[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This discussion is a good example of why, we as officials, must use the rule book language in disscusing rules with layman.

As was noted earlier the term "offensive foul" is used is when describing fouls in games being played under NCAA, NFHS, or FIBA rules. There is no such thing as an "offensive foul" in these rule codes. An "offensive foul" is found in only the NBA and WNBA rule codes.

NFHS and NCAA Women's rules state that a "player control foul" is defined as a common foul committed by a player in control of the ball or by an airborne player and NCAA Men's rules state that "player control foul" is a common foul committed by a player in control of the ball. The penalty for a player control foul under all three codes is the same.

Player control fouls do not exist in FIBA rules. FIBA treats all personal fouls committed by a player whose team has control of the ball the same as the NCAA and NFHS does player control fouls.

As far as a charging foul is concerned both NCAA and NFHS rules are literally the same, the only difference being that the word "caused" comes immediately after the word "contact". Therefore, there is no difference in charging under NCAA and NFHS rules.

And as far as deciding when to call a foul a charge or a push, the NCAA and NFHS rule books do not give us any direction in this regard but the FIBA rule book does. FIBA actually defines pushing as: personal contact with any part of the body that takes place when a player forcibly moves or attempts to move an opposing player who has or does not have control of the ball.

I do not know if this helped clear up this discussion but it is very important to talk in rule book language and not layman terms. By doing that it will reduce misunderstanding among the people discussing the play as well as confuse coaches because we all know how well versed in the rules they are.