Ping-HeavyReign or any FBCB Experts

[wbatl1]

On defense, when I play a zone, how do I know what position in the zone each player is playing. For example, I play a 1-3-1, and I want my SG to be the point man. Where do I put him in the list with the five players on the floor. I assume you use the list in team stragedy in-game, where you have your five players on the left side, and the other teams players on the right. Thanks in advance for any help.

[SirFozzie]

The way I envision a 1-3-1

<code>
PG
SG PF SF
C
</code>

[Ben E Lou]

The way I envision a 1-3-1

<CODE>
PG
SG PF SF
C
</CODE>Depends. Some teams use a SF at the bottom to run the baseline.

[Radii]

Depends. Some teams use a SF at the bottom to run the baseline.

This is what I am more familier with also w/ the 1-3-1.

[Balldog]

Depends. Some teams use a SF at the bottom to run the baseline.

A lot of teams also use the SF on top.

[wbatl1]

I understand how to align the players, but how do I make sure they play those positions. For example, do I put my SG next to the opposite team's PG for him to play the top? I don't know where to put my men so they play where I want them to in the zone.

[corbes]

I understand how to align the players, but how do I make sure they play those positions. For example, do I put my SG next to the opposite team's PG for him to play the top? I don't know where to put my men so they play where I want them to in the zone.

That's a good question, wbatl. I'm interested in the answer.

Just for the sake of talking basketball, a trick I like in the 1-3-1 is replacing the PF with another small forward, and playing
PG
SF C SF
SG

It helps to have some height out on the wings -- good for traps.
(edit: if you've got a rangy PF who can guard the perimeter -- even better)

[Comey]

Generally, the main questions you have to ask when running a 1-3-1 is:

1) Who is your most active defensive player?
2) Do you have a taller player with some quickness
3) How would the wing men move within the defense?

The answer to #1 goes up top. If there's an answer to #2, he goes down low. And the wing men are essential, because they're constantly moving up and down.

The defense can be played with any alignment, but those factors have to be met in order for it to succeed. My senior year (not for the HS team, I was going for baseball scholarship and couldn't play hoops for HS), I was our tallest player, but played up top in the 1-3-1. Our shooting guard (I was out PG) was down low because he was quick and had a bit of size. It just gives you a bit of an idea of what you can do with it.