X1, takes a position on the ball, pushes O1 to the touchline and catches O1 with X2. Base defender X3 anticipates the sideline trap and closes early on O3. As the ball crosses half the field, X2 catches O1 with X1. X4 falls into an aid I position and expects a switch to O2 or O4. X5 maintains a position of refusal of passport against Post O5. Remove the centre as soon as the ball crosses the midfield line. A half-field press is a specific type of press that can also be performed in a man-to-man defense or in a zone defense. The main objectives are to speed up the opponent, catch offensive players if possible, create as many turnovers as possible and take free time from the attack. By putting pressure on the attack as soon as it crosses half the field, as this kind of press implies in its name, all these objectives are pursued. The role of each individual defender depends on whether the defence is zone or man, but the main principles of the press apply regardless of which defender is used. If/if the opponent`s press break includes a guard-to-guard reversal pass before crossing the midline, the X1 defender can fold back and wait for the ball to cross half the field before forming a double team.
If the opponent tries to attack the center and cut the wings at the back, the X2 defender turns in a high post denial against O5 and X5 falls to a low help position I against O4. Lock the trap. The Deep Cross Court Skip Pass will be difficult to see and execute against a strong doubles team. The X1 defender plays and pushes the O1 ball handler into the primary trap area. As soon as O1 advances above the midline, X1 catches O1 with X3. When the trap is set, X2 falls into a Helpside I position and expects a switch to O2 or O4. X4 turns against O3 in a pass denial position, while X5 occupies a denial position against the O5 high post. The key to the success of the semi-court press “X” lies in its timing and execution. Players must be well prepared to execute difficult traps, severe pass refusals and quick closures. This requires non-verbal communication and coordination. Like normal defensive formations, half-court press formations are formatted in the X-Y-Z arrangement.
X-Y-Z refers to the position of players in three layers: layer X, layer Y, and layer Z. These levels make it easier to call and understand movements as well as level “X” is closest to the half-court, while level “Z” is closest to the goal line. For example, players are positioned in a 2-1-2 press at midfield as follows: Final matches: When O2 adapts to the O4 wing, the X5 defender takes a “on ball” position that pushes O4 towards the corner or baseline. X2 creates box pressure by refusing any return to O2. X4 assumes a passport refusal on item O5, and X3 and X1 occupy Helpside I positions. The basic rules for interfering pressures apply. The half-field press “X” is very versatile. Use 1-2-2 alignment for two tall players or no tall players, 1-3-1 orientation for one tall player, and shadow alignment for one tall fast player or five small players. As soon as the ball crosses the midfield line, O4 becomes an interceptor and has to deny the critical touchline pass to O3.
In basketball, a half-court press is a defensive strategy used to force turnovers and disrupt an offense. Half-court pressures are variations of a defensive formation and a strategy called pressing, with defensive players putting pressure on the ball handler near the halfway line. Once the ball goes into the frontcourt, the threat of a backcourt injury makes the timeline an “extra defender.” Doc Green is a former basketball coach for the Silver Bullets basketball program in Northridge, California. Quickly turn and close on cross jump passes. Other common half-court pressing formations are the 2-3 and 1-2-2. Half-court pressings can be done from both zone and man-to-man defense. The purpose of half-court pressing is to disrupt the attack`s play by putting pressure on the ball handler. It`s hard to have games organized when the offense is about keeping the ball safe. The defense will try to bring the ball handler into the trap areas. This way, the ball handler is more likely to be out of bounds, commit a backcourt violation or make a risky pass.
Contains and catches as soon as the O1 ball handler dribbles over the midfield line. If O1 makes a cross pass before crossing the half-court, X1 turns around and catches O2 with X2. X3 falls to a Helpside I position. X4 turns into a denied pass position against the O5 post, and X5 quickly closes at O4, refusing any lateral pass. The half-court press is a very valuable and versatile defense. Do not catch until the ball crosses the midfield line. Once the ball has crossed the halfway line, O1 catches the dribbler with the O3 wing and locks. Be aggressive, but avoid fouling. Don`t let the dribbler split the doubles team. Immediately put pressure on the ball handler. Influence the ball handler in the trap area by playing inward. Should use false defensives.
Matching UP: When the ball has gone from the trap to O1, X3 closes on O1 and pushes O1 to the touchline. X2, releasing in the pass, sprints to the Helpside I position against O4. X4 joins a pass denial position on O3. X5 quickly turns into a position of denial on the post O5. X2 falls on the helpside I position against O4 and X1 occupies a pass refusal position on O1. The basic rules for interfering pressures apply. One of the advantages of a half-court pressing over a pressing on the whole court is that a backward-facing ball reversal is not possible because the ball cannot return to half the field. By pushing up as soon as the ball crosses half the field, an extra defender is created behind the attacking players halfway through. This makes it easier to get traps, and by reducing fast lanes, sales become easy transition layups. A good half-court pressing can keep the ball on the touchline and split the pitch in half, allowing for better shooting and rotation opportunities. The midfield press can be used to get the ball out of the hands of a good ball handler.
Responsible for the cross-court, jump to the opposite wing. The half-court presses “X” takes its name from the coach`s signal to hold his arms in front of the chest. In addition to disrupting a quick attack, this half-court zone press is very valuable in protecting hard-earned leads late in the game. The reason for this is that most teams use ball reversal to penetrate half of the press on the field. However, when the ball is reversed, it takes valuable time off the clock, which benefits the defense. In addition, “X” increases the number of unforced turnovers, as teams tend to try to force and make difficult passes to speed up the pace of the game. As soon as the ball crosses the midfield line, X4 catches O1 with X1. X2 occupies a pass refusal position on O2 that prevents any lateral pass. X5 maintains a position of denial against the high O5 position and defender X3 occupies an assist position I, expecting a pass to O4 or O3. When X4 catches O1 with X1, defenders X2, X3 and X4 anticipate the pass out of the trap.
In most cases, Ballhandler O1 telegraphs the pass. The “X” half-court press is a very versatile and valuable defensive tactic. It is an important weapon to disrupt quick attacks. This is very valuable in protecting hard-earned prospects late in the game. The half-court press “X” can be used to take the ball out of a good ball handler. It can also be used as a variation of the tempo or rhythm of play during playing. Even the best defenses have weaknesses, including the half-court press. His attempt to isolate one half of the field at a time can be neutralized by a composite team that can move the ball around the perimeter without turning it over. Regardless of the athleticism of the defenders, when the ball finds its way over a defensive line, it becomes very difficult to defend, such as a drive that returns it in color, or a reversal in the opposite corner. If these clichés are regularly converted, the press is unlikely to succeed. Overall, pressing can be beaten, but it also forces a lot of turnovers and also changes the momentum of the game. When the ball is caught, X1 takes a position on the ball, forcing O1 to move the ball to the touchline.
Very similar to the Full Court Shadow Press, the player who guards the incoming passer, X4 takes a “shadow” position that plays 8` to 10` behind the defender guarding the ball handler in a supporting role. In the shadow position, when the ball crosses the midfield line to keep the ball handler out of balance and guess, X4 has the ability to execute a hard trap with X1, simulate the doubles team or jump with X1. DIAGRAM 1: Basic orientation, initial movements. Starting in a 2-2-1 set, when O1 dribbles over the half-court line, X1 and X3 overplay the dribble and catch the ball handler in a “V” formation. X2 and X4 play on the fast lanes. X5 protects the center. The “22” is a very effective 2-2-1 press defense. It turned some of my average defensive teams into ball-safe defensive teams. REVERSE VARIANT: X1 and X4 defenders can be REVERSED before the incoming pass. X4 then occupies the “On Ball” position on O1 and X1 takes the shadow support position. DIAGRAM 2: Play the right wing pass. If O1 fits on the right wing, X1 and X2 overplay O2 when they receive the pass and catch them in a “V” formation.
X3 slides and defends against the potential pass in the middle, while X5 slides into the corner on the ball side and defends every potential pass in the corner. X4 slides out of the low side assist position and protects the basket. See the ball in defense. Do not return to the ball while you are retreating. Protect yourself from the long collar, read the eyes and arms of passers-by. Don`t rush into the ball handler. Quickly close Balance and force the ball handler into the base thrust point. This is very valuable in protecting hard-earned prospects late in the game. If the ball has gone from the O2 trap, X1 takes a denial position on O1.