Match-up zone defense is a type of defense used in the game of
basketball. It is commonly referred to as a "combination" defense, as it combines certain aspects of
man-to-man defense and
zone defense.
College head coaches
Jim Boeheim and
John Chaney were advocates of the match-up zone defense.
Characteristics
With the match-up zone defense, the on-ball defender will play tight as if he was playing man-to-man. At the same time, the zone away from the ball will resemble "help-side" man-to-man defense. This creates one of the advantages for the match-up zone, as it may confuse the opponent as to what
defense
Defense or defence may refer to:
Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups
* Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare
* Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks
* Defense industr ...
you are actually playing. The match-up zone also resembles a "switching man-to-man" defense, where the big men stay down low in the post and the guards stay around the perimeter. When asked to describe Chaney's match-up zone,
Saint Joseph's Hawks coach
Phil Martelli
Philip Martelli Sr. (born August 31, 1954) is an American college basketball coach, who is currently the associate head coach for the Michigan Wolverines.
As the former head coach of the St. Joseph's Hawks, he led Saint Joseph's to seven NCAA To ...
replied: "In college basketball, there's the
Pete Carril Princeton offense
The Princeton offense is an offensive basketball strategy which emphasizes constant motion, back-door cuts, picks on and off the ball, and disciplined teamwork. It was used and perfected at Princeton University by Pete Carril, though its roots ...
, the John Chaney Match up Zone defense, then everything else. Those are the only two truly unique syles designed and being used today."
References
{{Basketball
Basketball terminology
Basketball strategy