball screens, as they can create confusion between the chaser and the players in the triangle. Another option are flare screens for your stars, as they take them away from the triangle towards open space.
Or, you could use your star players as a screener. Using them as a screener can be particularly effective since their defender has been told not to help.
-
Play 3v3 - a third option is to play 3v3. Have your star player stand off towards half court or away from the action. Defending 3v3 is much harder than defending 5v5. Your other 3 players now have more room to attack.
The downside of this strategy is that you are removing your best offensive player from your offensive attack, which is the goal of the Triangle-And-2.
3 Vulnerabilities Of A Triangle-And-2 Defense
As with any defense, the Triangle-And-2 has weaknesses. Here are 3:
-
Elbow areas - because 1 player has to guard the entire top area, you can use quick ball movement to create areas to attack. If you use a 2 guard front, encourage players to attack on the catch to get into the paint before the top defender can rotate.
-
Interior screens - 2 players are responsible for the entire baseline. When you get the ball to 1 side, screening the opposite bottom defender can create openings right at the rim.
-
Slip screens for the stars - a Triangle-And-2 is designed with 1 primary purpose - to limit your star players. Thus, the defense will be extremely focused on screening actions for your star players.
In this scenario, 1 down screens for one of the stars, player 2. X5 shades out to help x2 as they fight through the screen and recover to the star.
This opens up a slip opportunity for player 1.
3 Highly Effective Plays Against A Triangle & 2
Triangle
To start, you match up with the triangle.
Your star players (2 & 3) remove themselves from the play.
Your point guard (1) dribbles to an elbow, drawing x1 with them.
-
The opposite forward (4), flashes up to the open elbow area (this maybe a good shot for them, if open).
1 cuts right through the middle of the triangle. 4 looks to pass to 1 for a layup.
-
5 flashes up to the elbow area.
-
Triangle can continue to be run as a continuity until a good shot appears.
A post seal and hi-lo is another option.
After 1 cuts, they seal x4 at the rim. After the elbow to elbow pass, 5 looks inside to 1 for a hi-lo pass.
Cross
This play starts with the ball with one of your stars (1)
The other players stack on the blocks.
1 dribbles at the wing on the same side as the other star (2).
5 & 2 set a couple screen on x4 & x2.
4 comes off the double screen and receives a pass on the baseline. This could be a good shot for 4 if they are a capable shooter.
2 clears out to the opposite wing, taking their defender (x2) with them.
As x4 moves out to cover 4, 5 runs across the paint and sets a cross screen on x5.
3 uses this screen and cuts to the rim.
5 seals back to the mid post after screening.
4 looks to enter the ball to either 3 or 5 at the rim.
If you’re worried that x3 might drop down to help, you can have 2 screen x3 on their way to the opposite wing.
14 High
This play works well if one of your stars is your point guard (1).
They bring the ball down, while the other 4 players position themselves along the free throw line.
1 enters the ball to the left elbow (4). 5 & 3 set a double flare screen for 1.
4 skips the pass to 1. If 1 is open, they should shoot.
If x4 cheats out to help on 1, 4 should look at 3 diving after their screen.
On the pass to 1, players 2, 3, & 4 run towards the blocks.
If 1 can’t shoot, 5 turns and sets a ball screen for 1.
2 & 4 sets double screens on x2 & x5.
3 runs off the screens to the opposite wing. 1 hits 3 with a pass.
2 runs across and sets a cross screen on x4. This is effective because 2’s defender will not help.
5 cuts to the basket.
4 flashes to the mid post.
3 enters the ball to 4 or 5, based on how the defense covers the screen.
It’s A Gimmick For A Reason
There’s a reason teams don’t play Triangle-And-2 as their primary defense - because it has too many weaknesses.
Its effectiveness comes from its ability to catch teams off guard and create uncertainty.
Use the principles and plays above to prevent that from happening to you. If you do so, your opponent's defense will truly be “junk!”
|
|||
Facebook (145k Followers)
YouTube (152k Subscribers)
Twitter (33k Followers)
Q&A Forum
Podcasts