Please refer to the MDBA Bylaws for futher clarification.

 

13.12   No zone defence - All junior teams under 14 and down are expected to play one to one defence for the entire game. The purpose of this rule is to improve the defensive skills of all MDBA participants. The focus should be education, not application of sanctions.

It is possible that junior referees will lack the confidence and skills to correctly assess whether zone is being played. At no time should a coach or parent complain to a referee about the opposition playing a zone defence.

It is possible the regular coach is absent and the stand in coach does not have the skills or knowledge to instruct the players in one on one defence. In this situation, the shift supervisor (or referee or even opposition coach) may provide instructional support for the stand in coach.

Where a referee observes and assesses a team is playing a zone defence they should raise the issue with the offending team’s coach charge a timeout to the offending team so that the coach may adjust his team’s defence. If the team has no remaining time outs, the referee may choose to call a referee time out to manage the situation.

Request the scorer note the zone defence breach on the rear of the score sheet.

Where a coach believes the opposition is playing a zone defence, they should:-

• Request the team manager seek the shift supervisor to come to the court and observe the game.

If the shift supervisor assess the team is playing a zone defence, he/she will request the referees call a timeout at the next stoppage and follow the above protocol.

Where a coach believes the opposition is playing a zone defence, and there is no shift supervisor available or the shift supervisor disagrees with the coach assessment:-

• Request the team manager get video (smart phone) evidence of the breach and forward this with a report to the Domestic Committee.

If substantiated, on receiving reports of a no zone breach the Domestic Committee (or subset) may:-

• Provide written reminder/warning to the team manager on MDBA no zone policy with advice on how to coach one on one defence.
• Require the coach to attend a conference on defensive strategies
• Deduct premiership points for the game played
• Award 3 premiership points to the opposition for the game played
• Deduct 6 premiership points

For any Rule clarification please go to 'Rules' in the Referees section and the MDBA By Laws.