blocking call

Question
if a defender is moving backwards trying to get out of the way and the ball handler runs into them is that a block or a charge or anything?

Answer
HI John,

This is actually a great question. And unfortunately there is no exact answer. The reason is that either a block, a charge, or a no call might be the appropriate call. It depends on a lot of factors.

1. Where was the defender when the ball-handler began his move to the basket
2. Where was the ball-handler when he/she began his/her move to the basket in relation to the defender.
3. Was the ball-handler out of control when he/she made contact with the defender.


And no matter what the answers are to the questions above, it's at the interpretation of what the official sees.

So in answer to your question it can be both a block or a charge..

I will tell you one thing. IF a defender is moving, whether forward or backward, statistically, they will almost always pick up the Block call rather than taking a charge.