The play described below is provided for your review and discussion. The rulings given are based on NFHS rules. NCAA rulings may be different.
B-1 is standing at the free throw line in Team A’s front court, facing A-1 who is dribbling near center circle. A-2 sets a legal screen on B-1. A-1 dribbles around screener A-2 in an attempt to get past B-1, but does not get head and shoulders past B-1 on the drive to the basket. B-1 spins away from the screen into the path of dribbler A-1. B-1 only moves laterally or away from dribbler A-1 and does not move toward A-1. A-1 contacts B-1 in the torso while B-1 has one foot on the court inbounds and the other foot in the air.
The official rules this a player control foul. Is the official correct?
The official is correct. B-1 had obtained an initial legal guarding position while A-1 was dribbling near the center circle. This was not a closely guarded situation but was a legal guarding position. No minimum distance is required between B-1 and A-1 to do this. Once this initial position is obtained, B-1 may move. In so doing B-1 may have one or both feet on the playing court or be airborne. B-1 does not have to continue to face the opponent. Movement may be lateral or oblique provided such movement is not toward A-1 when contact occurs.
This legal position lasts until the dribbler “…without contact, sufficiently passes an opponent to have head and shoulders in advance of that opponent.”
B-1 met the requirements of the rules to maintain a legal guarding position. As such, A-1 is responsible for the contact. (References: Rule 4-23-1, 4-23-2, 4-23-3a, 4-23-3b, 4-23-3c, 10-7-8)
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