| Basic Shifts | 3 Inline Variation | 1-3-1 Traps | Extending Full Court |
1-3-1 Zone is probably the most versatile zone defense since it is very favorable and conducive to matching up and trapping. In fact, its basic form is the least use. While most zones matchup to the ball, in the 1-3-1 zone, defenders play off and overplay the passing lanes. In playing the passing lanes, it spreads the offense and forces the offense to throw over the defense or extended cross court passes which are vulnerable to interceptions and deflections.
The 1-3-1 zone’s major weakness is defending the corner shots, However, this is misleading since in most cases, the 1-3-1 defense wants to invite corner passes so that they can readily be trapped. Rebounding can be a weakness since a wing defender is the primary weakside defensive rebounder when shots are taken from the wing or corner.
Like on zone defenses the 1-3-1 zone requires active defenders with arms stretched out and all five players moving as a unit on all passes. Off ball defenders must anticipate and “read” the passer’s eyes and motions since most passers telegraph their passes.
With the 1-3-1 zone, defenders can be readily moved around. It is recommended that a strong defensive rebounder be placed on the left wing since most offensive teams are right handed. A quick, agile player should be placed on the baseline since they are always on ball side covering the entire baseline corner to corner. A tall, lanky player can also be placed at the top of the 1-3-1 zone, especially against small offensive guards. Small guards are not used to passing over tall players.
Basic 1-3-1 Zone Shifts
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| Home - Ball in the Middle Defender X1 is on ball, X4 and X2 cover wings, X3 is front of basket and X5 defends the high post area. |
| Ball on Left Wing Defender X4 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, weakside wing X2 drops into the middle, base defender X3 is half way to the corner and X5 assumes a position between ball and the basket. |
| Ball on Right Wing Defender X2 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, weakside wing X4 drops into the middle, base defender X3 is half way to the corner and X5 assumes a position between ball and the basket. |
| Ball in Right Corner Defender X3 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, X2 denies pass back to wing, X4 drops to weakside baseline and X5 assumes a low position between ball and basket. |
| Ball in Left Corner Defender X3 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, X4 denies pass back to wing, X2 drops to weakside baseline and X5 defends low post area. |
1-3-1 Baseline and Point Defenders Shifts
In the 1-2-2 Zone, the two baseline players work in unison as if there is a line tied to them.
| Baseline & Point Shifts |
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1-3-1 Wing Defenders Shifts
In the 1-3-1 Zone the wings work opposite. They are also responsible for weakside rebounding when the ball is in the opposite corner.
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1-3-1 Middle Defender Shifts
The post shifts are very similar to a 2-1-2 zone in that they maintain a position between the ball and the basket preventing any pass into the middle.
| Middle Shifts |
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1-3-1 Adjstments
Weakside Skip Pass Close Outs
When a cross court, skip pass is made out, the weakside wing closes out to the ball, the baseline defender moves to ballside, the middle defender maintains a position between the ball and the basket, and the ballside wing sags off to the weakside elbow.
Exchange Option
If the baseline close out is a problem, then the baseline defender and the middle defender exchange roles with the middle defender going to ballside baseline and the baseline defender assuming the middle position on ballside.
Dribble Penetration Denial
Against the 1-3-1 alignment, it looks like the ball handler can drive the gaps. However, the post is in position to stop dribble penetration. As a result, any dribble penetration will actually end up in a trap.
"Three In a Line" Variation
Three in a line is a 1-3-1 zone that keeps the "Big" around the basket. This compact zone allows a big, intimidating defender to stay around the basket at all times. In order to do this, the wings cover the corner rather than the baseline player. This also keeps the middle defender in line with the ball.
If defending the corner with the wings becomes a problem, the corners can readily be trapped using the wing and middle defenders.
| Home - Ball in the Middle Defender X1, X4, and X5 in line with ball. |
| Ball on Left Wing Defender X3 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, weakside wing X2 drops into the middle, defendesr X4 and X5 assume positions between ball and the basket. |
| Ball on Right Wing Defender X2 is on ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, weakside wing X3 drops into the middle, defenders X4 and X5 assume positions between ball and the basket. |
| Ball in Right Corner Defender X2 drops to baseline, X1 drops to ballside elbow, X3 drops on weakside, defenders X4 and X5 maintain positions between ball and the basket. |
| Ball in Left Corner Defender X3 drops to ball, X1 drops to ballside elbow, X2 drops on weakside, defenders X4 and X5 assume positions between ball and the basket. |
Trapping Out of a One-Three-One Zone
Trapping a ball handler will instantly take a team out of its offensive flow. The 1-3-1 zone player alignment makes it excellent for trapping since the traps incorporate "Primary Trap Zones" (Corners) where two out of bounds lines come into play. Out of bounds lines are tenacious defenders that never make a mistake and defenders should take full advantage of them whenever possible.
Defensive Concepts - Trap Zones
One of the nice features of the 1-3-1 alignment is that the traps can be applied hard or soft (loose). These hard and soft trap optiions can easily be alternated keeping the offensive players off balance.
Defenders should pressure the ball handler, but do not foul. In trapping the player with the ball defenders should never reach, slap, or grap for the ball. Instead, both defenders should trace the ball with both hands, keeping their elbows together to prevent being hit by an errant elbow, forcing the opponent into making a lob or bounce pass.
Double Teaming Fundamentals
The off ball defenders must be alert and anticipate the pass out of the trap. Since the defenders are already in their fast break lanes, they can bust out and capitalize on deflections and interceptions.
Basic Trap Actions
| Trap Top - Right Side Defenders X1 and X3 trap the ball handler, X5 prevents any pass into the high post area. X4 denies the sideline passing lane, and X2 anticipates the pass out of the trap. |
| Trap Top - Left Side Defenders X1 and X2 trap the ball handler, X5 prevents any pass into the high post area. X4 denies the sideline passing lane, and X3 anticipates the pass out of the trap. |
| Right Corner Trap Defenders X3 and X4 trap the ball handler, X5 prevents any pass into the middle. X1 denies pass out of the trap, and X2 drops to weakside baseline. |
| Left Corner Trap Defenders X2 and X4 trap the ball handler, X5 prevents any pass into the middle. X1 denies pass back out of the trap, and X3 drops to baseline. |
1-3-1 Trap Corner Variation
Middle defender traps the ball handler in the corner with the wing. Baseline defender protects the basket.
| Trap Right Corner Wing defender X3 and middle defender X4 trap the ball in the corner. X5 stays near the basket. X1 anticipates pass out of trap, and X2 drops to weakside baseline. |
| Trap Left Corner Wing defender X2 and middle defender X4 trap the ball in the corner. X5 protects the basket. X1 anticipates pass out of trap, and X3 drops to weakside baseline. |
Skip Pass Adjustment
When a cross court skip pass is made along with a quick pass to the corner, the middle and baseline defenders exchange roles with the baseline defender X5 trapping and X4 defending the low post area.
This adjust is also used when deploying the "Three in a Line" compacted 1-3-1 zone variation.
Extending the 1-3-1 Zone
The 1-3-1 zone alignment and double teams allows it to be easily extend into half court or full court pressure.
Quarter Court 1-3-1 Trap
1-3-1 Half Court Press
1-3-1 Full Court Press
