Prone Player–NCAA vs. NFHS

[BigCat]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

BNR:

The NCAA Rules Committee's reasoning (which I have highlighted in red) is completely flawed because it is made based upon a complete lack of knowledge of the definition of Guarding.

1) For over sixty years the cornerstone of the definition of Guarding as it relates to a play in control of the ball has been: That a player in control of the ball must expect to be guarded from the moment he/she gains control of the ball until the moment he/she no longer has control of the ball. That sentence alone supports two bedrock principals of Guarding: (1) The no time and distance requirement obtaining (NFHS)/establishing (NCAA) a LGP against a Player in Control of the Ball. And (2) there is no such thing as a "secondary" defender (no matter hard the NCAA wants to contort itself in trying to defend the term).

That means: A1 is dribbling the Ball while being guarded by B1. A1 drives past B1. The moment A1 gets past B1, A1 must expect that he can will be immediately guarded by another Team B player.


2) The phrase "without actively guarding" is absolutely sheer nonsense. There is has not ever been such a phrase in the rules book. It is a phrase used by coaches (as well as players, fans, and Jay Bilas) who have absolutely no clue as to the definition of Guarding. A great example that shows what nonsense that phrase is PLAY: B1 is standing under Team A's Basket. A1 is standing at the top of the key in Team B's Frontcourt with both feet on the floor and facing B1. Has A1 obtained/established a LGP against B1? RULING: Yes.

Furthermore, I do not know of a single basketball coach on Earth that does not teach about helping out on defense.

I will end now.

MTD, Sr.

Mark, They want to see players attack the rim. All coaches know about help side but those in charge have simply told us where you need to be when helping. Their not thinking about LGP principles. Bilas and Duke like the arc because all their players are All Americans. Not many of those take charges. Attacking the rim and blocking shots are more exciting to most than taking charges. My kids took charges so I'm not a big fan of it but the powers that be have made their decision. They are choosing athleticism over team defense. It is what it is.