Defend the High Post in the 2-3 Zone Defense
Goal
Teach youth and high school players how to contain and disrupt the offense when the ball reaches the high post in a 2-3 zone—one of the most vulnerable areas of the zone.
Setup
Defense: Standard 2-3 zone
Offense: High post entry from the top or wing
Ball Location: High post (free throw line area)
Positioning:
X5: Middle of the paint
X1/X2: Top zone defenders
X3/X4: Wing defenders
The high post is the soft spot in most 2-3 zones. When the offense gets the ball there, it forces the zone to collapse and creates 4 passing options: corner, wing, low block, or skip pass.
Step-by-Step Execution
Phase 1: Ball Enters the High Post
The ball is passed to a player in the high post (free throw line or elbow).
Defense reacts instantly.
Phase 2: Collapse and Contain
X5 (middle defender) steps up and guards the ball at the high post—hands high, body angled to deny a downhill drive or lob.
X1 and X2 (top defenders) pinch inward to crowd the high post, cutting off passing lanes to the wings and applying pressure to force a pass back out.
X3 (strong-side wing) plays below the high post to deny the low post pass—the most dangerous scoring option from this position.
X4 and weak-side defenders stay alert and ready to close out if the ball is kicked to the perimeter.
Coaching Tips
No Entry = No Problem: Train your team to deny the high post catch as a first priority.
Ball Pressure = Decision Pressure: When the ball is in the high post, all defenders must close the space fast—force the offense to make a rushed pass.
Hands Up Always: High post players often pass over defenders—active hands take that away.
Bounce and Recover: Teach defenders to collapse on the post, then bounce back out on the pass—especially vital for top defenders.
Youth Focus: Emphasize crowding and “don’t get split” between ball and passing lanes.
High School Layer: Drill specific rotations when the high post kicks to the corner or low block.
Full Breakdown: Defending the High Post in a 2-3 Zone
Why the High Post is Dangerous
Once the ball enters the high post in a 2-3 zone, your defense is in trouble—unless it reacts fast and smart.
From this position, the offense can:
Pass to the low post
Kick out to corner shooters
Skip across the court
Attack the rim with one dribble
Good offensive teams deliberately target this area to collapse your zone, so your players must know what to do when it happens.
Core Defensive Goals
Deny the Entry – Fight to stop the pass into the high post in the first place
Collapse Immediately – Pressure the ball with X5 and close in with X1/X2
Prevent the High-Low Pass – Make it nearly impossible to dump it into the block
Close Out with Control – Be ready to recover to shooters once the ball leaves
Rotations and Responsibilities
X5 (Middle Defender)
Step up to guard the ball
Arms up—don’t allow vision over the top
Play “big” and force a reset or bad pass
X1 & X2 (Top Defenders)
Pinch inward and crowd the ball—don't let the passer see the floor
Shade toward passing lanes (elbows and wings)
Recover back to the perimeter once the pass is made
X3 & X4 (Wings)
Ball-side defender (X3): Sit low and deny entry to the low post
Help-side defender (X4): Position to close out to the corner or help on skip passes
Both should read shoulders and body language for cues
Common Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Late collapse on the high post | Drill “ball in the middle = immediate collapse” reaction |
| Lazy hands from X5 | Emphasize hand positioning and vertical contests |
| No low post denial | Train X3/X4 to take away lobs and bounce passes |
| Poor closeouts after pass out | Work bounce-and-recover drills with closeout technique |
Practice Drills
High Post Reaction Drill
Feed the high post and drill 3 defenders (X1, X2, X5) collapsing and rotating back out.
4-on-4 High Post Penetration Drill
Offense attacks through the high post. Defense reacts and rotates under live conditions.
Bounce-Closeout Drill
Defenders collapse, then bounce out to close on shooters—train urgency and control.
Youth Coaching Adjustments
Use cones to mark the "No Catch Zone" at the free throw line.
Keep it simple: “If the ball gets there—everyone crashes and covers!”
Drill entry denial more than reaction at this level.
High School Coaching Adjustments
Use scouting reports to determine likely high post targets and flashers.
Assign different looks: one game might double the post, another game might shade and deny.
Combine with zone press to delay high post entry altogether.
Why It Works
The 2-3 zone is only strong when its middle is protected. A strong high-post containment plan ensures your zone doesn’t get carved up by inside-out actions. This plan:
Eliminates high-low passes
Forces tough kick-outs
Buys time for recovery and help
Train it well—and your zone won’t just hold, it’ll dominate.
