Why Teams Shouldn’t Play Zone Defense Before High School

What’s up Nation!

There has been a huge debate lately over whether coaches should teach Zone defense to youth basketball players (before high school). For me, I don’t like to teach zone before high school.

Zone defense looks like a cheat code in youth basketball, but it creates the illusion of development. A two three zone with ten year olds might win a Saturday morning game, but it teaches the wrong habits. Kids stop guarding the ball, stop moving their feet, stop communicating, and start hiding. They learn spots on the floor, not responsibility.