[JRutledge]

just another ref,

The problem I see with that statement, suggest that there is never a time defender can touch a dribbler. The reality is that is not completely true. If a defender is retreating and the touching was kind of a protection from getting ran over, I do not think I will call a handcheck on a defender. Even when we talk about legal guarding position, the rules allow the defender to put their hands up and arms up to protect themselves as long as they are within their vertical plane. This is where judgment comes in. This is why we get paid the big bucks. In my opinion and what I have been taught for several years, call handchecking when the defender directed the dribbler, not just when they touch them. Especially on a retreating defender you do not want to call handchecking when they are not coming out to defend a play. If they are getting beat and the contact did not affect that, leave it alone. See the problem is that NF is trying to cover several states, several skill levels and several styles of basketball. And if you were to work in some of the bigger Christmas Tournaments around here and call a touch as handchecking, you would not be back. Not because you were not applying the rules right, but it is greatly discouraged to call slight contact that does not affect play. And even tagging or a touch on a stationary player in many circles is allowed once, keep doing it is is a foul. But I personally have been talking players out of this action without having to call a foul. Especially early when it appears they want to use their hands to try to measure their opponent with their hands without touching them.

Peace