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Basketball · Level 4: Intermediate · Sub-level 4.2

Zone Defence

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

The idea of a zone, the 2-3, the 3-2, the 1-3-1, matchup zones, box-and-one and other junk defences, zone strengths and weaknesses, rebounding and shifting, and when to play a zone.

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 1The idea of a zoneTake a test

  1. In a zone, players guard space rather than a single man.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. He takes whoever is in his zone.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. A 2-3 has two in front and three behind.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Zones pack the area near the basket.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Cutters pass from one area to another.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. The man with the ball must always be guarded.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. The defender calls him and hands him over.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Enter, guard, move, hand over.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. One, two, then three in front.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. Each defender guards an area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 2The 2-3 zoneTake a test

  1. Two guards in front, three bigs and forwards behind.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. Three players near the rim crowd the lane.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. The gap in the middle of the zone is the free-throw line area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Covering the short corner opens the rim.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. The low wings slide out to the corners.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. They cover the area above the free-throw line.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. The high post sits in the 2-3's gap.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Pass, slide, shift, drop.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. Two in front, then the back line with the centre in the middle.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. Two up top, three along the baseline.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 3The 3-2 zoneTake a test

  1. Three cover the perimeter, two the lane.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. Three defenders spread over the perimeter.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Only two defenders cover the baseline area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Fewer bigs inside mean fewer rebounders.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Both start with a point defender and spread.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. Three out top contest outside shots.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. A 2-3 puts three on the baseline.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. One, two, then three at the back.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. Pass, step out, cover, drop.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. The short corner and baseline.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 4The 1-3-1 zoneTake a test

  1. A point, a middle row of three and one at the rim.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. One back defender cannot cover both corners.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Its shape sets up traps on the wings.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. He must cover both corners and the rim.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Length fills the wide gaps.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. He sits at the free-throw line.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. The corners are the zone's weak spots.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Pass, stop, trap, cover.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. One, three, one.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. The corners.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 5Matchup zonesTake a test

  1. It looks like a zone but defends like man-to-man in each area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. Attackers cannot tell if it is zone or man.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Players must agree who takes whom.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Some teams start in a zone and turn into man-to-man.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. The attack calls the wrong play.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. Packing the paint can fool the attack.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. Following cutters like man-to-man is the matchup zone's sign.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Start, guard, edge, hand over.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. The matchup zone sits in between.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. A zone that guards the man in its area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 6Junk defencesTake a test

  1. It is built to stop one great scorer.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. It is used against teams with two main scorers.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. They mix zone and man-to-man.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. It puts all attention on one man.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Only four defenders guard four attackers in a zone.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. The others score while the star draws the chaser.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. One star is the box-and-one's target.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Pick, chase, box, shift.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. None, one, then two.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. Four in a box zone and one guarding the star.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 7Strengths and weaknessesTake a test

  1. Zones crowd the lane against drives.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. Guarding areas means fewer chases and fewer fouls.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. No star can hunt him one-on-one.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Gaps and shifts leave shooters open.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Quick passes beat the slide.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. Patient passing takes time.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. In a zone he can avoid chasing a scorer.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Attack, close, stop, reset.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. Pass, shift, reverse, skip.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. It protects the paint.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 8Rebounding from a zoneTake a test

  1. Defenders must find a body after the shot.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. He boxes out whoever is in his area.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Weak-side misses are far from the zone's big men.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Long shots give long rebounds.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. He sits near the far side of the rim.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. Everyone boxing out closes the gap.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. The weak-side cutter must be boxed out.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Shot, find, box, grab.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. Longer shots, longer rebounds.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. No defender has a set man to box out.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 9Shifting with the ballTake a test

  1. Each pass moves the whole zone towards the ball.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. Shifting on the pass, not after the catch, closes gaps.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Small slides keep the shape.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Late shifts leave open shooters and lanes.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. High hands deflect passes over the zone.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. Two attackers in one area beat one defender.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. The zone shifts to match the overload.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Pass, move, meet, fill.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. An empty rim is the worst.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. It shifts with every pass.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

Test 10When to play zoneTake a test

  1. A zone dares poor shooters to shoot.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  2. A sudden change upsets the attack.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  3. Several defenders surround the big men.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  4. Guarding areas avoids getting lost in screens.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  5. Young players need on-ball and help skills first.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  6. A failing defence should be changed.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · recall

  7. Man-to-man lets defenders stay with shooters.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  8. Read, time-out, explain, start.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  9. Zones prefer poor shooters.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · applied

  10. When the opponents shoot poorly.

    Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, zone defence · 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, zone defence100