[DownTownTonyBrown]

As you can see from the definition much of the rule is based upon the defender establishing a legal guarding position.

I'm with you man, announcers don't understand the rules any better than most players.... oooooh that's right they were players. And now getting paid to commentate but haven't enough brains to pick up a rule book, or discuss rulings with a knowledgeable official. Thereby perpetuating the inexcusable ignorance of the player's mentality and passing it on to the public.

Here is the definition for guarding position.

Rule 4-23 GUARDING

Art 1. Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent, but the maximum is 6 feet when closely guarded. Every player is entitled to a spot on the floor provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent is not considered to have a legal position if contact occurs.

Art 2. To obtain an initial legal guarding position:
a. The guard must have both feet touching the floor
b. The front of the guards torso must be facing the opponent.

Art 3. After the initial legal guarding position is obtained:
a. The guard is not required to have either or both on the floor ro continue to face the opponent.
b. The guard may move laterally or obliquely to maintain position, provided it is not toward the opponent when contact occurs.
c. The guard may raise hands or jump within his/her own vertical plane.
d. The guard may turn or duck to absorb the shock of immenent contact.

Art 4. Guarding an opponent with the ball or a stationary opponent without the ball:
a. No time or distance is required to obtain an initial legal position.
b. If the opponent with the ball is airborne, the guard must have obtained legal position before the opponent left the floor.

Art 5. Guarding a moving opponent without the ball:
a. Time and distance are factors required to obtain an initial legal position.
b. The guard must give the opponentnt the time and/or distance to avoid contact.
c. The distance need not be more than two strides.
d. If the opponent is airborne, the guard must have obtained legal position before the opponent left the floor.

Whew! I volunteered to type the definition before I realized how long it was.

Combine the definition of guarding with the definition of Block/Charge for a reasonably good understanding. Most commentators confuse the act of obtaining a legal guarding position (Art 2) with the time of contact. They can be, but generally do not occur at the same time - a legal guarding position is generally established seconds before the contact.

Additionally, the official must evaluate which player initiates/causes the contact. If the guard is pushing into the dribbler or other offensive player, the guard is at fault - block or push. If the guard has established a legal position and the dribbler has opportunity to avoid contact but chooses to charge forward (or perform the Magic Johnson butt boogaloo) into the guard, the dribbler is at fault - player control foul.

This is only the beginning... there are many permutations, potential plays. Hope it helps. My fingers are tired.