Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapper1
For what it's worth, from the '08-'09 POEs:
"Regardless of where it happens on the floor, when a player. . . continuously places a hand on the opposing player -- it is a foul."
The above is nearly verbatim from the '03-'04 POEs. Handchecking is not always a matter of advantage/disadvantage.
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The explanation for this which I have heard, and I think has merit, is that continuous contact is, in itself, a significant advantage. It lets the defender measure his opponent, helping him keep a uniform distance. It also uses the defender's sense of touch to supplement his sight in reacting to the offensive player's movement.