If you can teach an effective trap, 1-2-1-1 or 1-2-2 works really well. But you must teach them how to trap, and how to deny the near passing lanes immediately following the trap. The main benefit of 1-2-2 over 1-2-1-1 is eliminating the long cross-court run if the ball is reversed - you have coverage on both sides. If the backside defender is a little sleepy, 1-2-2 does offer the offense more chance at an upcourt pass over the top. Good traps help prevent that from occurring.
We used to use (and still do) a man press. All defenders play baseline side of the potential pass receivers, switching on all screens, doing everything in their power to dney an open inobunds pass. The inbounder's defender is used as an extra defender to take away the upcourt pass initially (since everybody else is on the ball side) or to double the best ball handler/FT shooter and completely deny them the ball. When the ball comes in, this defender can jump in on a trap immediately. If we surprise a team with it, we can get a five second count or a couple of quick turnovers. We keep the ball out of the hands of their most dangerous players. Has worked great for four years!
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