MAN-TO-MAN OR ZONE: IS SWITCHING DEFENSES THE RIGHT MOVE

FROM USLACROSSE.ORG

Coach 1:

“My players can’t keep up with anyone. It seems like the other team’s offensive players just run right past them. The only way we can be successful on defense is to run a zone. Yes, that’s the solution. I’ll run a zone and then all problems will be solved.

Coach 2:

“I guess we are just have to be a ball-control team. I put a zone in and they just don’t get it. Other teams are just running by them and scoring. Ugh. I’m so frustrated this zone won’t work.”

(MORE AFTER THE JUMP)

What skills must a defender have to run a man-to-man defense? Go ahead and make a list.

No, seriously. Make a list.

What skills must a defender have to run a zone defense? Go ahead and make another list.

Seriously, make a second list. If you’re thinking clearly, the two lists should be virtually identical.

In either scenario, a well-trained defender:

• Has good footwork and speed
• Plays with stick up in passing lane
• Communicates well
• Makes good decisions
• Knows what to give and what to take from an offensive player

So if we can all agree that defenders need to have the same skills to play man-to-man defense as they need to play any form of zone, then why do we fall into the trap of thinking zone is the answer for weak individual defenders or poor team defensive skills?

Some think if the defender covering the ball gets beat, another defender will be there to engage the ball carrier in the next area of the field.

Sure, that works all well on paper. But that logic fails to address the offensive players away from the ball. Once one defender commits to a new mark, all of the defenders have new responsibilities.

My point? When your defense isn’t performing well, the hours you would invest in teaching a zone defense may be for naught. Instead of trying to teach a new system of bumping and recovering, backer principles and the like, why not spend those hours refining your defenders’ individual skills? Once they improve individually as man-to-man defenders, then you cab move into zone concepts like high-pressure defense, shut-offs and double-teams. Switching to zone itself is not the solution.

Does your team employ man-to-man defense, zone defense, or a combination of both? Why?