Backcourt??

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

1) Common sense- a commodity which seems to be lacking in some of your wingy interpretations.

2) Obvious to who? You? Somehow methinks that doesn't make it so.

So your position is that defense doesn't exist unless there is team control by one team...
Well I can demonstrate using what is written in the rules book that your "common sense" isn't correct.

There are two statements in the Fundamentals which mention defense. In the first, there is no team control because the try has been released, which we know ends team control. However, the continuous motion interval is the topic of the second, which we know occurs while the player is still holding the ball and thus has team control.

Basketball Rules Fundamentals

7. The only infractions for which points are awarded are goaltending by the defense or basket interference at the opponent's basket.

17. “Continuous motion” applies both to tries and taps for field goals and free throws, but it has no significance unless there is a foul by the defense during the interval which begins when the habitual trying or tapping movement starts and ends when the ball is clearly in flight.

Therefore, defense can occur both while there is and also while there is not team control. Q.E.D.