Expert: Bret Temple - 12/20/2011

Question
An opposing player continuously launches himself, while shooting, into a defender while making an offensive move to the basket.  This usually does not occur close to the basket or in making an attempt at a layup.  Is this always defensive foul as it is usually called.

Answer
HI Stephen,

I'm trying to visualize exactly what you mean by the player launching himself into the defender. What I am picturing is an offensive player with the ball, (location on the court irrelevant) jumping into the defender's space in order to get a shot off. So here is what the call should be in a couple different scenarios:

1. Defender has already established his/her position and is in legal guarding position, meaning both feet on the ground, not moving and facing toward the offensive player. Player A with the ball does not jump up but rather into the defender, displacing him/her out of their legal position or drives to the basket creating the contact.

The Call: Either no call depending on how much contact there is or it's an offensive foul.
An offensive player maybe not use his/her body to push a defender that has established legal guarding position out of the way in order to get a shot off.

2. Defender is not in legal guarding position and is moving with the offensive player. Player A with the ball jumps and shoots into the moving defender.

The Call: Either a No Call depending on the contact, or a defensive Blocking Foul is called.

I hope that clears up what you were asking and thank you for the question. Please feel free to ask a follow up question if I didn't get an accurate depiction of what you were trying to explain to me.