Zone Defense

Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone

How to run Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone — a zone defense you can teach frame by frame and take to your next practice.

Online Basketball Playbook · Published May 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone — frame 1 diagram
4 cuts to the right corner; 2 passes to 5; 2 cuts to the left wing; 5 cuts to the left low post
Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone — frame 2 diagram
4 cuts to the left corner
Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone — frame 3 diagram
1 passes to 2; 1 cuts to the right wing; 3 cuts to the top; 4 passes to 2
Gaps v. 1-2-2 zone — frame 4 diagram
1 passes to 3; 3 passes to 2

Attack a 1-2-2 zone by posting your five on the low block and dropping your four into the corner — those two spots are exactly where the zone's gaps open up. You swing the ball quickly from guard to wing to corner, forcing the bottom defenders to collapse and leaving cutters open behind them.

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