Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is sometimes referred to as a non-contact sport, but there is a fine line between legal and illegal personal contact. While some contact is inevitable and allowed, players must not impede an opponent's movement or inhibit their scoring opportunity. The referee decides if a foul has been committed, and their interpretation of the rules can vary, with some calling games close and others loose. This guide aims to outline the different types of illegal personal contact in basketball, including fouls, screening, and defensive tactics, and how they are penalized.
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What You'll Learn
Blocking fouls
A blocking foul is a specific type of personal foul in basketball. It occurs when a player impedes the progress of an opponent, with or without possession of the basketball. Blocking fouls can be committed both offensively and defensively.
Offensive blocking occurs when an attacking player makes contact with the defender above the shoulders or below the knees. It is not considered a foul if the contact occurs before the defender moves towards the basket or if the attacker's momentum carries them into the defender's lane.
Defensive blocking is called when an attacking player makes contact with a defender below the waist. A defender can avoid committing a defensive blocking foul by establishing and maintaining a legal guarding position. This is achieved when both of the defender's feet are on the playing court and they are facing their opponent, particularly with their torso. The defender can also raise their hands and jump within their vertical plane, which is an imaginary cylinder surrounding the defender from the floor to as high as they can jump or extend their arms.
It is important to note that the rules regarding blocking fouls may vary slightly between different basketball leagues, such as the NBA, WNBA, and high school basketball. For example, the NBA does not use the cylinder principle to judge contact but instead focuses on a player's positioning and movements.
To avoid committing blocking fouls, players should focus on their opponents, maintain active footwork, and be aware of the ball's potential movements.
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Holding or displacing a player
The only exception to this rule is if the opponent's back is turned. In this case, a player can use their forearm to brace themselves against the opponent's mid-back to maintain their position. However, even in this situation, a player cannot push, hold, or bend to impede an opponent's movement.
In the context of holding or displacing a player, a blocking foul may be called when a player uses their body to prevent the movement of another player. This often occurs when a defensive player tries to draw a charge but does not have their feet set or initiates the contact.
Another example of illegal personal contact is when a dribbler has sufficient space to have their head and shoulders in advance of their defender. In this case, the defender is responsible for maintaining legal distance and avoiding illegal contact. If the defender crowds the dribbler out of their path, it is considered a personal foul and a team foul.
Overall, holding or displacing a player is a violation of the rules in basketball and can result in penalties such as fouls and free throw attempts for the opposing team.
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Illegal screening
Secondly, the screener must allow the defender enough time and distance to avoid the screen. This is determined by the speed of the defender and usually equates to the distance of one or two steps. If the screener does not give the defender sufficient time and distance, it is considered an illegal screen.
Thirdly, the recipient of the screen must not utilise it too early, especially before the screener is fully set. This can also result in an illegal screen being called and a loss of possession.
Finally, the screener must stay within their own cylinder or vertical plane, which is an imaginary area surrounding the player from the floor to as high as they can jump. If the screener leaves this area, it is considered an illegal screen.
It is important to note that the interpretation of an illegal screen can vary depending on the official, and many borderline or illegal screens are often ignored.
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Overt deception or 'flop'
In basketball, a personal foul is a breach of the rules concerning personal contact with an opponent. It is the most common type of foul in the sport. A player fouls out on reaching a limit on personal fouls for the game and is disqualified from participation in the remainder of the game.
Overt deception, or a "flop", is a type of personal foul that is penalized at every level of basketball. It involves a player intentionally falling to the ground to exaggerate the force of a collision and induce a foul to be called. The ball carrier rarely does this, as it would disrupt their effort to score a goal.
The penalty for flopping in the National Basketball Association (NBA) is a technical foul if caught in-game, and a fine if caught after the game in video reviews. The fines start at $5,000 and increase to $30,000 for a fifth offense, when a suspension is also considered.
In FIBA play, the penalty for flopping is a technical foul that counts as one of two towards ejection. National Federation of State High School Associations basketball rules specifically define "faking being fouled" as unsportsmanlike conduct subject to penalty.
While flopping is illegal and disparagingly called a "flop", some research suggests that even deceptions that are illegal may be highly appreciated by teammates, the coach, and fans when they are successfully executed.
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Unnecessary and excessive contact
While basketball is sometimes referred to as a non-contact sport, there is still plenty of legal contact between players. However, some contact is considered illegal and is referred to as a personal foul.
The penalty for a flagrant foul is a free throw attempt for the non-offending team. If a technical foul is assessed to the same team, the free throw for the technical foul is taken first. The ball is then awarded to the team that had possession when the technical foul was assessed.
It is important to note that the interpretation of unnecessary and excessive contact can vary depending on the referee and how they are calling the game. Some referees may call a game "close", meaning they call fouls with minimal contact, while others may call it "loose" and allow more contact. As such, players and coaches should adjust their play accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Illegal personal contact in basketball is when a player uses their body to prevent the movement of another player. This includes blocking, which is when a player impedes another's movement, and hand-checking, which is when a player uses their hands to slow another player down.
If a player commits illegal personal contact, they will be charged with a personal foul. If the illegal contact was caused by the defender, then the offending team will also be charged with a team foul. The offended team will be awarded the ball out-of-bounds on the nearest sideline to where play was interrupted.
A screen is when an offensive player attempts to stop a defender from guarding the ball carrier. If the screener moves towards the ball carrier when contact occurs, fails to respect the elements of time and distance, or initiates contact, they will be charged with illegal screening or setting a moving pick.
A technical foul can be called for an attempted punch or swing with no contact, or for throwing an elbow towards an opponent above shoulder level without contact. Eye guarding, which is placing a hand in front of the opponent's eyes when guarding from behind, is also considered a technical foul.
