One of the most common comments heard in a gym after a charge is, "He was moving ref!" It's a common misconception among most basketball players, coaches, and fans that a defender must be stationary in order to receive a charge call. To clarify the misconception I'll review the sum of the rules that determine if a charge occurred.
First, one must understand what it means for a defender to have a legal guarding position. For high school basketball a legal guarding position is defined by rule 4-23:
- Article 2. To obtain an initial legal guarding position:
- a. The guard must have both feet touching the playing court.
- b. The front of the guard's torso must be facing the opponent.
- Article 3. After the initial legal guarding position is obtained:
- a. The guard may have one or both feet on the playing court or be airborne, provided he has inbound status.
- b. The guard is not required to continue facing the opponent.
- c. The guard may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position, provided it is not toward the opponent when contact occurs.
- The guard may raise hands or jump within his own vertical plane.
- The guard may turn or duck to absorb the shock of imminent contact.
Obtaining and maintaining a legal guarding position has been defined, so the rules regarding a charge can be easier to understand.
Rule 4-7-2 defines charging: The rule states:
- Article 2. Charging is illegal personal contact caused by pushing or moving into an opponent's torso.
- a. A player who is moving with the ball is required to stop or change direction to avoid contact if a defensive player has obtained a legal guarding position in his path.
- b. If a guard has obtained a legal guarding position, the player with the ball must get his head and shoulders past the torso of the defensive player. If contact occurs on the torso of the defensive player, the dribbler is responsible for contact.
Basically, if the defender has initially planted two feet on the ground to guard an opponent, the defender can move in order to maintain their defense. If the offensive player does not get his head and shoulders around the defender, then an offensive foul is the correct call. Moving is allowed by both the offensive and the defense. So, try and refrain from yelling, "He was moving ref," the next time you don't like an offensive foul call.
The summary makes good sense. It is kind of scary that charging should be called more...How long do you give the offense to get head and shoulders past if both are moving and there is constant contact.
ReplyDeleteOnce the offensive player is past the defender I'm looking to determine if the offensive player's RBSQ is affected. RBSQ stands for rhythm, balance, speed, and quickness. I will call a blocking foul if the contact by the defender slows down the offensive player or moves the offensive player of his path.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if the play is on the perimeter or a fast break I may want to wait a half a second to blow the whistle if the play looks like it's going to benefit the offended party. I don't want to take away a lay-up if there is contact at the three-point line.