zone defense

noun

, Sports.

1. a method of defense, especially in basketball and football, in which each member of the defensive team guards a specified portion of the playing area.

Word History and Origins

Origin of zone defense¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

“That’s the reason, for example, I believe a lot in zone defense. Because everyone needs to defend.”

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s got rush value, he’s big in zones. When we’re playing just some big zone defense, all of a sudden his arms go from the hash to the numbers. He’s just a big body out there. I think we’re going to continue to find some other sub-packages, ways to utilize him because he’s twitchy too. He’s not just a big, long kid.”

From Los Angeles Times

They didn’t make a basket again until 3:01 into the second half — a stretch of 9 minutes, 53 seconds — as Oregon befuddled the Wildcats with a zone defense for much of that stretch.

From Seattle Times

Etiwanda broke out a 3-2 matchup zone defense that the Monarchs couldn’t figure out.

From Los Angeles Times

They employed an extended zone defense the entire game, and Cronin appeared to make zero adjustments.

From Los Angeles Times