Stiff Arm

[ChuckElias]

The NBA does not address this as clearly as the high school rules. The applicable rule in the NBA set is Rule 12B - Section I - a: "A player shall not hold, push, charge into impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, forearm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal. Contact that results in the re-routing of an opponent is a foul which must be called immediately" (emphasis mine.)

The rule does not specify offense or defense, so it applies to both. I think holding off a defender with a forearm would fall under this rule.