Question
 

The guard is responsible for contact if the dribbler has been able to get his or her head and shoulders past the guard's torso?

True or false?

I strongly believe it is true but Does anyone have a citation for it?

10-6-8

As written, that is not true. The truth is that the guard bears the greater responsibility for any contact, but the guard is not always responsible for the contact. For example, the dribbler may reach this point and then use an arm to shove the defender away or wrap it around the defender's back and hook the guard to prevent him from recovering to a better defensive position. Both of those would rightly be called player control fouls.

Situation:

Defender has obtained legal guarding position one foot from the sideline. Offensive player contacts defensive player, knocking him down, but is able to get his head and shoulders around the defender near the sideline. Is this a block or a charge?

Ruling:

Despite the fact that the offensive player squeezed around the defender and was able to get his head and shoulders around him, when there is less than three feet of space between a defender and the sideline the offensive player is responsible for the contact. This is a CHARGE. (RULE 4 SECTION 7 ART 2C)

(Situation that has been discussed locally)

-Josh