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The Amoeba defense is an interesting way to confuse your opponent, force turnovers, and seize momentum in a game. You may be the only team in your area showing this look, meaning your opponents will have to prepare for something they have never seen before.
This defensive style combines both pressure man-to-man and zone principles to be as disruptive as possible. This article describes the basic rules of Coach Tarkanian's original Amoeba defense. To learn more about the Mayhem version of the Amoeba, get the DVD "The Mayhem Amoeba-Style Defense".
- What Is The Amoeba Defense
- What Is An Advantage of The Amoeba Defense
- What Is A Disadvantage of The Amoeba Defense
- What Is An Example of The Initial Formation For The Amoeba Defense
- What Are The General Responsibilities of The Defenders Within The Amoeba Defense
- What Are Examples of The Amoeba Defense
- What Are Associated Basketball Defenses That Are Used Within The Amoeba Defense
The Amoeba defense is a basketball defensive strategy that seeks to limit scoring opportunities for the offensive team by implementing on-ball pressure as well as sideline traps while preventing dribble penetration from the perimeter and restricting entry passes into the high or low post areas. Additionally, the Amoeba defense encourages defensive ...
One notable advantage of the Amoeba defense is that it uniquely features a combination of basketball defensesystems such as man to man defense, zone defense, as well as trap defense tactics to disrupt the flow of the offense. For example, each one of the defenders could potentially execute on-ball man to man defense, particularly near the perimeter...
One particular disadvantage of the Amoeba defense is that each defender needs an adequate amount of lateral quickness and general footspeed in order to efficiently pressure the ball, execute closeouts, or generate steals via interceptions. For example, if an offensive player is in possession of the ball and a defender is currently guarding that off...
This is an example of the initial formation for the Amoeba defense. X1 starts at the extended top while X2 starts near the high post area. X3 and X4 start near the mid-post areas between the high post elbows and low post blocks. X5 starts in front of the basket.
The responsibilities of X1 are to pressure the offensive player with the ball at the top once that same player crosses the half court line, cover the high post area, set traps, or intercept passes near the high postor wing areas. The responsibilities of X2 are to cover the high post area, protect the lane slightly below the free throw line, guard t...
Example 1
This is an example of the Amoeba defense when the ball is at the top. X1 extends defensive pressureonce 1 crosses the half court line. The other four defenders stay in the initial areas until the ball gets passed to another location on the court.
Example 2
This is an example of the Amoeba defense when the ball is on the wing. X3 executes a closeout and extends defensive pressure on 2. Next, X1 drops back near the high post above the free throw line and X2 also drops back into the lane below the free throw line. X5 fronts the high post and prepares to closeout to the corner if necessary. X4 drops back into the lane to protect the basket from potential weak sidecutting actions.
Example 3
This is an example of the Amoeba defense when the ball gets trapped near the wing. To start, X1 sprints over to trap the ballalongside X3. Afterwards, 2 will probably attempt to pass out of the trap. If that occurs and 1 is to be the recipient of that pass, then X2 has the option to intercept the ball, represented by the gray arrow. On the other hand, if 4 is to be the recipient of that pass, then X5 has the option to intercept the ball, shown with the gray arrow.
Man to man defenseis a type of basketball defensive system comprised of various defenders that guard certain offensive players, typically based on their respective basketball positions, to ultimately limit or prevent scoring opportunities near the basket or from the perimeter. Zone defenseis a type of basketball defensive system featuring multiple ...
Mar 22, 2013 · A pass from the corner to the point weak-side guard can be picked off by XI and taken the other way for an easy layup. This article focuses on the Amoeba defense as it was played by UNLV under Jerry Tarkanian, The defense was created at Pittsburgh by Buzz Ridl.
In the amoeba, the defender guarding the player with the ball exerts extreme pressure while the other four defenders zone. Becasue of its aggressive outside rotations, it does require quick guards. However, when executed, it will definitely result in steals and easy transition baskets.
Coach Tarkanian gives a great video presentation on teaching the Amoeba Defense while at Fresno State. On court drills and board presentation.
- 41 min
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- Jymratt Basketball
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Jan 22, 2024 · The Amoeba defense is a basketball defensive strategy that seeks to limit scoring opportunities for the offensive team by implementing on-ball pressure while preventing dribble penetration from the perimeter and restricting entry passes into the high or low post areas.
