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When the opponent spreads the court and tries to hold the ball, the Quarter Court trap becomes a viable defensive weapon. The Quarter Court trap is deployed out of a 1-3-1 alignment which readily allows for trapping or double teaming the ball in the corners. It is a fairly easy defense to teach and learn. However, when deployed at the right time, it can create havoc and panic against any opponent who is not prepared to attack.
The Quarter Court trap takes full advantage of the primary trap zones. A primary trap zone is an area on the court where two extra defenders (the out of bounds lines) come into play. |
The Quart Court trap allows for constantly double teams on the ball. |
The Point guard X1is responsible to traps the ball whenever it is above the free throw line. When the ball is below the free throw line, X1 becomes an interceptor anticipating a pass out of the baseline traps. |
Defender X4, assumes a position under the basket and is responsible for the baseline sideline to sideline. When the ball is below the free throw line they will trap. When it is above the free throw line they are an interceptor responsible for ball side corner. |
Defender X2 is responsible for the side area from the midcourt line to the baseline. When the ball is on their side of the court they trap. When it is on the opposite side, they assume an interceptor role. |
Defender X3 is responsible for the opposite side area from the midcourt line to the baseline. When the ball is on their side of the court they trap. When it is on the opposite side, they assume an interceptor role. |
Post defender X5 sole responsibility is to keep the ball out of the middle.
When the ball is in the top right corner, defenders X1 and X3 execute a hard double team. X4 attacks the baseline passing lane and X2 cuts off any cross court passes. Post X5 keeps the ball out of the middle. |
If the ball is passed to the right baseline corner, X3 and X4 trap. X1 denies any passes back out, X2 cuts off the cross court passes, and X5 keeps the ball out of the middle. |
When the ball is in the top left corner, X1 and X2 execute a hard double team. X4 attacks the baseline passing lane and X3 cuts off any cross court passes. Post X5 keeps the ball out of the middle. |
If the ball is passed to the left baseline corner, defenders X2 and X4 trap. X1 denies any passes back out, X3 responsible for cross court passes, and post X5 keeps the ball out of the middle. |
Should the ball get successfully into the middle, defender X5 assumes a "Nose on Chest" On-Ball position pushing O5 towards a corner or baseline pushpoint.
To disrupt the guard to guard passes, invert and run a taller player at the top position. This is especially effective against short offensive guards who are not use to throwing over a tall player.
If the opponents are good passers and have the ability to move the ball ahead of the corner traps, then simply designate one of the corners as "Home" and match-up rather than trap. This will eliminate any open offensive player.
Trap:When the ball is in the right baseline trap zone, defenders X3 and X4 trap. X1 and X2 assume inteceptor roles anticipating the pass out of the corner. Post X5 takes away the middle. |
Trap:If the ball is passed out to O1, defenders X1 and X3 trap. X2 and X4 assume inteceptor roles anticipating the pass out of the corner. Post X5 keeps the ball out of the middle. |
Match-up (Home Corner):When the ball is passed acrossed to O2, since this is the designated Home corner, all players match-up. |
Trap:If the ball is passed into baseline corner on the left side, defenders X2 and X4 trap. X1 and X3 assume inteceptor roles anticipating the pass out of the corner. Post X5 takes away the middle. |
Match-up (Home Corner):When the ball is passed back out to O2, again, since this is the designated Home corner, all players match-up. |
Trap:If the ball is passed across to O1, defenders X1 and X3 trap. X2 and X4 assume inteceptor roles anticipating the pass out of the corner. Post X5 keeps the ball out of the middle.
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The home match up corner is a coach's decision predicated by the opponent's player personnel. In most cases, it will most likely be the opponent's worst ballhandler's corner on the court. |
Any of the four corners can be designated as the Home corner. The home corner can even be changed during a game. |
The Quarter Court Trap is best deployed when trailing late in a game and the opponent is holding the ball trying to run time off on the game clock. It can also be used as surprise tactic after an opponent time out to force a quick turnover or to force the opponent into taking a valuable timeout. On interceptions or steals immediately look to pass ahead. Only advance the ball on the dribble when cannot pass ahead. Score and press!
Caution: If dribble penetration becomes a problem, just switch to the "Combo" defense.
Scout your opponent if possible. Players need to know what reads to expect during the game. Opponents will generally use a single 2-1-2 aligment when attacking the quarter court trap. When scouting is not possible, scout your opponent during the game. Be conscience and alert to any offensive adjustments, especially after substitutions and timeouts.
"It's not the defense, but how you execute it that counts!"
Like any other phase of the game, the success of the Quarter Court Trap is dependent on the proper execution of defensive fundamentals and effort. Double teams should be executed with both hands tracing the basketball forcing lob or bounce passes. Do not foul or allow the ballhandler to split the double team. Interceptors away from trap anticipating passes out of the trap, should read passes eyes. They will telegraph direction of their passes. All defenders must rotate and close out as the ball leaves the passer's hands.Caution: Before undertaking any defense, players must have a solid, working knowledge of all of its components.
Executing Double Teams (4-on-4)
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