Helena Frye
Taking a charge in basketball is a defensive technique that can be highly effective when executed correctly. It involves anticipating the dribbler's next move, getting in front of them, and establishing a legal guarding position before they arrive. This position requires the defender to be square to the dribbler with their feet set and their torso facing the opponent. When contact is made, the defender must take it directly on their chest and fall backward, ensuring their hands are not used to brace the fall. Taking a charge can result in a defensive stop, a foul, and a change in possession, making it a powerful tool for disrupting the offense and changing the momentum of the game.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player charges into a defender. |
| Legal guarding position | The defender must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs. |
| Restricted area | The defender must not be standing in the restricted area (a 4' diameter semicircle under the basket). |
| Contact | The defender must not initiate the contact. |
| Positioning | The defender must be in the correct position before the offensive player arrives, with both feet planted. |
| Movement | The defender should not move their hips or shoulders; the only movement should be falling backward after contact is made. |
| Safety | To avoid injury, the defensive player should "sit down" on the mat, with the butt making initial contact with the floor, not the back or shoulders. |
| Selling the charge | Sell the charge to the ref by exhaling at the point of contact and letting out a groan. |
| Yelling | Yelling to draw attention to a charge may result in a "no call" from the ref. |
| Arms | Arms should be tucked into the body during the fall to avoid injury. |
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What You'll Learn
Be square to the player with the ball
To take a charge in basketball, you must be square to the player with the ball. This means getting into the correct position before the offensive player arrives, with both feet planted, and staying in front of and facing the basketball. You must be able to anticipate where the offence is trying to drive and get there first.
Being square to the player with the ball is about positioning yourself in a way that ensures the contact will be on your terms. You want to be facing the player directly, with your feet set and your body braced for impact. Your feet should be directly underneath your shoulders, and your body should be still, with no turning or shifting. This is a key part of taking a charge and will help you avoid committing a blocking foul.
When you take the charge, you should take the contact directly on your chest. Your only movement should be falling backward after contact is made. You should not move your hips or shoulders. You can practice falling backward by going butt-to-back on the floor and not using your hands to brace your fall. This will help to avoid injury.
Taking a charge is a great defensive play and can be a momentum changer. It results in a defensive stop, a foul, a change in possession, and makes the offensive player think twice before dribble-driving again. It is a skill that can be practised and perfected, and players who learn how to execute a charge have a huge advantage in the game.
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Establish a legal guarding position
Establishing a legal guarding position is a crucial aspect of taking a charge in basketball. Here are some detailed instructions to help you master this skill:
Understanding the Legal Guarding Position
Before delving into the specific techniques, it's important to grasp the definition of a legal guarding position. In simple terms, it means that a defender has positioned themselves in a way that allows them to draw an offensive foul, also known as a charge. This position must be established before the offensive player arrives, and it involves facing the basketball and anticipating their movements.
Getting into the Correct Position
To establish a legal guarding position, follow these steps:
- Square Up to the Opponent: Position yourself directly in front of the opponent with the ball, ensuring that you are facing them and have your body square to theirs. This means you are not turning or shifting sideways but are directly in their path.
- Plant Your Feet: As you get into the opponent's path, plant your feet firmly on the ground. Make sure your feet are underneath your shoulders, creating a stable base. Avoid stepping into the restricted area, which is a 4-foot diameter semicircle under the basket, as this will result in a blocking foul.
- Brace for Contact: Keep your arms tucked in towards your body, covering your groin area. Ensure your torso is stable, with no movement in your hips or shoulders. Your focus should be on remaining stationary and bracing for the impending contact.
Common Misconceptions
It's important to clarify some misconceptions about the legal guarding position:
- Foot Movement: Contrary to popular belief, you are not required to have your feet completely planted. You can have your feet moving as long as you establish your position before the offensive player arrives.
- Arm Position: While some sources suggest tucking your arms in to cover your groin, others argue that this is not necessary. The key is to avoid using your arms to brace your fall, as it can lead to injury and may be interpreted as a blocking foul.
- Yelling: Yelling to draw attention to a charge is generally discouraged, as it may be seen as selling the call too much and could result in a "no call" from the referee.
Remember, the key to establishing a legal guarding position is to be in front of and facing the opponent with the ball, anticipating their movements, and maintaining your position before and during contact. By doing so, you can effectively draw a charge and gain a strategic advantage in the game.
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Brace for contact
To take a charge in basketball, you must be able to anticipate the dribbler's next move. You must be square to the contact with your feet set and stay square to them, reading their movements. It is important that you take the charge directly on your chest and brace for contact.
To brace for contact, you must get into the correct position before the offensive player arrives, with both feet planted. You should be square to the person with the ball and slide to get into their path. Keep your feet set and do not turn or shift. Cover your groin and keep your arms tucked into your body as you fall.
Make sure you are not in the restricted area, a 4' diameter semicircle under the basket, as this will result in a blocking foul. You must also ensure that you are not the one to initiate the contact. If you are in legal guarding position and the offensive player initiates the contact, this will be considered an offensive foul.
It is important to note that you should not fall with your hands behind you, as this can result in a wrist or hand injury. Instead, practice falling backward by going butt to back on the floor and not using your hands to brace your fall.
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Fall backwards
To take a charge in basketball, you must be a defensive player who stands your ground so firmly that you are the one being fouled by the offensive player. This means that you must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs, and the contact must be initiated by the offensive player.
Falling backwards is an important aspect of taking a charge. When you take the charge, you should absorb the contact directly on your chest, with your feet planted, and then fall backward. Your only movement should be falling backward after contact is made. Do not move your hips or shoulders, and make sure your hands are not behind you as you fall to avoid hand or wrist injuries.
To practice falling backward, you can try drills where you learn to fall by going butt to back on the floor, without using your hands to brace your fall. When you hit the ground, try to push back to get out of the way of the falling player.
It is important to note that you should not start to fall before contact is made, as this could result in a blocking foul instead of a charge. Additionally, make sure you are not in a restricted area, as this can also result in a blocking foul.
Taking a charge can be a great defensive play that can change the momentum of the game. It can result in a defensive stop, a foul, a change in possession, and make the offensive player think twice before driving to the basket again.
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Sell the charge to the referee
To sell the charge to the referee, you must first understand the mechanism behind taking a charge. A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player collides with a defender who has established a legal guarding position. The defender must be outside the restricted area, and their feet must be planted to avoid a blocking foul.
Now, to convince the referee that a charge has occurred, here are some crucial tips:
- Be square to the contact with your feet set and no turning or shifting. This demonstrates that you were in a legal guarding position.
- Exhale at the point of contact and let out a groan. This helps to emphasise the impact and signal to the referee that you are absorbing the charge.
- Avoid flailing your arms or hands behind you as you fall. This can indicate that you are seeking a call and may reduce the chances of the referee making one. Instead, keep your arms tucked to your body during the fall.
- Do not yell or exaggerate your fall. This may appear as though you are "selling too much," and referees may be less inclined to call the charge.
- Ensure your feet are planted, and your body remains still. Any movement other than falling backward after contact may result in a blocking foul.
Remember, taking a charge is about anticipating the offensive player's movement, establishing a legal guarding position, and absorbing the contact. Selling the charge to the referee is about emphasising these points of contact and demonstrating that you were in the correct position, facing the basketball, and absorbing the foul.
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Frequently asked questions
A charge is a common foul in basketball. It is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player moves into a defender who is in-bounds, with both feet on the ground and their torso facing the opponent.
To take a charge, you must be able to anticipate the dribbler’s next move and get to where the ball is headed before it arrives. You must stay square to them and be able to read their movements. It is important that you take the charge directly on your chest and do not move your hips or shoulders.
A charge is an offensive foul and a block is a defensive foul. When a charge is called, it means that an offensive player has made significant contact with a defender that has an established position. When a block is called, it means that an offensive player has made significant contact with a defender who is not in a stationary position.
Some tips for taking a charge include getting into the correct position before the offensive player arrives, keeping your arms up to play defense, and selling the charge to the ref by exhaling and groaning at the point of contact. It is also important to note that defensive players cannot take charges when they are in a restricted area.
