oh no, another screen question (NBA rules not helpful)

[BktBallRef]

The rule simply means that if this occurs and there's contact, the foul is on the screener.

[Mark Padgett]

As BktBallRef implied, when put into context of the entire paragraph, this just indicates that if contact occurs, the foul is called on the screener. It's stated within the same context in other parts of the same section.

BTW - you said he quoted NBA rules. Were you playing in an NBA game?

[davidrmoran]

Thanks, both of you.

>> Were you playing in an NBA game?

Ha! No, this is strictly geezerball, though not without skill.

I saw that the context all had to do with contact, but situation (4) seemed to imply a distinction that this case was somehow different. I wondered why it was written as it was, if that meant something. Thank you for confirming that my past understanding was still correct. I guess this text needs some revising!

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by davidrmoran

I guess this text needs some revising!

There are many places in NFHS rules, too, where "a little learning/knowledge is a dangerous thing." One or two sentences can be drastically mis-quoted to appear to mean the exact opposite of what was actually intended. If someone just picks up a rule book and reads just a sentence or two, it can be a huge problem. Your friend shows a very clear example of that!

[davidrmoran]

Thanks, Rainmaker. As someone who's edited and written for a living for a great many years, chiefly instructional and technical materials, I know that what you say is only too true, and that communication is indeed a miracle. Still, I figured that NBA rules, actually written down (and in this case posted) for use, would be ultra-precise and careful about just about everything.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by davidrmoran

Still, I figured that NBA rules, actually written down (and in this case posted) for use, would be ultra-precise and careful about just about everything.

Guess again. Actually, they do an okay job, but they also figure they're going to interpret the rules to their refs, so i guess they don't feel they have to write out the interpretive details beyond what they've already put out. It makes it easy for the public to misunderstand, but they don't worry about that.

[Mark Dexter]

David - you'll often find that the most important part of any rulebook is the definitions. For the NBA, you need to look at Rule 4, which states:

Section IV-Fouls
a. A common personal foul is illegal physical contact which occurs with an opponent after the ball has become live.