2-1-2 Defense
[A Coach Reggie Production, 2005]
The center defensive player really needs to have a good court sense and be aware of her surroundings. She needs to communicate what she sees to her teammates. When a player from the block runs out to the corner to defend a shot, she needs to be in position on the block to deflect an inside pass and/or to stop anyone from penetrating the paint.
The two defensive players at the top of the 2-1-2 can either play higher to cut off the passing lanes or can play lower, below the passing lanes, to prevent penetration. If one defensive player causes an offensive player to pick up her dribble, her teammates, especially the other one at the top, should immediately get into position to deny a pass. Players should yell, "Ball! Ball! Ball!" when the ball is live and "Dead! Dead! Dead!" when the dribble is picked up so that everyone on the court knows what to do.
Another option is for the 2 at the top follow the ball everywhere and the bottom 3 play in a triangle zone. The middle player can work with the player on the block to trap anyone who approaches the paint. During this, the other block player must come to the middle of the paint to help defend. This would work good against strong ball-handlers. It can also be done the opposite way, with the two at the top stationary, assigned to a certain spot, such as the spots given during the 2-3 defense, and the 3 at the bottom can move with the ball as soon as it gets below the foul line extended. During this, the basket can be left wide open in the middle of the paint, so it's important that the opposite block player and the opposite elbow rotate down to help inside.