zone defense

American  

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.

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Etymology

Origin of zone defense

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

That offense is the reason opposing coaches like to play zone defense against La Cañada.

From Los Angeles Times

With the Bruins getting outhustled and struggling to attack Eastern Washington’s zone defense, scoring became an unexpected slog.

From Los Angeles Times

Redick admitted that he caught himself in the first halfway briefly longing for James when the Lakers were struggling to score against a zone defense.

From Los Angeles Times

Wolfson, who has used a matchup zone defense at times during his coaching days, is teasing how it might make a return with Millogo in the middle.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, Jesuit, supported by a loud contingent of students from its nearby campus, made eight threes and used its matchup zone defense to leave the Chancellors unable to respond in the fourth quarter after being down 43-40.

From Los Angeles Times