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Well, you are reading this just now. But I ain't gonna say you the magic formula to use the 2-3 zone, so if you are hoping this, forget it. Only I gonna do some reflexions about how works and how should works.

First of all, like I think how is the 2-3 in Buzzerbeater:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/17/23variation2.jpg/
Well, at first, we can see that three big men are in low post, while the two guards defend the top of the three point arc. Is know by all that 2-3 zone don't work correctly, but I dont want to enter in this question.
If the 2-3 really work on this way, (please BB confirm what I'm talking about*), we are forgetting something important. The game are based on NBA rules, the 5 (center) MUSTN'T be in his zone more than 3 seconds without no one to be defended (NBA rule about defensive 3 seconds violation).

If the defensive 2-3 tactic takes into account the rule of defensive 3 seconds, the 5 (center) will go for the court like a dizzy duck!!! Becouse is illegal to be in his marked position on court. Crazy true? XDD

At second, how the 2-3 zone should work in my oppinion:
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/831/23variation1.jpg...
I like more the name 2-1-2, but... its really a 2-3 (adapted to the 3s rule).
I explain why is better than the first system:

1.- I read in other threads where Mark talk about the importance of the defense of the line of inside pass. How the players defend the pass line? With outside defense. So take the 3 (SF) in this position on the FT line, because the 3 (SF) normally have more OD than 4 (PF) or 5 (C). See the graphic: (try to not be cruel, I'm not graphic designer ;-) )
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/811/23passline.jpg/

2.- To defense good inside, we should make stronger than rival. How? With defense helps. Who? The 3 (SF) again. How? Making 2vs1 defense when the the Forwards drive inside from the wing. See graphic: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/232vs1inlp.jpg/

3.- And if the Guard try to drive inside from de top of the three point arc? No problem XDD. Again the PF makes a 2 vs 1 defense, in this case with the help of our guards. See graphic: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/844/23pg.jpg/

4.- And finaly, I'm sure that you are thinking "hey, what happens with inside shots from the zone?". If all works rigth, again, again should be a 2vs1 in defense, this time, the PF and the C defense the inside shot. And probably the arrive of the SF helps to corral the missed shot. See graphic: http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/23is.jpg/

5.- Inconvenients: we go to lose a lot of outside defense, a lot! I see this "tactic" like a extremly inside defense, like a "inside 1-3-1". Or we can see that like a alternative way to correct the actual 2-3 zone.

* Remember that I'm just talking about my sensations, there isn't official explanations, I'm not sure about all I said it's right.
Greetings for all!

Last edited by Coach Jorking at 12/18/2011 6:40:54 AM

Interesting post...
When I played 2-3 I'll remember...

also in fiba rules there ain#t three big men standing around, and od is important for the big since they had to defend the mid range jumpers quite often already.

Yes, that's true, but i'm not talking about that. Only I try to explain that it would be better if the guy of the middle goes for the FT line and the other 2 big men goes nearly the hoop. Like the second graphic. In other words: change the tactic engine XDDD or test changing the SF and C defensive positions. Greetings.

never loked that close where my sf and the c was defending, but could also imagine a high rotation in the zones implemented.

Don't think that the c just stands there, and at least charles comment go to a lot help defence in it which need blocking here and would be your double teams.

never loked that close where my sf and the c was defending, but could also imagine a high rotation in the zones implemented.

Don't think that the c just stands there, and at least charles comment go to a lot help defence in it which need blocking here and would be your double teams.

The C don't stands there all time because it's illegal! XDDD crazy defensive 3 seconds violation, you know.
So the C does all work, cutting inside pass line (needs OD), help defense for mid-range shots (need shot blocking), and of course, needs awesome inside defense... Only few players in BB can do this at same time.

the thread start make the thesis that the c just do it currently, i never looked so much for it. Also i don't think he primary defends the high post.

Not really watch out so much for it, but i remember him defending midrange jumpers quite often(not sure if central or baseline).

Last edited by CrazyEye at 12/20/2011 7:28:40 AM

the thread start make the thesis that the c just do it currently, i never looked so much for it. Also i don't think he primary defends the high post.

Not really watch out so much for it, but i remember him defending midrange jumpers quite often(not sure if central or baseline).

Really, I'm being too much emphatic than how I wanna be with this theme. I don't really use the 2-3 because don't work correctly, or it's to much difficult to use properly than the 3-2 for example. Only try to be open-mind because this theme is "trending topic" in BB forums since much time ago... and I only suggest the implementation of a new tactic or the correct of old 2-3. In all cases, thanks for read and write. Greetings.

for me it had work, and i doesn't have those blocking moster but quite nice OD at the bigs, which might be the other key then blocking for it(i even think OD is quite good for big also in man to man).

The downside of this tactic is, that it is definately not working when the opposition isn't playing inside while a 3-2 Zone isn't good against an inside attack but at least didn't screw you.

Syracuse 2-3 Zone.

(one side) SF pops out to defend perimeter when needed.

(other side) PF stays closer to basket, G slides to wing when necessary. other G and SF rotate over and out.

(middle) C protects basket.