Charging rule

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by potato

I understand the defense needs to establish legal defensive position before the offense come charging at them to get a charging call, however i would like to know how early does the defense need to establish the position?

Does he need to establish the legal position before the offense take off, ram in and whether the offensive usual shooting habit (i.e 1-2 step before layup/ pivoting before shot needs to be taken in consideration, so if A1 is going for the layup in 1 direction D1 needs to be there to take the charge before A1 does the 1-2 step, or before he make the jump)

And the even more confusing thing would be when it happens within the restriction zone since no charge can occur in the zone. Does it mean that any charge contact that occurs in the zone cannot be called for a charge or the shot/jump/ram has to start within the zone (an easy example would be some guy jumps from free throw line and rams into a Defense who has established LDP inside the zone.)

And if an offensive crash into a Defensive with LDP inside the zone, no charge will be called, would the D1 be called for any defensive foul or just play on?

Don't know about you guys but seems the Zone is created to give the offense opportunity to play real rough.

To answer these in order...

1. Time and distance are not a factor in establishing legal guarding position on an opponent who has the ball or a stationary opponent who does not have the ball (NFHS 4-23-4a). Remember, always strive to use the correct terms.

1a. If an opponent with the ball is airborne the defender has to obtain legal guarding position before the opponent left the floor (NFHS 4-24-4b). As JRut mentions, the standard is different as of this season under NCAAM rules.

Regarding the RA, it's incorrect to say a defender cannot draw a PC foul in the area. Under NCAA rules:

A secondary defender as defined in Rule 4-61 cannot establish initial legal guarding position in the restricted area for the purpose of drawing a player control foul/charge when defending a player who is in control of the ball (i.e., dribbling or shooting) or who has released the ball for a pass or try. When illegal contact occurs within this Restricted Area, such contact shall be called
a blocking foul, unless the contact is a flagrant foul.
a. When illegal contact occurs by the offensive player leading with a foot or unnatural, extended knee, or warding off with the arm, such contact shall be called a player-control foul.
b. When a player in control of the ball stops continuous movement toward the basket and then initiates illegal contact with a secondary defender in the restricted area, this is a player control foul.

The RA also doesn't prevent a defender from playing defense. A defender can try to block shots, etc. He/she just can't draw PC fouls apart from the situations mentioned above.

The addition of the Lower Defensive Box under NCAAW rules this coming season gives something back to the defense. If an offensive player begins her move inside the LDB, the RA doesn't matter.