This document discusses the rules around legal guarding position and blocking/charging calls in basketball. It defines legal guarding position as having both feet on the court and facing the offensive player. It states that a blocking foul occurs when a defensive player impedes an opponent with or without the ball through illegal personal contact. A charging foul is called when an offensive player with the ball creates illegal personal contact by pushing or moving into the defender's torso. The powerpoint provides examples of legal guarding position and blocking/charging plays.

1. Bill Lewis
MCBOA Vice President
Legal Guarding
Legal GuardingPosition
Position
&&
Block / Charge
Block / Charge

2. 1. The defensive player MUSTMUST have both feet
on the court.
2. The front of the defensive player’s torso
MUSTMUST be facing the offensive player.
Legal Guarding PositionLegal Guarding Position
Rule 4 Sect. 23 Art. 3

3. • The defender can have one or both feet on the
court OR be airborne.
• Defender is NOT required to continue facing
the offensive player.
• Player can move any direction EXCEPT
toward the offensive player.
Legal Guarding Position -Legal Guarding Position -
after LGP is established

4. Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #1Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #1
Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #2Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #2

5. • Defender may raise hands within his/her
vertical plane.
• Guard may duck to absorb contact from
offensive player.
Legal Guarding Position -Legal Guarding Position -
after LGP is established

6. • BlockingBlocking is illegal personal contact that
impedes the progress of an opponent with
OR without the ball.
BlockingBlocking
Rule 4 Sect. 7 Art. 1

7. Block / Charge Play #3Block / Charge Play #3

8. • ChargingCharging is illegal personal contact caused
by pushing or moving into an opponent’s
torso.
• Player Control foulPlayer Control foul is called when a
player with the ball creates the contact
described above.
ChargingCharging
Rule 4 Sect. 7 Art. 2

9. Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #3Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #3
Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #4Legal Guarding Position & Block / Charge Play #4
Pass & Crash Block / Charge Play #2Pass & Crash Block / Charge Play #2

10. • Offensive players are required to stop OR
change direction to avoid contact with a
defensive player that has obtained legal
guarding position.
• Offensive player with the ball MUST get
his/her head & shoulders past the defender
prior to contact being made.
ChargingCharging
Rule 4 Sect. 7 Art. 2

11. PowerPoint adapted from presentation by IAABO
Executive Director Tom Lopes