Don Klaas: Disrupting Opponents with the 1-3-1 Zone Defense

With the 1-3-1 defense, players will commit fewer fouls, you'll get more players involved in the game, and you'll force opponents to spend time preparing for your defense rather than working on what they do. Each of these factors gives your team an advantage at game time.

After more than 800 career wins, Illinois coaching legend Don Klaas still has an undying passion for defense, which he demonstrates in this high-energy video. A masterful teacher, he shares the ins and outs of his tough-to-penetrate 1-3-1 zone defense, including multiple variations. Coach Klaas teaches you everything from basic set-up to using a numbering and color system to adjust your defense on the fly - without having to call timeout. When taught the right way, this defense will disrupt and dismantle your opponent's offensive game plan.

Responsibilities and Rotations
To begin the clinic, Coach Klaas explains his basketball philosophy and what led him to learn, implement and perfect the 1-3-1 zone. Understanding his background gives a deeper understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of this defense. He breaks down where to place each player based on his or her skills and attributes. He then breaks down the responsibilities of each position and clearly explains their importance. Without ever seeing even one possession run, you'll get a good idea of how the defense should work.

One of the most important concepts behind the 1-3-1 is keeping the ball out of the middle, which is achieved by rotating players. But, as Coach Klaas demonstrates, players are not left on an island trying to figure out how to stop the ball from getting to the middle. Each player has a responsibility, which Coach Klaas thoroughly explains.

Adjustments
As the presentation continues, Coach Klaas shows various adjustments for the 1-3-1. Each offensive adjustment is color-coded so that, once learned, you can easily manipulate your defense without calling a timeout. These adjustments and clear communication enable Coach Klaas' players to quickly change the 1-3-1 to force turnovers, create traps and prevent shots. You'll also learn four additional variations to stop quick passes to the corner, no passes into the paint, trapping the corner and trapping on every pass. Klaas goes into greater detail using competitive 5-on-5 half-court situations.

Throughout the presentation, Coach Klaas shares valuable coaching knowledge. While the focus of the presentation is the 1-3-1 defense, Coach Klaas' insights are equally valuable.

If you're looking for a new way to confuse and attack your opponents, this DVD is a must-have for you.

Produced at the Spring 2012 Las Vegas Clinic.

77 minutes. 2015.