The Most Misunderstood NBA Rules Explained (Kind Of).
March 6th 2007 01:12
Visitors to NBALOUD who have never really watched a game of basketball before would feel a little bit alienated in this space because this writer takes it as a given that readers of this site would have a working knowledge of the game. For the uninitiated out there NBALOUD apologises for this oversight and will seek to clarify such an injustice.
Now that the mini mea culpa has been done with we should move on to the area that vexes both people new and experienced to the game of NBA basketball – the rules.
Beginners to the game would hear terms such as ‘hand is part of the ball’ or that basketball is a non-contact sport but witness actions that are antithesis to these popular conceptions.
So, as a public service NBALOUD is going to try and clarify the most misunderstood rules of the game that leaves many viewers perplexed on the odd occasion – this writer included.
Blocks/Charges: This has got to be one of the most contentious rules out there because there is such little scope for clarity and the lines between a block or a charge is blurred to say the least.
In the rulebook of the NBA the only clarification they give is that in initiating a blocking/charging foul it is dependent on the defender getting into a legal stance before the offensive player gets to position. A blocking/charging action is usually taken by a defender to try and stop an offensive player going to that particular direction.
The frustrating aspect of this rule is that there is no definition of what the ‘legal stance’ is for the defender. But generally speaking when the defending player has both feet set on the floor and is charged by the offensive player than it would be a foul to the player with the ball, thus this is the ‘legal stance’. If the feet isn’t set and the defender is still moving than that would be
a blocking foul. Basically speaking the defender just has to get in front of the offensive player, but if there is minimal contact than play usually is allowed to go on.
When the offensive player is driving to the basket than the defensive player must establish position before the upward shooting motion commences.
NBALOUD didn’t specify that any of these rules are easy to ascertain by the way.
Defensive Three Seconds: In every NBA game this rule comes into play with a stray whistle being blown that even has some of the players on the court looking around in confusion. This rule dictates that a defensive player cannot be in the key, which is the area below the circle in the free throw line for more than three seconds, unless he is actively guarding a player.
Guarding a player in the key that doesn’t violate this rule is within one arms length of an opponent. If the offensive player is on the move than the defensive player has to move as well and still be within one arms length of his opponent. A defender cannot plant himself in the key without anyone nearby from the opposing squad. In international basketball however the three second rule doesn’t exist and you can pitch a tent and camp in the key if you so please.
Goaltending: During the flight of a basketball shot after its highest point, a defender cannot touch the ball when it is coming down towards the hoop. If a defender ‘blocks’ the shot after the ball reaches its highest trajectory than it would be deemed as goaltending and the basket will count.
Defenders cannot touch the ball after it hits the backboard and is heading towards the rim as well.
If the ball is rolling around the hoop than a defender cannot touch the ball until it leaves the circled area of the rim. Offensive players are also bound by this rule as well and if they do touch the ball while it is still within the circle of the rim than it would be judged as offensive interference. Once again in international basketball this rule doesn’t apply with players allowed to touch the ball while it is still within the rim circle.
Hand Checking: Want an explanation as to why scoring is up and the game is not as boring as the 90’s? Look no further than this rule which was the bane of offensive schemes in the 90’s.
A defender is not allowed to place a hand on the offensive player if his back is to the basket and is away from the rim. You cannot touch a player in any way that may impede your opponent’s movement.
Incidental Contact: Now this is where the adage of basketball is not a contact sport belief collapses like a deck of cards. Just because there is contact doesn’t automatically mean a foul has been committed. Contact is allowed when diving for a loose ball or in the normal offensive and defensive schemes and movements.
Yes, the hand is a part of the ball if the hand is in direct contact with the ball and contact with a players hand when the hand is touching the ball is not a foul.
Travelling: Ah, now this is the rule that gets viewers blood boiling. It’s complicated and exasperating to say the least in trying to explain this rule to beginners, but we’ll give it a try.
When a player is about to commence his dribble motion the ball must be released before his pivot foot leaves the floor or he has committed a travelling violation. If you receive the ball whilst moving or upon the completion of their dribbling sequence players are allowed a ‘one-two count’ in preparation to stop, pass or shoot.
Players who fall to the floor, slide on their backs with the ball will also be deemed to be travelling. Finally, a player who shoots the ball but the ball fails to touch rim, backboard or another player cannot be the first to touch the ball as well.
Phew, that was exhausting and hopefully NBALOUD has done a somewhat adequate job of explaining the rules. Yes, these rules are perplexing and difficult to understand even for experienced NBA watchers. Don’t hesitate with any further queries and NBALOUD will try as best as we can to further clarify any misunderstandings.
(Source: NBA.com)
Today’s basketball clip is a commercial with Michael Jordan and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). Check it out!
Now that the mini mea culpa has been done with we should move on to the area that vexes both people new and experienced to the game of NBA basketball – the rules.
Beginners to the game would hear terms such as ‘hand is part of the ball’ or that basketball is a non-contact sport but witness actions that are antithesis to these popular conceptions.
So, as a public service NBALOUD is going to try and clarify the most misunderstood rules of the game that leaves many viewers perplexed on the odd occasion – this writer included.
Blocks/Charges: This has got to be one of the most contentious rules out there because there is such little scope for clarity and the lines between a block or a charge is blurred to say the least.
In the rulebook of the NBA the only clarification they give is that in initiating a blocking/charging foul it is dependent on the defender getting into a legal stance before the offensive player gets to position. A blocking/charging action is usually taken by a defender to try and stop an offensive player going to that particular direction.
The frustrating aspect of this rule is that there is no definition of what the ‘legal stance’ is for the defender. But generally speaking when the defending player has both feet set on the floor and is charged by the offensive player than it would be a foul to the player with the ball, thus this is the ‘legal stance’. If the feet isn’t set and the defender is still moving than that would be
Rasheed Wallace loves NBA rules and the refs that enforce them. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
When the offensive player is driving to the basket than the defensive player must establish position before the upward shooting motion commences.
NBALOUD didn’t specify that any of these rules are easy to ascertain by the way.
Defensive Three Seconds: In every NBA game this rule comes into play with a stray whistle being blown that even has some of the players on the court looking around in confusion. This rule dictates that a defensive player cannot be in the key, which is the area below the circle in the free throw line for more than three seconds, unless he is actively guarding a player.
Guarding a player in the key that doesn’t violate this rule is within one arms length of an opponent. If the offensive player is on the move than the defensive player has to move as well and still be within one arms length of his opponent. A defender cannot plant himself in the key without anyone nearby from the opposing squad. In international basketball however the three second rule doesn’t exist and you can pitch a tent and camp in the key if you so please.
Goaltending: During the flight of a basketball shot after its highest point, a defender cannot touch the ball when it is coming down towards the hoop. If a defender ‘blocks’ the shot after the ball reaches its highest trajectory than it would be deemed as goaltending and the basket will count.
Defenders cannot touch the ball after it hits the backboard and is heading towards the rim as well.
If the ball is rolling around the hoop than a defender cannot touch the ball until it leaves the circled area of the rim. Offensive players are also bound by this rule as well and if they do touch the ball while it is still within the circle of the rim than it would be judged as offensive interference. Once again in international basketball this rule doesn’t apply with players allowed to touch the ball while it is still within the rim circle.
Hand Checking: Want an explanation as to why scoring is up and the game is not as boring as the 90’s? Look no further than this rule which was the bane of offensive schemes in the 90’s.
A defender is not allowed to place a hand on the offensive player if his back is to the basket and is away from the rim. You cannot touch a player in any way that may impede your opponent’s movement.
Incidental Contact: Now this is where the adage of basketball is not a contact sport belief collapses like a deck of cards. Just because there is contact doesn’t automatically mean a foul has been committed. Contact is allowed when diving for a loose ball or in the normal offensive and defensive schemes and movements.
Yes, the hand is a part of the ball if the hand is in direct contact with the ball and contact with a players hand when the hand is touching the ball is not a foul.
Travelling: Ah, now this is the rule that gets viewers blood boiling. It’s complicated and exasperating to say the least in trying to explain this rule to beginners, but we’ll give it a try.
When a player is about to commence his dribble motion the ball must be released before his pivot foot leaves the floor or he has committed a travelling violation. If you receive the ball whilst moving or upon the completion of their dribbling sequence players are allowed a ‘one-two count’ in preparation to stop, pass or shoot.
Players who fall to the floor, slide on their backs with the ball will also be deemed to be travelling. Finally, a player who shoots the ball but the ball fails to touch rim, backboard or another player cannot be the first to touch the ball as well.
Phew, that was exhausting and hopefully NBALOUD has done a somewhat adequate job of explaining the rules. Yes, these rules are perplexing and difficult to understand even for experienced NBA watchers. Don’t hesitate with any further queries and NBALOUD will try as best as we can to further clarify any misunderstandings.
(Source: NBA.com)
Today’s basketball clip is a commercial with Michael Jordan and Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). Check it out!
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Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
they took hand checking out? Damn, guess I can't play by those rules anymore...
Comment by Deorre
Stress Alive
Man Lessons
Comment by Stanley
D - thanks also buddy. yeah those rules are confusing and it can go either way. the margin for error is at a razors edge.