ZONE DEFENSE AND FULL COURT PRESS RULES (some changes for 2008-2009 season - see table below)

PRESS RULE ADMINISTRATION
"COACHES are responsible for monitoring press point spreads", NOT OFFICIALS.
COACHES should "cordially" communicate with each other on the sidelines when press point spread has been reached.
Coaches are responsible for telling their players when press point spread has been reached.
Coaches should "cordially" bring it to the attention of the officials when pressing is or is not allowed.
This is a special league rule, not something the officials are used to dealing with. They have enough to deal with on the court!
SPECIAL NOTE: Once the press limit is reached, the team ahead MUST allow the team behind to advance the ball into the front court without pressure (HIGHLY ENCOURAGED/SUGGESTED that defense be played within the 3 point line once point spread is reached,  if possible). If press point is reached and team behind loses the ball, or the ball is stolen, due to pressure type defense (official's judgement), 1st violation is a warning and the ball goes back to team behind if stolen or lost. Subsequent violations are a Team Technical charged to both the player and the coach. Officials have final say on all judgment calls regarding the implementation of the pressing rule.

ZONE DEFENSE RULE ADMINISTRATION
"COACHES are 100% responsible for managing M2M (man to man) vs Zone defensive play. (Don't drag the officials into this.)
1. Double teaming the ball is allowed as long as it begins from a M2M defense.
2. Switching/leaving your man is allowed to teach players how to work around screens and to "help" stop drive/penetration.
3. Sagging defensive play is allowed as long as the player has at least 1 foot out of the paint/key and he/she is positioned in a straight line between the player they are defending and the basket.
The "primary" goal is not to prevent/discourage "help defense", it is for players to learn/practice/play solid fundamental M2M "help" defense.
The "secondary" goal is to open up the game a bit at the younger levels (in particular at the 4th and 5th grade levels). Allowing zones at this level makes it extremely difficult for players to get close enough to the basket to score. Many players are not quite strong enough to shoot the ball beyond 12 ft or more. Playing M2M will enable more penetration to the basket and allow a "game flow" to take place.

COMMENT: Early in the year, you will probably notice more fouls and some ragged play. That is typical no matter what defense is used. But as the year goes on, the players will learn (if properly taught) how to play M2M without fouling (using their feet to maintain position, not reaching or grabbing, how to set screens and get through them) and the games will look more like basketball than football. Coaches also need to focus on teaching how to set proper screens and how to teach players from getting injured when they are being screened. Coaches need to honor this approach (M2M) and work with one another to support the M2M concept at these younger levels. There will be times when it might not be all that apparent what the other team is doing defensively. Not all teams are equal. Some teams don't get as much practice time, nor do they have the same caliber of players or depth on the bench. Coaches need to converse "politely" to one another on those occasions when it looks like M2M de
fense is not being played. Do the best you can working and teaching your players M2M, but remember first and foremost, CMYBL is about "player development". There will be plenty of time at the older levels for players to develop their zone skills; learning how to play M2M will only help them at that point.

SUMMARY