Price isn’t inept at leading the defense, just ignorant. Your man is wide-open or 2. ... Louisville’s defense played well. This team will get better this season and since it doesn’t seem that great shooters are just going to fall from the sky to save us, it’s going to start on the defensive end. Coaching the 1:2:2 Match-Up Zone provides a comprehensive overview of the core principles and fundamentals involved in the 1:2:2 match-up zone defense, which combines the basic elements of man-to-man defense on the ball with zone defense away from the ball. The zone away from the ball resembles man-to-man "helpside" defense. This forces teams to have to utilize big men to inbound the ball—if they can get the ball in at all. An influx of talented, lightning-quick guards like Tahlik Chavez and Ryan Myers fit exactly the type of aggressive defenders Pitino loves to sic on opposing ballhandlers. The 2018 NCAA basketball tournament has been one for the ages, giving college basketball fans monumental upsets and amazing come-from-behind victories. The D starts off in a 2-3 zone, but has certain triggers that cause it to switch to man-to-man. Who cares about bravery, or whatever? As a result, expect Pitino to adapt his system to fit his player if need be, but if we know one thing about the Hall-of-Fame coach, he loves to turn up the pressure. The Match-up zone defense combines both person-to-person and zone coverage. With that said, expect Iona to be an attack-minded defense that looks to force turnovers wherever and whenever they can. This match-up zone defense will help develop your player’s communication, stop great scorers, great scoring teams, employ man defense principles, and be difficult to scout. Furthermore, if the zone starts to break down, it’s not impossible to call for a switch to man-to-man mid-possession. Pitino said the Cardinals used both a matchup zone and a switching man-to-man defense. Card Chronicle, a Louisville Cardinals community, By Remote Cardinal Pitino’s system is complex in the respect that it requires repetition in practice to understand. Young men are taught that the zone defense is gimmicky and is … Ultimate Matchup Zone Playbook. Now, what I'm about to go into is very likely me on my assent of Mount Stupid, but I'm going to go ahead and post anyway. Third, the match-up zone defense can be used to start the fast break. Some match up zones look more like a typical zone, where others look closer to a man to man defense. Just like how it’s easier to rebound defensively in man-to-man D versus a zone D, so it goes with securing a blocked shot. He knows he’s good. Wing Passes To Top. Seeing the proper execution and how effective it is valuable to understanding and changing the behavior of new players on defense. Louisville basketball has a chance to prove it can overcome a zone defense and get a resume-building win in Wednesday's road battle at Syracuse. * You are playing against a high volume of post-up teams and penetration teams. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. With our offensive woes this season, we are a (with the exception of Russ) a completely defense-driven team. The last scheme/concept we’re looking at is like a scaled-back version of the above clip. One of the ways he applies full-court pressure is by denying the catch on the inbounds. If each defender doesn’t select the correct man to switch to, most notably the side of the zone that is opposite of the double team, it will result in an either an easy basket (if the top of the zone makes the error) or a wide open three (if the bottom of the zone makes the error) for the other team. Most recently, in the last 2-3 years, Pitino has developed a match-up zone defense in the half-court that many of you are familiar with. Traditionally it has worked out better for Pitino to take his lumps in January in order to be successful in February. A Match-up Zone can cause problems for offenses finding ways to score. Description. Gregg Marshall used this defense to get Wichita State to the Final Four and almost to the National Championship game. The "Cut and Double" is an absolute classic and Pitino pioneered it. This is (one of technical on-the-court reasons) why Providence lit us up from outside. I have watched more than 100 hours of footage on the Temple Match-up Zone Defense. Light pressure in the backcourt from one of the guards slows down the offen… A defender is put on the inbounder and he’s there to help double team and trap when necessary. DIAGRAM 1: 2-3 Match-up zone defense vs. 1-2-2 offense. Essentially it’s predicated on limiting transition points, forcing turnovers, neutralizing any sort of interior offense and daring teams to … It’s like a boxer in a title fight feeling out his opponent early, but once Pitino feels out the other team, he’ll pounce. You allow the ball-handler to beat his defender on the dribble and now you have an undefended player speed-dribbling toward the basket. Price doesn’t have the experience yet to run this defense. The Center communicates the switch and the players are … In this case, bottom middle of the 2-3 (usually the center) calls the switch and the defense marks everyone but the guy standing in the shadow of the double team straight up. The Center communicates the switch and the players are supposed to wait for the call to make the switch. Attacking it is 80% mental. 1 passes to 3. x4 takes away shot (hands high!) Basketball's Lock-Down Ball Matchup Zone, 3rd Edition: A System of Defense Designed to Shut Down Dribble Penetration, Ball Screens, Post Play, and Contest Three-Point Shots Ron Siliko 4.0 out of 5 stars 1 In most cases, they ran a 2-2-1 sideline matchup press. What about Pitino's "System" is so complex? To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Pitino moving Kuric to the PF spot is often credited as being the difference maker in that game offensively, but it also had a big impact on the defensive end as well. Light pressure in the backcourt from one of the guards slows down the offense just a bit. For whatever reason, man-to-man is considered the more courageous way of defending. You will understand how to “match-up” and cause confusion for the offense with a defense that conforms to their formations. It wasn’t until later in the second half that the Cardinals began favoring a different kind of full-court press—trapping in the corners. When Gorgui isn’t in the game, we aren’t very good at communicating or timing the switch. by Coach Scott Peterman. Repetition is key to mastering the defense and even missing a week can cause players to be rusty in their decision making, lowering the efficiency of our defense. Of the various things John Chaney has brought to the Temple basketball program, the x-factor has been his notorious matchup zone defense. However, as a guy who is daily trying to tame an ego, let me tell you that nobody is more embarrassed internally about the performance of this team than Pitino. DIAGRAM 3: 2-3 match-up zone vs. 1-3-1 offense. Few coaches can adapt and change a gameplan quite like Pitino but expect the new Iona basketball coach to favor a 2-3 matchup zone in the halfcourt and different variations of full-court man-to-man pressure. Success is dependent on smart, knowledgable players and communication. In other words, 22nd-ranked Louisville (6-1) may not rely so much on Pitino's patented 2-3 matchup zone, a scheme built on coordinated chaos that … Like many rich guys who got rich because they are also smart guys, he’s got an ego. This match-up zone defense will help develop your player’s communication, stop great scorers, great scoring teams, employ man defense principles, and be difficult to scout. So, a quick review of those questions, also a TLDR; version of the above: Simply, Rick Pitino’s system is a defense driven system in which a full-court match up press is utilized in conjunction with an unique match-up zone defense designed to confuse the opposing team’s offense via switching, control tempo and disrupt flow via steals and deflections. First, assume a 2-3 defensive alignment. * You are playing your second night of a back to back. Today, there are press-breaks designed to make it specifically look like the dribbler is going to fall into this trap, but actually break the trap. This came after a lot of other teams started adopting his version, most notably the early 90's Arkansas teams under Nolan Richardson. It’s altogether just a pleasant physical, sensual and mental experience. It’s much more than that. He’s often said to not be an X’s and O’s coach, but that is definitely not true on defense. He has continually, throughout his career, been the trend-setter through innovation and making adjustments and improvements to his defensive schemes. After all, he’s not going to have the same type of talent he was able to recruit at Kentucky and Louisville. Clemson defense must own matchup advantages in red zone. It was all about denying the ball to enter your zone. This match-up zone is the ultimate match-up zone defense because it deals with every scenario when it comes to a ball screen and all the different pick and rolls. Neither typically turn out very well as you might imagine. I think it’s the combination of the bitter elements of the chocolate and the sweetness of the fruit together all compounded behind the endorphin releasing smell and guilt-shedding excuse of eating healthy anti-oxidants. Perhaps instead of saying "defense is the problem", Coach Pitino should start saying that "defense is the solution. Pitino favors a 2-3 matchup zone, but it’s not the kind of zone defense you’ll see at a CYO game on Sunday. I'll guarantee that move alone accounts for at least 100 steals in Pitino's Louisville tenure and for more than 10 dunks by T-will alone. Coach Marshall teaches the whole to part method when he implements this zone defense. I'm simply going to discuss how Rick Pitino's defenses have changed over the years and in doing so, perhaps give some of you some insight into the answers to the questions above. Each player must use man-to-man defense, area defense, and help defense. Pitino is a master on defense. Zone defense gets a bad rap. Pitino's early zone press was different enough with players going all-out for the steal in that they didn't respond the way traditional zone presses did, so they got a lot of steals. To put it bluntly, Buckles wasn’t good at the center spot in this defense. Wichita State went the first 25 minutes of the game without a turnover. It’s tough to make any 100% perfect predictions in regards to the scheme and style Pitino is going to bring to Iona basketball. Although most zones eventually end up in a match up, the true match-up zone is unique in that it utilizes a series of defensive … We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. This is also why Pitino continues to say that Gorgui is our most important player and he wants 35+ minutes out of him. Each man has area responsibility and man responsibility. Early this season, Chane was offender #1 for allowing open threes by opposing teams for not picking up the right man during this switch. Length: 224 pages. Also includes definitions, match-up hybrids, fundamentals and drills, adjustments and pressure from the match-ups, trapping, stunting, … When we switched to other traditional half-court sets, teams beat us with skill because our team isn’t as skilled at a traditional 2-3 zone. 4. The man is as important as the ball. With that said, he’s one of the all-time great coaches during halftime. In contrast with their inability to get stops late in the game against Louisville, this Blue Devil defense is much-improved now, with the Virginia matchup being a … In the first half of the 2013 Final Four, Pitino’s Louisville team denied the catch on the inbounds for much of the first half. Aggressive, active, and adaptable. His ability to adjust to what’s in front of him is perhaps his best quality as a coach. When the ball goes into a trap zone (corners, along baseline/sideline, etc.) The on-ball defender closes out and plays tight to his opponent, using the same principles as a good man-to-man defense. DIAGRAM 5: 1-2-2 match-up zone vs. 2-1-2 offense. It’s much more than that. DIAGRAM 2: 2-3 match-up zone vs. 1-2-2 offense (with assignments). He talks about why you show run this match-up zone defense and it’s advantages. Pitino’s biggest compliment from coaches at the next level about his players always includes that they know how to play defense. x5 slides over to take away any passes to the post and help on baseline drive. If you don't understand the system or make slow or bad decisions, you will cause baskets for the other team. ... Matchup: Louisville. I am, by no means, an expert of the X's and O's of basketball. Nobody else, other than a recent Pitino disciple that is now a head coach, does it in this unique way. Either Gorgui’s ability to stay on the floor 35+ mins a game and/or Price’s ability to absorb and adequately lead the defense in reserve is very likely the most important key to the rest of the season. Actually, he has this season. Pitino favors a 2-3 matchup zone, but it’s not the kind of zone defense you’ll see at a CYO game on Sunday. This match-up zone is the ultimate match-up zone defense because it deals with every scenario when it comes to a ball screen and all the different pick and rolls. One of the best parts of a Pitino zone defense is that it can quickly turn into a trap on the baseline or a double just past halfcourt. In a Match Up zone, offensive alignments never split defenders, overloads are easier to defend, and opponents have a tendency to get confused. Even the best zone defense is vulnerable to great outside shooting, and Florida has hit .395 from beyond the arc as a team this season. Here are some favorable zone defense situations: * Man to Man Matchup problems * 2 non-shooters who are both small. 109. 2. Coach Pecora takes a lot of the techniques that Louisville and Syracuse use to create a hybrid 2-3 Match-up Zone defensive system that is different than any other zone in basketball today. It requires a quick athlete and good timing and if it fails, it usually ends up in an open 3-point shot or layup for the other team. Correct execution doesn’t always result in a turnover (even though it significantly increases it), but poor execution often leads to open shots for the other team. Additionally, our deny presses are "81" (full-court deny) and "61" (3/4 court deny). Why does dark chocolate covered fruit taste so damn good. Teams who can’t get a quality shot against our match-up zone can often get a quality shot against our 2-3. At times, Pitino’s teams will apply this light pressure before dropping back into their 2-3 matchup zone. Second, match the offensive alignment by rotating clockwise. I know UofL is way ahead in the points for/against by teaching and executing this move. Match-up zone is a combination defense, combining elements of man-to-man defense (on ball), and zone defense (away from the ball). The on-ball defender closes-out and plays tight like in man-to-man. One of the easiest ways to trigger the switch is passing the ball into the low-post area that causes one of the edges of the bottom of the 2-3 to collapse. 3. You must use both man to man and zone defensive principles. Match up is a zone with man to man principles. Because the match-up defense is not a straight zone defense, it becomes difficult to prepare for because not many coaches know the movements of the defensive players in the match-up defense. The likelihood of zone being played greatly diminishes as the quality of the players increases and vice versa. Our 12 points of an effective Match-Up Zone Defense 1. Finally, I’ll leave you with some personal thoughts on Pitino’s Defensive System. For whatever reason, man-to-man is considered the more courageous way of defending. Injuries and limited practice time with players experienced in the system compound the problem of a steeper learning curve. What I really wanted to show in the video is that when you run a … He’s already racking up commitments from recruits who will presumably fit his aggressive style of defense. We have a lot to look forward to as these young interior players grow. A standard half-court defense would be your "20" defense. This instantly makes the traditional zone beating offensive scheme less effective and you typically have a big man trying to pass out of a double team to people that are being guarded man-to-man. Why can't Pitino just dumb his system down a little bit? Over the years, Pitino's zone press was figured out with specific press-breaks designed for it. Most of the time when he calls for that switch and blocks the shot, we secure the block and when he doesn’t, we do not secure the block. This is why ND’s burn offense hurt us so badly. He uses a very simplistic approach to stopping and keeping pressure on the ball, moving on the pass, and closing out - all with a five-man rebounding mentality. A match up zone is based on rules, which can differ from coach to coach. It has not and will not benefit us to change our defensive style. This post is in response to a lot of fans on this site who have asked two or more of the following questions: First, a disclaimer. You see this move performed regularly by nearly every pressing team and coaches and fans alike hate their PG when they fall into this now classic trap. The Cardinals are second in the ACC in rebounding margin at +6.1. Once the ball-handler crosses mid-court, another defender, who has stayed even with the ball and in the shadow of the primary defender during the dribble up, cuts over and double-teams the ball-handler providing effectively 4 defenders (2 players, mid-line and side line). Our "80" match-up press may be setup in a 1-Up, 2-Up, 3-Up, or 4-Up alignment depending on how the offense is positioned in their press-breaker. x3 protects the basket. The superior athletic ability of our freshmen compared to our competition covers a lot of their mistakes early on, but when it gets to the meat of the season and athletic ability is even or possibly at a disadvantage at times, only proper execution will suffice. and forces ball to sideline or corner. Watch hall Louisville sends the double team as soon as Duke’s Quinn Cook turns his back on the defense with a spin move. A complete coaching guide to the match-up zone shown from three major zone formations: The 1-3-1, the 2-1-2, and the 1-2-2 with detailed information on the coverage rule, cutter's rule and basic continuities for each of these three formations. (Check the timing of this change with the first "defense is the problem" statement if you want your mind to be blown.) Although Tim Cluess built Iona basketball up to become a perennial contender in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Rick Pitino is here to take the program to the next level. Coaches would try to execute traditional zone press breaks and would turn the ball over because Pitino's press didn't react the same way a normal zone-press would. The defender works the ballhandler a little bit, but turnovers aren’t necessarily the goal. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Lastly, I just want to comment that even though there are legitimate gripes going around with how this season has progressed, I still think Coach Pitino is a great coach. Why does chocolate covered fruit taste so damn good? We are going to run the offense that we want to run and act rather than react. Gorgui shouldn’t play 35+ mins because that will take away some of his aggression and mean Gorgui is the Gorgui we want out there. There are defensive sets that fake this trap only to force a different trapping scenario. Who cares about bravery, or whatever? The most famous of these double teams is known as the "Cut and Double" where the ball defender forces his man to speed up the dribble and to the sideline. on Jan 18, 2012, 8:00pm EST Unlike a traditional 2-3 zone, most HS coaches choose not to implement a match-up press because they do not have enough quality athletes to run it effectively, nor is the risk/reward trade-off beneficial with the amount of mistakes that HS players make. The match-up press is definitely more complicated than a zone press in that you aren't just responsible for an area of the court, but you must know where your man is and where the ball is, and then act accordingly. Matchup: Florida. It’s a new day in New Rochelle, NY. Here are 8 top sets to help beat it. College of Charleston used the same play at least 5 times to get open looks from three, taking advantage of the bad switching by our SF and PF spots in this zone. If it’s a winning defense, use it! This is why Pitino is saying that defense is the problem. * When you are coming out of a time-out. At UK, Rick Pitino started his career by instituting a 1-2-1-1 zone press and paired it with a high tempo offense relying heavily on the 3-point shot. The purpose of a matchup is to get you confused, indecisive, and out of sync. I don’t know what the right answer to that is, only that it may not have changed anything but adding one more loss to the column, happening early in the season. Instead of putting a guy on the inbounder and guarding up on the ballhandlers, Pitino’s teams allow the catch and apply light pressure. It wasn't particularly unique to Pitino, but Pitino taught his players to go all-out for steals and pretty much not worry about it if you got beat. The match-up zone is a "hybrid" defense, which combines the tenacity and pressure of man-to-man, with the help and support of a zone. I am just like most of you, a fan of college basketball and a supporter of Louisville Cardinal athletics. Why does everyone say that freshman struggle with Pitino's "system"? The goal was to keep pressure on the ball and match-up man-to-man on the inbounds, but then execute double-teams depending on two things: ball location and your man's location. Our defense loses its teeth when we don’t execute and becomes a basic 2-3, which we aren’t as skilled at as other teams. Two defensive men must constantly defend three offensive men. These press-breaks take advantage of knowing how a defender will move in his zone based on the ball movement, then dribbling or moving the ball through the press knowing where the holes should be. That has improved to +7.2 in ACC conference games. The 2-1-2 zone defense is popular in basketball, particularly in youth basketball. The defense will take the shape of the offensive set. Because he noticed that against some of our more "quality" competition, and with Gorgui on the bench, we struggled with the timing and communication of switches in our half-court defense. So even Gorgui is still learning and growing in this defense.). It takes repetition to master the system and I’m very proud by the growth of Chane and Gorgui this season on the defensive side of the ball. But when the opportunity is there, they’ll “jump” the ballhandler with a double team and look for an easy steal. A side effect of Pitino’s defensive genius is that not all players are a quick study. The inbounder is unguarded while the defenders front the ballhandlers. The defense is adaptable when necessary. I personally believe that a combination of both is the best solution. x3, x4, x5 slide back to original positions. SUBSCRIBE NOW $1 for 6 months. It wasn’t until the final 10 minutes or so when Louisville’s pressure started to overwhelm the Shockers. Pitino will have to alter a few things here and there with the Gaels. If it’s a winning defense, use it! Gorgui is our leader and Chane is no longer a liability and becoming quite adept at executing. It's risky, but Louisville has done well with it. Injuries really hurt our new players, even if the injury doesn’t happen to them. Zone defense gets a bad rap. Similar concept to ball denial, but in this scheme, allowing the catch isn’t the worst thing that can happen. This post will not contain animated gifs of pressing defenses, nor a detailed history of basketball defenses. So here we go. This press was very different than all the other zone full-court presses in that it was all about ball-pressure. Our half-court defense was getting beat in the match-up zone because of execution errors, not fundamental flaws in the scheme. Lack of accountability on transition defense Advantages of 1-1-3 Can hide a guy in foul trouble Rest periods on defense Teams practice man offense much more than they practice zone especially 1-1-3 zone Destroys Pick n’ Rolls o UCONN averaged 50 pick …