[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

Rule 4-24 Art.5.a, in reference to guarding a moving opponent without the ball, says "time and distance are factors required to obtain initial legal guarding position". In Art.5.b it says "The guard must give the opponent the time and/or distance to avoid contact".

If the guard did not move, and the offensive player ran into him, then a PC foul would be justified thanks to Art.5.a. However, there was movement, so we move to Art.5.b, in which case a foul against the defender would be justified.

I think, no I'm sure, you're misunderstanding the rule. Time and distance are a factor when guarding a moving opponent without the ball but NFHS 4-23-5c reads "the distance need not be more than two strides." That would be the distance required for A1 to avoid contact. What you're saying, essentially, is if B1 establishes LGP and continues to move, (s)he has to keep racing backwards away from A1 to avoid any contact...which doesn't make sense. Once B1 establishes LGP, if (s)he maintains LGP the onus is on A1 to avoid illegal contact.


Take a look at NCAAM/W 4-17-6. It's virtually the same as NFHS 4-23-3
Art. 6. To maintain a legal guarding position after the initial position has been attained, the guard:
a. Is not required to continue having the torso face the opponent;
b. Cannot have either foot out of bounds;
c. May raise the hands or may jump within her own vertical plane;
d. May shift to maintain guarding position in the path of the dribbler, provided that the guard does not charge into the dribbler or otherwise cause contact;
e. May move laterally or obliquely to maintain position provided such a move is not toward the opponent when contact occurs;
f. Is not required to have the feet on the playing court when shifting in the path of the dribbler or when moving laterally or obliquely; and
g. May turn or duck to absorb shock when contact by the dribbler is imminent. In such a case, the dribbler shall not be absolved from the responsibility of contact.