Face-Guarding (photo)

[IchiRef]

Yeah, I was not there for this photo, but your right, could be difficult to tell from a photo. I just came across it and it didn't look right.

Thanks for the feedback.

[Camron Rust]

While it isn't always clear from a still photo and you can't be certain about this specific example, the rule is that a defender can't use their hand to block the vision of an opponent. If that defender is putting their hand right in their face and not playing the ball, it is not legal. By rule, it is a T. Having their hands up in a way that happens to block the vision doesn't count....just putting it in the face for no other purpose. It is pretty easy to tell of they are targeting the vision or just getting their arms up.

[Bad Zebra]

10-3-6 Player Technical

A player shall not commit an unsporting foul. This includes acts...such as:

d. Purposely obstructing an opponents vision by waving or placing hand(s) near his/her eyes.

The photo sure looks to me like the defender is purposely putting a hand in the shooters face (but it is just a snapshot). The tone and action leading up to the shot would probably tell us more. I'll usually give one specific warning like "Don't do that again or I WILL T you up". I've only done it twice in 12 years and it stopped immediately. Too dangerous to be tolerated in my opinion. I'll err on the side of caution and try to stop it quickly.