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

But the zone defense was critical to helping slow the pace for a team trying to survive its fifth game in seven days.

From Los Angeles Times

The Lakers rolled out a zone defense to begin the second quarter.

From Los Angeles Times

Those underdogs tend to follow a simple recipe—they have one or two elite skills, like 3-point shooting or an airtight zone defense, that can tilt a seeming mismatch in their favor.

From The Wall Street Journal

They finally found one by going to the zone defense that has been a rarity under Cronin.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Los Angeles Times