Coach Hicks has won two state championships with a man only philosophy.....and a couple of Mr. Basketballs

 

If every coach had the athletes Coach Hicks has and has had, they'd probably all stay man, too!

 

For him to take his team out of man reduces his chances at turnovers...which creates much of his offense...

 

thewaterboy has a point about zones; they sometimes make a team lazy. Up to the coach to keep the team focused and disciplined, because a good, PATIENT offensive squad will eventually get a zone out of position and get the opportunity for good shots.

A well ran zone allows a team to trap certain areas of the floor without always giving up an easy basket. If utilized corectly, a zone will demand just as much hustle as a man defense. I agree with Waterboy. If you are playing both defenses corectly, it will be hard to distinguish between the two. I firmly believe that you need to be able utilize either type of defense in your game plan.

A well ran zone allows a team to trap certain areas of the floor without always giving up an easy basket. If utilized corectly, a zone will demand just as much hustle as a man defense. I agree with Waterboy. If you are playing both defenses corectly, it will be hard to distinguish between the two. I firmly believe that you need to be able utilize either type of defense in your game plan.

 

All in all, well said!

 

I agree, although it should be noted that there are a lot of different zones. A "sagging 2-3" looks nothing like a man-to-man once the offense gets well into frontcourt...

 

The trick is convincing the PG to incorrectly identify the defense before the zone has to commit...

How many of those were transfers...? :sssh:

:sleep::sleep:

How many of those were transfers...? :sssh:

 

I don't believe Scott Co. had any transfers 2 years ago.

I don't believe Scott Co. had any transfers 2 years ago.

 

Wasn't referring to two years ago. But that topic is for another thread. Sorry for getting off subject.

I think the biggest key is being very good in whatever defense you choose to play. I have seen teams be very successful at both, but teams I have seen really control and even dominate a game seem to lean more towards M2M. As for SC 2 years ago, yes they did play man, but did an outstanding job with it too. Here in Florida the same team has won the large school division title 2 of the past 3 years by playing some of the best high school M2M I have seen, but the coach will mix in a little 2-3 and some 1-3-1 every now & then, which I think makes their overall defense more effective.

I hate zone, and it's a cop out for teams because they can't teach good M2M D.

I hate zone, and it's a cop out for teams because they can't teach good M2M D.

 

I don't believe you can be good at any zone if you don't understand M2M...

I don't believe you can be good at any zone if you don't understand M2M...

 

That's the reason most teams that play zone against a good man get beat.:ylsuper:

I think it really depends on your opponent. A good team is going to beat you no matter what defense you play against them though because of their ability to adjust. For example:

 

In man to man defense, a more athletic team is going to penetrate and dish all night long for easy baskets. They will keep one of the big men down on the baseline and play a two man game with the point guard or dish to the arc for a 3 pointer when the defense collapses. Good screens are the way to beat M2M.

 

In a zone defense, while it may be more effective stopping the penetration, a good shooting team will kill you from outside if they have good ball movement around the perimeter, and a good rebounding team will kill you on the boards because it's much easier to get to the basket when you don't have anyone on you.

 

A lot of times people question why teams don't play a zone against Holmes and it's because they would get mangled on the boards because of their size and athleticism.

I completely disagree with your bold-ed statement. A team that REALLY knows how to play man to man defense trusts their weak side help and rotates properly. In the past I would have agreed with you here, but I know for a fact that a team with less athleticism can night in night out play man D successfully. If they are smarter and have a coach that knows how to teach man, it can be done.

That's the reason most teams that play zone against a good man get beat.:ylsuper:

 

completely agree:thumb:

Wasn't referring to two years ago. But that topic is for another thread. Sorry for getting off subject.

 

I looked over what you had bolded. My bad.

 

 

I believe there is more than 1 way to skin a cat. Man to man in general is the way to go, but zones can be effective as well. Jim Boehiem has had great success at Syracuse with a zone.

I hate zone, and it's a cop out for teams because they can't teach good M2M D.

 

Some part of that might be true but, lets make an example you can have all the heart in the world as far as basketball is concerned but, you can't change your height, athletic ability etc. Which means a team who can only shoot the 3, tallest man being 6ft, and all slow un-athletic players but hardworkers. How would a man defense help them against the likes of Holmes or Scott County because those high talented athlete's would blow right pass them in a m2m.:walk:

I completely disagree with your bold-ed statement. A team that REALLY knows how to play man to man defense trusts their weak side help and rotates properly. In the past I would have agreed with you here, but I know for a fact that a team with less athleticism can night in night out play man D successfully. If they are smarter and have a coach that knows how to teach man, it can be done.

 

It can indeed be done, BUT the key to your statement is the bolded part. :thumb:

 

And you have to agree that size, athleticism, and quickness are all assets that a good defensive team will have.