Hoops

No zone rule passed U12 VJBL

I don't expect this person will own up as it's much easier to post a one sentence statement having a go at someone, rather than actually anything of substance that is meaningful or useful to others that includes some real thought!

Just lazy and provocative!

I think you will find it will not be up to the referee to enforce the no zone rule on the night. Video footage and information from opposition at the game can be provided to the VJBL after the game. The VJBL will then review the case and issue any infringements if they believe it's warranted. I think that's a better system than any arguments occurring on the night.

I believe the no-zone rule will benefit the development of the players at this age immensely.

Long overdue IMO. BV need to not only teach the coaches, but the referees. In time, everyone will benefit.

When I first started coaching (about 12 years ago) the association had a "no zone" in the first half rule. This was C/B grade domestic and those ref's had no trouble enforcing the rule. I think it will actually be much easier for the refs at regional and lower metro grades to spot a zone because the coaches/players won't do as good of a job of hiding it. The lower rep grades also usually have higher instances of zombie zone and it's not asking much for a ref to pull that up as it's so obviously not m2m.

Most of the outrage will come from spectators that don't understand the rule and what a zone is or isn't. I still hear spectators yell out for cross court violations based on the old rule that was changed about 5 years ago. Same thing when a player steps through on a post move and there's always somebody yelling out "travel!!!!" because they don't know the rule.

As far as work ethic of our kids goes, some kids do suffer from burnout. When I first started as an assisitant rep coach we had a kid (U16 boys)that had to sit out trainings due to tendanitis in both knees. Domestic + Rep + NITCP + School bball + state training. That is a pretty big load for anyone. While it's important to work hard, it's also important to recover correctly and have a break sometimes.

I'll stack our junior internationals up against Euro' kids the same age any day of the week and they will never let us down. USA, a different story because they just live and breath it, but your point @Melb Boy is slightly narrow minded I believe.

Having seen the way early morning winter sessions before school can take their toll on growing kids I can confirm that it is the recovery that is more important than the training.

Your comment is short on the fact that Euro kids come from many different cultures, climates and programs, they are so diverse you just can't compare their school age kids to ours, really...

The perception that our kids can't shoot is also not true, they can shoot, they just need more time to dedicate towards practising and getting the right technique taught to them, so if you are a coach that's where you come into it mate.

Euro kids in some countries are treated like they are Olympic team athletes already and let's face it basketball is number two over there behind soccer, where is it here, number 5 or 6...? It is just not a fair comparison the way you portray it.

I applaud the VJBL for having a go at implementing something that has the opportunity to improve the standard of juniors in this state, even further than we are at the moment, that's why Victoria is one of the leaders and not a follower IMO!

I agree, let it work itself out and if it goes the way I'd expect, implement it at least up to 14 age group, yes. But I think beyond that you then need to get kids playing zone also and they should be better for it, so above 14 level to the 16's and above , no!

This is fantastic news. It will take time and education for all parties coaches/refs/spectators before things settle down. However, getting rid of zombie zones and teaching kids how to defend properly will only benefit the kids in the long run. I hope after next season they extend it to U14's as well.

...Golph clap...