[APG]

Originally Posted by hoopguy

APG, I am reading the rule and the case book and the thread and all seem to point to what Shane Battier is doing as an unsporting technical foul, by NFHS rule. He is placing his hand in front of his opponent’s eyes for the sole purpose of blocking/hindering his vision. In the post you link to, most seem to agree that this is not called mainly because a warning would be issued and the player changes his behavior. Would anyone make this call without a warning or with a warning in a High School Varsity game?

But look at the POE that was released when the rule was also modified:

POE 4A: "The committee does not intend good defense to be penalized. Challenging a shooter with a "hand in the face" or fronting a post player with a hand in the air to prevent a post pass are examples of acceptable actions. The rule and point of emphasis is designed to penalize actions that are clearly not related to playing the game of basketball properly and that intentionally restrict vision. Often, that occurs off the ball or as players are moving up the court.".

All Battier is doing is getting a "hand in the face." He just does it more exceptionally than most.