At Westgate Basketball Association we have chosen to adopt a No Zone Rule in our U10, U12 and U14 domestic competition. 

MUVJBL introduced their formal "no zone" ruling from the VBL 2013/14 season. The rationale is that a zone defence at these age groups can limit the development of individual and team skills. For example, driving opportunities are limited and players often do not have the muscular strength and coordination to shoot, with good technique, from the perimeter or throw "skip" passes. This reduces the need for defensive skills such as "closing out" and positioning.

Whilst the "no zone" rule focuses on the defence, it was introduced to enhance the development of both offensive and defensive skills. We hope to encourage all coashes to teach their players better man-to-man principles in both ends of the court for the longer term development of players in our competition.

We will actively encourage coaches to ensure their players observe man-to-man defence principles and will assist them to improve their skills to achieve this.  MUVJBL No Zone coaching clinics will be regularly advertised encouraging all U10, U12 & U14 domestic coaches to attend. No Zone coaching clinics are also offered by our Director of Coaching from time to time, and more resources can be found under our Coaching at Westgate tab.

WESTGATE BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

NO ZONE RULE FOR U/10, U/12 AND U/14. ALL DIVISIONS

A restriction to a team’s defence only occurs from the centreline, where teams must apply Man to Man principles.

Interpretation of Team Responsibilities.

Definition – Illegal Zone:

“Any defence played in the half court which incorporates any player consistently guarding an area of the court and not guarding a specific opponent”

Beware of Static Offences!

There may be occasions when a team employs an offence that causes the defence to appear to be in a zone.

Violations of the “no zone” rule will generally fall within one of the following categories:

1.     One or more players were not in an acceptable man to man defensive position in relation to the player they are guarding and the player with the ball

2.     A cutter moved all the way through the key and was not defended using acceptable man to man defensive techniques (bumping the cutter, following the cutter or switching).

3.     Following a trapping or help and recover situation the team made no attempt to re-establish man to man defensive positioning.

4.     The team zone pressed and did not assume man to man defensive positioning once the ball had been advanced into the quarter court.

Policy and Penalties

At no stage is the Coach/Team manager/Players/Spectators to approach the opposition team, Referees or Referee Supervisor to discuss any alleged incident during or after the game, this will avoid any unnecessary conflict between the two teams. Offenders may be put on report.

If a team is concerned about an opposition playing a zone defence the following procedure must be followed:

To lodge a complaint, the “No Zone” complaint form must be downloaded from the Westgate Basketball Association website and completed with all details outlining why they believe the opposition team played a zone defence. This form must then be forwarded to their club which will, if deemed appropriate forward to the Westgate Basketball Association.

For the following fixtured game the WBA will request the Referee Supervisor, or the Supervisors nominated person to watch and make a decision. The Referee Supervisor or nominated person may speak to the coach if they are concerned that the team (or any player) is not playing to acceptable man to man defensive principles. It is preferable that the Referee Supervisor or nominated person speak to the coach prior to any penalty being imposed, however the deliberate and premeditated use of a zone defence at a critical time in a game may be penalized immediately.

Note: The referee does not determine whether or not a violation has occurred. That decision rests solely with the Referee Supervisor or nominated person.

Technical Foul

If the Referee Supervisor or nominated person believes a violation has occurred (ie a team or player is not playing acceptable man to man defensive principles) they will ask the Referee to call at the next dead ball, a Technical foul on the head coach of the offending team.

Second Technical Foul

Disqualification of head coach.

If the same team incurs a second violation, a technical foul is called and the head coach will be disqualified from the game.

Exceptions

No Zone rule does not apply if the defending team has less than five players on the court.

Please Note

In the case of the mercy rule being enforced, teams must still play man to man defence inside the three point line.

COMPLAINT FORM BELOW