No full-court press when 20+ ahead

A full-court press is when a team defends aggressively all the way up the court, trying to win the ball back before the other team reaches half-way. Once a team leads by 20 points or more, it must drop back and defend in the half court.

Why?

Pressing a team that can’t cope with it once the game is already won doesn’t help either side develop. Basketball England’s guidance is that a dominant press should stop at 20 points — full-court defence is best tested against the strongest opponents.

If a Conference team plays a Premier team in a cup or playoff game, Premier rules apply and the press can be used throughout.

What happens if it’s broken?

The referees first stop the game for an “officials’ time-out”, warn both coaches, and give them 30 seconds to talk to their players. After that, every further breach gives the coach a bench technical foul and the other team one free throw. A coach is sent off after three bench technicals.