The Complete Guide To Full-Court Pressure Defense (55 Press, 1-2-1-1, 2-2-1 and More!)

with Justin Hutson,
San Diego State Women's Basketball Assistant Coach;
Fresno State University Head Men's Basketball Coach from 2018 to 2024;
2022 TBC (The Basketball Classic) Champions;
2019 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year;
San Diego State Assistant Coach from 2013 to 2018 and 2006 to 2011;
UNLV Assistant Coach from 2011 to 2013;
Cal Poly Assistant Coach from 2005 to 2006;
Bakersfield HS (CA) Head Coach from 2000 to 2004;
played for Cal State Bakersfield's back-to-back NCAA Basketball Division II National Championship teams in '93 and '94

Justin Hutson takes viewers into a deep-dive discussion with on-the-court demonstrations that showcases the things he has learned over the years that makes his full court presses so effective. The 2019 Joe B. Hall National Coach of the Year explains the most important factors to consider if a press is going to be successful and provides the answers to vital full-court press questions such as, 

‘How should your principles work when configurations change?’ and 

‘What role does roster depth play for pressing teams?’ In addition, Hutson provides valuable insight into key full-court press concepts, such as:

• Why you should never have two defenders on the same side of an offensive player.
• How understanding the amount of ball pressure dictates how much you can cheat.
• The concept that ‘effort cancels mistakes’ and that if a player does something wrong during a full-court press, that he or she can make up for it with hustle and effort.

55 Full-Court, Man-To-Man Press

To begin this action-packed presentation, Coach Hutson provides viewers with an in-depth look at his favorite ‘go-to’ full-court press strategy – the 55 Full-Court, Man-To-Man Press. Hutson provides an educational breakdown on using a 55 Full-Court, Man-To-Man Press, including: 

a) various ways to defend an inbounds pass, 

b) where on the floor you allow the ball to be caught, 

c) dealing with clear outs, and, 

d) knowing which direction to force the ball and when, 

e) unique trapping situations, 

f) using press tactics like gap coverage and late traps.

Hutson also provides a highly valuable lesson on full-court press verbiage and using pressure-defense terms such as ‘front door,’ ‘side door’ and ‘closing the door’ when trapping.

Diamond Press and Full-Court Press Drills

Coach Hutson then moves on to an informative section on how to successfully use a Diamond Press – showing viewers critically important strategies including: 

a) how to use a diamond press as either an aggressive or passive pressure weapon, 

b) the type of situations that are ideal for unleashing a diamond press on your opponents, and, c) what to do in overload situations such as a 3-across at the foul line or half court.

In addition, Hutson showcases several valuable drills for teaching and practicing a variety of full-court pressure defense – providing the answers to such questions as: 

a) handling an opposing 4-player who ball screens, 

b) the standard amount of time it takes to teach and perfect a full-court press defense,

c) determining player placement and assignments in your press and more!

This video is one of the most-detailed and thorough instructional videos that showcase a variety of full-court presses to use as a primary weapon for a team’s defensive arsenal!

74 minutes. 2022.