Box &: One

 

Diamond & One

| Diamond Shifts | vs Odd Front | Post Double Team | Chaser |

A derivative of the Box & One combination defense is the "Diamond & One." Similar to the Box & One, four defenders play zone while the fifth player assumes a strong pass denial position against the opponents scoring ace. The Diamond & One is best deployed when the opponents use an odd or one guard front offense.

CAUTION: Although the diamond and one is very effective in taking away the middle, it does give up the corner. If/when the corner does becomes a problem, switch to a Box & One alignment.

 


5 Stars

Shifts by Position

In the diamond and one, post X5 stays inside maintaining a low position between the ball and basket. Wings X3 and X4 must cover the area from the free throw line extended to the corner. They do this by assuming a mid position having one hand up when the ball is on the wing and the other hand up when the ball is in the corner. Point X1 defends the high post area, elbow to elbow.

Post Corner
Ball in Corner
X5 covers ball side, low post area

Diamond Zone

Baseline Shifts

Post Wing
Ball in Corner
X5 covers ball side, low post area

Baseline Corner
Ball on Wing
X5 maintains a position between ball and basket

Strong Pass Denial
Ball Out Front
X5 assumes a position in front of the basket between ball and basket

Strong Pass Denial
Ball on Wing
X5 maintains a position between ball and basket

 


 

Baseline Corner
Ball in Corner
X4 goes with pass to baseline, X2 defends ballside "Elbow" and X3 drops to weakside baseline

Diamond Zone
Outside Shifts

Ball in Corner
Ball in Corner
X3 goes with pass to baseline, X2 defends ballside "Elbow" and X4 drops to weakside baseline

Baseline Corner
Ball on Wing
X4 on ball, X2 defends high post area and X3 drops into middle

Strong Pass Denial
Ball Out Front
X2 takes ball while X3 and X4 are at Elbows

Strong Pass Denial
Ball on Wing
X3 on ball, X2 defends high post area and X4 drops into middle

 


5 Stars

vs. an Odd Front Offense

Pass Across

Defender X1 Pushes the ball handler towards the opposite side of the court away from the star player as X3 assumes a strong pass denial position against X3. On the pass from O1 to O2, defender X2 moves out forcing O2 toward a sideline push point. X5 maintains a position between the ball and the basket. X1 drops back to free throw line against high post O4. X4 drops down on weakside

Pass to Corner

On the pass from O2 to O5 in corner, X2 follows the pass pushing O5 to baseline push point. X5 maintains a position between the ball and the basket protecting the low post area. X4 drops down anticipating a weakside rebound while X1 sags back to elbow denying any pass to high post. Chaser X3 maintains a strong pass denial position on O3.

 

Skip Pass Out

On the skip pass out to the open player O1, X1 closes out forcing O1 to opposite sideline. X2, X4 and X5 return to their starting diamond positions while chaser X3 maintains a strong pass denial position against O3.

Pass to Chaser's Opponent

Any time the chaser's opponent does receive the ball, the chaser has strong support from both sides against dribble penetration.

 


5 Stars

Low Post Double Team

The Diamond and One combination defense lends itself readily to double teaming a strong post player.

Pass Across

Defender X1 sags off O1 protecting against high post pass. Chaser X4 maintains a strong pass denial position on post O5. On pass from O1 to O2, X2 steps out. X5 maintains a position between basket and ball double teaming O5 with X4. X1 drops back to free throw line against high post O4. X3 drops down on weakside.

Pass to Corner

On the pass from O2 to O3 in corner, X2 follows the pass pushing O3 to baseline push point. X5 maintains a position between the ball double teaming O5 with X4. X3 drops down anticipating a weakside rebound while X1 sags back below the elbow denying any pass to high post area.

Skip Pass Out

On the skip pass out to the open player O1, X1 closes out but maintaining a sagged off position protecting against high post pass. X2 and X3 return to their starting diamond positions. Defender X5 maintaining a position between ball and basket double teams O5 with chaser X4 who maintains a strong pass denial position against post O5.

Pass to Chaser's Opponent

Any time the post receives the ball, X4 and X5 execute a trap while the outside defenders Xq, X2 and X3 anticipate the pass out of the trap and cut off the passing lanes.

 


5 Stars

Defensive Chaser

The key element to the Box & One defense is the ability of the chaser(s) to deny their assigned opponent the ball. This strong denial will not only keep the ball out of the hands of the opponent’s star scorer, but will also completely disrupt and break down the opponent’s set plays and continuities.

 

Learn More Defensive Chaser

Learn More Real Competitors

 

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