The Evolution of the 2-3 Zone

I can remember early in my career playing against Scott County Central. They had better athletes than we did, but they couldn't shoot. So we played a zone. That used to be why teams played zone - to make teams shoot from the outside.

With the evolution of the game, and teams shooting more and more (jacking up more and more) three point shots, zone defense has also evolved. And I'm about to say something that might be a little bit controversial...

I think it's easier now than ever before to guard teams now playing zone.

Basketball runs in cycles. I love the three point shot (we shot more threes than anybody early in my coaching career), but I think we are at a point where a combination of things (the reliance on being taught "moves" by skills trainers, players not looking inside, the lack of post players, etc) has led us to where we are now.

Teams are playing zone to take away the three point line. It's crazy to think I just typed that sentence.

Take a look at this video to see what I'm talking about. Thanks for reading. #JWT