Zone defense illegal?

Johnny wrote:
> I have a bet with someone, and I'd like everyone's input on this.
>
> Was there ever a time when any form of zone play in any form of
> basketball was illegal, or did I just make this up?
>

Was the bet basketball or NBA basketball? Because only the NBA has had rules
against zones, college and international rules have always allowed all
zones.

In the NBA they started with college rules in 1947 but decided on man to man
only defenses in the middle of the first season. These rules prevailed,
including increasingkly complicated rules to enforce man to man defenses,
until 1999-2000. However some exceptions were allowed, even double teaming a
man with the ball takes someone away for man to man defense.
Most zones (which were called illegal defense in NBA rules) are now allowed.
Strong side illeagal defenses were eliminated in 1999 which allowed double
teaming a player on the strong side without the ball,. the rest of zones
allowed in 2002-03 with the exception of the new defensive 3 second rule
keeping the center from parking in the paint.

Here are the illegal defense rules from 01-02 after thje strong side zones
were allowed:

The free throw lane is divided into the following areas:
(1) The "outside" lanes consist of two 2' X 19' areas which are
adjacent and parallel to the college lane.
(2) The "inside" lane consists of the 12' X 19' area which is
the college lane.
(3) The "posted-up" areas consist of two 3' X 19' areas which
are adjacent and parallel to the free throw lane lines. A hashmark on the
baseline denotes this area.
b. If an offensive player's positioning permits, a defender may be
positioned in the "outisde" lane with no time limit.
c. Defenders may be in a position within the "inside" lane for a tight
2.9 seconds. They must re-establish a position with both feet out of the
"inside" lane, to be legally clear of the restricted area.
d. A defender may be positioned within the "inside" lane with no time
limitations, if an offensive player is positioned within the 3' "posted-up"
area.
e. An imaginary line, which extends from the baseline to the midcourt
line, divides the frontcourt into two equal parts; one is the "weakside" and
the other is the "strongside."
(1) The "strongside" is the side of the frontcourt where the
ball is located.
(2) The "weakside" is the side of the frontcourt which is
opposite the "strongside."
f. A defender may cross from the "weakside" to the "strongside" only
to (1) aggressively double-team the ball, or (2) to pick up a man who is
open because of a double-team on the ball. The defender may not rotate
toward a double-team until the ball is released on a pass.
g. An offensive player may not be double-teamed by a "weakside"
defender, if he does not have the ball in his possession.
h. An offensive player who has the ball in his possession may be
aggressively double-teamed by defenders from anywhere on the floor. There is
no time limit that a double-team must remain established.
i. If a defender goes from a "weakside" to "strongside" for the
purpose of establishing a double-team, he must follow a direct path to the
ball.
j. The frontcourt is divided into the following three defensive areas:
(1) The Upper Defensive Area (6' X 50') extends from the upper
tip-of-circle extended to the free throw line extended.
(2) The Middle Defensive Area (6' X 50') extends from the free
throw line extended to the bottom tip-of-circle extended.
(3) The Lower Defensive Area (13' X 50') extends from the bottom
tip-of-circle extended to the baseline.
k. If an offensive player is positioned above the tip-of-circle
extended, "weakside" or "strongside," his defender must position himself
above the free throw line extended (Upper Defensive Area). A defender may go
below the free throw line extended (1) to aggressively double-team the ball,
(2) to defend an offensive player(s) who is open because of a double-team on
the ball, or (3) as a normal reaction to a "ball fake." The defender must
return to a legal position immediately, or double-team on-the-ball if the
ball is not released on the pass.
l. A defender may always position himself one defensive area away from
the offensive player he is guarding.
m. If an offensive player is positioned in the Upper or Middle
Defensive Area, "weakside" or "strongside," his defender may "flash" to the
Middle or Lower Defensive Area, respectively, for a tight 2.9 seconds.
n. If an offensive player, "weakside" or "strongside," relocates to a
position above the tip-of-circle extended, his defender must assume a legal
position (1) in the Upper Defensive Area, (2) aggressively double-team the
ball, or (3) defend an offensive player(s) who is open because of a
double-team on-the-ball. There is no time limit. The movement to a legal
position must commence immediately.
o. When a "strongside" offensive player is positioned below the free
throw line extended, his defender must establish a position (1) below the
free throw line extended, (2) double-team the ball, or (3) defend an
offensive player(s) who is open because of a double-team on-the-ball. There
is no time limit. The movement to a legal position must commence
immediately.
p. The definition of a double-team is when two or more defenders
aggressively pursue an offensive player with the ball and obtain a position
close enough for a jump ball to occur. Restrictions on a double-team are in
force as soon as the ball crosses midcourt.
q. A legal switch shall be interpreted as two defenders switching
defensive assignments on two offensive players at an "area of intersection."
If the defensive switch takes place in the free throw lane, the defenders
must take at least one step into the "inside" lane.
r. A defender whose offensive player relocates from the "weakside" to
the "strongside" must (1) follow him immediately, (2) switch to another
offensive player at an "area of intersection," or (3) double-team the ball.
There is no time limit. The movement to a legal position must commence
immediately.
s. A defender whose offensive player relocates from "strongside" to
"weakside" must (1) follow him immediately, (2) switch to another offensive
player at an "area of intersection," or (3) double-team the ball. There is
no time limit. The movement to a legal position must commence immediately.
t. As the ball is being advanced across the midcourt line a defender
responsible for guarding an opponent who is positioned on the "strongside"
and is positioned below the free throw line extended must (1) position
himself below the free throw line extended, or (2) aggressively double-team
the ball. His movement to one of these legal positions must commence
immediately upon the ball crossing the mid-court line. There is no time
limit.
u. Failure to comply with articles (k) through (t) above will result
in an illegal defense violation.


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--
Laurel T
"Being a point guard is like being a mother.
You've got to make sure everyone's happy
and everyone gets fed."
Sebastian Telfair
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