• The act of legally placing the body in the path of an opponent.
• General principles:
  • Both feet must be on the court initially
  • Torso must face the opponent
  • No minimum distance required when guarding on the ball
• Guarding a player with the ball:
  • No time and distance required
  • Must be established before the opponent becomes airborne
• Guarding a player without the ball:
  • Time and distance required (up to two strides)
    • Ex: Post entry passes, outlet passes
• Maintaining LGP:
  • Defender may move laterally, backward, or obliquely
    • This does not mean a defender can move these directions to impede a drive.
  • Must avoid moving toward the opponent at contact
  • May jump vertically within their own space
  • Secondary defenders have additional restrictions on airborne shooters