Fun With A Block And Maybe A Charge ...

[BillyMac]

Disclaimer: For IAABO Eyes Only. Below is not a NFHS interpretation, it's only an IAABO International interpretation which obviously doesn't mean a hill of beans to most members of this Forum.

IAABO International Play Commentary: Correct Answer: This is a player control foul.

This is a tough play. Does White #2 establish LGP? Does Blue #5 run him over? Does White #20 create illegal contact and accelerate the shooter on the crash?

Blue #5 appears to establish the right foot as the pivot foot, then lift that foot before releasing the ball to start his dribble, which should have been ruled a traveling violation.

The lead does make a good decision not to rotate as the ball was passed to the midcourt area. The lead is responsible for block/charge plays in the lane and identifying secondary defenders. (Manual p. 20 7.d, page 35 graphic)

In this play, the secondary defender White #2 does establish a legal guarding position (two feet on the playing court, facing the dribbler). The question becomes what impact the primary defender (White #20) had on the contact between the shooter (Blue #5) and the secondary defender.

If White #20, in an attempt to block the shot from behind, contacted Blue #5 from behind that caused him to charge into White #5, then the foul should be charged to White #20 for pushing. Since the play originated near the top of the lane in the Trail’s primary coverage area (PCA), the Trail official should stay connected to the primary defender as the play develops into the lane area. The Center official (not pictured) could also assist with this contact.

From the camera angle provided, it appears the primary defender (White #20) is able to get his hand on the ball to block the shot as Blue #5 is attempting to try for goal. It does not appear that White #20 was on the shooter's back and contributed to the subsequent contact between the shooter and secondary defender.

If this is the case, the correct ruling would be a player control foul on Blue #5 for the illegal contact he committed on the torso of the secondary defender, White #2.

Please Note: On plays such as this, there are times a false double foul situation could occur. If the defender B1 had illegally contacted the airborne shooter (A1) and then the airborne shooter (A1) then charges into the secondary defender (B2), both fouls would need to be charged. Many officials think only the first foul would be charged. However, If the first foul by the B1 does not contribute to the subsequent contact committed by A1 on the torso of B2, by rule, this is a false double foul, and a foul would be charged to both players.

Here is the breakdown of the IAABO members that commented on the video (only two choices): Player Control Foul: 68%; Blocking Foul: 32% (including me).