
A charge is a common foul in basketball that occurs when an offensive player crashes into a defender who has established a legal guarding position. The defender must be facing the basketball and cannot be standing in the restricted area. To avoid a charge, the offensive player must look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around the defender. Jump-stopping near the basket can also prevent a charge, as it allows the offensive player to maintain control and avoid making contact with the defender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avoidance technique | Jump stop |
| Who should use it | Offensive players |
| When to use it | When nearing the basket |
| What it prevents | Contact with defensive players |
| What it doesn't prevent | Finishes after the jump stop |
| Who can draw a charge | Defensive players |
| How to draw a charge | Be in front of and facing the basketball |
| What to do after drawing a charge | Fall backwards without using hands |
| Who gets penalised | The player who initiates contact |
| Who doesn't get penalised | The player not initiating contact |
| What to do when facing a defender | Look ahead and dribble around or pass |
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What You'll Learn
- Avoid running into anyone, jump stop near the basket
- Look ahead, pass or dribble around defenders in a legal guarding position
- Avoid the defender by calling a foul or going for the rebound
- Don't initiate contact with a defender in a legal guarding position
- Don't use excessive contact, including with shoulders, elbows, hips, or legs

Avoid running into anyone, jump stop near the basket
A charge is a common foul in basketball that occurs when an offensive player crashes into a defender who has established their position. This is also referred to as an offensive foul. To avoid a charge, it is important to avoid running into anyone and to jump-stop near the basket.
When an offensive player has possession of the basketball, a defender who has established a legal guarding position is not required to give time and distance. This means that the offensive player with the ball should be prepared to stop their movement or change direction as soon as a defender establishes a legal position. By jump-stopping near the basket, offensive players can maintain control and avoid making contact with defensive players.
A defender establishes a legal guarding position when they are in front of and facing the basketball, with both feet on the ground and their torso facing the opponent. Defensive players are allowed to move laterally to maintain their position, as long as they are not encroaching on the offensive player's space. When a defender is in a legal guarding position, any contact made with their torso by the offensive player will result in a charge.
To avoid a charge, offensive players should look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defenders who are in a legal guarding position. Jump-stopping near the basket allows offensive players to retain numerous finishing options, enabling them to score points without committing a charging foul.
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Look ahead, pass or dribble around defenders in a legal guarding position
To avoid a charging foul, players with the ball need to look ahead and be aware of their surroundings. They should anticipate where the defence is trying to drive and get there first. This can be practised over time.
If a defender has established a legal guarding position, the player with the ball should either pass or dribble around them. A defender establishes a “legal guarding position” when they are in front of and facing the basketball, with both feet on the ground and their torso facing the opponent. The defender must not be standing in the restricted area, and they must not be the one to initiate contact. Once the defender has established a legal guarding position, they can move sideways or backward, and any contact they take on the torso is legal.
If the offensive player uses excessive contact (including with their shoulders, elbows, hips, or legs), the defender can still be called for a blocking foul. It is important to note that even if a defender has established a legal guarding position, they can still be called for a blocking foul if the contact is deemed to be excessive or avoidable.
If an offensive player makes direct contact with a defender who has initiated a foul attempt within the rules of the game, an offensive foul will be called. Offensive fouls are also called when a player's push or barrage of punches or kicks connects with an opponent, either high or low.
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Avoid the defender by calling a foul or going for the rebound
A charge is a common foul in basketball, and it can be a game-changer. It occurs when an offensive player crashes into a defender who has established a legal guarding position. The defender must not be standing in the restricted area, and they must not be the one to initiate the contact. If the defender has their heels in the restricted area but the offensive player makes illegal contact with their torso, the offensive player will still be called for a charging foul.
To avoid a charge, you can call a foul or go for the rebound. Calling a foul is a way to prevent a charge, as it is a competitor's attempt to gain an advantage over you. Going for the rebound when a teammate is on the other end of a technical is another way to avoid a charge.
Additionally, to avoid a charging foul, players with the ball need to look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defensive players who are in a legal guarding position. A legal guarding position is when a defender is in front of and facing the basketball, having got to where the ball is headed before it gets there. They must be squared to the ball and be able to anticipate where the offense is trying to drive. It is a myth that the defender must be standing still—once they have established a legal guarding position, they can move sideways or backward, and any contact they take on the torso remains legal.
To avoid a charge, it is also important to avoid running into anyone. Jump-stopping as players near the basket will keep offensive players under control as they get close to finishing and will prevent them from making contact with defensive players.
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Don't initiate contact with a defender in a legal guarding position
A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player charges or makes direct contact with a defender who has not moved into their path and is not standing in the restricted area. The defender must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs for it to be considered a charge.
To avoid a charging foul, players with the ball need to look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defensive players who are in a legal guarding position. Offensive players should not initiate contact with a defender in a legal guarding position. This means that they should be aware of their surroundings and anticipate where the defender will be, getting there first.
A defender establishes a “legal guarding position” when they are in front of and facing the basketball, with both feet on the ground and their torso facing the opponent. They must get to where the ball is headed before it gets there, requiring a degree of anticipation and skill at getting squared to the ball. Once the defender has established a legal guarding position, they can move sideways or backward, and any contact they take on the torso remains legal.
If an offensive player makes illegal contact with the torso of a defender in a legal guarding position, they could be called for a charging foul, even if the defender has their heels in the restricted area. It is important to note that the defender cannot extend their arms, shoulders, hips, or legs outside of their cylinder, especially to stop the offensive player from getting by them. If the offensive player uses excessive contact (including shoulders and elbows), it will likely result in a blocking foul.
To summarise, to avoid a charge, offensive players should not initiate contact with defenders in a legal guarding position. This means looking ahead, dribbling or passing around defenders, and being aware of their surroundings to anticipate and avoid defenders.
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Don't use excessive contact, including with shoulders, elbows, hips, or legs
To avoid a charging foul, it is important to not use excessive contact, including with shoulders, elbows, hips, or legs. This means that when an offensive player with or without the ball makes contact with a defender who has not initiated the contact and is in a legal guarding position, a charging foul is called on the offensive player.
A defender establishes a "legal guarding position" when they are in front of and facing the basketball. They must be able to get to where the ball is headed before it gets there, anticipating the offense's moves and getting there first. The defender must have both feet on the ground and their torso facing the opponent.
If a defender extends their arms, shoulders, hips, or legs outside of their cylinder, they will be responsible for any illegal contact and subsequent fouling infractions. However, if contact from an offensive player is imminent, a defender is allowed to put their hands and/or arms in front of their face or body to avoid injury.
To avoid a charging foul, players with the ball need to look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defensive players who are in a legal guarding position. It is important to note that a defender in a legal guarding position can move sideways or backward, and any contact they take on the torso remains legal.
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