An adaptive robust L2design method with dead -zone modification is proposed for a class of nonlinear systems with external disturbances and uncertain parameters. With priori knowledge of the bounds of the parametric uncertainties, the smooth projection method and the dead zone modification technology are incorporated into the adaptive laws to prevent parameter drifting and reduce the computation burden. The number of parameter estimates is minimal for the adaptive system. The algorithm can guarantee the tracking errors asymptotically converge to the desired dead zone if the external disturbances are zero. The system satisfies L2 disturbance rejection criterion when the external disturbances are considered.