Causing a foul

[JugglingReferee]

Yes, you are correct. As with any "play", discussing it in text is helpful, but it doesn't compare to seeing the actual play. Now, of course, some are black and white. (Example: A1 secures a defensive rebound and dribbles in the BC for 11 seconds.)

As for the situation you described... if A1 stops in 3-pt land, and is not in the process of "pulling up" for the shot (normal habitual movement), then I gotta call it a common foul, providing it is not ticky-tack. (Now, of course, this changes as the level of ball changes. I mostly do Varsity (Senior here in Canada) basketball, but this weekend I do have some grade 7/8 games.) Something here has to occur first - the beginning of A's habitual movement for a 3-pt try, or the contact on A.

If A pulls up for a 3-pointer, but B contacts A before A tries for a goal (before A pulls up), and then gets in defensive position, then it's a definite B foul. In this scenario, I think the contact would have to have been more than ticky-tack for B to gain the defensive position.

..Mike