Zone defenses are soft! How many of you have heard that before?

If you’ve coached long enough, you’ve heard some version of that. Heck, in researching this article, I came across a blog that called a zone “cowardly”! 

When I hear soft, I think of a passive defense. Certainly not one that creates turnovers.

And that’s where the “soft” crowd gets it wrong. Coach Mike Tartara, creator of The Lockdown 2-3 Defense, switched to his 2-3 zone defene five seasons ago. Since then, his program has set records for the steals in a season.

Think that’s a high school anomaly? Think again. Coach Tartara bases his 2-3 zone on the defense that Merrimack College runs.

In the 2025 season, Merrimack ranked 11th (out of 364) teams in Division I Men’s Basketball in forcing turnovers. When adjusting for pace of play, they were 4th in opponents’ turnover percentage.

Think that’s a fluke? In 2024, they ranked 5th in opponents’ turnover percentage. And, in 2023, they were #1!

The numbers don’t lie! To see more of how Coach Tartara’s principles cause turnovers at the D1 level, check out this video:

3 Reasons The 2-3 Zone Creates Chaos

So what is it about the 2-3 that leads to creating turnovers?

1. It forces teams to pass.

   If you ask basketball coaches to name a neglected skill, passing would be at the top of the list. It makes sense. In today’s trainer culture, players work almost exclusively on shooting, finishing, and dribbling.

   Those are all vital skills. But in a 5v5 setting, it's passing. Very few players are skilled passers.

   Zone defenses prey on that. They take advantage of bad passing teams to create deflections and steal.

2. It puts less skilled players in decision-making spots.

   Where do most teams try to get the ball against a 2-3? The high post and short corner.

   Which offensive players are usually positioned there? Less skilled bigs.

   The 2-3 tricks offenses into thinking they have an advantage. In fact, the defense feasts on unskilled players being forced to make decisions.

3. It allows you to anticipate what the offense will do more easily.

   As Coach Tartara points out, there are only so many zone offenses. That means you can get really good at guarding the handful of tactics you will see.

   As your team gets proficient at guarding them, they will start to anticipate what the offense is going to do.

   That split-second head start results in steals and easy buckets for your team.

Think The 2-3 Zone Defense Is Soft? Think Again!

Do you prefer coaching man-to-man or zone defense? Most coaches feel more confident coaching against man. That should tell you something!

What it tells me is that zone defenses aren’t soft. They are hard to play against.

If you’re ready to frustrate your opponents and turn their bad decisions into easy baskets, check out The Lockdown 2-3 Zone With Mike Tartara.

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