High school coaches often say their freshmen don’t understand defense.
A big reason: youth programs lean on zone.
I’m not entirely anti-zone — but most youth zones lack an understanding on rotations, ball pressure, and defensive fundamentals.
They end up playing zone because it’s easier…and players pay the price later.
If your team struggles defensively, you don’t need to play man and lose every game by 40 — but make time to teach the basics:
Guard the ball. Help. Rotate. Close out.
If we want better defenders in high school, we have to teach defense earlier.