press
One defender starts ahead of two middle defenders and two deeper defenders. Choose where pressure begins and whether to deny, contain or trap.
One original 1-2-2 press example after a free throw: discourage the pass to 1, then contain the new ball handler. The report describes multiple press alignments. Our added man-to-man exit is a CoachAssist choice, not an exact Serbian team play.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 6
1. Make the first pass harder
3 is inbounding from the far baseline. X1 pressures that pass. X2 denies 1, the chosen ball handler. X3 covers the other side; X4 and X5 stay deeper. Here, 3 passes to 2.
Diagram key
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
The FIBA observation concerns Serbia’s post-free-throw 1-2-2 faceguard pressure, not a complete national-team installation. Our numbered return-denial example is original. Wright’s public trap choices below are a separate coaching version.
FIBA’s 2022 women’s report identifies Serbia using 1-2-2 pressure after free throws and faceguarding an important handler to keep the ball away. It does not provide every trap trigger, skip response or recovery assignment. Our five-player sequence supplies one explicitly chosen return-denial example.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Use a front defender, two side defenders and two deeper defenders as the starting role key. Before the inbound, identify the handler whose return you intend to deny and who takes the first receiver. Walk the catch and return attempt, then ask the other three defenders to name the reachable attackers ahead. The example’s later man assignments are our chosen teaching continuation, not an assertion about every Serbian possession.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
After the first pass, let the inbounder step into play immediately. Give the receiver permission to pass back, advance or drive. Ask the denial defender to keep seeing the handler rather than staring into the receiver’s face. Stop when denial exposes a more dangerous pass. Repeat from that exact catch and test the next defensive job before starting again from the baseline. The purpose is to make a useful offensive option difficult, not to ignore all the others.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
When: Wright’s public version uses a fake trap to encourage a pickup.
Do this: Defenders then recover into denial.
Then: A real sideline trap uses different commitment and outlet coverage.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
When: The ball has escaped the first pressure.
Do this: Wright’s summary sends defenders back toward the paint before covering outside threats.
Then: Our diagram uses its own called assignments, not a claimed exact Wright possession.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Problem: A team mixes Serbia’s observed faceguard idea with an unrelated trap and claims a complete source system.
Try this correction: Label the entry, denial target, trap cue and exit separately in the lesson. Leave unverified creator rules unclaimed.
Check: The label tells players which actual jobs change.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Problem: The handler is denied while an unguarded receiver attacks the basket.
Try this correction: Replay the first advance and identify when containment becomes more important than preventing the return.
Check: The chosen exit gives the receiver and basket clear defenders.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Changes: entry, coverage, continuation.
When to use it: Only our selected return-denial sequence is diagrammed here; the Wright alternatives are written-only.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Set it up: Use two attackers, one guided defender and an adult supervisor over a short distance.
Add more when: Players understand that passing does not end an attacker’s role.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
The report describes a 1-2-2 denial press after free throws and another press alignment elsewhere. Our diagram is one 1-2-2 example, not the team’s exact setup or only press.
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices a defender denying a receiver and a passer finding a safe entry. This is a half-court skill game, not the full-court 1-2-2 alignment or its two deeper defenders.
A pressured passer and denied receiver work to enter the ball, then play a controlled two-on-two continuation.
4–12 players · 8–12 minutes · basketballs
A pressured passer and denied receiver work to enter the ball, then play a controlled two-on-two continuation.
Four players: top handler, wing receiver and their defenders, one ball. One group uses the basket; waiting groups remain outside the cutting and landing routes. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Practices staying in front of an advancing ball handler and recovering safely. It supports containment after the first catch, but does not teach the other four defenders’ jobs in a 1-2-2 press.
One defender practices legal influence and recovery against an advancing ball handler.
2–14 players · 5–10 minutes · basketballs
One defender practices legal influence and recovery against an advancing ball handler.
Two players, one ball and one clear lengthwise lane. Mark a stop with room before the wall or basket; one pair is active and others wait outside the route. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
Coaches run this in different ways. The sources below describe the versions covered here. These sources do not cover every possible version.
Deanne Butler, Nelson Isley and Patrick Hunt · FIBA · publication date not listed
Selected text: PDF pp.6,30,34. Overview describes Serbia 1-2-1-1; team section describes post-free-throw 1-2-2. Retain distinction; no copied statistics or exact team geometry.
Ken Sartini · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, featuring Jay Wright · Championship Productions · 2018-04-04
Public written teaching summary reviewed. Paid clinic not reviewed; selected fake-trap, sideline-pressure and retreat distinctions only.
