What is a 2-2-1 Box Press?
A 2-2-1 Box Press is a 3/4 Press with two players starting on the elbows, two starting at half-court and 1 playing back. The four players up front in the press form a box so it is called a 2-2-1 Box Press.
The front two players are trying to force the ball to sideline in order to get a trap on the sideline. The ballside players are working together to try and get the trap. The backside players are rotating back to either the middle of the court or as the rim protector.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can either be an aggressive press that is really working to get traps and steals. It can also be a press that is more passive that is trying to slow down the offense and not give up quick shots. The ability of the 2-2-1 Box Press to be both aggressive and passive gives it an advantage over other presses.
What is a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press?
A 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is a very aggressive trapping press. It is a press that attempts to create as much chaos as possible leading to offensive turnovers. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press has a defender guarding the inbounds pass. Two players are on the elbow looking to trap the entry pass with the inbounds defender. One player is at half-court and one player is all the way back.
The point defender is guarding the ball out-of-bounds. They are trying to get a deflection on the entry pass. If the offense is able to make an inbounds pass, then the point defender and the ballside elbow player are trapping. The backside elbow player is rotating to the middle. And the middle defender is rotating to the ballside sideline. The back defender is looking to steal any long cross-court pass.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is aggressive and tries to put the offense in spots for them to make mistakes against the press. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press does not read and react to the offense. It tries to dictate to the offense what they can and cannot do. The press is going to trap as soon as the ball in passed into the floor and continues to trap until the ball crosses half-court.
Best Team Personnel for a 2-2-1 Box Press
In my opinion the middle two defenders are the most important players for a 2-2-1 Box Press. These two players must be smart and able to anticipate. They are going to determine when and where the trap is going to take place. They can not just rush into the trap but wait until just the right moment of when to trap. This timing is key which is why I am always wanting smart players in these two spots.
The front two players must be able to guard the ball well. They are going to force the ball up the sideline. They cannot let the ball be dribbled around them and back into the middle of the court. Their job is to get the offensive player worried about them, so they do not see the trap coming from the middle players. They do not have to read the play at all. They just need to put as much pressure on the ball handler as they can while forcing them up the sideline.
The back player is also going to be involved in the press. Some presses have positions where a player can be hidden within the press. The 2-2-1 Box Press uses all 5 players in the execution of the press. The back player is staying in a vertical line with the ball and does not allow a sideline pass when the middle player rushes the ball for the trap. The back player must be fast enough to get to the sideline pass on the trap.
Best Team Personnel for a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press
The success of a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press comes down to mainly two defenders. The first is the point defender who is guarding the in-bounds pass. The second is the middle defender who starts at half-court. These two defenders are a big reason why the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press either succeeds or fails.
The point defender in a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is the initial defender guarding the in-bounds pass. They are wanting to create pressure even before the offense gets the ball into the court. They are also half of the first trap that traps as soon as the ball is passed in. The more active this point defender is, the more likely the defense is going to get a steal.
The point defender can also benefit from being a long defender. The taller this point defender is, the harder the in-bounds pass will be and the better the first trap is going to be. The ideal player for the point defender is a quick, stretch big(4). A player who has the size of a post player with the speed and quickness of a guard.
The 2nd most important player in the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is the middle defender. This player should get most of the steals on bad passes out of traps. They need to be able to move sideline to sideline. They also need to be a very smart player who can anticipate what the offense is going to do. The ability of the middle defender to be in the right spot at the right moment can make the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press a turnover machine.
The middle defender is supposed to stop any passes going up the sideline after the initial in-bounds pass. That means they have to be able to get to the sideline fast enough to stop that 2nd sideline pass. However, a smart defender who can read the offense can time the sideline pass and get steals by arriving just in time for the pass to be stolen.
Aside from the sideline pass, the middle pass also defeats the press. An exceptional middle defender will be able to anticipate and guard both the sideline pass and the middle pass until one of the front defenders is able to drop back into the middle. This kind of reading, reacting and anticipating is hard to find in a player. The defenders who can do all three make the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press extremely hard to play against.
When to Use a 2-2-1 Box Press?
The 2-2-1 Box Press can be used in two different ways. It can be aggressive and trying to get steals. Or it can be passive in just trying to slow an opponent down to prevent transition opportunities.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can be used when behind to try and speed up the game and work to get steals. The middle players in the Box Press will be aggressive in trapping to give the defense more chances to get steals and easy baskets. It gives the defense the ability to guard the offense 3/4 court giving the players more space to get steals. This can help the defense get back into a game.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can also be a more passive press where the defense is not necessarily trying to trap the ball. It shows like it is going to be up and trapping but the middle players are never going to rush the ball to trap. They are going to retreat back into the half-court as the ball moves up the floor. This type of pressing forces the offense to slow down and not rush into a trap. Against a team that likes to score in transition, this can force them to slow down and play a more half-court game.
When to Use a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press?
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is best used in two situations. First, it is a great press to change the tempo of the game from a slower pace to a faster pace. Tempo can have a huge effect on the game. The ability to change the tempo can be a major reason for why a team is able to win a game. If the tempo of the game is too slow, then the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is a great way to increase the tempo of the game.
The second great use of the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is to create more traps and hopefully more turnovers. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press can be used when behind an opponent to try and make a comeback. The aggressiveness of the press can cause the opponent to get trapped and throw bad passes. Bad passes can be stolen and steals can be converted into easy points. This is a great press to use to make a comeback late in a game.
Advantages of a 2-2-1 Box Press Over a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press
1) Less Likely to Give up a Layup
The 2-2-1 Box Press is a press that puts pressure on the offense with its aggressiveness and trapping but also does a good job of keeping a player or two back for rim protecting. The 2-2-1 Box Press is a unique mix of aggression and still being a little somewhat conservative. It does a good job of applying pressure with its traps. But it also keeps the back player in a position where they are not rotating up towards the ball. There is also a player rotating back towards the basket at all times which gives the press 2 players in a position to protect the rim at all times.
The 2-2-1 Box Press also has the 2 middle defenders in a position where they are able to recover easier. These two defenders are working together in that when one of them is moving up to get a trap, the other is moving backwards towards the basket. This rotation keeps 3 players up the court and aggressively looking for a trap while 2 defenders are constantly back closer to the basket.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is a very aggressive press in putting players up the court trying to trap and get steals. These aggression will put the defense in bad spots in some possessions when the pressing and trapping does not work. When an offense is able to beat the press, they are normally in a 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 attack. The back defender stays back but with 4 defenders pushed up past half court in the press, it leaves little chance to stop the offense when they are able to beat the press.
2) Better Overall Pressure by Using all 5 Defenders in Press
The 2-2-1 Box Press is a unique press in that all 5 defenders are involved in the press. Most presses have one or two defenders staying back while the other defenders are trying to press and trap. The ability to ultilize all 5 defenders reduces the amount of space that is open for the offense to dribble and pass. The less space the offense has to use means the defense is able to apply more consistent pressure.
The 2-2-1 Box Press is not the most aggressive press but it is a good press in keeping consistent pressure on the offense. There are not many areas for the offense to attack the 2-2-1 Box Press. This allows the 2-2-1 Box Press to keep constant pressure on the offense. The constant pressure by the defense will wear down the offense eventually leading to mistakes.
The 2-2-1 Box Press is more of a slow burn press. The pressure gradually wears on the offense until they get tired and make mistakes. The offense will have some success against the 2-2-1 Box Press but given enough time the pressure will cause problems for the offense.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press does the opposite of the 2-2-1 Box Press. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press engulfs the offense with intense pressure on the initial entry pass. If the offense is able to make a good pass out of the initial trap, then the defense is in a scramble mode from that pass onward.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press has immense pressure right off the bat but then can struggle to get another trap established if the initial trap does not work. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press has better initial pressure but the 2-2-1 Box Press has longer, more consistent pressure possession after possession.
3) Can Change Where to Trap
One of the best tools the 2-2-1 Box Press has over other presses is the ability to change where and when the trap is going to take place. The traditional 2-2-1 Box Press trap is going to take place right after the offense crosses half-court. The front two defenders will force the ball up the sideline and the middle defenders will wait until the ball crosses half-court and then trap. While this is the traditional trap of the 2-2-1 Box Press, it is not the only way to trap in the 2-2-1 Box Press.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can also trap immediately on the inbounds pass. The middle two defenders can rush the ball with the front defender and trap on the catch. This trap enables the 2-2-1 Box Press to apply pressure immediately. The rush can surprise the offense leading to turnovers. This immediate trap can work well when the offense does not have any players around midcourt on the ball side sideline.
Also the 2-2-1 Box Press can trap in the frontcourt between the initial catch and before the ball gets to half-court. The middle defender can wait for the offense to take a few dribbles up the sideline and then rush the ball and get a trap. If an offense is doing a good job of stopping and reversing the ball before they cross half court then this middle trap can be used.
The middle trap gives the defense a chance for a trap and steal. The trap is not in the best location but a good offense will stay out of the best trapping positions for the defense. The slower rush still gives the defense a trapping opportunity but it is just not going to be in the best location. Any trap is better than no trap. So, when an offense stays out of the best trapping zones, a slow rush can be used to put pressure on the offense.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press puts more pressure on the offense but the traps are set into the press. This means the defense can not adjust to the offense. The traps are going to take place in the same locations no matter what. This gives the offense the ability to know where and when the trapping is going to take place and have a plan in place to beat the press.
Once the offense is able to beat the press, the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press can not adjust to the offense with trapping in different places. This normally means the defense will need to go away from the press once the offense has figured out how to beat the press.
Advantages of a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press Over a 2-2-1 Box Press
1) More Aggressive in Trapping
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is one of the most aggressive presses a team can use. The 1st trap is occurring on the initial inbounds pass. If the offense is able to pass out of the initial trap, then the defense is chasing the ball in order to try and get a 2nd and 3rd trap. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is applying pressure as soon as the inbound pass is made and trying to keep the pressure on the offense the entire time.
The offense does not have any time to stop and relax against a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press. As soon as the offense slows down the defense is rushing to trap the ball. The offense must keep moving and passing to keep the defense from getting a trap. Any time the offense stops, the defense will be able to get there and trap.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can be selective on when and where to apply pressure. If the offense keeps the ball in the middle of the court, then the defense may not even try and trap on that possession.
The 2-2-1 Box Press can be selective on when and where to trap. This means the offense may have possessions without being trapped. The defense can apply pressure and traps at different places to keep the offense confused. By adjusting the pressure, the defense can gain an advantage over the offense. But by trying to confuse the offense, the defense will tone down the pressure at times.
2) Better on the Ball Pressure
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press puts a defender on the in-bounds passer. This puts ball pressure on the offense even before the ball is inbounded. Then the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press continues to put pressure on the ball by trapping at every opportunity. The pressure works at trying to speed up the offensive players leading to them making mistakes.
After the in-bounds pass, the point defender is constantly chasing the ball looking to either complete a trap or put pressure on the ball if another defender is not there. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press forces the offense to play at a faster pace or get trapped. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is all about putting pressure on the offense and being proactive rather than reactive to the offense.
The 2-2-1 Box Press is a patient press. It allows the offense to move the ball up the court but attempts to keep the offense on one side of the floor. The on the ball pressure can be subtle or more aggressive but the pressure is only there to force the ball into a trapping area. Ball pressure is secondary to ball position.
The 2-2-1 Box Press wants to put the offense in a state of calmness before they rush to trap. The rush is there to cause panic. But everything before the rush should be trying to give the offense a sense of security. The offense should not feel threaten by the pressure until it is too late and the trap is made.
3) A Slower Post Player can still be used in the Press
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press is focused on the front four defenders establishing pressure and creating turnovers. The back defender is used more as a safety and never should be rotating up into the press. They are there looking for any over the top pass as well as staying back and being a rim protector.
This limited role in the press allows a slower post player to stay in the game while the defense is pressing. The back defender does not have a significant role in the press so they are able to stay back. Presses rely on speed most of the time to cover ground and create pressure. Slower post players can struggle to find a spot to play in most presses because of the lack of speed. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press has the back defender which gives those slower players a chance to stay in the game even during presses.
The 2-2-1 Box Press relies on all 5 defenders filling their role within the press to maximize the ability to create pressure and turnovers. All 5 defenders are active and rotating up and back during each possession.
If a slower post player is unable to get into the right position at the right times, then they become a liability. A good offensive team can exploit a slower player in a 2-2-1 Box Press by attacking the areas of the court they are responsible for guarding. Slow rotations will make a press ineffective. The offense can beat the slow player and will have an advantage in attacking the basket once passed the slower defender.
Which is Better? A 2-2-1 Box Press or a 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press
I use both the 2-2-1 Box Press and the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press on a regular basis. Some years I use the 2-2-1 Box Press more often. And other years I use the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press more frequently. I like both presses and consider them to be two of the better types of presses.
The difference from year to year as to which press I use more often is the personnel of the team. A team of guards and forwards are going to be better at the 2-2-1 Box Press. A team with a slower post player is going to have to use the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press.
Some seasons I will run both presses during the year. I will have a lineup with a post player in the game where I use the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press. Then when I substitute the post player out of the game and go with 5 quicker players, I will change into the 2-2-1 Box Press.
So, which press is better? By the thinnest of margins, I have to give the edge to the 2-2-1 Box Press. The ability to change the rush point to trap gives the 2-2-1 Box Press just enough difference to keep the offense off balance. The 2-2-1 Box Press can trap at 3 different levels so the defense can keep changing where to trap. This keeps the offense from ever getting into a nice comfortable press offense.
The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press puts better pressure on the offense but once the offense figures out how to beat the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press, the defense will be chasing the offense the rest of the game. The 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press does not have the ability to change what it is.
The stability of the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press makes it a good press but it can also be its downfall. Once an offense learns how to beat the press, it can be difficult to create any more turnovers. The 2-2-1 Box Press can change just enough to force the offense to change what they are doing when they figure it out. This slight advantage is enough to give the edge to the 2-2-1 Box Press over the 1-2-1-1 Diamond Press.