If a kid can physically play basketball he can be taught to play defense. That's your job coach. Some will be better at it than others obviously.

Coaches choose zone because it's easiest. Not because it's best for the kids development.

If it's all about winning then you're more in line with the type off coach that was the inspiration for this thread in the first place.

Winning should be secondary to development in youth basketball whether your kids have high school aspirations or not.

Even if you only have them for a season the man principles you can teach them will carry over to the next year.