Last Updated on: 6th July 2023, 11:26 pm
Blocking in basketball is a defensive move where a player attempts to impede the progress of an offensive player who is in possession of the ball. The defender must establish a legal guarding position before the offensive player begins his or her upward motion to shoot or pass the ball. If the defender moves into the path of the offensive player after he or she has started the upward motion, it is considered a blocking foul.
To establish a legal guarding position, the defender must have both feet on the ground and facing the offensive player. The defender cannot move laterally or backwards into the path of the offensive player. If the defender jumps vertically and makes contact with the offensive player, it is not a foul as long as the defender has established a legal guarding position before the offensive player starts his or her upward motion.
Blocking fouls result in the offensive player being awarded free throws. If the defender commits five fouls in a game, he or she is disqualified from the game. It is important for defenders to be aware of their positioning and timing when attempting to block a shot or impede the progress of an offensive player to avoid committing a blocking foul.
