Screening
 

Last night did my 1st girls game ( yuck ). Several times the crew made foul calls on screens against the defensive player. Only one time did I view was legitimate as player pushed through. After contest, crew stated that each time there was contact between players they felt foul should be called. I've been off a few months. So, some help and refresh is welcomed. Does the defender "have" to avoid contact?

If we called a foul every time there was contact during a game, the games would take three or four days to complete. You couldn't pay me enough to do that.

OK - maybe you could. ;)

BTW - if we adopt that policy, it would be a great argument in favor of going to a running clock. I like it. Of course, final scores would be something like 10-8.

You are watching the screens that are in your partners area? If so, they probably have a better look than you do.

Are you a ref?

Uh oh I see where this is going:)

Wow, that would make for a long game.

Basketball is not a non-contact sport. Probably myth #1.

Yeah, but at the end of the game you and your partner(s) might only be reffing a 3 on 3 contest! :D

Moving Screen Myth
 

A moving screen is not in and of itself a foul, contact must occur for a foul to be called. If a blind screen is set on a stationary defender, the defender must be given one normal step to change direction and attempt to avoid contact. If a screen is set on a moving defender, the defender gets a minimum of one step and a maximum of two steps, depending on the speed and distance of the defender.

And then you have to factor in advantage/disadvantage...you can have minor contact on a moving screen, but if the defender get around the screen and was not slowed and was not placed at a disadvantage, then it might not be a foul.

If the "L" stands for "Larry", I understand where you are coming from.

The OP is not asking about a moving screen. The officials were calling fouls on the defenders for running into a stationary screen.

Original Post
 

"Does the defender "have" to avoid contact?"

"The defender must be given one normal step to change direction and ATTEMPT to avoid contact."

Yes, the defender has to avoid contact <b>if</b> the player being screened sees the screen and has an opportunity to avoid the contact(in the judgment of the official). If the player does make contact, it's supposed to be a foul on the player being screened.