Constant Debate - Vertical Plane

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by NCHSAA

I am seeing more and more of this move coming down from the NBA to the college and high school ranks. Are yall seeing the same?

Here's the debate:

A1 pump fakes and B2 bites on the fake and jumps forward. A1 then attempts a shot and jumps into B2 who is airborne. A foul is called on B2 which sends A1 to the line.

A lot of guys in my local association agree with this foul on the defense even though the offensive player created contact also, if not first. My take is that both are at fault, the defense was not within their vertical plane, and the offensive player jumped forward into the defense trying to get the call. I am alright with a foul if the offensive player jumped straight up, or even slightly forward (some players jump straight up and some jump 3 feet forward on their jumpshots).

Anyone agree or am I alone here?

IF B1 would have landed short of A1, then A1 is responsible for the contact. No call (or, I suppose a potential PC foul -- or, just maybe, A1 is taunting B1 by landing on him). If B1 would have landed on A1 anyway, then the foul is on B1.

[Camron Rust]

If B1 is moving towards A1 at the time of contact (doesn't have LGP), it doesn't really matter what A1 did short of extending an arm to create contact or something intentional. I don't care if A1's shoulder is lowered or if A1 steps into B1. B1 already made the mistake by jumping towards A1. B1 only gets to play defense legally and moving towards the opponent at the time of contact is not legal defense.

Now, if B1 was going to completely and clearly miss A1 and A1 goes out of their way to make sure there is contact, we have a different story.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I don't care if A1's shoulder is lowered or if A1 steps into B1. B1 already made the mistake by jumping towards A1.

That "lowering the shoulder" is another myth we have to battle.

[APG]

If the defender is moving towards the opponent, then he's going to be responsible for the contact and get the foul 90+ percent of the time. The only time you should consider going offensive in this situation is if the offensive player does something overt...leads with an elbow, foot, or something non basketball related. Also if the defensive player jumps off clear to the side and would have avoided the offensive player were it not for the angle in which he jumped, one could also go offensive foul here.