Illegal defense?

[crosscountry55]

Originally Posted by JoJo10

First, thank you both for your replies!

I wanted to re-phrase some of my comments, as I see there is a more 'general' rule (Displacement) than a specific call. There is NO displacement going on by me, with or without the ball. When I have the ball on the low post off an entry pass, I'm assuming I have a right to the basket, as long as I do not 'displace' the man behind me guarding (ie. grabbing his arm or hooking with my non-dribbling arm); and also assuming his feet are not planted thereby drawing a charge!?

When I said 'boxing out', again, this is described as being in between the basket and the man asserting rebound position, assuming no displacement on my part. (I understand this is a judgement call by the ref).

Also, just for clarification crosscountry55, you wrote - 'puts a knee in your back'.
The maneuver is, the defender (man behind me) is putting his knee between my legs (not my back) where I can see his knee cap when i look down... AND using his thigh as a chair to lift me up. Again, no displacement on my part seeing as I cannot move because my feet are raised off the ground from his thigh.

If two players are pushing each other back-and-forth, i agree, this is good hard basketball; However, if both are pushing back-and-forth and yet the man behind is grabbing the shirt of the player he is guarding (with no displacement) that would be a foul if you see it, correct?

Gentlemen, again thank you for your response. So you know, I am not trying to debate, be combative or look for a reason to compensate for my height. You are the experts. I just want to make sure I am describing this clearly.

Thank you again for any further insight!

Assuming you're not backing down an opponent and/or displacing, if you receive the ball in the low post, you don't necessarily have a right to the basket, per se, but you do have a right to your position on the floor, and if there's unoccupied space between you and a defender, you can move into that space. If the defender gets two feet shoulder width apart before you leave the floor, he has established legal guarding position (LGP), and any contact thereafter is your responsibility, no matter what the defender does provided he is not moving toward you. He can move backward or laterally to maintain LGP; his feet don't necessarily have to be "planted." If he doesn't get LGP or he gives it up by moving toward you at contact, that's a blocking foul on him.

With respect to boxing out, we officials like to say, "you can box out, but you can't 'clear out.'" Here's the rule regarding rebounding, Rule 4-37, Articles 2 and 3:

"ART. 2...To obtain or maintain legal rebounding position, a player may not:
a. Displace, charge or push an opponent.
b. Extend shoulders, hips, knees or extend the arms or elbows fully or partially in a position other than vertical so that the freedom of movement of an opponent is hindered when contact with the arms or elbows occurs.
c. Bend his/her body in an abnormal position to hold or displace an opponent.
d. Violate the principle of verticality.
ART. 3...Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court, provided the player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent."

So yeah, if you don't back down and find a knee between your legs, a good official should call that foul on the player behind you. That's crap. So is grabbing the shirt, but that's not often as obvious to the official as it "feels" to the player. But if I see it and it's clearly one-sided, I'm coming out with a holding foul if it affects the play (or if it's egregious regardless of the outcome of the play).

Again, great questions. I've enjoyed thinking about this. Thanks.

[JoJo10]

"Rule 4-37, Articles 2 and 3"

crosscountry55 , thank you very much for your generous explanations, for posting the rule and most of all, understanding my terminology (from a 'player's' perspective).

Have a great new year!