does the fact that a defensive player is making contact with his hand without any diplacement of the offensive ball handler justify a hand check call? i normally dont make this call unless i see displacement. i had a jv coach complain the whole game to us. i basically told him just because theres contact it does not justify a foul call without displacement, do you agree with this statement and how would you handle the coach in this situation. this was not a tight game his team won by 25.

In hand checking I think instead of displacement, you need to look at whether it inhibits the freedom of movement of an opponent. Sometimes some prevenitive officiating in talking to the player and telling them no hands or get your hands off is enough. If you do this and they don't comply get them for hand checking. Many times I've had the coach tell the player that he told you to get your hands off. Get the hand check early and it should solve the problem with the coach and the players for the game.

Roadking -

At summer camp they talked about hand checking and that it should be called if it impedes the offensive player in any of the following areas: speed, quickness or balance. I have found these guidelines helpful to me when watching players for hand checking.

Jack

i agree with not impeding the offensive player i was useing displacement kinda as a broad term. yes the defensive player was making contact but was not impeding the progress of the ball handler, during my summer camps ive been told this is not a hand check foul. just wondering how others handle the coaches in this situation other than calling a foul?

Very simple for me.
 

Does the contact put the ball handler at a disadvantage? If the ball handler is directed, restricted or displaced in any way, I have a foul. If the dribbler can still do what they want to do, I do not have a foul. The most common situation where I do not have a foul if a dribbler can still get to the basket or around the defender with slight contact with the hand. I will try to let that go. It really does not take a lot of contact to cause some type of direction or displacement to have a foul.

Peace

If I think the hand is affecting the dribbler at all, I have a call. Many times it's hard to tell if the defender is applying any pressure or just touching... but if the hand stays there for more than a dribble or two, I'm calling that one too. One thing I've noticed (and that is part of my pregame) is that this is one of those calls to make early. A handcheck or two in the first quarter generally puts a stop to it for the whole game.

Z

B1 is directly in front of A1 and is guarding A1. A1 is either a) holding the ball, or b) dribbling the ball. Why does B1 have to put his hands on A1?

MTD, Sr.

Allow the reactionary touch.

Can the dribbler move north-south (towards the hoop) or wherever (s)he is trying to get?

If so, let it go. What I see a lot is some hand contact, then dribbler gets to the FT line, and is either impeded or defender uses handcheck to steal ball - tweet. Patient whistle is key.

It really is one of those things you just have to "feel", which becomes easier as you get more experienced.

If we're backcourt with pressure, it's hands off period - anything but an incidental touch is a foul.

Cuz
 

Men --> to aggravate
Women --> to "measure"

mick

Don't forget "direction".

Re: Cuz
 

Mick:

In otherwords, there is no reason for B1 to reach out and touch A1.

MTD, Sr.

If they're going from east to west I generally won't call it unless there's an advantage gained. Going north and south especially driving to the basket I will call it. Doesn't take much to disrupt a scoring chance. Really no reason to have your hand on the dribblers back.

Yes, good point. Thanks Mark. Seems to me rule has changed over the last 5 years. I seem to remember 1 year ('99?)NFHS wanted us to call hand checking very tight. Am I right? Personally, I'd like to see hand checking eliminated all together. Good defense is played mostly with the feet.

Gordon, maybe hand checking is forcing offensive player to go east-west, i.e., change direction. Just a thought.

SECTION 24 HANDS AND ARMS, LEGAL AND ILLEGAL USE

ART. 5 . . . It is not legal to use hands on an opponent which in any way inhibits the freedom of movement of the opponent or acts as an aid to a player in starting or stopping.


As long as it doesnt impede the players progress.