former University of Tennessee Head Women's Coach from 2019 to 2024;
Back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances in 2022 and 2023;
Missouri State University Head Coach from 2013 to 2019;
2x MVC Tournament champions (2016, 2019);
2019 Kay Yow Coach of the Year;
2019 MVC Coach of the Year;
2019 Sweet Sixteen;
North Carolina State University Head Coach from 2009 to 2013;
Western Carolina University Head Coach from 2004 to 2009;
2x Southern Conference Tournament Champions;
2007 Southern Conference Regular Season Champions;
3x NCAA champion as a player at Tennessee (Pat Summitt was her coach)
When you are playing against some of the best teams, you have to have multiple options on the defensive end to keep your opponents off guard. Having a solid match-up zone defense can create confusion and set your team up well. Teams will struggle to figure out if you are playing man to man or zone.
2019 Kay Yow Coach of the Year Kellie Harper has successfully used the match-up zone to create an advantage against some of the top teams in the game. In this on-court video, Harper takes you through the ins and outs of the match-up zone along with some breakdown drills to help you build up your match-up and man to man defense.
Walk through and Breakdown
Beginning with the whole defense, Coach Harper explains what your match-up zone defense will create for your program. By installing the match-up zone defense, your team will contest all outside shots, protect the paint, and disrupt and delay any offense; nothing will come easy for your opponents!
First, Coach Harper explains the basic rules and rotations of the match-up zone. Players will pressure the ball and aim for deflections on every pass. Players have to move with every pass so they can be there on the catch and then angle the basketball towards the deep corner. This style of play will force your opponents to prepare extra for games against your defense.
Next, Harper explains the positioning and movements both the guards and posts players execute as the ball is moved around. With your most athletic guard picking up the ball early, you are able to establish ball pressure early and force the ball to the weak side of the floor.
Finally, Harper covers every possible pass from wing entry, dribble entry, and high post entry; you will frustrate your opponents as you meet each skip pass and overload set with high pressure defense.
If you are the type of coach that likes to create trapping situations then you can use a trap on the wing or trap in the corner. All these options will create havoc with your opponents offense.
Drills
Using breakdown drills, Coach Harper will show how you can teach your players the basic movements within the match-up zone. Starting with ball pressure defense, your players will gain confidence and not back down as they learn to pressure the ball handler and influence them to one side of the floor.
In Closeout Drill, your players will learn how to arrive on the catch as the basketball is skipped from one side of the floor to the other. This will help build strong helpside defense. In Rebound/Exchange, players will learn to find a body when the shot goes up and transition down the floor into their offense. This is a great full court drill that will allow your players the chance to practice their rebounding and outlet skill.
Having another option on defense can separate your program from everyone else. The Match-Up Zone Defense is something you can use to create havoc with your opponents; it's another option to confuse your opponents.
Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars -
"Excellent instructional video that shows you the basic movements and actions of the match-up zone defense. Really well organized, demonstrated and taught!"
62 Minutes. 2024