Coach ,

The 1-3-1 zone defense in basketball is a fantastic change of pace to keep an opposing offense on edge during a game. 

When implemented correctly, the 1-3-1 zone defense can be a versatile and effective strategy. And since there’s a slim difference between a good and great 1-3-1 zone, we’ve taken three vital lessons from three basketball coaches who have seen success with the zone to help you improve your own team’s zone abilities. 

Bryan Gates - You Have to Have a Man

Bryan Gates - You Have to Have a Man

In 2023, Bryan Gates became an Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. His professional coaching career has spanned 30 seasons. 

Coach Gates’ ‘Zone Defense Concepts’ clinic details why each defensive player in a zone, “In my opinion, [has] to have a man.” 

What he means by this is that each player should always have awareness of where the offensive players are on the court, and which one of them is closest and the biggest threat to their zone responsibility. 

This is especially important when knowing which player each defender needs to close out to in the case of them taking a jump shot, and which player each defender needs to box out when a shot goes up. 

Ronnie Hamilton - Vs. High Post or Weak Side Flash

Ronnie Hamilton - Vs. High Post or Weak Side Flash

Ronnie Hamilton enters his first season at the University of Louisville as an assistant coach in 2024-25. Hamilton arrives at Louisville after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at LSU.

Coach Hamilton’s ‘The Complete Guide to the 1-3-1 Defense’ course discusses that when the offense is dribbling up the court and a post player flashes up to the elbow or the free throw line, it’s up to the middle defender to get in the passing lane and stop that entry pass from occurring.

This is because the 1-3-1 defense will be higher up than it usually is before the offense gets into their half-court, with the three wide defenders all around the perimeter. 

If the ball is passed to a wing defender in this position, it’s the middle man’s job to sprint down to the opposite block to ensure that a pass isn’t made to the weak side wing (because the deepest defender will be closing out), who would likely be flashing to the block. 

Frank Fogg - Cut Throat Drill

Frank Fogg - Cut Throat Drill

Coach Frank Fogg, with 10-plus years of coaching experience, loves to share his championship-winning knowledge.

Coach Fogg’s ‘The 1-3-1 Defensive System’ course discloses a ‘Cut Throat’ drill that starts with three teams of five (or four teams of four depending on your roster) on one-half court and two balls. One team will be on offense, one on defense, and another at half court. If the team on offense scores then the defense goes off and if the defense gets a stop then the offense goes off. 

The teaching points here are that switching players so often will force the defense to adapt and get used to communicating and working with teammates while emphasizing effectiveness and execution. 

Never get out coached,

Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches