Are every player entitled to a vertical position on the court?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MiamiWadeCounty

I don't have a tape. Just pretend that the offensive post player is bent over and that the defender has his body hovering over the offensive player's bent body. (This is the kind of situation that happens when a small offensive post player accidentally drops the ball, bends over, and then rises up and makes contact with the defender).

Here is a rule from FIBA:

Post play

The principle of verticality (cylinder principle) applies also to post play.

The offensive player in the post position and the defensive player guarding him must respect each other's rights to a vertical position (cylinder).

I honestly could give a damn what the FIBA rule is as I will not see that rules set anytime soon.

And in your situation the defender would be responsible for any contact if it took place and the contact took place with the arms, body or head. But without seeing the play, I cannot tell you why anything was called or not and you seemed to have already come to a conclusion. That is why video tape would be helpful as these plays you described I have seen were not illegal based on the actions that took place. If the defender is hovering over an offensive player, the contact could be legal or incidental.

Peace