Explain the zone defense

[cotton]

Originally Posted by DeadThree024

At times they might use the down screen, but I know for a fact it's not after every cross screen along the baseline. Traditionally, in the flex the down screen is set for the cross screener to come up and either look for a shot or continue the offense. Pearl's flex has more floor spacing which i prefer. In my time as a player I've ran the flex with and without the down screen and I prefer without because of spacing. His variation allows for making more plays off dribble penetration instead of relying purely on screens to get good shots. I'm not saying CBP doesn't use down screens in any of his offense's i'm simply saying his version of the flex does not have the continous cross and down screening action of a more traditional flex. The link below gives Tennessee's modified flex in a diagram. The down screen is an option, but is not repetitive like a true flex.

X’s & O’s of Basketball: Tennessee's Modified Flex Offense

Foregoing the downscreen also keeps the posts on the posts and the guards at the top, where downscreening flip-flops them. If you have bigmen that can shoot from the elbow and are trustworthy handling the ball in space, and guards that are big and physical enough to score and screen on the blocks, the downscreen has the advantages of 1) freeing people for the elbow jumper, 2) creating movement down low, making the baseline screen more effective, and 3) creating movement at the top so your guards aren't just standing there handing the ball back and forth, which our guards have had a tendency to do (even Lofton and J. Smith.)

The baseline screen--the "flex" screen--is almost impossible to defend without help. The downscreen helps confuse or remove the help. But it comes with the significant disadvantage of putting your bigs at the guard and your guards on the post, so Bruce has chosen not to use it.

[k-sny-vol]

i really think we shoulda kept the FLEX ! i mean, look at our guards size. there all 6'6 or taller except Tabb and Maze and there PG's. big PG's that is..

we could post some of em up and get them those easy layups jajuan had about every game last year.. he was so quick and athletic he could post up last year..

it'll also get Scotty and Reynaldo away from the 3 point line which is a MUST ! along with Tatum

[dickens821]

We run the flex, always have under Bruce. It's just a different version.

[k-sny-vol]

thats what i meant, we should have kept the part of the flex that will let your guards be on the blocks at times..

[dickens821]

It's hard for our guards to get down low if you don't have big men that can draw defenders out, not to mention other guards that can shoot the three ball.

[k-sny-vol]

Smith definately draws defenders out..

chism does once he hits one three.. haha

[dickens821]

Smith plays more of a SF role than a PF though.

[k-sny-vol]

true..

but idk.. it just seems like our offense is too easy to guard b/c they just stand behind the 3 and pass it back and forth.. ALL the time.. it kills me to watch it..

[dickens821]

With JP Prince out our inexperienced lineup (minus Tyler) can't break down a Zone.

[k-sny-vol]

i wonder if Bruce tells them to just drive da helll out of the ball ?

he should, just so they can get used to it

[dickens821]

If they can control themselves they should. Bobby should be a little more selfish and drive more often. At the worst we'd get an open 3 look when the D collapsed on him and he kicked it out. at best he'd get a layup look.

[k-sny-vol]

yess i've def. noticed that too !
bobby really needs to get more aggressive with driving.. he seems like he's tentative, or scared to drive.. he'll act like he is, then stop and pass to someone else..

[dickens821]

He's not tentative. When he was a freshman at OU he was selfish.

[k-sny-vol]

then why is he not driving ?? i seen him have WIDE open lanes and not use them..

it puzzles me too

[dickens821]

Hat came up with a theory I agree with. He was very selfish as a freshman, and as a result was not liked by his teammates and was basically asked to leave the team by Jeff Capel. He seems to have matured a lot, and is not nearly as selfish. He wants to be a good teammate this go around, and is passing more than he needs to.