Andreas Rauh
Andreas Rauh
Published 26 November 2024

1-3-1 Zone Defense - Tight

In the tight 1-3-1 Zone Defense, all the same rules apply except the defense is not trapping AND the players are more tightly packed in during the entire defensive possession.


The main goal is to prevent the ball from entering the zone, and if it does, to quickly collapse on it and force it back outside.

Tight 1-3-1 Zone with the Ball on the Wing
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Instead of setting a trap, we stay tight in the zone making passes difficult.


  • 1 (Chaser) defends the ball and tries to keep it on the same side of the floor - making reversal passes difficult
  • 3 is denying the pass to the corner
  • 5 (Center) covers the high post
  • 2 (Wing) helps defending the rim and is ready to pick off passes to the weak side corner
Defending the Skip Pass
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  • 1 (Chaser) runs to the ball and tries to deny the ball reversal back
  • 2 (Wing) rotates from helping inside to getting back to their spot on the wing (they want to make the swing pass to 3 difficult)
  • 4 (Warrior) runs the baseline and rotates for extra help
  • 3 (Wing) drops diagonally to protect the rim and a pass over the top
  • 5 (Center) covers the high post
Offense Swings the Ball to the Corner
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  • 2 swings the ball to the corner
  • 5 cuts to low block
  • 4 fills the high post
Rotation to Defend the Ball in the Corner
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Defending the Ball in the Corner:

  • 4 (Warrior) takes the ball and prevents it from being driven baseline
  • 2 (Wing) drops for extra help
  • 5 (Center) rotates from the high post to the low post
  • 1 (Chaser) rotates from the top to defend the high post
  • 3 (Wing) reads the best spot for them to be based on where the offense is - this could be rim protection, defending the skip, or providing extra help in the high post
Positioning When Ball is in the Corner
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The main goal is to deny the ball to be thrown or dribbled into the zone. The pass back to the top of the key remains open.

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