defensive stance

[Adam]

If the defender trips the offensive player with his leg sticking out like this, I've got a foul on the defender. He's entitled to his normal space; sticking the leg out doesn't qualify.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by shanc

So if the offensive player trips over the defensive players foot, the offensive player initiated the contact so foul is on him. On the other hand, if the defensive player makes contact with the body of offensive player to upset his balance or displace him, then it's a foul on defense.
Have I got this right?

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

If the defender trips the offensive player with his leg sticking out like this, I've got a foul on the defender. He's entitled to his normal space; sticking the leg out doesn't qualify.

Agree.

Who initiates the contact is a concept that is sometimes but not always accurate. It can help with the thought process in some cases but you will come to the wrong answer if you make many decisions based only on it.

Instead, it is about who is not in a legal position when contact occurs. A defender's legs or arms are not in a legal position if they are extended outside of their frame. If contact sufficient for a foul occurs with such an extended limb, the defender has committed the foul...even if the offensive player initiates the contact. The defender only gets to restrict the offensive players movements if they are doing so legally.

[shanc]

I think I understand now. No contact, no foul. If offensive player trips over the leg, tripping is called on defense. If the offensive player attempts to move left or right to catch a pass but can't because he runs into that leg, that's impedeing his movement. If the defensive player uses the leg as a means of moving the other player off his spot, that's displacement. Who knew there was so much to watch for in a couple of basically stationary players.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by shanc

Who knew there was so much to watch for in a couple of basically stationary players.

All of us knew. Welcome to our world.