[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by Wondering
Our local officials have differences in interpretation of whether certain contact is an offensive or defensive foul - i.e., interpretation of NFHS Rule 10-6 Art 1 & 2 and the Note under Art 3 that describes a "guarding position".

In particular, we've had a running debate about whether a defensive player can be fouled by the offense if the defender has not first obtained the "guarding position" described in the Note.

Sure he can.

For example, defender A1 is jogging straight downcourt toward B's basket. B1 dribbles towards his basket from behind A1 and due to defensive pressure by A2, B1 is distracted and inadvertently runs into the back of A1. Since A1 has his back turned, he is not in a "guarding position". Is this a foul on A1 or B1?

First, when you're discussing plays, the team with the ball is A and the defense is B. You'll create less confusion if you stick to that simple rule.

Now, unless B1 knocked A1 down, I'm probably not going to call anything. But just because the defender is running down the floor doesn't mean that the dribbler can just run over him.

A second example is when A1 loses the ball to B1 and then A1 also slips and falls. B1, dribbling the ball, now changes direction to head back towards his basket. B1 tries to leap over prone A1, just as A1 starts to rise into a standing position. Who is at fault? What is A1's "spot on the floor" that he is entitled to and above what part of the floor is his vertical space? Above his feet?

Honestly, I think you're worrying about things that will never happen. I've never seen a dribbler leap over a player who was sitting on the floor. In most cases, this is just going to be incidentally contact unless one player obviously fouls the other.

The first line of the 10-6 Art 3 note implies that either defensive or offensive player could be at fault in these situations where there's no "guarding position" obtained and it's up to the official to use his judgement.

After that, the Note goes on to describe "guarding position" and how once this is obtained, the foul is presumed on the offense.

Which is basically what I said above. You have to determine if either player has been placed at a disadvantage.

Do you experienced Refs require a guarding position before you will call an offensive foul (I'm not talking about screens here)??? If not, what guidelines do you follow???

In most cases, you're not going to call a player control foul unless the defender has established a guarded position.