Point of Contact (POC) is a play-calling focus point used when officiating jump shooters. Whenever a player goes up for a shot attempt, whether at the basket or around the perimeter officials should focus on the defender to identify any illegal contact that may negatively affect the shot.

Point of contact is often small and easy to miss. It may include:

• Contact on the forearm
• A nick on the elbow
• Slight body contact that affects the shooter’s rhythm, balance, or follow-through

The purpose of focusing on the point of contact is to determine whether the defender’s action:

• Was legal
• Negatively influenced the shooting motion
• Created an advantage/disadvantage that warrants a foul

Some officials prefer to focus 70% on the defender during the shot attempt to identify contact. Others prefer to focus 70% on the shooter to better see whether the defender interrupts the motion. Either approach can work, as long as the official is disciplined and consistent.

Why POC matters:

Many shooting fouls are missed not because the official did not see the play, but because they did not focus on the exact place where the illegal contact occurred.

Officiating focus:

When refereeing a shot, locate the likely point of contact and determine whether it affects the play enough to require a whistle.