Expert: Bill Emerson - 1/6/2007

Question
i recently played in a rec league game where a ref called me for 2 moving screen fouls. i did not even make the slightest contact with the defender i was trying to screen. the ref acknowledged that i did not make contact, but that didnt matter. as long as i am moving to attempt the screen it is a foul whether i make contact or not. even if the defender is 5 feet away from me, it is a foul. is this true? is it a foul if you make absolutely no contact whatsoever? pleas let me know.

Answer
I consulted a college referee and he assured me no contact no foul.  Best referee story, on the day John Havlicek was retiring in Boston, they were having John Havlicek day before the game and Hubie Brown was coaching the Hawks.  and they were presenting gifts to the Havlicek family and retiring his jersey.  Brown said he knew the Hawks were in trouble when he looked over and the refs were crying.