What happens if a team plays zone defence or presses when it isn't allowed?
Rule- England
- Basketball England
- Junior NBL
- Under 12
- Under 14
- Under 16
- Under 18
- 2026/27
- Parents
Basketball England uses an in-game sanction, applied by the referees:
- First breach: the crew chief calls an "officials' time-out", brings both coaches and the other referee to the centre circle, and gives a verbal warning to stop the zone or full-court press. The coaches then get an extra 30 seconds to pass this on to their players.
- Any further breach: the coach is given a bench technical foul ("B"). The other team gets one free throw, then play resumes.
- Ejection: a coach is not ejected until they have three "B" technical fouls on the scoresheet.
Added 21 Oct 2026