Defending The Dunk ...

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I was watching ESPN NBA highlights at the gym today when an odd question occurred to me.

4-16: Dunking is the driving, forcing, pushing or attempting to force a ball through the basket with the hand(s).

4-6: Basket Interference: Basket interference occurs when a player:
Art. 1 Touches the ball or any part of the basket (including the net) while the ball is on or within either basket.
Art. 2 Touches the ball while any part of the ball is within the imaginary cylinder which has the basket ring as its lower base.
Exception: In Arts. 1 or 2, if a player has his/her hand legally in contact with the ball, it is not a violation if such contact with the ball continues after it enters the imaginary cylinder or if in such action, the player touches the basket. Dunking or stuffing is legal and is not basket interference.

Does the exception to the two articles apply to both the dunker and the player defending the dunk?

For example, the defender first contacts the ball (block) when it is originally outside the cylinder, but the dunker puts so much force on the dunked ball that the ball (with the defender's hand still in contact with the ball) pushes both the ball and the defenders hand into the cylinder, where a successful block occurs and the ball doesn't go in the basket.

In my opinion, I believe that the exception to the two articles applies to both the dunker and the player defending the dunk, but I would like my interpretation confirmed.

Billy:

My memory wants to tell me that there is both a NFHS CB Play and a NCAA Men's A.R. that says that it is not Defensive BI, but I do not remember how many years ago this RULING came down, but it is old enough that I think that I would have to climb into the attic to look for it. That said, I know one or two people that I can go to for confirmation.

MTD, Sr.