Back Screen

[Ref_in_Alberta]

Originally Posted by Pantherdreams

When setting a blind screen, the offense is required to give the offense space to react. I know rule of thumb tends to be a step, but is there anywhere that gives a specific measurement or evidence of how much space they actually need?

We ended up in a pretty heated discussion today and a clinic in regards to what constitutes " a step".

Even in the FIBA book a normal step is left to the judgement of the official. Rule below.

2010 FIBA RULES page 36 - 37
Rule 6 - 33.7 Screening: Legal and illegal
Screening is an attempt to delay or prevent an opponent without the ball from
reaching a desired position on the playing court.

Legal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:

• Was stationary (inside his cylinder) when contact occurs.
• Had both feet on the floor when contact occurs.

Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:

• Was moving when contact occurred.
• Did not give sufficient distance in setting a screen outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent when contact occurred.
• Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when contact occurred.

If the screen is set within the field of vision of a stationary opponent (front or lateral), the screener may establish the screen as close to him as he desires, provided there is no contact.

If the screen is set outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent, the screener must permit the opponent to take one (1) normal step towards the screen without making contact.

If the opponent is in motion, the elements of time and distance shall apply.

The screener must leave enough space so that the player who is being screened is able to avoid the screen by stopping or changing direction.

The distance required is never less than one (1) and never more than two (2) normal steps.

A player who is legally screened is responsible for any contact with the player who has set the screen.