2-3 and 1-3-1 Zone Defenses + Zone Offense Sets

with James Jones,
Yale University Head Men's Coach;
2026 Ivy League Co-Coaching Staff of the Year;
2026 Joe Lapchick Character Award;
8x Ivy League Regular Season Champions (2002, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2026);
4x Ivy League Tournament Champions (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025);
4x Ivy League Coach of the Year (2015, 2016, 2020, 2023);
2x Ben Jobe Coach of the Year Award (2019, 2025);
2025 Coaches vs. Cancer Inspiration Award;
NABC Board of Directors;
2016 Hugh Durham Award;
2016 USBWA District 1 Coach of the Year;
2016 Advocates for Athletic Equity D-I Coach of the Year;
2016 NSMA's Big House Gaines Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year;
2014 CollegeSportsMadness.com Ivy League Coach of the Year;
Winningest Yale basketball coach ever;
Over 400 career coaching wins;
Member of the 2007 USA Basketball Men's Pan American Games Coaching Staff;
played college basketball for Albany

Coach James Jones has built Yale's basketball program into a powerhouse in the Ivy League. After having been ranked outside of the top 300 when taking the job, they have become regulars at the top of the standings thanks in part to their effective 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone defenses. In this on-court presentation, Jones shows how you can utilize both defenses to disrupt your opponents' offense.

2-3 Zone Basics

Jones starts by teaching his 2-3 zone, which is designed to cover differently than a traditional 2-3 zone. The guards, who are put in charge of defending the basketball at the top until a pass is made to a wing, have their heels on the 3-point line and are close enough to where they can touch. The guards are specifically instructed to prevent 3-pointers from the top of the key and penetration. Meanwhile, the two forwards are one step off the lane line and are free throw line extended. Both forwards also have to be angled in such a way that their backs are to the corners. They are called on to take away wing 3-pointers. Lastly, the center must be a talker and must be able to take away middle penetration.

Coach Jones also covers bumps in the zone. On a pass to the wing from the point, the forward covers the ball until the guard on that side calls for him to be bumped off to the corner or to the block, depending on where offensive players align against the zone.

1-3-1 Zone Basics

For teams that have length and want to play from a different look, Jones presents his 1-3-1 zone look. In building the zone and explaining the responsibilities, Coach Jones takes an inside-out approach. The longest and most athletic player is placed at the top of the zone to force the basketball to a side and prevent the ball from moving from one side to the other. The center plays in the middle and prevents any penetration, while the "warrior," the toughest player on the floor, is in the back of the zone.

Coach Jones presents a drill to teach the wings how to play in the zone with two players at each wing and four players along the baseline to teach the tandem nature of wing play. For the three players in the middle, the "Spine Drill" is introduced to teach the responsibilities they have in the defense. Finally, the "Melting Drill" is shown to teach the fake and fade technique in the defense.

Plays Against Zones

In addition to covering the 2-3 and 1-3-1 zone defenses from a defensive standpoint, Coach Jones also presents how these defenses can be exploited. From a 2-1-2 set, Jones teaches the play "Open" as well as a continuity action. The offense is designed to create overload actions that create confusion for any 2-3 zone defense.

Overall, Coach Jones does an amazing job demonstrating the responsibilities for everyone in his zone defenses, as well as how to effectively teach them.

57 minutes. 2020.