Match-up zone is a combination defense, combining elements of man-to-man defense (on ball), and zone defense (away from the ball). It's a zone defense that acts a lot like a good man-to-man defense. The on-ball defender closes-out and plays tight like in man-to-man. The zone away from the ball resembles man-to-man "helpside" defense.

The match-up zone defense is disguised as to try to confuse the offense. The player who defending the ball-handler will play in close as they are in man-to-man, while the other defenders who are playing zone will resemble more of help-side man-to-man defense.