[PGCougar]

I'll try to answer a few points from a coaches perspective - been doing it for 18 years.

I believe what all the officials here are trying to say is that displacement is a foul. In a box-out, by definition, there is lots of incidental and intentional contact taking place while jockeying for position on the board. And there is probably lots of incidental displacement and sometimes subtle displacement taking place at the same time. Most times you won't get called for the foul, especially if it isn't obvious just how much space or advantage is gained during the physical fight for position.

Any official worth their salt, and the overwhelming majority who post here are, will look for "advantage/disadvantage" and "call the obvious."

Let's agree on an exaggerated example - on a rebound attempt, Shaq boxes-out his opponent, and then proceeds to drive him up the paint 10 or more feet to the free throw line. You gonna tell me this is OK? Of course not. The displacement is obvious and and he's gained an enormous advantage, pushing his opponent out of the probable rebounding area. FOUL.

Do most coaches teach their players to sit on the opponents knee and force them straight up or even just a teeny bit back on the box-out? Sure. Does it get called? Most of the time, no. But sometimes, when it's obvious, you'll get a whistle. As a coach I can accept it just like I can accept a 3-second call because I'm pushing my kids to perform at the very limit - sometimes we go over that boundary line. Fact is, in basketball, far less gets called than could have been when compared with definitions in the rule book. This is a good thing.

Judgement and discretion are just as important to the game as is a thorough understanding of the rules. Read more threads about game presence versus rules knowledge for officiating effectively. Read more threads about advantage/disadvantage. While your at it read the rules book - NFHS NCAA & NBA, and the officials manuals and case books too - you might appreciate how much more you can learn about the game than some of your playing participation and observation have given you so far. Hang around and learn some more about this great game.