2-2-1 Press Break: "Twenty One" 4 Across Set (PDF + Animation)

2-2-1 press break diagram: Twenty One 4 across set

Nice little wrinkle to add to your press breaker repertoire. “Twenty One” is a 4 across press break for attacking a 2-2-1 full court zone press. It can be used as a set off a dead ball, or even as a full-fledged press break.

By bringing four players across the free throw line extended, you mathematically give yourself pretty good odds of at least getting the ball inbounded and catching it on the run. A 2-2-1 only has two defenders in its front line, so four receivers spread across the floor are hard to take away at the same time. From there, quick ball movement to the middle opens up the passing lanes and creates scoring chances.

Download the 2-2-1 press breaker PDF or view the animation.

How a 2-2-1 Press Tries to Beat You

A 2-2-1 usually lets you inbound the ball, then waits for the ball handler to dribble up the sideline into a trap. The two front defenders and two wings pinch the ball near the sideline, and the back defender guards the long pass. If you hold the ball or dribble into the corner, the press wins.

The 4 Across Press Break, Step by Step

Initial set: 4 inbounds from the baseline. 2 and 1 line up at the elbows of the free throw line, and 5 and 3 line up wide on each side at the same level. That’s the four across.

Create movement. 2 flashes up the lane toward the inbounder and 3 takes a step toward the ball on his side, while 1 and 5 drop back to open up space.
Get it in. 5 comes back toward the ball on his side, and 4 inbounds to him.
Hit the middle. 2 flashes to the middle of the floor and 5 hits him. 4 steps inbounds on the other side as a release, and 1 drops into the lane.
Push it. 2 dribbles up the middle toward half court while 3 sprints up his sideline.
Score. 2 passes ahead to 3, who goes in for the layup.

The key catch is 2 in the middle. Once he has it facing up the floor, the press is behind the ball and 3 is usually running free.

Coaching Points

Inbound quickly. Get the ball in before the press is set. Every second you wait is a second the defense gets organized.
Catch on the move. Receivers should be coming toward the ball when they catch, not standing still.
Get it to the middle. A catch in the middle of the floor puts the whole press behind the ball.
Move the ball before the trap arrives. Passes beat a 2-2-1 faster than dribbles do.
Reverse it. When one side is crowded, swing it back. The press has to shift, and the gaps open while it does.
Finish the job. Once you’re through, push for a layup or an open shot before the defense recovers.

Common Mistakes

Cutting too early, before the inbounder is ready to pass
Catching and dribbling straight up the sideline into the first trap
Panicking in the trap instead of using a pass fake and stepping through
Lob passes over the front line that the back defenders can read
Nobody staying behind the ball as a safety outlet
Breaking the press and then pulling the ball out instead of attacking

How to Practice It

Walk it through 5 on 0 first, then run it against your second unit in a 2-2-1. Start with dead ball inbounds after a made basket, then let the defense trap live. The Trapping and Pressure Passing Drill is a good way to work on passing out of the traps the 2-2-1 sets.