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Originally posted by Mark Dexter
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The college interpretation is that fouls below the backboard are automatically blocks.
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Mark, I don't think that's correct. You may be thinking about the experimental rules from last season. In certain pre-"conference schedule" tournaments (Maui Invitational, Great Alaska Shootout, etc.) last season, the NCAA experimented with the NBA's "no charge" zone. The painted the little half-circle under the basket. The rule was that a defender coming over to help cannot draw a charge while inside that semicircle. So:
1) As I understand it, the rule only applies to a second defender, coming over to help; and
2) It's not "automatically" a block; most officials will simply pass on the call. But if there's enough contact for a whistle, then it has to be a block.
In any case, the rule was not adopted for the current season, and while many officials pass on contact that occurs "in the shadow of the rim", there is no official rule (to my knowledge) mandating the "no charge" philosophy that you mention.
Chuck