The NBA does not address this as clearly as the high school rules. The applicable rule in the NBA set is Rule 12B - Section I - a: "A player shall not hold, push, charge into impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, forearm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal. Contact that results in the re-routing of an opponent is a foul which must be called immediately" (emphasis mine.)
The rule does not specify offense or defense, so it applies to both. I think holding off a defender with a forearm would fall under this rule.
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Any NCAA rules and interpretations in this post are relevant for men's games only!
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