Youth dribbler and defender running parallel

[billyu2]

Originally Posted by KansasJoe

New to officiating but coached two boys from K - 7th until the school takes over. Decided to officiate on the weekends with my 15 year old. Doing the lower elementary grades which I enjoy because I get to do quite a bit of coaching while officiating and everyone seems to really enjoy that. Done 31 games so far and will end up doing about 50 by the time the season is over.

Here's a situation which comes up multiple times. B1 is the defender in legal guarding position and A1 is ball handler. A1 drives but instead of B1 sliding over to keep his torso between him and the basket he simply turns and starts sprinting alongside A1. If I see an extended armbar I'll give them a warning and then call a foul since they're restricting A1s movement. What if they're side by side so shoulder to shoulder and A1 jumps sideways into B1? If B1's torso takes the contact then charge but in this case it's their shoulder. Not in legal guarding position but B1 has a right to a place on the floor.

Another scenario is if A1 goes up for a shot and B1 jumps with him there's minimal contact but they both go flying forward. Both scenarios are if they're perfectly even because if A1s head and shoulder is past then I'd call a defensive foul if there's contact.

Probably an easy question for you experienced refs but want to make sure I'm giving my best and having accurate calls which they'll see as they get older.

Thanks,

Kansas Joe and son, here are some rules, thoughts and questions to consider:
I don't have the specific citations for you but the headings provided in rule #4 should be easy to find in your books.

Rule 4: GUARDING
1. After establishing LGP, the defender is allowed to move laterally or obliquely to maintain position provided it is not toward the opponent when contact occurs. *Note the rule does not say the defender must slide to maintain position but is permitted to move meaning he has options.

2. The rulebook also states the guard is not required to continue facing the opponent. So, while moving to maintain position, does guarding the dribbler with the shoulder or side of the torso facing the dribbler necessarily mean LGP has been lost?

Rule 4: BLOCKING, CHARGING
3. If a guard has obtained LGP, the player with the ball must get
his/her head and shoulders past the torso of the guard. If contact occurs on the torso of the defensive player, the dribbler is responsible for the contact. *Torso = trunk of the player’s body. In some instances the RB and CB make reference to the front of the torso as well as the side of the torso.

Casebook Rule 4: GUARDING POSITION
4. B1 has obtained LGP on A1 and moves to maintain it. A1
moves laterally and contacts defender B1 but does not get
head and shoulders past the torso of B1. Contact occurs on the side of B1’s torso. Ruling: Player control foul by A1.

Questions: In the situation you described, did the defender: Established LGP? Move toward the dribbler causing contact while moving to maintain LGP? While moving to maintain his defensive position, was the dribbler able to get his head/shoulders past defender’s torso? Did the dribbler jump sideways into the side of the defender’s torso? What did the defender do wrong?

Best of luck to you and your son!