Basketball · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.5

Pressing

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

The full-court man press, the 2-2-1 and the 1-2-1-1 diamond, where and how to trap, rotations behind a trap, breaking a press and press-break sets, when to press, and its risks.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Full-court man pressTake a test

Each defender guards his man from the inbound on.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Making the inbound hard starts the pressure.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A rushed inbound can be intercepted.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Help must meet the ball before the rim.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
It needs speed and stamina.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Constant pressure costs energy.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Pressure attacks poor ball-handling.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Find, deny, pressure, help.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
From full court down to half.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Every attacker picked up full court.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 2The 2-2-1 pressTake a test

Two in front, two in the middle, one deep.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
It traps less and protects the rim.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The half-court line and sideline make a corner.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
He stops long passes and lay-ups.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
It lets the ball in, then turns it to the side.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Its aim is to use time and slow the ball.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The 2-2-1 is a safe, slowing press.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Allow, turn, trap, stay deep.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Two, two, one.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Two, then two, then one back.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 3The diamond pressTake a test

It is also called the diamond press.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The shape looks like a diamond.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
It traps soon after the inbound.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The point of the diamond pressures the inbound.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Aggressive traps leave gaps behind.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Wooden's UCLA used it in the 1960s.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The diamond traps aggressively.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Bother, catch, trap, cover.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
The diamond traps most; the 2-2-1 contains.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
A diamond with a man on the ball and one deep.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 4Where to trapTake a test

Sidelines and the half-court line act as extra defenders.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The back line closes one escape.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The middle leaves passes in every direction.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
It is the classic trapping spot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A dribbler who cannot see is easiest to trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A turned back cannot see the trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
This is the press's best trap spot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Turn, near, arrive, trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Corners and lines help; the middle does not.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
The sideline, near half-court.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 5How to trapTake a test

High hands stop the pass over the top.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A foul ends the pressure.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
No gap between them means no split.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A gap lets the dribbler escape.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
They show where the ball will go.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Off-balance trappers are easy to escape.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
No gap means no split.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Arrive, close, hands, force.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Reaching gives away fouls.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Hands high, feet wide, no reaching.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 6Rotations behind the trapTake a test

They wait to steal the pass out of the trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Four defenders cannot cover five attackers.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A long lob gives defenders time.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
He protects the basket.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
The press keeps running or gets back.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Slow rotations give easy baskets.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Interceptors must split the passing lanes between them.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Trap, lanes, rim, give up the far man.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
The middle hurts the press most; the slow lob least.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Four defenders guard the danger; the farthest man is left.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 7Breaking a pressTake a test

The middle gives passes to both sides.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
The ball moves faster than defenders.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
He becomes a safe outlet.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
Meeting the pass stops interceptions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
The pass ahead beats the press.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
A broken press gives an advantage.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
A middle outlet breaks the trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
Inbound, flash, pass, attack.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
Middle first, the corner never.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
A player flashes to the middle.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied

Test 8Press-break setsTake a test

The four then cut to get open.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
Screens and cuts from the box free a receiver.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
A screen gets a guard open.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
The first pass must be safe.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
A pass back can escape a trap.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
Movement is needed to get free.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · recall
Stepping in gives the team a safe outlet.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
Box, screen, come, pass.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
From the baseline forward.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied
Movement and screens free a receiver.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence · applied

Test 9When to pressTake a test

A press creates extra possessions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
After a score, the press can set up in time.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Fatigue leads to turnovers.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A surprise press upsets the attack.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Running up the score is frowned upon.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A quick team can turn a press into lay-ups.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Trailing late, teams press for possessions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Score, set, trap, score.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Pressing helps most when trailing.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Trailing late, needing the ball.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Test 10Risks of pressingTake a test

A beaten press leaves the rim open.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Aggressive pressure brings contact.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Constant pressure is tiring.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A press is worth it if it gains more than it gives.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
A slow crossing leaves less time for a set.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Showing pressure can rush the attack.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · recall
Six easy baskets outweigh three turnovers.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Gains, costs, compare, decide.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
More gains and fewer costs is better.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied
Easy lay-ups when it is broken.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing · applied

Sources

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3 and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, pressing80
FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, press offence20