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If a player disregards the ball, faces an opponent, and shifts his position as
the opponent shifts, such player is primarily responsible for any contact that
ensues, unless other factors are involved,

The expression ‘‘unless other factors are involved’’ in the foregoing state-
ments, refers to deliberate pushing, charging or holding by the player who is
being screened. This player must make a reasonable effort to avoid contact
and any deliberate act on his part which causes contact should be penalized.

It is legal for one or more players to run down the court close to a team-
mate who has the ball, with the apparent intention of preventing opponents
from approaching the player with the ball. If, however, they run into an
opponent who has taken a position in their path, charging or blocking occurs,
and in any case of contact on such a play, the greater responsibility is on
the team in possession.

It is legal for a player to extend his arms or elbows in taking a defensive
position, but the arms or elbows should be lowered when an opponent attempts
to go by, otherwise blocking or holding by the defensive player usually occurs.

The “Center-Pivot Play”

This play has been restricted by limiting to three seconds the time a player
may remain in his own free throw lane while the ball is in play and in
possession or control of his team.

The pivoter should not be allowed to shoulder or hip his opponent out of
position, nor to interfere with the latter’s freedom of motion by the use of
extended elbows or arms, after he has thrown the ball. On the other hand,
the guard should not be allowed to interfere with the pivoter’s freedom of
motion by use of the arms, knees or other part of the body.

The Dribble

Rule 15, Section 9, contains a statement that emphasizes the responsibility
of the dribbler in connection with the fouls resulting from the dribble. If
the dribbler’s path is blocked, he is expected to pass or shoot; that is, he
ought not.to try to dribble by an opponent unless there is a reasonable
chance of getting by without contact. This is not intended to free the
defensive player from responsibility; it is the duty of both players to avoid
contact, but more attention should be directed to the dribbler’s responsibility.
In attempting to stop a dribble, the defensive player must play the ball.

Held Ball

Some officials call held ball to forestall fouls. That is, they see a player
about to charge into, or hold an opponent who has the ball, and they prevent
the foul by blowing the whistle and declaring held ball. This is unjust to
the player who has gained possession, and it encourages rough play. Some
officials do this chiefly in connection with ‘‘guarding from the rear,’ claim-
ing that their method lessens whistle-blowing. This is not true, however,
for in the long run this kind of officiating leads to a rougher game and
more fouls. The. sections of the country which call ‘guarding from the
rear” strictly are getting a cleaner, more open type of game.

“In the Act of Throwing for Goal”

A player is in the act of throwing for goal when he has the ball and, in
the judgment of the official, is throwing, or attempting to throw, for goal.
It is not essential that the ball leave the player’s hands; for instance, a
player’s arms may be held by an opponent so that he cannot shoot, yet he
may be making every attempt to do so. He is thus deprived of his oppor-
tunity to score and is entitled to two free throws as compensation.

Moreover, the act of shooting continues after the ball has left the player’s
hands until he regains his equilibrium and is no longer in a defenseless
position. On a jump ball neither player has possession of the ball at the
instant it is tapped, and therefore neither can be considered in the act of
shooting even though one player may tap the ball toward, or into the basket.
Consequently a multiple throw cannot ensue under these conditions.