Converse University Head Men's Basketball Coach;
Wesleyan University Head Coach from 2018 to 2022;
Compiled a 49-26 record over 4 seasons;
Guided the Warriors to a 20-win season in 2020;
won the school's first ever Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship (2020);
Tusculum Head Coach from 2016 to 2017;
set a school record for most three-pointers made and attempted in a season (2017);
Played collegiately at King UniversityThe 1-3-1 half-court zone defense has been used successfully as an effective way to change the pace of a game. It is a highly versatile defense that can slow down opposing offenses, cause confusion in the half court and force turnovers.
In this video, Nick Pasqua gives viewers a detailed look at his 1-3-1 half-court defense system and offers up practical, valuable lessons on the best way to teach it to your players
1-3-1 Defense Overview: Player Positioning, Movements & Rules
With an objective of changing up defenses, Pasqua uses a whiteboard to demonstrate and explain the intricacies of his 1-3-1 defense and when it is most effective, as well as an overview of the positioning of the players, their individual defensive assignments, movements and rules. He also provides great insight on when he’ll change into a 2-3 zone or play man-to-man defense, depending on the corner in which the ball is entered.
Starting with the top player in the zone (#3 defender), Pasqua assigns this defender to play between the lane-lines extended in the middle of the floor. A major part of what this top defender is asked to do is to stunt toward the ball and make the ball handler uncomfortable.
The forwards (#1 and #2 defenders) play flat across the middle using the three-point line to restrain them, while the center (#5) stays positioned between the player with the ball and the basket. The bottom defender (#4) stays one step outside the lane line on the same side as the ball.From this positioning, Pasqua shows movements in the zone and explains each defender’s rules based on where the ball is located, the game situation and what the offense is trying to accomplish.
1-3-1 Defense Adjustments, Breakdown Drills
Pasqua shows viewers several ways that an offense may adjust to the 1-3-1 and provides several ‘counters to the counter’ which include how to defend skip passes, passes to the middle of the floor and specific types of ball screens. Each of these actions is defended based on rules within the defense.
Viewers are treated to an in-depth look and best practices for installing the 1-3-1 defense, including several excellent breakdown drills that Pasqua uses to teach and perfect it.
Pasqua begins by showcasing a 1-3-1 Defense, 4-on-4 Drill in which special attention is paid to stunting at the ball, stunting at passes, and filling gaps. Key teaching points in this drill include close-outs on the ball with one hand and how to use “hit and get” technique during rebounding opportunities when a shot is taken.
In a 5-on-5 live-action sequence, Pasqua teaches ball screen-defense and stresses that when ball screens are used against a zone defense, that man-to-man ball screen principles should be applied and shows off several defensive slides and movements that can thwart these offensive attempts to open up scoring opportunities.
The video finishes with an effective section where the 1-3-1 half-court zone defense is taught by working defenders against a numerical disadvantage. Using a 5-on-6 disadvantage, Pasqua places special emphasis on how to defend lob passes, how to keep the ball out of the high post and best practices for stopping middle drives.This video is an excellent primer for installing, teaching and adding the 1-3-1 defense into your defensive arsenal!
“Coach Pasqua goes into extreme detail to show how his team plays an exceptionally tough 1-3-1 half-court zone defense. This is a defense that gives the offense fits game after game.” - Customer Review.
60 minutes. 2022.