Rules Interpretation

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by firedoc
The rule states that the defensive player must obtain a legal guarding position first, but he can then move laterally or backwards in order to maintain that defensive posture.

Originally posted by DTTB
The guard must first establish a legal guarding position - both feet on the floor and facing the opponent. After that, the guard's feet can be in the air and he may turn his body as needed to maintain a guarding position.

Both of these quotes are technically correct. However, I want to point out that when drawing the charge against the player dribbling the ball (which is what the original play sounds like), the defense merely has to get to the spot first. There's no requirement to establish legal guarding position before reaching the point of contact. If you have legal position when the contact occurs, that's all that matters. If you're guarding A2, but leave that player at the last second, jump into the path of the dribbler A1 and take contact on the front of the torso, that's a PC foul on A1. There's no time or distance required when guarding the dribbler (NF and NCAA).

Chuck