Legal or illegal defensive technique while making a shot?
Question
Hello!
During the game one player consistently uses following technique, while making a shot with his right hand (yeah, he shoots with only one hand), he uses his left hand to move away the hand of a player that is trying to block the shot. During this preventing offensive player from making a block, the defensive hand is not locked into position, instead he sways his elbow and/or upper part of his arm to move away the defensive players hand. Is this a fault or not, and how much it is permitted for defensive player to use his free arm to protect himself from loosing the ball while dribbling or being blocked while shooting?
Thank you!
Answer
HI Karlo,
First of all, whether a player uses one or two hands to shoot the ball, they are NOT permitted to use a free hand/arm to push the defender out of the way. That is an offensive foul, and it gives the offensive player an advantage while shooting the ball. Also your confusing the offensive player and defensive player with each other. The team with the ball and shooting is on offense. The team that is defending is the Defense. The player with the ball, can extend their free arm and keep it straight but may not create contact with it by pushing the defender out of the way. I hope that makes sens to you.
9th grade basketball
bball