Pick / Charge

[ColdShot]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

There's different concepts involved depending on whether the offensive player has control of the ball or not.
1) If the player doesn't have the ball, "screening" principles apply and the defender has to give "time and distance" to a moving opponent. Iow, they have to give the other player time to stop or change directions. The required distance is 1-2 steps, but the maximum that must be allowed is 2 steps.
2) If the player does have the ball, then "guarding" principles are involved instead. To establish a legal guarding position, the defender does not have to allow time and distance. The only requirements to establish an initial legal guarding position are (a) the defender must establish himself in the offensive player's path with both feet on the court, and (b) the defender must be facing the offensive player at that particular time. If the defensive player can do that and then maintain that legal guarding position, the onus for contact lies with the offensive player. There is no requirement for the defender to give any distance at all after establishing an initial legal guarding position.

Make any sense now?

No....the issue that I have a problem with is the combination of 1) and 2) where the receiver doesn't have the ball one instant and ""screening" principles apply", then suddenly ""guarding" principles are involved instead" as he catches the pass. The instantaneous transition, and completely different set of rules, is what I have a problem with.