Zone defense divides the court into sectors and assigns each defender to an area. Classic formations are the 2-3 (two up, three back), the 3-2, the 1-3-1, and the "match-up zone" that blends zone with man-to-man principles.
The advantage of zone: it protects the paint, saves the bigs' legs, and can surprise a team used to attacking man defense. It's a particularly effective tool in FIBA where the three-point line is closer and space is tighter.
Its weaknesses: it's vulnerable to quick ball movement and three-point shooting. A well-drilled team can collapse the zone until it pries open an uncontested outside look.
In the NBA, zone was long banned before being reintroduced in 2001. It's used sparingly but makes occasional comebacks, especially in the playoffs as a tactical adjustment.
Real example
Against a team with poor outside shooting, a coach can set a 2-3 zone to lock down the paint.
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