What to Discover or Recall . . .
The "X" half court press is very versitale and valuable defensive tactic.
It is a major weapon to disrupt fast break attacks.
It is very valuable in protecting hard earned leads late in a game.
The "X" half court press can be used to get the ball out of a good ball handler hands.
It also can be deployed as a change of pace or game tempo during the game."X"
| Roles | Rotations | Keys to Success | Adjustments | Variations | Don'ts | Drills |
The half court press "X" gets its name from the coach's signal of holding cross arms in front of chest. In addition to disrupting a fast break attack, this half court zone press is very valuable in protecting hard earned leads late in a game. The reason being, is that most teams use ball reversal in order to penetrate half court presses. However, in reversing the ball it takes precious time off the clock benefiting the defense. In addition, "X" increases the number of unforced turnovers since teams have a tendency to try to force and make difficult passes in order to speed up the game tempo.
"X" can also be used to get the ball out of a good ball handler hands. Once the ball handler gives up the ball after being double teamed, the defender assumes a strong pass denial position and does not allow any return pass to the ball handler. This usually results in the shooter initiating the offense instead of being the primary receiver. Most importantly, by deploying "X" it keeps the defense alert, active and aggressive. Large and end of game leads are usually blown by playing passive defensive.
Player Roles & ResponsibilitiesThe "X" Half Court Press is flexible and can be adapted to all types of player personnel. |
X1 Point/Chaser - influences the dribbler into sideline trap.
X2 Container/Interceptor - becomes Helpside Interceptor
X3 Ball Side Container - denies sideline pass, and traps dribbler
X4 Protector/Interceptor - ball side deep player becomes Interceptor
X5 Protector/Interceptor - helpside deep player becomes Director
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Defender X1 plays off and pushes ball handler O1 to primary trap zone. Once O1 penetrates across the mid court line X1 traps O1 with X3. As the trap is set X2 drops into a Helpside I position anticipating a pass to O2 or O4. X4 rotates out to a pass denial position against O3, while X5 assumes a pass denial position against high post O5.
If the ball is passed out of trap to O2, X1 assumes a strong pass denial position on O1. X2 closes out on O2 and pushes O2 to sideline pushpoint. X3, releasing on pass, sprints to Helpside I position against O3. X4 quickly rotates to a pass denial position on post O5. X5 closes out to a pass denial position on O4. |
Final Matchups: If O2 passes to wing O4, defender X5 assumes an "On Ball" position pushing O4 to corner or baseline pushpoint. X2 creates box pressure by denying any return pass back to O2. X4 assumes a pass denial on post O5, and X3 and X1 assume Helpside I positions. Basic disruptive pressure rules are in effect. |
Do not trap until the ball crosses the mid court line.
Do not allow any uncontested passes into the high post area.
Rotate and close out quickly on cross court skip passes.
Upon stealing the ball, immediately look first to pass ahead. (Players should advance the ball on the dribble only if a pass is not possible.)
Disrupting Ball Reversal To prevent the guard to guard pass and ball reversal defender X1 can play off between ball handler O1 and O2. This will force O1 to advance the ball on the dribble. |
Flattening Out If/when the opponent's press break includes making a guard to guard reversal pass prior to crossing the mid court line, defender X1 can drop back and wait for the ball to cross half court before double teaming. |
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Protecting against the back door and deep skip pass.
If/when the opponent tries to attack the middle and back cut the wings, defender X2 rotates into a high post denial against O5 and X5 drops to a low helpside I position against O4. Lock up on trap. The deep cross court skip pass will be difficult to see and execute against a strong double team.
Coaching Tip: Invert by placing a tall player X4 in the X3 container position. Small guards will not be able to throw over the taller player. In addition, this allows a quicker player X3 to assume the interceptor position.
The "X" half court press is very versitle. Use the 1-2-2 alignment for two big players or no big players, an 1-3-1 alignment for one big player, and the Shadow alignment for one big quick player or five small players.
Use this alignment when playing with one tall player in the lineup.
X1, assumes an on BALL position, pushes O1 to sideline pushpoint and traps O1 with X2. Baseline defender X3 anticipates sideline trap and closes out early on O3. As the ball crosses half court, X2 traps O1 with X1. X4 drops into a Helpside I position anticipating a pass to O2 or O4. X5 maintains a pass denial position against post O5.
Close Out RotationsWhen the ball is passed out of trap to O2, X1 takes a pass denial position on O1. Defender X2, releases on pass and sprints to Helpside I position against O3. X3 quickly rotates to a pass denial position on post O5. X4 closes out on O2 and pushes O2 to sideline pushpoint. X5 closes out to a pass denial position on O4. |
When O1 makes a cross court pass prior to crossing half court, X1rotates over and traps O2 with X2. X3 drops to a Helpside I position. X4 rotates to a pass denial position against post O5, and X5 closes out quickly to O4 denying any sideline pass.
Every attempt should be made to keep the ball out of the middle; however, if/when the ball is passed out of trap to O5, X1 sprint releases on pass to a denial position on O1. X2 assumes a pass denial on O2. X3 drops to a pass denial on O3 preventing a back door pass. X4 assumes an on BALL position on O5, pushing O5 to a corner pushpoint. X5 maintains a pass denial position on O4. |
Matching UP: When the ball is passed out of trap to O1, X3 closes out on O1 and pushes O1 to sideline pushpoint. X2, releasing on pass, sprints to Helpside I position against O4. X4 closes out to a pass denial position on O3. X5 quickly rotates to a pass denial position on post O5. X2 drops to Helpside I position against O4 and X1 assumes a pass denial position on O1. Basic disruptive pressure rules are in effect. |
When the ball is inbounded, X1 assumes an on BALL position, forcing O1 to advance the ball down a sideline. Very similar to the full court Shadow press, the player guarding the inbounds passer, X4 assumes a "shadow" position playing 8' to 10' behind the defender guarding the ballhandler in a supporting role. In the Shadow position, as the ball crosses the mid court line to keep the ballhandler off balance and guessing, X4 has options of executing a hard trap with X1, faking the double team or jump swithching with X1.
Once the ball crosses the mid court line, X4 traps O1 with X1. X2 assumes a pass denial position on O2 preventing any sideline pass. X5 maintains a pass denial position against high post O5 and defender X3 assumes a Helpside I position anticipating a pass to either O4 or O3. When X4 traps O1 with X1, defenders X2, X3 and X4 anticipate the pass out of trap. In most cases, ballhandler O1 will telegraph the pass.
Same action as above except the Shadow X4 fakes the trap forcing ball handler O1 into picking the dribble. The "Shadow" X4 after faking the double team and releases back to a pass denial position on the inbounder O4. X3 rotates into Helpside I positions while defender X2 maintains a strong pass denial position on O2. Defender X5 assumes a pass denial positon on O5 keeping the ball out of the middle. When the ball handler O1 picks up the dribble, defender X1 executes an aggressive JAM or smother while other defenders deny all passing lanes.
An aggressive "Jump Switch" is a third option that can be ran out out of the Shadow alignment. It is used primarily as surprise element or change of pace. Shadow Switch is frequently used against smaller lineups. Defender X1 forces O1 to near sideline pushpoint and then executes an aggressive jump switch with Shadow X4. X4 attempts to draw a charge or force O1 into picking up the dribble. X4 then smothers O1 as X1 sprint releases into a pass denial position on O4. X2 maintains a strong pass denial position on O2. X3 rotates into Helpside I position and X5 keeps the ball out of the middle.
INVERT VARIATION: Defenders X1 and X4 can INVERT prior to the inbounds pass. X4 then assumes the "On Ball" position on O1 and X1 assumes the Shadow support position.
Wait on Ball Reversal Do not trap until the ball crosses the mid court line. |
Deny Dribble Penetration Do not allow dribbler to split the defense. "Lock UP" on trap. |
Keep Ball Out of Middle Do not allow any uncontested passes into the high post area. |
Close Out Quickly on Skip Passes Do not rush out at the ballhandler. Close out quickly on balance, and force ball handler into baseline pushpoint. |
The half court press is a very valuable and versatile defense.
It is a major weapon to disrupt fast break attacks.
It is very valuable in protecting hard earned leads late in a game.
The half court press can be used to get the ball out of a good ball handler hands.
It also can be deployed as a change of pace or game tempo during the game.
Half court press is flexible and can be adapted to all types of player personnel.
On turnovers, players are already in fast break attack position.
Keeps the playerse alert, active and aggressive.
The "X" half court press is fun to play.
"It's not the play, but how you execute it that counts!"
The key to the success to the "X" half court press is in its timing and execution. Players need to be well prepared to execute hard traps, strong pass denials and quick closeouts. This requires non-verbal communication and coordination.
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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