Playing a zone defense at this age in any sport is solely about winning
The nerve of those guys wanting to win...How dare they...What are we teaching them?
Wanting to win is fine. But the previous poster is correct in saying that playing zone in youth is more about getting a schematic advantage rather than teaching the skills of playing defense. The coaches at API/Diamondbacks know that their opponents rarely if ever have a zone offense to counter. They played zone against my sons u11 rec team at beach lax. They only other time I saw a primary zone was with my older 2020 kid playing Diamondbacks. Maybe that's how that club rolls. But I'd rather have my kid be taught how defend one on one and team defensive slide/recover principals. His HS coaches can teach zone when they are playing/practicing 5 days a week
