It's a Block. No, it's a Charge. Block/Charge plays are tough. But knowing the rules shouldn't be.

[@taha9892]

Really good explained. Next time I am on the court, I can better explain, because I often dont get charging fouls.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it helped.

[@TomatoTomato911]

nobody calls offensive foul in pickups.

[@kimberlynielson2019]

Very good to see the actual play for the block/charge

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@kgerman1]

Well done video. These are certainly difficult to adjudicate in live, real-time. Thx!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@laralyndy6106]

Thank you, this is really helpful. I'm a new basketball fan and i've ben curious about these details and how all of the physical aspects come together, rules, what's allowed and not, etc. Just a spectator who wants to understand. Thank you!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

You’re welcome. And thank you for watching. We appreciate it.

[@klewis564]

These help! I thought if the defender turns it’s a block ! 👌🏿👌🏿

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Understanding the difference between establishing LGP and maintaining LGP is what separates good officials from great officials.

[@rawimmaculate]

May turn or duck in his own orbit to protect himself. The old adage of he has to get run over by a Mack truck is false.

[@haroldmaguli5788]

​@@OfficialsInstitutethe last play, is it really a charge? he moves the same time the shooter jumps.

[@ercanonge527]

great explanation. I love blocking thise coming on for a layup. most of the time they raise objection that I should freeze the moment they start the drive, which has never made sense to me, as I see clearly their route from miles away and take up the position and watch them coming on

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MarCorral1124]

hey, josh! found your helpful video. the rest of you, and the team are amazing for putting up this instructional video reviews. keep them coming! thanks! salamat!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.

[@x2joshoce955]

Thanks a lot this helped me so much

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it helped

[@健司-l8g]

The first one is a blocking foul? But you mentioned the defender is in legal guarding position??

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The official on the game called a block, however the correct call should have been a player control foul because the defender had established a legal guarding position before contact.

[@philcox6394]

Apologies if this has already been addressed, but can it ever be a charge if a defender has not obtained and maintained? In other words, if a defender has not obtained and maintained LGP, will it always be a block/ and/or no call, no matter the contact? Hope that makes sense!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Don’t like to use absolutes but generally speaking, if a defender does not obtain position on the floor legally, any contact would be the responsibility of that defender.

[@camrust1952]

The play at 4:00 is described incorrectly. The video says the defender was facing the offensive opponent. That defender was never facing. He took the contact on the hip and had never turned. Thus, he couldn't have been facing. The video describes the play as a block because the defender was moving toward the opponent. That is true, but it would have been a block either way.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@raisgamesnz325]

Thanks for this video!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Your welcome

[@XxxTheFireEmblemxxX]

Where are you guys located? I went to Fenwick, the home team in that last clip!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Chicagoland

[@carlosmarrufo2350]

The fan in the stands ruled it correctly. Player control.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@christopherjones4545]

Question if the defender is trying to move into the path of the dribble after establishing legal guarding position but in order to get to the spot of contact the defenders foot gets way outside their shoulders and dribbler contact the defenders right side. Is that still a charge as long as the defender doesn’t move towards the dribbler.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Hard to say without seeing the play, but many times there is contact that occurs and it may not be enough to affect the play. This is generally ruled as incidental and no whistle is blown.

[@BluSSant]

Amazing video, will be useful the next time İ play a match!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad to hear that!

[@adamwatkins1150]

Missed a travel call at 5:06. Watch from 5:00 to 5:10 at 0.25 speed and notice he is still touching the ball when his right pivot foot is lifted.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@pepegalvan_]

I love this channel

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Ty

[@Sixpoint7five]

Very helpful, thank you

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad you liked it.

[@velocity9485]

Very informative thank you

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful.

[@jambononi]

I'm not personally a big fan of how a charge can occur because I defender got in position a millisecond before an offensive drive. Because no one was in front of the ball handler and then suddenly a brick wall appears in front of them. Obviously you can't stop or get out of the way of that. It's just painful and a weird rule. Personally, anyway...

[@OfficialsInstitute]

College has changed the rules slightly this year. Maybe it will trickle down to HS in the next few years. We'll see.

[@ronaldfowler9456]

Good videos but the positioning of the officials is horrible. One video the trail signaled a foul on leads primacy.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@MorrisLess]

So if the defender is moving, he has no legal defensive position? When defense and offense are running down the court together, the defensive player has to let the offensive player go whichever way he wants?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The rules do not state a player must be stationary to obtain an initial legal guarding position.

[@pauladeleke]

did the 2nd vid result in a bad/incorrect call? He called a block, not a charge... Do you have examples of what a good blocking call is?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The second video was correctly called a block as the defender was moving toward his opponent at time of contact.

[@Dwinztailor8252]

Thanks for sharing i love it

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching!

[@williamtrivette8868]

If the officals would call more charges this would stop most if the contact

[@OfficialsInstitute]

agreed. thanks for watching

[@davidwurbel6610]

Do you have more clips for block/charge? I feel like the only thing that is making contact a block is if the defender is moving forward toward the ball carrier. So in essence, the one initiates the contact is the one which the foul should be called?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Look for our playlist labeled block/charge for more plays like this. Also, we will be releasing a new segment sometime next week showcasing even more block / charge plays. Your assessment is correct, in most cases. The rules change slightly when the player goes airborne, but for the most part, we officials, as a whole, call block way to often when it is indeed a charge. Referee the defense. Decide who got to the spot first, whether it's an initial LGP or maintaining LGP, and you'll get it right more often than not. Thanks for watching.

[@TomatoTomato911]

if both players collide together it is usually blocking foul as defender needs to beat the offense to the spot earlier to establish legal guarding position.

[@FantaC0705]

ref in my league called me a blocking foul because i turn my face when contact orccur even thought i had legal guarding position LOL

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Hmmm…

[@willsu21]

So the first one was a bad call? Should have been a charge?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes, the correct ruling should have been a player control foul.

[@donluchitti]

really wish u had covered the concept of a charging foul (or none at all) when a ball handler turns his back to a defender whose in LGP and attempts to back him down (post him up). I've seen some guys use their butt to push a defender in LGP, ramming into the defender outside of the paint. Is that a charging foul by the ballhandler?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

If a ball handler backs down a defender who has a legal guarding position, and displaces them from their position, could indeed be a foul on the ball handler.

[@donluchitti]

@@OfficialsInstitute thank you. In my situation Does it basically come down 1.) where the defender is backing down (is it outside of lower defensive box? 2.) if ball handler’s actions hit the defender’s torso?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@donluchitti these plays are hard to say within the spirit of the rules as we all have a different threshold of how much contact we allow, or how much backdown we let go. Is the defender equally applying pressure onto the ball handler? Is it a big hit backward or a small progressive series of movements? Doesn't change the way the written rule should be called, but it does change how we, as human beings trying to be fair to all players, rule. Does that help at all?

[@donluchitti]

@@OfficialsInstitute it really does? Its fascinating to read the rules and see what goes into actually applying them in a game. My lil bro whose working hard to get recognized by his highschool coach for next years tryouts relies on the situation I’m bringing up a lot to score because he’s slow, large and tall so he can really hold a defender off . However his overreliance on that type of attack is problematic I think because he’s under the impression he cant be called for charging if he’s “posting up” or “backing someone down” as long as he’s not using his arms to push a defender. Admittedly i’m a lil confused on how much he can get away with but I wanna keep him honest to make him the best player he can be. Thanks for your insight. I have to keep reading and asking around to gather more perspectives and find a good middle road to advise him how to use his favorite offensive tactic

[@doughackett695]

What happens when a player is running fast and dribbling along one of the sidelines and a defensive player runs over quickly and gets set and the player dribbling does not have time to stop and plows into the player on defense. Is it a charge if the player with the ball throws it to one of his teammates a split second before he collides with the player standing still. I do not think it should be called a charge if he gets rid of the ball before he makes contact but I'm not sure. After all a player should be allowed to pass the ball then quickly get his hands and arms up to protect his face and head and not be penalized.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Still a foul assuming the defender got there legally.

[@MrTheBigNoze]

What doesn't make sense to me is in the first clip, the defender just jumps in front and braces for contact, he didn't even attempt to contain the ball handler, so then it becomes the ball handler's responsibility to somehow play around him? Even though in my eyes the defender didn't even make an honest attempt to guard him? That's why most "charge" calls are dumb in my head, half the time a defender just sets up in the lane and braces for contact

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Understand your frustration with the rules and/or application of. This is why many officials struggle with proper enforcement. Thanks for sharing.

[@BFITBASKETBALL818]

can you direct me to where it says that a player can duck turn to absorb the charge when there is eminent contact? for example there was a play i had where there is a defender with two feet planted and torso facing the attacker, he ran straight into me and as soon as i seen he was about to crash into me i started falling back. there was a touch and i feel back. they ruled it blocking on me because i fell back before he even actually hit me. but he did touch me i told them and they said they needed more contact. can you educate me on this ?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

This is an old and misunderstood interpretation many officials have. It’s unfortunate because the rules are clear. NFHS RULE 4 ART. 3 ... After the initial legal guarding position is obtained: e. The guard may turn or duck to absorb the shock of imminent contact.

[@achrafbaaiz9197]

One thing that I'd like to know tho, let's suppose that I've maintained my guarding position except for my feet, meaning i jump raising my hands up without any contact with the offensive player in an attempt to cover the rim, if the offensive player initiates the contact with me, do I get a foul? Or does he get it?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Not a blocking foul on the defense. Great verticality. Not necessarily a foul on offensive player either. Could be a no call.

[@armando8241]

when taking a charge does your arms need to be around your torso area or can it be in the air ?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Arms can be straight up within own vertical plane and still be legal.

[@j2quickbasketball]

@Konski I am in the same boat. I get called for blocking fouls and their explanation was that my arms were too far from my body. Say you gave someone a hug. My arms were like that with less space but not pressed against my body like the wakanda stance.

[@TomatoTomato911]

@Konski no foul unless offensive player used excessive force or grabbed your arm. you can even jump straight up arms straight up.

[@ham.ster1997]

very informative👍

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Glad it was helpful!

[@camy252camy3]

Can the arms be up and maintain a legal position?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes, and falls under the rule of verticality. A player is allowed to raise their hands or even jump within their own vertical plane.

[@Greepled]

I think you potentially made a mistake with this explanation. If you look earlier in the video the defender actually established a legal guarding position before getting in front of the player. Then he proceeded to slide to the side (which is allowed) then a small step forward which then removes the legality of that position. I think that is why the referee called it a block due to the defender moving forward as he tried to get in front.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thank you for watching.

[@hailegabriel5771]

Thanks!

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Your welcome

[@dougamigo]

Good stuff but it took you 2:00 to get into the plays......a little faster please

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for the feedback. Always trying to improve what we offer.

[@dougamigo]

@@OfficialsInstitute You should think about franchising these plays for sale to state and local associations! I know my local association "buys" plays from referee magazine

[@lauriekeats8538]

I thought that for contact to be a foul it has to disadvantage the player who was contacted. In the third example I don't see that disadvantage even though the defender ended up on the floor.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The rules states 4.7.2a “A player who is moving with the ball is required to stop or change direction to avoid contact if a defensive player has obtained a legal guarding position in his/her path. And the rules are not only to be applied to a disadvantage, but also putting a team at an advantage, and to minimize risk of players. This play may be marginal in contact, but is needed to maintain proper control.

[@besto6279]

Hay Josh, Great Vid. It sounds and looks like you have worked with some Expert Rule Interpreters and Administrators. Keep up the good work.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks. Appreciate your kind words. Thanks for watching.

[@britnident1807]

My sons coach said the ref told him my son turns his hips which results in a blocking foul not a charge… is that true…

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Hard to say based on that statement alone. Movement cannot be “toward” the opponent.

[@flux202]

What about me facing my team mate and the opposition charges moves into me as I move to my team mate?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Every player is entitled to spot on the floor, assuming they didn't get it illegally. I would have to see the play to accurately rule, as it could be a player/team control but also a no call. Depends on what exactly happens.

[@angelamusso2661]

Would the final basket count?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

When a player control foul is called, ball becomes dead immediately and no points can be scored.

[@4realjacob637]

1dt play Holy cow those officials have horrible positions. Lead in a wierd closedown type angle. Center not quite low enough. Trail can't call jack because he's camped at division line. Few thing drive me nuts quite like officials being so far from play.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes. Positioning is important. Thanks for watching.

[@AnilKumar-ru6qz]

Sir i want officiating training, where I get

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Visit our website - officialsinstitute.org

[@ericmorton2274]

I don't like the Trail calling the foul in the first example, as it's a secondary defender. If he would have given the Lead the opportunity to blow the whistle first, I'll bet it would have been a PC foul. In the final example, the C should have called the PC foul. I'm fine with the lead having nothing, as he shouldn't be going across the paint. I always talk about this very play in the pregame.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thank you for your comments. We appreciate you watching.

[@jojoprocess2820]

Looks like a pretty clear cut foul, defender was moving into offensive player

[@yann9637]

Subscribed

[@OfficialsInstitute]

thank you. appreciate your support.

[@victorunger]

Ok so the rule is poorly written and severely limited. In my scenario it doesn’t work but my theory on the rule and true implementation will make sense. So if a player jumps up to get a rebound, lands spins and sprints up court while dribbling but then runs straight up the back of a defender also running up court but to guard their man. So opponent is not in a legal guarding position but also not blocking. But this is a charge. The offensive player while not leading with a foot and is clearly doing a basketball move. Is also clearly out of control and the person at fault for the collision. The current rules are too spot specific and not intent and equal opportunity to a given space. The current block and charge entitles an offensive player to space they do not occupy a blunder that was never meant to happen. Both defender and ball handler have equal right to any given spot and it is first come first serve. It is not up to the defender to determine if they can make a play, as we don’t ask the offensive player if they can. We say try to the offense so we have to let the defense try too. The rule was to stop reckless play at any point on the court. So by saying a charge is contact made by the offensive player deemed out of control. Wether speed, footwork or other sign of lack of control. And a block would be an intentional reckless move to block the ball handler to the path of the hoop. We can bring back hand checking while simultaneously installing a clear path foul and keeping blocks near the basket, but also reducing flopping. Basketball is a great game. But the nba needs to hire people with knowledge of game theory and design to help them sort out their rules.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

We appreciate your comments. Thanks for watching.

[@isaakvanwegen2784]

This would just be a pishing foul, not block charge

[@fredcoleman3149]

Shot clock violation or foul

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thnx for watching

[@BFITBASKETBALL818]

thanks realay helped

[@OfficialsInstitute]

You’re welcome

[@BFITBASKETBALL818]

@@OfficialsInstitute do you know about all the fiba rules. I would like to have a go to guy when ever I have a question , which I often do?

[@angiemiller657]

Do you always have to fall before a charge can called?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Really great question because almost all block/charge fouls involve a player who gets knocked over. However, there is no requirement for a defender to fall for a player control foul to occur.

[@j2quickbasketball]

@@OfficialsInstitute My refs told me that as long as the offensive player significantly knocks the defending player of his legal guarding position it is a charge. and it would more likely be called if the defending player fell back. However, if I stand my ground and offensive played bounces off of me it is always called a blocking foul. Not sure why there.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

@@j2quickbasketball This is an incorrect statement. If a player has legal guarding position and an offensive player runs into and bounces off that player, it CANNOT be a block. If there is no displacement of the defender it could very well be a no call, however.

[@TomatoTomato911]

@@j2quickbasketball outside of nba, it is called illegal displacement. the main question is did the offense gain advantage by bumping the defender back? yes? offensive foul.

[@SoberTea]

Honestly offensive charging is such a joke anymore. People don’t even play defense half the time anymore they just flop. The rule should include excessive contact, not just any contact. As a post player I’d try to make a post move and the dude would just flop as soon as there was any contact at all. It ruins the game.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@ranjitjaques1051]

video starts at 1:58

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@meganolivier1568]

is this FIBA basketball rules?

[@OfficialsInstitute]

We use the NFHS rules in all our videos.

[@meganolivier1568]

@@OfficialsInstitute thanks :)

[@2x_Rey]

I was going up guy was in the paint I run and jumped caught contact with him he didn’t fall and tried to call a charge

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for sharing.

[@TomatoTomato911]

for a no charge zone ball handler needs to attack from outside the paint and continue towards the rim without stopping or changing direction and the help defense must stand within or on the line of the no charge circle for the blocking to be called. offensive cannot use excessive force on the defender as offensive foul is still valid in a no charge zone.

[@ibringthelastwords1358]

But unfortunately, in the nba rules doesn't matter as long as the official calls it become rules and nobody can complain about that even they refuse to do some reviews except ppl makes public outcry.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@jeremygossett5418]

We are Gods.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@ct8409]

So that first ref made a bad call.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

The official ruled incorrectly based on the angle we have with this video.

[@sandubarbu5741]

Thanks for the great video. I took a passage and subtitled it for my girls so they can perfectly understand what we call in Romania "moving block." I hope it's OK if inserted the passage into this Saturday's game (they played half court, 'cause they were only 4). kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZCmhKyCfcyUr7M

[@OfficialsInstitute]

glad it was helpful

[@IsaacJoshi]

1:55

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.

[@dailyyakofmandarinchinese3363]

I saw my high school lol

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Ha.

[@aztronomy7457]

first one is a charge lol

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Yes it is. Thanks for watching.

[@jessicaastillasa549]

for me its a blocking foul

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching

[@jayrush5141]

watch lebron. its his bread and butter 🤣

[@OfficialsInstitute]

lol

[@TomatoTomato911]

in nba the only time charging is called is when the offense is running full speed on a fast break and the defender was standing in position for 3 seconds before impact.

[@whatswithname7958]

1:16

[@OfficialsInstitute]

ty

[@jojohehe3251]

You've confused me 100x worse. First scenario, you called a "block". Then explained why it wasn't! Second scenario, you say the defender has both feet on the ground - he doesn't! And his torso isn't facing the opponent, either. No LGP taken in either factor, so no need to consider the "exception" that he's still moving. In fact, how can he still be moving is both feet are grounded???

[@OfficialsInstitute]

There is no requirement for a player to stop moving to establish a legal guarding position. Only 2 feet on the floor and torso facing opponent. Once LGP is established, movement is allowed, just not toward the opponent.

[@jojohehe3251]

Third scenario, you pause the analysis before the defender's feet stop moving and say his feet aren't moving. Good lord - this could not be a more confusing explainer.

[@OfficialsInstitute]

Thanks for watching.