Illegal or legal screen (Video)
 

Skylar Diggins Wiped Out By Crystal Langhorne Screen - YouTube

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Someone please embed. I couldn't find, albeit I didn't look too hard, the thread on how to embed directly.

Seattle storm game right at the end of the 2nd quarter if other footage available. I don't see what defender did wrong from the highlight.

On second look, it could be borderline on time and distance and slightly leaning forward.

Did she give a moving defender time and distance to avoid the screen?

Bob, I believe she did. I do see her "firming up" right before contact but not moving towards skylar. Howeve the angle is not the best and it's a brief clip at that.

Illegal. The opponent needs to be able to take at least one regular step from the moment the screener legally sets the screen (in this case, when she stops moving). That didn't happen on this play.

No time/distance AND the screener extends her left arm after contact.

Two Steps ...
 

That's for a stationary defender. Diggins was actually a moving defender, and at the speed she was moving, she probably should have been afforded two steps.

If a blind screen is set on a stationary defender, the defender must be given one normal step to change direction and attempt to avoid contact. If a screen is set on a moving defender, the defender gets a minimum of one step and a maximum of two steps, depending on the speed and distance of the defender.

Bottom line? Illegal screen.

That's what I see also.

If the video were just a bit more clear you might even be able to make a case for a flagrant foul for elbow contact above the shoulders.

This clip is an example of the difference between the men's and women's games. On the men's side this a hard, but legal screen. On the women's side this will almost always be called a foul.

Remember, I said "at least" :) . It could have been two steps/strides:

It's a matter of judgment but I'll agree in this case two probably would've been good.


I've seen it called in NBA games but there shouldn't be a difference. The wording in the WNBA rule book is exactly the same as that in the NBA rule book.

There is no difference in the rule, but there is certainly a difference in how the whistle is blown and the expectations of the players, coaches, and supervisors.

I'm ok with the time and distance allowed. But I feel like the left arm extension and pop on the play that we are a little blocked out on by the camera angle until the end of the play is the deal breaker.

I've got a foul.

But if she'd just held her ground and not extended into her I'm probably ok with a no call.

I call as many fouls on illegal screens as anyone, this looks legal to me. The screener is preparing for the contact and it appears no one called out the screen for the defender.

I got nothing. And I think the fact that this is a women's game is why this was called. The defender was not moving that fast and you can give them one or two steps and this was enough time and distance IMO.

Peace

An inexact science..........
 

I just continue to find it fascinating that even with the comfort of slow motion, repetitive instant replays, we can continue to have differing opinions on the same call......and that's why this is such an interesting and enjoyable avocation on the court, real-time, where we don't have such a luxury.

Appreciate all the insights as to what call you would make and why in this, and other circumstances.