The 1-3-1 defense, like its cousins the 2-3 and 2-1-2 defenses, gets its name from the formation the players on the court make while in the defense. One player is stationed at the top of the key (P1), three players (P2, P3, P4) stationed at the left elbow extended, the foul line and right elbow extended, respectively, and one player (P5) stationed under the basket. Who plays what position is key to the 1-3-1’s success.
Setting Up the 1-3-1 Zone
Zone defenses require each player to do his/her part to make the defense successful. Rather than setting up five 1-on-1 battles with the other team as a man-to-man does, zones employ an our-team-versus-your-team mentality. This is true in the 1-3-1 zone where every player must know his/her role to make the defense successful.
Coaches also must make contributions to the success of the zone by filling each position with a suitable player based on the responsibilities of those positions. P1, the player at the top of the zone, is usually the point guard or at least the team’s best on-the-ball defender. P1’s job is the direct the ball handler to one side of the zone. One key in the 1-3-1 zone is to try to keep the ball to one side of the floor. This creates longer passing lanes and increases the chances of stealing a pass.
P2 and P4 each have similar responsibilities. These players are usually the two guard and the small forward, or three guard, depending on the offensive setup of the team. The job of the wing defenders is to protect the three point line when the ball is on their side of the floor and to protect the weak side when the ball is on the opposite side of the floor. These players must be very quick and have to cover a lot of ground, possibly running from the baseline to the elbow extended at points in the game.
P3, located on the free throw line to start the defense, is typically the team’s center. P3’s role is to protect the paint and stop any the offense from getting to the basket. This player will move from the free throw line, around the paint, and down to the blocks.
P5, the player under the basket, may be the most important player on the defense. P5 is required to run the baseline, covering each corner. Ideally, this player would be the quickest and best defensive forward on the team. Also this player, along with P3, will do most of the rebounding in this defense.
The Strength of the 1-3-1 Zone
The 1-3-1 zone has many strong attributes including being able to take way an offensive teams 3-points shooting and interior play. The 1-3-1 zone can also produce many turnovers when run correctly. With the 1-3-1 defense, teams basically keep three players between the ball and the basket at all times, forcing offenses to dribble into mismatches and double teams, or throw long passes over the top of the defense which can easily be picked off by the quick wing guards.
The 1-3-1 defense also allows teams to mix up the looks as variations of the 1-3-1 are numerous including trapping out of the 1-3-1 and setting up a half-court or even full court press using the same principles found in the base 1-3-1.
Breaking the 1-3-1 Zone Defense
While the 1-3-1 zone has its upsides, like any defense, it has its weaknesses as well. The 1-3-1 defense requires teams to be well disciplined and well coached to succeed. Any break down in any of the positions could result in an easy basket due to only one player starting off the possession below the free throw line. Also with the spread out nature of the 1-3-1 zone, several passing lanes could exist if defenders are not active with their hands and feet.
In addition, like most zone defenses, because all five players are usually needed to rebound, fast-breaking teams may not be able to run as easily as they would like from the 1-3-1 zone. The 1-3-1 is better for fast-breaking than the 2-3 or 2-1-2, though, because players are already positioned in their lanes for the fast break.
Despite the few drawbacks, the 1-3-1 defense is a good option for teams who want to mix up their defenses and not give up the 3-point shot in the process.
