Defending Positions in the 3:2:1 System

This zonal defending session gets your players to move as a unit, create defensive triangles and close down the attacking danger. Use it with your team to make sure no man goes unmarked.

What is the 3:2:1 System?

In the 3:2:1 defence system every player has a clear task which makes it ideal for youth teams and teams which do not train that often. It's a fairly similar set-up to the 5-1 defence, except with an extra layer. Your first line of defence is the libero player who stands at the top of your defensive pyramid (stand roughly at 9 meters) and follows the movement of the ball, after this we find your two back-court defenders who shuffle and also follow the ball (stand at roughly 7.5 meters), and finally at the base of your pyramid are your three deepest defenders (essentially standing on the 6 meter line).

The advantages of this system is that you can defend jump-shots from the 9 and 10 meter line more closely, the disadvantage is that it leaves your team slightly more vulnerable to breakthroughs from the opposition, but as long your team are well drilled and prepared to run then this shouldn't be an issue - so make sure your players are prepared to work hard this week!