What does the term "zone defense" refer to?

The term "zone defense" refers specifically to a defensive strategy where players are responsible for guarding designated areas of the court rather than focusing on marking individual opponents. In a zone defense, players work together to cover space and protect crucial areas, such as the paint, while still being aware of potential offensive players entering their zones. This tactic aims to disrupt the offensive flow, force difficult shots, and limit open looks by effectively covering the court as a unit.

This approach contrasts with man-to-man defense, where each defender is assigned a specific offensive player to guard. The effectiveness of zone defense can often depend on the specific formation used (like 2-3 or 3-2 setups) and the ability of players to communicate and shift as the ball moves around the court. It can exploit mismatches and is particularly useful against teams that rely heavily on individual scoring rather than team play.