press
Zone pressure assigns areas and pass responsibilities rather than only individual matchups. Sartini's 1-2-2 has a front defender, two wings and two deeper defenders; its conservative call delays advancement without automatic traps.
One zone press example starts X1 in front, X2 and X3 on the sides, and X4 and X5 deeper. The aim here is to slow the offense. A zone press does not always use traps.
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 5
One front, two sides, two deeper
1 brings the ball up from the far end. X1 guides 1 toward the side. X2 and X3 watch nearby players. X4 and X5 protect against long passes and guard the basket.
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.
This guide’s base purpose is containment and delay. A 1-2-2 shape does not itself require trapping. Trap depth, pressure calls and a switch to man defense are separate versions, with age-group rules checked before use.
X1 works in front; X2 and X3 cover the sides; X4 and X5 protect farther downcourt. Sartini distinguishes a deeper containing press from trapping versions. As the ball advances, the five retreat together rather than leaving the back pair to defend an unchecked attack.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Before a segment, choose something observable: keeping the first advance outside, forcing a harmless return, or entering the half court with all five defenders connected. Do not measure success only by steals. Let the offense pass freely enough to expose poor spacing. When the defense reaches its chosen exit point, require a clear call and a completed half-court possession. Otherwise players learn to celebrate the press formation rather than its effect on the attack.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
When: The nearby wing takes the catch.
Do this: The front defender gets back toward the middle.
Then: The deeper pair protects the next pass instead of charging upward.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
When: A called version changes to man defense.
Do this: Deny the return while teammates take reachable matchups.
Then: Make the call explicit.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Problem: The press forces a useful return, then a defender lunges and opens the middle.
Try this correction: Review the possession at the return pass and identify what the defense already achieved. Score that declared objective separately from a turnover.
Check: Players can stop pressing harder when the original goal has been met.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Problem: An easy catch appears between the groups.
Try this correction: Walk the offense forward and pause before each pass. Ask the back pair whether they can influence the middle receiver without giving up the basket.
Check: Change spacing as a connected group rather than moving only one line.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Changes: setup, coverage.
When to use it: Those additional trapping rotations are written-only here; they are not extra steps in the containment example.
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 guided passers and two defenders in a small area.
Add more when: Players move together without turning their backs for the whole action.
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.
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
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: Builds the front defender’s ball-containment skill only. A zone press may delay without trapping; this drill specifies no numbered formation.
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.
Ken Sartini · Coach's Clipboard · publication date not listed
Public written coaching reference; undated unless specified. No linked paid video reviewed.
