Can teams play zone defense, press or double-team?
Guideline- USA
- USA Basketball
- NBA
- Youth recreation
- Under 10
- Ages 7-8
- Ages 9-11
- 2018 guidelines
- Parents
| Ages 7-8 | Ages 9-11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Set defense | Player-to-player only (no zones) | Player-to-player only (no zones) |
| Pressing (guarding in the backcourt) | Not allowed | Player-to-player may extend full court in the fourth period and overtime only |
| Double-teaming / crowding | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Stealing from a dribbler | Not allowed | Coach's discretion |
- In player-to-player defense, each defender guards and moves with one offensive player and stays on the same side of the court (divided by the rim line). If a ball handler gets past their defender, another defender may rotate over.
- For ages 9-11, a team leading by 25 points or more may not extend its defense past half court.
These rules are meant to teach individual defense and keep everyone moving rather than winning with tactics that young players can't yet handle.
Added 21 Oct 2026