Welcome to our first installment of the NBA Rule Authority for the 2012-13 season. Similar to last year we will be posting on this page explanations to some of the NBA’s more complicated rules to help fans better enjoy the game. This week’s topic is Defensive Fouls in the Post.

A player shall not hold, push, charge into or impede the progress of an opponent by extending a hand, arm, leg or knee or by bending the body into a position that is not normal.

Contact that results in the re-routing of an opponent is a foul which must be called immediately. Contact initiated by the defensive player guarding a player with the ball is not legal. This contact includes, but is not limited to, forearm, hands, or body check.

EXCEPTIONS:
(1) A defender may apply contact with a forearm to an offensive player with the ball who has his back to the basket below the free throw line extended outside the Lower Defensive Box.

(2) A defender may apply contact with a forearm and/or one hand with a bent elbow to an offensive player in a post-up position with the ball in the Lower Defensive Box.

(3) A defender may apply contact with a forearm to an offensive player with the ball at any time in the Lower Defensive Box. The forearm in the above exceptions is solely for the purpose of maintaining a defensive position.

(4) A defender may position his leg between the legs of an offensive player in a postup position in the Lower Defensive Box for the purpose of maintaining defensive position. If his foot leaves the floor in an attempt to dislodge his opponent, it is a foul immediately.

(5) Incidental contact with the hand against an offensive player shall be ignored if it does not affect the player’s speed, quickness, balance and/or rhythm.

Check back for additional installments and other topics or sign up for twitter alerts @NBAOfficial, and be sure to check out nba.com/videorulebook for a variety of explanatory rule videos.

Below are three examples that will help you better understand what it is referees are looking for on these types of plays.

Play 1: Defensive Foul in the post, two hands by post defender
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2012/12/03/bballops-09-324-seq-audio.nba/index.html

Play 2: Defensive Foul in the post, post defender uses straight arm
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2012/12/03/bballops-10-566-seq-audio.nba/index.html

Play 3: Defensive Foul in the post, dislodging, defender uses knee
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2012/12/03/bballops-10-453-seq-audio.nba/index.html