Block or Charge?

[mick]

Originally posted by canuckrefguy

ORIGINAL POST:
This happened in a high school girls game...
A1 drives to the basket. She picks up the ball to start her lay up attempt. With 1 foot still on the floor, B1 establishes position in front of A1. The collision is square in the numbers. An obvious charge. In discussion with the coach following the game, she argues that her player was in her steps to the basket and said A1 could do nothing to avoid the contact. I agreed but said good defense and tough break for A1.

We all agreed the situation would look differently if boys were playing, because the boys can leave the ground more quickly and stay in the air longer, the same situation would have probably been a block because the defender would have to slide under the shooter to get the position.

RESPONSE #1:
This actually sounds like a block.

If the defender only gets into position after the shooter starts her layup by taking her steps and bringing the ball up, I'm not sure the defender made it there in time.

4-40-3 : "The try starts when the player begins the motion which habitually precedes the release of the ball."

I have always considered the last step-1/2, before the release for a try, as part of the habitual motion, whether there's a layup, or a post move. That has been my line.

I have a very easy block call on this play.

mick