[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach
I agree with the foul call, but I would also argue that the action could also be construed as guarding (or attempted guarding). I don't think it really matters, because the rules are essentially the same for each when a player cuts off the ball, with the exception that I still do not believe all screening rules apply to a defender. I see no reference to guarding outside an opponent's visual field and the need to make an allowance for that, which is specified in the screening rule.

I know it seems nitpicky, but the entire thread really seems to be one of precise definition rather than application on the court. Foul on someone who steps to guard and gets there late is a block. Foul on someone who steps to screen and gets there late is a block. So it really doesn't matter, except with respect to blind screens, IMO.

Hawks Coach:

You did not quote the entire definition of guarding, but if you go back to it and read it, you will see that one of the differences between guarding and screening is that for a defender to obtain/establish a legal guarding positiong, the defender must first face the offensive player. B1 is not required to be facing A1 when setting a screen against A1. That is why in my example, B4 is guilty of blocking for setting an illegal screen. B4 was not facing A1 when he attempted to set his screen against A1.

MTD, Sr.