The "Bermuda Triangle" Defense

Yesterday, I explained the nickname "shark tank" and how it applies to our zone defenses.  Another nickname that applies to one of our zone defenses is the "Bermuda Triangle".

The Bermuda Triangle is one of LSU's zone defenses.  It is named after the legendary area in the North Atlantic Ocean where ships, planes and sailors have allegedly disappeared over the centuries.  (See map above.)

The Bermuda Triangle is our nickname for the "Triangle-and-two" zone defense that we use on occasion.  The Triangle-and-two is a zone that you don't see often in high school or college.  It is considered a gimmick defense at those levels.  However, at the youth basketball level, especially at this level, it is an effective setup.

In the Triangle-and-two, two forwards defend the zones on the low post and one forward defends the paint.  The three forwards make up the triangle.  The two guards vigorously defend the ball handlers as they cross the half-court line.  (See diagram above.)  Since very few players, if any, at this level are able to shoot effectively from the perimeter, this defense works.

When mixed in with our man-to-man and our other zones, the Bermuda Triangle works.  The ball and the opposing offense may enter the triangle, but they usually will not succeed in their journey to the basket.