Flip Saunders: Match-Up Zone Defense and Special Drills, Part I & II

with Flip Saunders,
Detroit Pistons (NBA) Head Coach

Through years of development, Flip Saunders has designed one of the NBA's most feared defenses. Coach Saunders unpacks his successful match-up zone defense. He begins his presentation by detailing the benefits of this type of defense. His reasons include its ability to develop player's communication on the floor, stopping great scorers, great scoring teams, employing man defense principles, difficult to scout and can be used with big and small teams. His general match up rules are: Never leave the dribbler, never let the offense penetrate by dribble or pass, encourage ball to corners, switching cutters and contest all perimeter shots. Triangles are the basis of player position in Saunders' 1-2-2 match-up zone. The basic rule is the farther your man is away from the ball, the flatter the triangle. Position is based on the ball and the position of your man at a given time. Strategy against the overload and pick and roll are demonstrated also. In Part II, Coach Saunders breaks down the 1-2-2 match-up zone defense in parts. Teaching slides while the ball is passed on the perimeter helps players guard all situations. As the ball is passed, each alignment, stunt and slide is analyzed by Saunders. Another segment breaks down the pick & roll and its coverage. The match-up is a successful zone that can be played aggressively without fouling a lot. Therefore, you can play good defense while keeping the opponent off of the foul line. Questions are answered from the clinic participants while Saunders discusses and illustrates on the floor with players. Use this presentation to implement the match-up into your program.

96 minutes. 2006.

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