I believe it is a violation for a defender to place his/her hand directly in front of an offensive player's face - to block their vision (I think it is a player without the ball?)...but I cannot locate this in my Rule or Case book.

I thought I read this in one of those, but cannot find it now. Brain freeze, I guess. Or maybe I'm making the whole thing up :) Can anyone help?

If you think it's a violation, then you're probably looking is Rule 9.

It's not a violation -- it's a technical foul. See rule 10 (and, check out the rules cahnges on the nfhs site).

New rule change next year...

10-3-7d Expanded rule pertaining to obstructing an opponent’s vision to include the player with the ball.

Does this rule exist in the NBA? I know it's not called, but does it exist?

lrpalmer3,
I do not think you know that. ;)
mick

So true. I have seen it blatantly ignored.

On the NFHS and NCAA level, a T seems kinda harsh doesn't it? Same for leaving the court, as in running around a screen. That's also a T and seems harsh.

Sigh. I guess you missed it when it was called in the Sac/Minn series, when the Sac defender was pretty much covering Garnett's face. . . :(

I guess I missed it. Funny though because I thought I watched every minute of every game. Hopefully I don't blank out for minutes at a time in games I'm calling. :)

As I recall this was pretty much ignored until Garnett had the presence to push his face into the defender's hand.

Ahh yes I remember that, it was pretty funny actually.

Have you seen the hand in face during the promos
 

I cringe everytime I see the promos for the playoffs. There is a quick scene of someone holding their hand in front of the face of the guy with the ball.

Now, I know next year, I will see it a lot and will have to call it.

Thanks for the references. I did see the NBA promo with the hand in the face and that is what caused me to remember reading about this.

I do think, if the promo causes kids to do this, some coaches will be shocked when their kid is T'd up.

Maybe b/c the official didn't feel Garnett's vision was being obstructed until that point? :shrug:

With hands like some of the guys in the NBA, it wouldn't be too hard to block someones vision ;)

NOW HOLD ON A MINUTE!
 

So you mean it's also illegal to put ones hand in front of the face of a jump shooter to obstruct the view of the rim while jumping to defend a jump shot???

Because that tactic is older than Moses.


And if not...then why should it be illegal to do the same while defending a player with both feet on the court????