Offenses

Fastbreak
Summary In a fastbreak offense the offensive team attempts to quickly push the ball to the other end of the court and score before the defense is able to set up. Pros Can lead to easy baskets, especially against a slower defense. Can wear down the opposing team and provide an advantage late in games. Cons Can lead to more turnovers, requires good stamina and a deep bench.

Triangle
Summary Triangle is a set offense in which 3 players are spaced to form a triangle on one side of the court. Pros Doesn't require great athletes, creates good looks with good passing. Cons Since players in the triangle are interchangeable, can be easy to defend if the offense relies too heavily on 1 or 2 players.

Motion
Summary Motion is an offense with no predetermined sequence of movement by the players or the basketball. Players move freely to open areas of the court which allows for greater flexibility than simply running diagrammed plays. Pros Players work as a team, often results in open shots or layups when the defense gambles. Cons More talented players aren't utilized as much as they could be, requires good ball handlers and passers.

Motion

Summary
Motion is an offense with no predetermined sequence of movement by the players or the basketball. Players move freely to open areas of the court which allows for greater flexibility than simply running diagrammed plays.

Pros
Players work as a team, often results in open shots or layups when the defense gambles.

Cons
More talented players aren't utilized as much as they could be, requires good ball handlers and passers.

Flex
Summary The Flex is a variation of the motion offense in which all five players are interchangeable. The offense is taught to react in specific ways based on the defense. Pros Doesn't require a big presence inside to be effective, allows the offense to spread the floor and use quickness to penetrate to the basket or draw the defense in for open outside shots. Cons Requires good passing, speed and outside shooting.

Flex

Summary
The Flex is a variation of the motion offense in which all five players are interchangeable. The offense is taught to react in specific ways based on the defense.

Pros
Doesn't require a big presence inside to be effective, allows the offense to spread the floor and use quickness to penetrate to the basket or draw the defense in for open outside shots.

Cons
Requires good passing, speed and outside shooting.

Defenses

Man to Man
Summary A man to man defense is exactly what it sounds like - each defender is responsible for guarding a man (not a an area of the court like a zone defense). Pros Good all around defense, tougher to get open 3 pt. shots against. Cons Poor defenders can easily be exploited by a smart coach/team.

Zone (2-3, 3-2)
Summary In a Zone defense, each of player is responsible for guarding a specific area of the court (their zone). The numbers refer to the spacing of defensive players, e.g. in a 2-3 zone there are 2 defenders guarding the perimeter and 3 players guarding inside. Pros A zone defense can be effective at taking away penetration, keeping players out of foul trouble and hiding a bad defender. Additionally, you don't have to be deep to play a zone - since the players are only working when the ball is in their zone, they don't need the stamina needed to play man to man or press. Cons A Zone defense allows many wide open outside shots and can give up a lot of offensive rebounds.

Zone (2-3, 3-2)

Summary
In a Zone defense, each of player is responsible for guarding a specific area of the court (their zone). The numbers refer to the spacing of defensive players, e.g. in a 2-3 zone there are 2 defenders guarding the perimeter and 3 players guarding inside.

Pros
A zone defense can be effective at taking away penetration, keeping players out of foul trouble and hiding a bad defender. Additionally, you don't have to be deep to play a zone - since the players are only working when the ball is in their zone, they don't need the stamina needed to play man to man or press.

Cons
A Zone defense allows many wide open outside shots and can give up a lot of offensive rebounds.

Fullcourt Press
Summary The press is designed to force your opponent into turning the ball over and to create easy scoring opportunities by putting pressure on the ballhandler and attempting to cut off passing lanes. If the offense breaks the initial press, the defense continues to trap even in a half-court set. Pros With the right players, can be very disruptive to an offense creating steals. Wears down the opposing team and can lead to fatigue issues by the end of the game. Cons Requires a deep bench of good athletes with good speed. A poor press will give up lots of easy baskets. On average, pressing teams will be called for more fouls than any other defense.

Fullcourt Press

Summary
The press is designed to force your opponent into turning the ball over and to create easy scoring opportunities by putting pressure on the ballhandler and attempting to cut off passing lanes. If the offense breaks the initial press, the defense continues to trap even in a half-court set.

Pros
With the right players, can be very disruptive to an offense creating steals. Wears down the opposing team and can lead to fatigue issues by the end of the game.

Cons
Requires a deep bench of good athletes with good speed. A poor press will give up lots of easy baskets. On average, pressing teams will be called for more fouls than any other defense.

Halfcourt Press/Man to Man
Summary In this defense, teams will press until the ball crosses half-court and then will setup in a man to man defense. Pros Can lead to easy baskets off steals, doesn't require the stamina or depth to play a full-court press. Cons Requires more depth than traditional man to man. Can lead to easy baskets if a team beats the initial press. Weak defenders can be isolated in your man to man half-court defense.

Halfcourt Press/Man to Man

Summary
In this defense, teams will press until the ball crosses half-court and then will setup in a man to man defense.

Pros
Can lead to easy baskets off steals, doesn't require the stamina or depth to play a full-court press.

Cons
Requires more depth than traditional man to man. Can lead to easy baskets if a team beats the initial press. Weak defenders can be isolated in your man to man half-court defense.

Halfcourt Press/2-3 Zone
Summary In this defense, teams will press until the ball crosses half-court and then will setup in a zone defense. Pros Can lead to easy baskets off steals, doesn't require the stamina or depth to play a full-court press. Allows players to rest in the zone. Cons Can lead to easy baskets if a team beats the initial press. Can lead to many open 3 pt. looks. Tougher to keep the opposition from getting offensive rebounds.

Halfcourt Press/2-3 Zone

Summary
In this defense, teams will press until the ball crosses half-court and then will setup in a zone defense.

Pros
Can lead to easy baskets off steals, doesn't require the stamina or depth to play a full-court press. Allows players to rest in the zone.

Cons
Can lead to easy baskets if a team beats the initial press. Can lead to many open 3 pt. looks. Tougher to keep the opposition from getting offensive rebounds.

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