Quote:
Originally posted by crew
the reasoning for the restricted area in the pro and nc2a womens, is that a defender cannot(not all the time but most) defend the basket/contest a shot while standing under the basket. this is the philosophy, which goes along with the player lying on the floor, he cannot defend anything so there is no point on being on the floor accident or not. this is not in the mens rules but is taught at the mens camps. they just want us to look a little deeper into the situation, these plays are not black and white.
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I am not going to address the NBA/WNBA's position on a defender standing under the basket, but I will address the NFHS/NCAA position.
The definition of obtaining(NFHS)/establishing(NCAA) a legal guarding position are identical in both rules books. The definition of a legal guarding position has never placed court position requirements on the defender. The reason is that when a player becomes airborne, he/she must do so in a manner that will allow him/her to return to the floor without making illegal contact with a defender who has obtained a legal position on the court. Fortunately, the NFHS and NCAA Men's Committees have had the good sense to maintain this intepretation. Barb Jacobs, unfortunately, has never officiated basketball and really has very little knowledge of the rules of the game (just read some of the interpretations that have come from her office, including incorrect rules citations), and she does not understand the concept of having a legal position on the court.
It should also be remembered that a defender does not have to be guarding an opponent to have a legal position on the court. A defender can also set screens. (If you do not believe me, read the definitions of guarding and screening. Guarding specifically addresses defensive players, and screening specifically addresses players, and makes no mention of defensive or offensive players.) Just because a player has gained a legal position on the court that happens to be directly under the basket should be on no consequence. Barb Jacob's interpretation regarding a defensive player under the basket can not be defended by rule. I can remember when she made this interpretation, a number of my friends that officiate Div. I women's basketball were appalled at the interpretation. If you take the time to look at the section in question in the NCAA Women's Rules and look at Rule 13 (Comments on the Rules) of the NBA/WNBA Rules Books that addresses defenders standing under the basket (inside the little circle), one will see that they are identical, word for word.