[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I did not see the game in question, but I, for one, am happy to see more charges called. Coaches do a good job of teaching players how to play defense but we do a lousy job of calling the block/charge. The amusing thing is that after all of the teaching done by coaches to have their players play good defense they do not want charges called. And we officials play into the coaches hands.

I officiate approximately 350 (thats correct and don't ask) basketball games a year at all levels from CYO, jr. H.S. thru H.S. varsity, men's and women's jr. coll., AAU and YBOA, and men's church leagues and I call charges for more often that I call blocks in the bang bang block/charge plays because the defender is playing defense correctly.

As officials we have to do a better job of officiating the defense and applying the rules of defending as found in Rule 4 of both the NFHS and NCAA rule books. The player does not have free reign to go where ever he/she wants to go. The player who has control of the ball is expected to be guarded the instant he/she gains player control of the ball. As long as the player with the ball is not airborne time and distance is not a factor in obtaining (NFHS)/establishing (NCAA) a legal guarding position.

Furthermore, the defender CAN be moving and draw a charge. Instead of quoting the rule hear check out NFHS R4-S23 and NCAA R4-S32 for a complete reading of the guarding definitions. Please pay close attention to NFHS R4-S23-A3 and NCAA R4-S32-A4 for a defender moving after gaining a legal guarding position.