Basketball Full Court Press

Last Updated on: 7th July 2023, 10:20 pm

What Is Full Court Press In Basketball?

Full court press is a defensive strategy in basketball where the defending team applies pressure on the offensive team for the entire length of the court. This strategy is used to disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow and force turnovers.

In a full court press, the defending team will typically have all five players guarding the offensive team as they bring the ball up the court. The defenders will try to trap the ball handler and force them to make a mistake, such as a bad pass or a turnover.

Full court press can be a high-risk, high-reward strategy. If executed properly, it can lead to quick turnovers and easy scoring opportunities for the defending team. However, if the offensive team is able to break the press, they can often find themselves with a numbers advantage and easy scoring opportunities of their own.

Coaches will often use full court press as a way to change the momentum of a game or to try to catch up when they are behind. It requires a lot of energy and effort from the defending team, so it is typically used in short bursts rather than for an entire game.

How To Break A Full Court Press In Basketball

Breaking a full court press in basketball can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can be effective. Here are some tips on how to break a full court press:

  1. Stay calm and composed: The most important thing when facing a full court press is to stay calm and composed. Don’t panic and try to force the ball up the court. Take your time and look for open teammates.
  2. Use quick passes: Quick, accurate passes can help you move the ball up the court and break the press. Look for open teammates and make crisp, accurate passes to get the ball up the court.
  3. Use the middle of the court: The middle of the court is often the weakest part of a full court press. Look for open space in the middle of the court and try to get the ball there.
  4. Use backdoor cuts: Backdoor cuts can be effective against a full court press. If a defender is overplaying you, make a quick cut to the basket and look for a pass.
  5. Use screens: Screens can help you get open against a full court press. Set screens for your teammates or use screens to get open yourself.
  6. Attack the press: Sometimes the best way to break a full court press is to attack it head-on. If you have a fast, athletic team, you may be able to beat the press with speed and athleticism.

Remember, breaking a full court press requires teamwork, quick thinking, and composure under pressure. With practice and preparation, you can become more effective at breaking the press and winning games.

1 2 1 1 Full Court Press

The 1-2-1-1 full court press is a defensive strategy in basketball that is designed to create turnovers and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow. It is also known as the diamond press or the trap press.

In the 1-2-1-1 full court press, one player guards the inbounder, two players guard the ball handler, and one player guards the middle of the court. The fifth player, known as the “safety,” plays back and prevents any long passes or breakaway layups.

The goal of the 1-2-1-1 full court press is to force the ball handler to one side of the court and then trap them in the corner or along the sideline. The two defenders on the ball side will trap the ball handler, while the other defenders rotate to cover passing lanes and prevent easy passes.

If executed properly, the 1-2-1-1 full court press can be very effective at creating turnovers and disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow. However, it can also be risky, as it leaves the safety player alone to defend against any long passes or breakaway layups.

To break the 1-2-1-1 full court press, the offensive team will need to use quick passes, backdoor cuts, and screens to create open passing lanes and get the ball up the court. It is also important to stay calm and composed under pressure, and not to force the ball into tight spaces where turnovers are more likely to occur.

1 2 2 Full Court Press

The 1-2-2 full court press is a defensive strategy in basketball that is designed to create turnovers and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow. It is also known as the “zone press” or the “soft press.”

In the 1-2-2 full court press, one player guards the inbounder, two players guard the ball handler, and two players guard the middle of the court. The goal of the press is to force the ball handler to one side of the court and then trap them in the corner or along the sideline.

The two defenders in the middle of the court are responsible for covering passing lanes and preventing easy passes. They will rotate to cover open areas of the court and try to intercept any passes.

The 1-2-2 full court press is a less aggressive press than the 1-2-1-1 full court press, as it does not involve trapping the ball handler as aggressively. However, it can still be effective at creating turnovers and disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow.

To break the 1-2-2 full court press, the offensive team will need to use quick passes, backdoor cuts, and screens to create open passing lanes and get the ball up the court. It is also important to stay calm and composed under pressure, and not to force the ball into tight spaces where turnovers are more likely to occur.

Overall, the 1-2-2 full court press can be an effective defensive strategy when executed properly, but it requires good communication and teamwork among the defending players.

1-3-1 Full Court Press Defense

The 1-3-1 full court press defense is a basketball strategy that is designed to create turnovers and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow. It is a variation of the 1-3-1 half-court defense, but it is applied to the full court.

In the 1-3-1 full court press defense, one player guards the inbounder, three players guard the ball handler, and one player guards the backcourt. The three players guarding the ball handler will form a triangle around the ball, with one player pressuring the ball and the other two players covering passing lanes.

The player guarding the backcourt, also known as the “safety,” plays back and prevents any long passes or breakaway layups. The goal of the press is to force the ball handler to one side of the court and then trap them in the corner or along the sideline.

The 1-3-1 full court press defense can be effective at creating turnovers and disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow, but it requires good communication and teamwork among the defending players. It can also be risky, as it leaves the safety player alone to defend against any long passes or breakaway layups.

To break the 1-3-1 full court press defense, the offensive team will need to use quick passes, backdoor cuts, and screens to create open passing lanes and get the ball up the court. It is also important to stay calm and composed under pressure, and not to force the ball into tight spaces where turnovers are more likely to occur.

Overall, the 1-3-1 full court press defense can be an effective defensive strategy when executed properly, but it requires good communication, teamwork, and a solid understanding of the opposing team’s offensive tendencies.

2 2 1 Full Court Press

The 2-2-1 full court press is a defensive strategy in basketball that is designed to create turnovers and disrupt the opposing team’s offensive flow. It is also known as the “soft press” or the “zone press.”

In the 2-2-1 full court press, two players guard the inbounder, two players guard the ball handler, and one player guards the backcourt. The two players guarding the ball handler will form a “V” shape around the ball, with one player pressuring the ball and the other player covering passing lanes.

The player guarding the backcourt, also known as the “safety,” plays back and prevents any long passes or breakaway layups. The two players guarding the inbounder will try to disrupt the opposing team’s inbound pass and force a turnover.

The 2-2-1 full court press is a less aggressive press than the 1-2-1-1 or the 1-3-1 full court press, as it does not involve trapping the ball handler as aggressively. However, it can still be effective at creating turnovers and disrupting the opposing team’s offensive flow.

To break the 2-2-1 full court press, the offensive team will need to use quick passes, backdoor cuts, and screens to create open passing lanes and get the ball up the court. It is also important to stay calm and composed under pressure, and not to force the ball into tight spaces where turnovers are more likely to occur.

Overall, the 2-2-1 full court press can be an effective defensive strategy when executed properly, but it requires good communication and teamwork among the defending players. It is often used as a change of pace or to disrupt the opposing team’s offensive rhythm.

Basketball Full Court Press Drills

Here are some basketball full court press drills that can help your team improve their ability to break the press:

  1. 5-on-5 Full Court Scrimmage: This drill involves playing a full court scrimmage with both teams using a full court press. This will give your team an opportunity to practice breaking the press in a game-like situation.
  2. 3-on-2 Full Court Drill: In this drill, three offensive players start at one end of the court and two defenders start at the other end. The offensive players must try to get the ball up the court and score, while the defenders try to stop them. This drill helps your team practice breaking the press with fewer players.
  3. 4-on-4 Full Court Drill: This drill is similar to the 3-on-2 drill, but with four offensive players and four defenders. The offensive players must work together to break the press and get the ball up the court.
  4. 2-on-1 Full Court Drill: In this drill, two offensive players start at one end of the court and one defender starts at the other end. The offensive players must work together to break the press and score, while the defender tries to stop them.
  5. Full Court Dribbling Drill: This drill involves dribbling the ball up the court against a full court press. Players must use crossovers, spin moves, and other dribbling techniques to get past defenders and move the ball up the court.
  6. Full Court Passing Drill: This drill involves passing the ball up the court against a full court press. Players must use quick, accurate passes to move the ball up the court and break the press.

Remember, the key to breaking a full court press is teamwork, quick thinking, and composure under pressure. These drills can help your team improve their ability to break the press and win games.