Illegal screen - lack of contact

[Mark Padgett]

Years ago, when Rick Adelman was the coach of the Blazers, his son David played in our local kids rec league. I was working a game in which he kind of ran in circles in front of defenders when his team had the ball, but he never made any contact, even though the defenders then stopped or changed direction. Some parent from the other team yelled at me that "he can't just barge through there like that and you wouldn't let him if he was anyone else's kid."

At the next break, I told the parent I would be glad to sell him a rule book so he could learn that there was no foul if there was no contact and if he impugned my integrity again about favoring players, I would toss him out on his head. His kid's coach turned around and yelled at his to shut his trap, then the coach apologized to me on the guy's behalf.

OK, here's a separate story about Rick. Before the season, he came to watch our no-cut tryouts. There were about 100 kids there that night for those particular grade levels. I told him he should be scared. When he asked why, I told him he was looking at 100 unrestricted free agents. He replied, "Man, that is scary!"

[drinkeii]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

As others have said, no contact no foul...but if it's something you keep seeing, have your radar up, and get it when the contact is there.

What will happen is the defender will either wise up and start running into the illegal screen...likely since her coach will be pointing out that moving screen, to which you will say no contact, no foul...or will get frustrated and start blowing up the screener or start hand fighting around it.

I like this approach - thanks!

[Texas Aggie]

I've always thought of it as an "improperly" set screen if it doesn't conform to the rules but there is no contact. Use that if you want, but it may be thinking too much about it.

Simple explanation: "if there's no contact, there's no infraction coach. We'll play on." They may respond to this negatively, but you've given your explanation.

[Mark Padgett]

One I've used is "Coach, I don't know what the hand signal is for no contact."