http://www.nba.com/media/Verticality_Pl ... 1_2014.pdf
National Basketball Association
TO: NBA OWNERS / GENERAL MANAGERS / HEAD COACHES /
OFFICIALS
FROM: MIKE BANTOM
DATE: MARCH 31, 2014
RE: PLAYERS TURNING SIDEWAYS ON VERTICALITY PLAYS
__________________________________________________ ____________________
We want to make sure you are aware of the following topic we will be alerting referees
to today.
We have noticed that defenders have been turning sideways when jumping to defend
an oncoming offensive player on drives to the basket. This is illegal and referees are
being instructed to call this a blocking foul. While we commonly discuss verticality in the
context of secondary defenders inside the restricted area (see restricted area and
verticality reminder further below), this change will apply to defenders turning sideways
while in the air whether inside or outside the restricted area on drives.
Here are several examples of players turning sideways that will be deemed blocking
fouls going forward.
http://dmmx2.nba.com/videourlredirec...Verticality_ME
MO
http://dmmx2.nba.com/videourlredirec...as_Verticality
_MEMO
http://dmmx2.nba.com/videourlredirec...Verticality_ME
MO
http://dmmx2.nba.com/videourlredirec..._Verticality_P
lay_MEMO
Here is a player making a slight turn when absorbing impact. This is considered vertical
and legal.
http://dmmx2.nba.com/videourlredirec...erticality_MEM
0
The Restricted Area and Verticality:
On a block-charge type play, a secondary defensive player cannot be in a legal
guarding position, even if stationary, inside the "Restricted Area" if the offensive player
receives the ball outside the lower defensive box -- unless he jumps vertically in an
attempt to defend the shot. Therefore, even if positioned inside the Restricted Area, a
secondary defender does not commit a blocking foul if contact is made while he is
jumping vertically in an attempt to defend. The defender must, however, establish legal
guarding position prior to the start of the offensive player's upward motion.
To be considered vertical, a defender must:
1. Be in the air to defend the shot when contact occurs. If the player is on the
ground inside the restricted area, with his arms “vertical” when contact occurs, he
will be assessed a blocking foul.
2. Maintain a vertical trajectory by jumping straight up. If the player jumps toward or
to the side of an oncoming player, he will be assessed a blocking foul. A player
may, however, angle his jump backwards slightly in such a way as to absorb the
impact of the oncoming player, and of course, he may land behind where he
leapt from because of the force of the contact.
3. Maintain vertical alignment, with his body (arms, hands, torso, legs
and feet) in a nearly straight line that is perpendicular to the floor. If
a player leans his arms forward or “jack-knifes” his legs toward the
oncoming offensive player, he will be assessed a blocking foul.
4. A player may not turn sideways (as discussed above). If he does,
he will be assessed a blocking foul.
