ATTACKING THE HALF COURT ZONE PRESS

Attacking the half court zone press presents a few problems, but basically the attack concepts used against the full court zone press are the same as would be necessary to counter the half court zone press.

Let's look at the differences: (1) The court is not so large and the defense is not so spread, making open areas a bit smaller and seams a bit narrower. Once the half court line has been crossed, a team is obviously limited to only half the are they had in which to maneuver in the full court. (2) The defense is usually more compact and conscious of the middle and the area around the lane. (3) The corner become a dangerous area where trapping can occur if teams are not careful. (4) Attack initiative may shift. In a full-court press, the defense most often reacts to the offensive movement, but in the half court press the defense may force the offense to react to it, particularly if the pressure does not dissolve as soon as the ball has escaped the first trap.

These guiding principles should help in constructing an attack against the half court zone press:
(1) Attempt to get the ball in the middle. All half court presses are less effective with the ball in the middle because it opens up passing angles and threatens the defense on both sides of the court.
(2) Spread the defense and try to draw the double team. Only then will a numbers advantage exist producing an open man somewhere on the court.
(3) Use the pass! Keep dribbling to a minimum. Remember it is a zone press and it is to be attacked with quick short passes.
(4) Player cannot stand waiting for the pass. As is true in all offensive basketball, movement creates problems for the defense.
(5) Attempt to create a situation where the ball handler has a pass ahead and to both his left and right if possible. When double teamed, it is comforting to know that there are players in areas easily seen and reached with a short pass.
(6) Once the ball has escaped the first trap, ATTACK! If the defense has been penetrated it may be a mistake to back off and set up the patterned attack, giving up an opportunity that is hard to come by.
(7) Crash the boards. having extended and spread itself, the defense is not in a strong rebounding position, nor is it able to block out effectively.
(8) Slide smoothly into a patterned offense. It is advisable that you devise a method of getting into a standard attack quickly and efficiently if a shot does not occur. To have to set up takes time, and it allows the defense to recover and position itself. An overload situation is easy to produce and from there a patterned attack can develop.