Attacking a 1-3-1 Zone Defense

with Jake Erbentraut,
Wilmot High School (WI) Head Coach;
fastest coach to 100 wins in Wilmot High School history

Coach Jake Erbentraut has extensively investigated the best strategies for taking down the 1-3-1 zone defense. In this highly organized presentation, you will learn what the zone is trying to accomplish, offensive strategies to exploit these defensive tactics, effective set plays versus the 1-3-1, and a collection of practice drills to prepare your team for this zone. After watching this video, you will hope the next opponent on your schedule wants to run the 1-3-1 against you!

1-3-1 Tendencies and Weaknesses

The best way to beat a defense is to understand the details of how it works. Coach Erbentraut breaks down the 1-3-1 defense so you can visualize exactly what it's trying to accomplish. You will gain insight into how your opponent tries to position players based on their abilities, when and where the defense wants to trap, how defenders should rotate as the ball moves, and more.

This information highlights the weaknesses in the zone that Erbentraut attacks with a variety of offensive concepts. You will learn how to flatten the defense in transition or create a scramble with ball movement as the ball advances up the floor. Create pockets with player movement that will help you find wide open shots through the passing attack. Additionally, punch into the middle of the defense where the zone is weakest with the dribble attack. See how you can use screening or post seals to disrupt the movements of defenders and free up shots both at the rim and on the perimeter. Erbentraut also explains how to properly space the floor to strengthen your rebounding efforts and attack trapping situations.

Alignments, Sets, and Drills

In addition to a primary offense, Erbentraut also explains how you can use four different alignments and four different set plays to score against the 1-3-1 zone. With the X-Game, you can put the defense into constant overloads that will stretch their rotations and confuse defensive responsibilities. Get layups with your guards using the screening action in Erbentraut's Broncos play. Other actions will help you penetrate the middle of the defense, free shooters with double screens, get the ball into your post players for inside-out action and more.

Even the best strategies will fail if they are run by ineffective players. Get your team ready to play against the 1-3-1 zone defense with drills that will prepare the necessary skills and concepts your players need. Develop better passers and players who can handle pressure with the "Man in the Middle" and "Confidence" drills. The "4-4 Diamond" drill will teach your players how to read and react in game-like situations to find open spots and create scoring opportunities for one another. You will also see how to implement ball movement patterns that break down the zone in your shooting drills. In total, this video will give you eight drills that can specifically prepare your team for playing against zone defenses.

If you face opponents who like to use the 1-3-1 zone defense then this is a video you must add to your collection. Coach Erbentraut has produced the new gold-standard for instructional videos on offense versus the 1-3-1 zone defense!

82 minutes. 2019.

"I can't think of any other titles that go into much explanation on how to take down 1-3-1 zones. I love that Championship Productions recognized the need and then filled it with a well-done explanation by Coach Erbentraut. I got a ton of good ideas for offensive concepts and set plays."- Customer Review