2-2-1 full court press
Many youth leagues restrict full-court pressing by age, by score margin, or both. Check your league's rules before you press.
Full court press (2-2-1 press) step by step
- 1
O5 inbounds after a made basket. The press lets the first pass in, and X1 steps up to guard O1 from the middle side.
- 2
X1 pushes the dribbler up the sideline. X3 comes up from half court to meet the ball.
- 3
X1 and X3 trap on the sideline. X2 drops to take the pass to the middle, X4 slides over to guard the pass up the sideline, and X5 moves toward the ball side.
- 4
The ball is trapped and the closest passes are covered. The only safe pass left is back to O2, which keeps the ball in the backcourt and uses up time.
When to use a full court press
Press when the other team has one main ball handler, struggles to pass under pressure, or when you are behind and need turnovers. It can also speed up a team that wants to slow the game down.
A 2-2-1 press is a good first press for youth teams. It lets the inbound pass in and always keeps a safety back near the basket, which makes it easier for young players to learn. Most teams run it after made baskets and free throws, when they have time to get set.
Press less when you are ahead and the other team has a strong press break, or when your players are tired. A press that gets broken leads to 3-on-2 and 2-on-1 breaks at the other end.
2-2-1 press responsibilities by position
X1 and X2 (front two)
Set up around the free throw line extended. Let the inbound pass in, then the defender on the ball side turns the dribbler toward the sideline. The off defender drops toward the middle to take away the pass back through the middle.
X3 and X4 (second line)
Set up near half court on each side. The ball-side defender steps up to trap with the front defender when the dribbler comes up the sideline. The other one slides across toward the ball to cover the pass up the floor.
X5 (safety)
Stays back, usually around the top of the key in the frontcourt. Protects the basket first and reads the long pass. X5 only jumps a pass they are sure to reach.
How to teach a 2-2-1 press
Teach it in pieces. Start with the front two turning the ball to the sideline, then add the trap with the second line, then add the rotations behind it. Walk through where everyone goes when the ball is trapped before running it live.
Next, practice what happens when the ball gets out. If the offense passes out of the trap, everyone sprints back toward the paint and picks up the nearest player. The first job after a broken press is stopping the layup.
Teams beat a 2-2-1 by passing out of the trap before it closes, flashing a player to the middle, and throwing the ball ahead up the floor. The press break page shows how offenses attack it.
See also: Press break
Full court press drill: 5-on-5 trap and rotate
- Set up five defenders in the 2-2-1 and five offensive players with an inbounder under the far basket.
- Walk it first. Offense inbounds to one side, the dribbler goes up the sideline, and the coach freezes everyone once the trap is set to check spots.
- Run it at half speed and let the offense try the pass back to the inbounder, the middle pass, and the sideline pass. Defenders rotate to each.
- Go live for five possessions. When the ball gets past half court, the defense sprints back and plays out the possession in the half court.
- Track turnovers forced and layups given up. Talk through any layup at the end.
Coaching point Trap with your feet and chest, and keep your hands up to take away the passing angles. Reaching in the trap leads to fouls and lets the ball handler step through.
Common full court press mistakes
- The front two letting the ball handler dribble to the middle of the floor. The press only works if the ball goes toward a sideline.
- Trappers leaving a gap between them, which lets the dribbler split the trap.
- X5 leaving the basket to go for a steal and giving up a layup.
- Nobody rotating to the middle, so one pass beats the whole press.
- Players jogging back after the press is broken. Everyone sprints to the paint first.
Full court press FAQ
What is a 2-2-1 full court press?
It is a zone press with two defenders near the backcourt free throw line, two near half court, and one safety deep. It lets the inbound pass in, forces the ball to the sideline, and traps it there.
How do you run a 2-2-1 press?
After a made basket, set up in the 2-2-1. The front two let the inbound in and push the ball to the sideline. The front defender and the ball-side second-line defender trap. The off defenders cover the middle and sideline passes, and the safety protects the basket.
How do you beat a 2-2-1 press?
Get the ball inbounded quickly, pass before the trap closes, flash a player into the middle of the floor, and pass ahead up the sideline. Dribbling into the corner makes the trap easier.
Can you full court press in youth basketball?
It depends on your league. Many youth leagues limit full-court pressing by age or when a team is ahead by a certain margin, so check your league's rules.