I guess you could look at it that way. I've always thought of the "illegal arm" as pushing away the defender's attempt at the ball or as pushing the defender (like a real football "stiff arm").

I see it like the moving screen. The ball handler can put his arm out there all he wants as long as he doesn't alter or impede the movement of the defender. A defender can contort himself into all sorts of positions to redirect the ball handler, until there's contact, nothing.

If I've got an offensive player sticking his arm out but not making contact, and the defender hacks through it; I'm probably calling the hack. Sticking your arm out doesn't make it free game any more than not being in Legal Guarding Position makes the defender free game for an offensive elbow.

Then you are calling that action like most everyone is calling it.
Seems like 4-24-7 doesn't make much sense, does it ? It's just one of those "So what?" rules.

mick

Yeah, I guess so. :)
I do, however, like 4-24-2, "It is legal use of the hands to reach...." I know it talks about slapping the hand when it's on the ball, but I may have to quote those 9 words to a coach some time when he's crying for me to call a "reach."