Philippines Cadet/Developmental Team

[Ville Ur]

when NU Carl Tamayo's high school team faced Galen Green in NBTC , they zoned him to death, and didn't put Carl on Green , but just let him stay in the paint. the Foreign teams (NBTC) were shaking their heads, (like what does that prove ? ) and what benefit is that for Carl from a development standpoint where he had an opportunity to match up vs green , but essentially " cheated " ( i mean cheated the process) , to think NBTC as the term applies refers to training , NOT winning , who cares if you win a NBTC tournament , ( high school level , and vs none real put together foreign teams)

I respectfully disagree there is nothing to prove and nothing to train when a team plays zone. Zone also requires coordination. Yes it may lead to winning but basketball nowadays are played also with zone defense. Even in NBA some teams play box 1 where its basically 4 man zone. My point is players learn how to play good zone and prove zone also works. In another perspective, jalen green can also play and learn how to play and attack zone when situation arises. This may also be the benefit of Jalen in his all around development as a basketball player.

[Yessuh29]

This is very true. Growing up in the Philippines where it's always zone defense, it was a culture shock for me that in the US no matter how outmatched your team is you still play man-to-man defense. It really has an effect on the development of players. Another playground game that helps Americans in development is their version of "21." In the US version, 21 is a race to 21 points with no limit on how many players can join. So if there's 8 of you on the court, you are going to have to score against 7 defenders. Usually only the last player who took a shot defends the player with the ball, but once someone gets close to 21 all the players defend you. Very instrumental in their isolation/1-on-1 skills development and rebounding.

I find this argument weird about zone defense since, aren't Filipino players known for their 1 on 1 game and rather need to work more on their team play??

[TheRodster21]

I find this argument weird about zone defense since, aren't Filipino players known for their 1 on 1 game and rather need to work more on their team play??

It probably explains why every team Gilas plays shoots lights out from 3 or why so many players are terrible defenders or why lots of bigs have bad laterals and perimeter defense.

[Rds]

I find this argument weird about zone defense since, aren't Filipino players known for their 1 on 1 game and rather need to work more on their team play??

I havent played varsity ball of any level but the pickup games I played are zone. I dont know if that is the same for most countries.

[Silent Killer]

pretty much accurate

From Twitter

baekpd1983

Characteristics of basketball players in East Asian countries.

1. Height - China
2. Basketball Basic Skills - Japan
3. 3-point shot - South Korea
4. Import Players - China
5. Defense Skills - South Korea
6. Attack Capability - Philippines
7. Possibility of Development - Japan

[NOiNU]

Finally got the chance to watch that Coach Juno Sauler video, and was surprised to see it was posted just yesterday. I thought it was an old video that has stirred the interest of IBN in this particular topic. But I remember just last week, IBN had this same discussion (which in reality pops out every now and then eversince) and people have voiced out the same concepts and ideas. Now it makes me think if it was the other way around.

I hope Coach Sauler succeeds in changing the mindsets of grassroots coaches. I think we should too, in our own little ways, contribute to this cause. I am certain changing our ways would reap benefits in the future.

[IPC]

pretty much accurate

From Twitter

baekpd1983

Characteristics of basketball players in East Asian countries.

1. Height - China
2. Basketball Basic Skills - Japan
3. 3-point shot - South Korea
4. Import Players - China
5. Defense Skills - South Korea
6. Attack Capability - Philippines
7. Possibility of Development - Japan

I hope we develop our defense. We like to pride ourselves on being physical, but other than that, it's not really a thing. Yes, we have Ateneo, UP, Ginebra, Magnolia, and MERALCO, but other than them, we have a ways to go on that end, especially for the national team (especially with the juniors under Joke; God, the defense was a joke).

[Metta]

I respectfully disagree there is nothing to prove and nothing to train when a team plays zone. Zone also requires coordination. Yes it may lead to winning but basketball nowadays are played also with zone defense. Even in NBA some teams play box 1 where its basically 4 man zone. My point is players learn how to play good zone and prove zone also works. In another perspective, jalen green can also play and learn how to play and attack zone when situation arises. This may also be the benefit of Jalen in his all around development as a basketball player.

The point that Sauler and some of us are making here is for player development. Zone defense is usually used to hide deficiencies (size, athleticism). You "pack the paint" to negate getting beat inside. When youth players get used to that, they never get to develop man-to-man defensive skills like laterals, staying in front, switching, etc. Accountability is also emphasized, if you're a bad defensive player it will expose you, and so if you're serious you will try to improve at it. It's a matter of setting up good fundamentals. Young players should master their fundamental one-on-one defense before they move on to schemes like zone, not the other way around.

[TheRodster21]

List of reasons why zone is bad in youth basketball

https://pgcbasketball.com/blog/zone-defense-bad-youth-business/

Lazy on-ball defense
Standing and watching off ball
Poor closeout technique
Little accountability
Lack of communication
Minimal defensive movement
Fewer opportunities to guard different positions and areas of the floor
Fewer opportunities to practice communication in defensive transition
Fewer opportunities to practice decision-making in defensive transition
Reduced accountability on box outs
Fewer decisions while playing help defense
Decreased defense-rotation repetitions
Fewer opportunities to learn what constitutes acceptable defensive risk-taking
Minimal opportunities to defend a screen
Fewer opportunities for bigger players to guard the ball

[TheRodster21]

Sound familiar?

https://pgcbasketball.com/blog/zone-defense-bad-youth-business/

A zone leads to the offensive team standing around and watching the one or two good offensive players over-dribble and attempt tough shots against multiple defenders. This creates bad habits for the offensive players and means the weaker players touch the ball less, get fewer opportunities to make an impact on the game, and lose the joy of playing as they fail to make shots they are forced to take that are well outside their effective range.

[Metta]

Someone asked if zone is practiced in other countries. In pickup games in the US it is laughed at, it's like immediately admitting to the other team "we can't hang with you." But of course, if it's an all-pinoy team, it will be the go-to defense.

Man-to-man defense also raises the intensity of a game. Since there is personal accountability, there is more pride. That is what pinoys will notice when they first play/watch good pickup games in the US, the defensive intensity of the game. It's like if that was the gamevibe of a game in the Philippines, there would already be a fight. Very similar to "pustahan" games even if there's no betting involved.

Now I'm curious if in other parts of the Philippines, zone is also prevalent. Especially for the Visayans. It is very noticeable that bisaya players are always very competitive and very "in your face." Seems like they play a lot of man-to-man defense there.

[Chef30]

The Milo BEST tournaments during my time penalizes a team playing zone defense.

[Rodbi]

The Milo BEST tournaments during my time penalizes a team playing zone defense.

Technical foul due to illegal defense call?

[Chef30]

lol yes

[Rodbi]

lol yes

Makes me think now what could have been if PBA did not drop the illegal defense rule, or at least adopted the 3-second defensive rule that the NBA had. Would it have influenced coaches in the amateurs to formulate/implement sound defensive schemes, like a mixed zone and man-to-man? I think such scenario could aid young players (those who would be highly considered as PBA prospects) to develop lateral agility good enough for Asia (or for the worlds). But then again, I don't think the Phil basketball system could produce shooters as a consequence.