The Ultimate Guide to Full-Court Press Defense: Tips & Drills

The purpose of a full-court press in basketball is to create pressure, which could lead to either turnovers or teams taking bad shots that are difficult to make. Forcing teams to rush shots or turn the ball over can lead to a faster pace. Teams that employ full-court press defenses typically like to shorten the game or create more possessions, which makes the game higher scoring and faster. To play a full-court press, a team needs to have quick, athletic players who are well-conditioned and trained in the fundamentals of playing “all over the floor.” Below is an explanation of the different types of full-court defenses.

History & Evolution of the Press

John McLendon, a basketball coach at North Central University, Tennessee A & I, and with the Cleveland Pipers, a professional team, are credited with bringing the full-court press to basketball in 1940. McLendon’s basketball philosophy was centered around a fast pace. He believed the game should be entertaining and fun. He wanted his teams to take a shot every 8 seconds and play an aggressive defense that forced teams into turnovers. This new style of defense was copied by coaches from all over the country.

Types of Full-Court Presses

Most teams don’t use a full-court press as their main defense because it’s high-risk, and it takes specific types of players to successfully implement. However, a successful press is exciting to watch and fun for the players to use. Below is a guide for some common full-court press defenses.

• Man-to-Man: A man-to-man full-court press is when each defender is assigned the same player to guard all over the floor. The press starts as soon as the opposing team passes the ball inbounds. Teams that play man-to-man full court often try to wear opponents down by using as many players as possible. Some full-court pressure strategies involve using 2 sets of five players that rotate into the game to keep players fresh.

Cons: Man-to-man full court-pressure is one of the most physically demanding types of defenses a team can play, which can create fatigue. It also can lead to more fouls since players have to guard their opponents for the length of the court.

• 1-2-1-1 Press: Sometimes called the diamond press, a 1-2-1-1 is when you have a player guarding the inbound passer, 2 players positioned on either side of the free throw line, 1 player in the middle front of the half court line, and another player on their opponent’s side of the floor. The player guarding the inbound passer is often the tallest player on the team, making it harder for the inbounder to get the ball into play. The first 4 players in a 1-2-1-1 are lined up in the shape of a diamond. The goal of this press is to make the inbound passer throw the ball into a player that’s in either corner. Once the player receives the ball, they’re often double teamed by 2 of the players in the diamond, or “trapped.” With the trap, players are trying to deflect or steal the basketball or force a bad pass. Teams that employ a 1-2-1-1 must be able to recover quickly if a team passes over the trap effectively.  Passing over the press means that the offensive player gets rid of the ball before a trap is set by throwing a pass above the defenders. 

Cons: It can be hard to learn the various rotations for the defensive players, and good teams can pass over the 1-2-1-1.

• 1-2-2 Press: A 1-2-2 press has the same goals as a 1-2-1-1 press: try to keep the ball out of the middle of the floor, trap defenders in the corners after they catch the ball and make it hard to advance the ball past the half-court line. In a 1-2-2, the first defender lines up on the free throw line, the next 2 are lined up just outside the elbows of the free throw line inside the half court line, and the last 2 players are positioned behind the middle 2 players just outside the half court line. Because it takes more time to get the ball up the floor, a 1-2-2 press can be used to slow down an opposing team’s offense.

   

Cons: You need to have the right mix of athleticism, size, intelligence, and quickness to execute this type of press. It’s also susceptible to easy transition baskets if teams are able to beat them. 

• 2-2-1 Half-Court Press: Creating pressure after a team gets past the half-court line is another type of press. When teams push their base defense to half court, it’s called “extending your defense.” A 2-2-1 press can be an extension of a 2-2-1 zone. For a 2-2-1 half-court press, you typically have 2 guards to meet the ball handler when they cross the half-court line. Their job is to push the ball to either corner. Two forwards are usually outside the 3-point line on either side of the arc, and the center typically protects the basket. Once the ball is passed into a corner, one of the forwards should pop out and double team the person with the ball along with one of the guards. Disrupting the flow of a team’s offense while creating turnovers and deflecting passes is the purpose of a 2-2-1. Because there’s less space to cover, a team that plays 2-2-1 can recover quicker if teams are passing effectively over the press. Often, teams will use a 2-2-1 against teams who have guards who don’t handle the ball well.  

Cons: A team with good guards can dribble through the traps and set up layups or 3-point shots for their teammates.

• 1-3-1 Press: A 1-3-1 press is when there’s 1 player at the free throw line by their opponent’s basket, 3 players that cover the middle of the backcourt, and another player that protects the rim. The lone defender is usually long and athletic, making it easier for them to cover a lot of space. After the ball is passed, the initial defender must force the ball handler to one side of the floor. The initial player in the 1-3-1 and the player whose side the ball is on typically double teams the ball handler. The middle defender often floats around in the center of the court, trying to anticipate where a pass is going.  

Cons: Teams are vulnerable if their opponents are quickly able to get the ball across the half court line. 

Full-court pressure defense is something that teams typically use in strategic situations. If a team is trailing late in the game, it’ll often have to press. Sometimes, teams will spring a press in the middle of a game to change the tempo. In this situation, they’re trying to surprise their opponents. Whether you’re playing high school, college, or professional basketball, it’s a good idea to know at least one different type of press.