JUNK BUSTERS! Game-Tested Offensive Strategies for Beating Junk Defenses

Often called ‘junk defenses,’ tactics such as a Box-&-One or Triangle-&-Two Defense can disrupt even the most-talented teams if a coach is caught without a game plan. In this video, Appalachian State’s Dustin Kerns provides you with multiple solutions to force your opponent out of these junk-defense tactics and more.

In this insightful video, Coach Kerns shows you game-tested, inside secrets for attacking a Box-&-One Defense, a Triangle-&-Two Defense, a 1-3-1 zone defense, switching defenses and full-court presses with more than different plays.

Attacking Box-&-One Defense, Triangle-&-Two Defense

Some teams can go multiple seasons without seeing a Box-&-One specialty defense, but you need to be prepared and have something up your sleeve for when it happens. In this section, Coach Kerns shows you four different plays that can be used to attack a Box-&-1 junk defense strategy. You’ll see how to create additional space with your denied player, so your other four players can take advantage and operate. 

You’ll also see how to use player movement before hitting the defense with a step-up screen to create longer-distance closeouts.

Coach Kerns also demonstrates methods for creating an opening near the rim for your post player to work – including using a Double Flat-Screen that utilizes your ‘denied player’ as a screener. This tactic is also extremely effective versus man-to-man defenses.

While similar in nature, a Triangle-&-Two Junk Defense presents its own unique challenges. Kerns shows how you can leverage the denial of the two defenders into wide-open scoring opportunities through two plays run from the Horns alignment and also provides additional set plays that can still get your star players open by using pin-downs into dribble handoffs. 

Countering Other Specialty Defenses

Coach Kerns also provides an offensive tactical blueprint for attacking other defensive strategies beyond junk defenses.  

First, Kerns shows two highly effective methods for attacking a 1-3-1 zone defense that attempts to flatten out the defense and scramble them with passing. He also shares how to combat switching defenses with a counter that can be used in any situation to quickly isolate your mismatch on the perimeter by clearing out an entire side of the court.

You will also learn three quick-hitting options for baseline inbounds when teams attempt to switch everything.

Lastly, Coach Kerns demonstrates how you can use a simple press offense that can beat any type of full-court defense that an opponent can throw at you!

Don’t get caught without a coaching plan! This is a must-watch video for coaches at all levels of competition and provides you with numerous answers for how to defeat a wide range of tricky defenses.

71 minutes. 2023.