Triangle and Two Defense
Encyclopedia
The Triangle-and-Two Defense is a particular type of defense
used in basketball
.
The Triangle-and-Two is a hybrid between a man-to-man defense
in which each defensive player is responsible for marking a player on the other team, and a zone defense
in which each defensive player is responsible for guarding an area of the court.
In a Triangle-and-Two Defense, three players play zone defense, and align themselves in a triangle protecting the basket, with typically the power forward
and center
playing directly under the basket, and the small forward
playing towards the foul line.
The shooting guard
and point guard
in a Triangle-and-Two defense play man to man defense, typically marking the opposing team's best offensive players on the perimeter.
A Triangle-and-Two defense is usually used against teams with a dominant scoring backcourt. It is also often used simply to disrupt the play of the opposing guards, who are generally the best passers on the floor, thus disrupting the entire offense. The idea is to try to shut perimeter players down by forcing them to score against a dedicated man-to-man player, and a supporting zone. The set was often used against the dynamic backcourt of Jameer Nelson
and Delonte West
of Saint Joseph's University
in 2004. One specific example of a team effectively employing the strategy in route to victory was in 1998 when the Utah Utes
, led by head coach Rick Majerus
and point guard Andre Miller
, defeated the #1 seed and defending national champions Arizona Wildcats
in the Elite 8 round. Utah successfully neutralized Arizona's two star guards, Miles Simon
and Mike Bibby
, winning the game by a score of 76-51 and earning a trip to the Final Four. In the 2010 NCAA Tournament, Sam Houston State employed the Triangle-and-Two defense against heavily favored Baylor, neutralizing Baylor threats Ekpe Udoh and Tweety Carter. Sam Houston State was able to keep the game close the entire way before falling in the game's final minute.
The biggest weakness of a Triangle-and-Two defense is its vulnerability to cutters through the lane, and also against good passing from the forward spots. Teams with good passers on the floor are often able to easily find flaws in this defense.
One variation of the Triangle-and-Two is the Diamond-and-One, where the four players in the box are arranged in a diamond pattern (one under the basket, two between the basket and foul line, and the fourth at the foul line). Another variation is the Box-and-One Defense, in which four defenders play zone defense in a box shape around the key, while the remaining defender plays man-to-man defense.
Defense (sport)
In many team sports, defense or defence is the action of preventing an opponent from scoring. The term may also refer to the tactics involved in defense, or a sub-team whose primary responsibility is defense...
used in basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
.
The Triangle-and-Two is a hybrid between a man-to-man defense
Man-to-man defense
Man-to-man defense is a type of defensive tactic used in American football, association football, and basketball in which each player is assigned to defend and follow the movements of a single player on offense. Often, a player guards his counterpart , but a player may be assigned to guard a...
in which each defensive player is responsible for marking a player on the other team, and a zone defense
Zone defense
Zone defense is a type of defense, used in team sports, which is the alternative to man-to-man defense; instead of each player guarding a corresponding player on the other team, each defensive player is given an area known as a "zone" to cover....
in which each defensive player is responsible for guarding an area of the court.
In a Triangle-and-Two Defense, three players play zone defense, and align themselves in a triangle protecting the basket, with typically the power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
and center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
playing directly under the basket, and the small forward
Small forward
The small forward, or colloquially known as three, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. Small forwards are typically somewhat shorter, quicker, and leaner than power forwards and centers, but on occasion are just as tall...
playing towards the foul line.
The shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
and point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
in a Triangle-and-Two defense play man to man defense, typically marking the opposing team's best offensive players on the perimeter.
A Triangle-and-Two defense is usually used against teams with a dominant scoring backcourt. It is also often used simply to disrupt the play of the opposing guards, who are generally the best passers on the floor, thus disrupting the entire offense. The idea is to try to shut perimeter players down by forcing them to score against a dedicated man-to-man player, and a supporting zone. The set was often used against the dynamic backcourt of Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson
Jameer Nelson is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the NBA. He played college basketball at Saint Joseph's University and was drafted in the first round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets but was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he has played for his...
and Delonte West
Delonte West
Delonte Maurice West is an American professional basketball player who last played with the Boston Celtics of the NBA.-High school career:...
of Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph's University
Saint Joseph's University is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic Jesuit university located partially in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and partially in Lower Merion Township and located in the Pennsylvania Main Line, Pennsylvania, United States.The school was founded in 1851 as Saint...
in 2004. One specific example of a team effectively employing the strategy in route to victory was in 1998 when the Utah Utes
Utah Utes
The Utah Utes are the athletics teams of the University of Utah. They are named after the Ute tribe of Native Americans. The men's basketball team is known as the "Runnin' Utes"; the women's basketball team, formerly known as the "Lady Utes," now prefers to be referred to as the "Utes"; and the...
, led by head coach Rick Majerus
Rick Majerus
Rick Majerus is an American college basketball coach, and the men's basketball head coach at Saint Louis University. He coached previously at Marquette University , Ball State University , and the University of Utah .-Biography:Majerus graduated from Marquette University High School in 1966 and...
and point guard Andre Miller
Andre Miller
Andre Lloyd Miller is an American professional basketball player, currently with the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association.- College career :...
, defeated the #1 seed and defending national champions Arizona Wildcats
Arizona Wildcats
-Athletic program:The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific-12 Conference Arizona participates in the conference's South Division, along with Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah...
in the Elite 8 round. Utah successfully neutralized Arizona's two star guards, Miles Simon
Miles Simon
Miles Julian Simon is a retired American professional basketball player.Simon was born in Stockholm to an American father and a Norwegian mother. He played guard for the University of Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team, where he formed a formidable backcourt duo with current Miami Heat point...
and Mike Bibby
Mike Bibby
Michael "Mike" Bibby is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association. He is a 6'2" point guard, and he attended Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona and played collegiately at the University of Arizona. In...
, winning the game by a score of 76-51 and earning a trip to the Final Four. In the 2010 NCAA Tournament, Sam Houston State employed the Triangle-and-Two defense against heavily favored Baylor, neutralizing Baylor threats Ekpe Udoh and Tweety Carter. Sam Houston State was able to keep the game close the entire way before falling in the game's final minute.
The biggest weakness of a Triangle-and-Two defense is its vulnerability to cutters through the lane, and also against good passing from the forward spots. Teams with good passers on the floor are often able to easily find flaws in this defense.
One variation of the Triangle-and-Two is the Diamond-and-One, where the four players in the box are arranged in a diamond pattern (one under the basket, two between the basket and foul line, and the fourth at the foul line). Another variation is the Box-and-One Defense, in which four defenders play zone defense in a box shape around the key, while the remaining defender plays man-to-man defense.