Here's some rules to compare

[just another ref]

The fact is, at this age, it is often difficult to tell what kind of defense they're playing.

[so cal lurker]

Originally Posted by just another ref

The fact is, at this age, it is often difficult to tell what kind of defense they're playing.

I think the *purpose* of no zone rules is that one cannot learn to play zone properly without first learning to play man. It's a good *development* rule. (The varsity coach at my high school forbid the freshman teams from playing zone for the first part of the season for exactly this reason.)

And I think the *purpose* of the no double team rule is to enable players to pass and move the ball rather than to have traps all the time and no ability to run an offense. (And to prevent the aggressive double team of weaker players who have no chance to do anything.) But when winning becomes more important than development (which sadly seems to happen in most kids sports - and sometimes the younger they are the worse it is), it gets mushy. And coaches caring more about winning than developing give the ball to the best player for one and one rather than actually trying to teach team basketball.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

I think the *purpose* of no zone rules is that one cannot learn to play zone properly without first learning to play man. It's a good *development* rule. (The varsity coach at my high school forbid the freshman teams from playing zone for the first part of the season for exactly this reason.)

And I think the *purpose* of the no double team rule is to enable players to pass and move the ball rather than to have traps all the time and no ability to run an offense. (And to prevent the aggressive double team of weaker players who have no chance to do anything.) But when winning becomes more important than development (which sadly seems to happen in most kids sports - and sometimes the younger they are the worse it is), it gets mushy. And coaches caring more about winning than developing give the ball to the best player for one and one rather than actually trying to teach team basketball.

It's so rare to have everyone in a rec league on the same page. Everything from the dad who gives equal playing time to every kid to the dude whos ego is directly correlated to whether or not his team wins the 4th grade girls trophy.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by so cal lurker

I think the *purpose* of no zone rules is that one cannot learn to play zone properly without first learning to play man. It's a good *development* rule. (The varsity coach at my high school forbid the freshman teams from playing zone for the first part of the season for exactly this reason.)

Another purpose is that can clog up the middle and forces many kids to shoot from a range that is too far for them to shoot with good form. With man-to-man, there will be openings in the middle. Players are more likely to learn to screen, dribble, penetrate, kick out. Against a zone, they just shoot from 20' when they should be learning to shoot from 10' or less.

[RefsNCoaches]

The youth league that I work with has similar rules. Some differences being only giving 4 full timeouts for the game with 1 additional granted for OT.

For 3/4 grade, they must play M2M and they have an isolation rule in place if the better player(s) take all the shots. If the same player takes a shot on three consecutive offensive trips trips the 3rd shot is whistled dead and a warning is given. If the same player takes a 4th shot we whistle a T and the other team gets the two FTs and the ball. (really, I think it would be more deterrent if given 2 points and the ball).

Now within that, offensive rebounds and immediate put-backs do not fall under this rule..it's something more assessed as they set up in their half court sets. The idea is that they get all players involved with ball movement.

At 5/6th, 7/8th grade it's wide open basketball with the exception of no press until the final 2 minutes of the game and last minute of 2 minute OT period. Also, no press if up by 10 or more.

Our HS league (9th-11th) is straight NFHS rules with the only exception being 20 point - no press rule.

[Kansas Ref]

For the 4th 5th grades--Is there "defense in the backcourt" allowed? Or do you task the 4th/5th graders to bring the ball up against defensive pressure?

[Hugh Refner]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

For the 4th 5th grades--Is there "defense in the backcourt" allowed? Or do you task the 4th/5th graders to bring the ball up against defensive pressure?

If you're referring to the original post, check the matrix. It answers your question.