Blocking Foul in Basketball: Basic Information Explained

What is a blocking foul in basketball

A blocking foul is an infraction that typically happens when a defender does not establish and/or maintain legal guarding position, which is then followed by illegal contact that inhibits the progress of an opponent, with or without possession of the basketball.

What is notable information about legal guarding position in relation to blocking foul

Establishing initial legal guarding position

Generally speaking, an initial legal guarding position is established when both of a defender’s feet are on the playing court and the defender is facing their opponent, particularly with their torso.

Additionally, when guarding an offensive player in possession of the ball, time and distance is not required.

That is to say, the offensive player with the ball should expect to be guarded and therefore has to be ready to stop their movement or change direction whenever a defender establishes an initial legal guarding position.

This applies even if the defender takes that legal guarding position within a fraction of a second.

Conversely though, when guarding an offensive player without possession of the ball, time and distance is required.

Essentially, the defender has to give the opponent enough time and distance to avoid contact, which is usually only a step or no more than two strides.

Ultimately, if the defender does not establish initial legal guarding position, which is then followed by illegal contact with an opponent, the most likely result would be a defensive foul such as a blocking foul.

It should also be mentioned that if a defender does establish legal guarding position but the offensive player makes illegal contact, mainly by pushing into the defender’s torso, then the result could be a charging foul instead.

Maintaining legal guarding position

After establishing the initial legal guarding position, to maintain it, the defender does not need to keep their torso directly facing the opponent.

Furthermore, the defender does not need to have their feet on the playing court while they are sliding in the pathway of a dribbling offensive player prior to contact or when the defender is generally moving to the sides, at angles, or backwards.

Nonetheless, the defender cannot charge towards or collide with the offensive player, especially while that opponent is dribbling the ball.

The defender also has to establish and maintain legal guarding position before an offensive player initiates an upward motion to attempt a field goal or make a pass while in the air.

If the defender charges towards, collides with, or does not establish and maintain legal guarding position prior to an opponent’s upward motion, then the most probable result would be a blocking foul assessed to the defensive player by a referee.

What’s more, the defender could maintain legal guarding position while raising their hands and/or jumping within their own vertical plane, which includes an imaginary cylinder of occupied space that surrounds the defender from the floor to as far as they can jump or extend their arms above their head.

However, the defender cannot extend their arms, shoulders, hips, or legs, particularly outside of their cylinder, to stop the offensive player from blowing by or cutting by them, with or without the basketball respectively.

Essentially, the extension of arms and/or other body parts outside of the defender’s cylinder that makes illegal contact with an opposing player could lead to a blocking foul assessment by the referee.

It is also important to note that the imaginary cylinder applies to an offensive player as well and its diameter does not extend beyond any particular player’s hand/arms on the front side, a player’s rear on the back side, or the sides of a player’s legs.

Nevertheless, a cylinder’s dimensions may change depending on the height and size of a player.

It should also be stated that if contact from an offensive player in possession of the ball is imminent, a defender is allowed to put their hands and/or arms in front of their face or body to absorb the shock from that contact and/or to generally avoid injury.

In that case, the offensive player would be responsible for any illegal contact that may have occurred because the defender, still within their cylinder, maintains legal guarding position.

Restricted area prevents establishing of initial legal guarding position for secondary defender

In general, if a playing court comprises a restricted area arc near the basket, then a secondary defender cannot establish an initial legal guarding position within that area.

That is to say, a secondary defender cannot attempt to take a charge within the restricted area when an offensive player, particularly in possession of the ball, is dribbling directly towards the basket, which is then followed up by a field goal attempt near the basket or a potential pass to a teammate.

If a secondary defender is within a restricted area while trying to take a legal guarding position, it would automatically result in a blocking foul, unless that defender commits a flagrant foul.

Nevertheless, a secondary defender that is inside of a restricted area is permitted to jump in the air within their own vertical plane to possibly block a shot or alter it without fouling.

It is also important to note though, that within the rules of the NBA and WNBA, there are certain situations where the restricted area rule would not apply.

For example, let’s say that an offensive player in possession of the basketball dribbles it behind the backboard near the baseline.

Following that, let’s also say that a defender slides into the restricted area in an attempt to take a charge.

In that particular case, the offensive player would indeed be subject to a charging foul if there is illegal contact, particularly with the torso of the defender.

This is valid, at least within the rules of the NBA and WNBA, because the offensive player did not take a direct path to the basket, which is required to trigger the restricted area rule.

Less common instance of blocking foul where legal guarding position is not a factor

It should be mentioned as well that although a blocking foul is typically associated with a defensive player, primarily because of the legal guarding position concept, this is not always the case.

For example, within the rules of FIBA at the very least, a blocking foul could also be caused by an offensive player.

This variation could occur when an offensive player attempts to set a screen but as the screening action happens, that same player moves their body to make contact with an opponent, especially when the opponent remains stationary or tries to retreat away from the screen.

What happens after a defender gets called for a blocking foul

Personal foul added

When a defender gets called for a blocking foul, it will result in a personal foul being added to that player’s total number, which is usually recorded by an official scorer.

In other words, a blocking foul is essentially a specific type of personal foul, which consists of a basic description of the offending action that led to the foul.

Increase in team fouls

Once the defender gets charged with the personal foul, that will also result in that same player’s team being charged with a team foul as well.

Free throw attempt(s) for the offensive player in the act of shooting

If a defender, especially in the restricted area, gets called for a blocking foul while an offensive player is in the act of shooting, then the penalty will be one or more free throw attempts for the offensive player.

Free throw attempt(s) for an offensive team in the bonus

If a defender gets called for a blocking foul and at the same time, the defender’s team has reached a certain number of team fouls within a period of a basketball game, then that could trigger the bonus or penalty situation for the offensive team.

This also assumes that the offensive player who was fouled was not in the act of shooting.

During the bonus, an offensive player who was fouled would be able to attempt one or two bonus free throws.

Sideline or baseline inbound pass for an offensive team not in the bonus

If a defender gets called for a blocking foul on an offensive player who is not in the act of shooting and the bonus situation does not apply, then the offensive team will commonly execute an inbound pass at a designated spot near the sideline or baseline.