Sports

NBA Planning Rule Change To Prevent Shooters From Leaning For Fouls, Finally Giving Defenders A Chance Again

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  • A proposed rule change would limit fouls called in favor of leaning shooter.
  • The NBA Competition Committee and the Board of Governors still need to approve the changes.
  • Read more NBA news here!

The NBA is planning to implement a rule change this upcoming season that would limit non-basketball moves used to draw fouls, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

All 30 NBA general managers met Monday in Chicago to discuss the adjustments. However, the Competition Committee and the Board of Governors still need to approve the changes.

Referees would be trained to call the following acts offensive, rather than defensive fouls:

  • When a shooter launches or leans into a defender at an abnormal angle.
  • When a shooter kicks his leg— up or to the side— at an abnormal angle.
  • When an offensive player abruptly veers off his path—sideways or backward— into a defender.

If the referee deems the act “marginal,” then there will be no foul given to either player.

Though the rule change would not come into effect in the 2021 playoffs, referees may be calling it soon. If approved, the league reportedly will implement the new rules in the Las Vegas Summer League in August. This would allow players to adjust to the revisions.

In recent years, the rate at which officials call in favor of offensive players has sparked concern. Some of the most infamous for doing so are James Harden and Trae Young.

If there is one thing the NBA is lacking, it is defense. However, this rule change would bring it back to the NBA. Players will finally have the ability to guard confidently knowing that the opposing shooter cannot sway perform a clever move to dupe them into committing a foul.