Screens - Legal and illegal

The following information is to help us all when making a SCREENING call or NON call. After reading this information I STRONGLY ADVISE all of you to watch one of the best video that I believe will give you a better understanding of what is LEGAL and ILLEGAL when calling a SCREEN.

A legal screen is action by a player who, without causing contact, delays or prevents an opponent from reaching a desired position.  Screening situations are more difficult to administer than guarding situations. 

Time and distance are factors that must be considered in each screening situation.

In all situations, except one, when the conditions of time and distance have been met, the one sure guide an official can use is that the screener must be stationary.  If the screener is moving when the contact between the screener and the player being screened occurs, the screener is guilty of a blocking foul.
The only legal moving screen permitted by rule is when the screener is moving exactly the same path and direction as the player being screened.

If a screen is legally set, a player who is screened from the front or the side (within the visual field) must avoid contact with the screener by going around the screener. 
If the screen is set outside the visual field, such a "blind" or "rear" screen, the screener must permit the opponent, but not to exceed, one normal step toward the screen without making contact.

Remember - screening is a fundamental part of the game and all officials must study the principles of screening by studying the rule book as well as case book situations and in doing so will become consistent in calling screening correctly.

Robert Polniak
Supervisor of Officials