zonal-markinghttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zonal-marking_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezonal marking, n.
First published 2022

zonal markingnoun

Sport (chiefly British, originally Football (Soccer)).
  1. 1958–
    A system of defensive play in which an individual player is assigned a particular area on the field of play to defend.
    Typically contrasted with man-marking, in which a player is assigned a specific opponent to mark; see man-marking n.
    1. 1958
      If the winger goes ‘deep’, let him go. You must revert to what is called zonal marking. This is where you guard a particular zone and not a particular player.
      Sports Argus 13 December (City Final edition) 6/6
    2. 1966
      The slower pace and zonal marking seemed to suit Andhra more..when they manoeuvred to get their marksmen's sights well trained on the basket.
      Times of India 31 December 12/4
    3. 2021
      The players didn't do the zonal marking correctly, they were all standing in the wrong positions.
      Daily Post (N. Wales) (Nexis) 26 October (Sport section) 37

Originally published as part of the entry for zonal, adj.

zonal marking, n. was first published in 2022.