What is a Blocking Foul in Basketball? (Full Explanation)

Every basketball game is likely to have some fouls called during it, regardless of the skill level of the teams playing. Fouling is just part of the game.

However, there is one type of foul that is typically under more scrutiny than most others because of the amount of judgment required by officials to make the call.

That would be the blocking foul.

This post is going to take a look at blocking fouls in basketball, what defenders do wrong to get called for them, some video explanations of them, and even some tips on how you can avoid being called for blocking fouls.

A blocking foul is when a player is not in legal guarding position and makes illegal contact with another player that impedes their progress, whether they have the basketball or not.

A blocking foul is almost always called on a defensive player, as they are typically the ones creating contact and preventing another player from moving.

It is possible for an offensive player to be called for a blocking foul, but it’s much less common.

The key to whether the contact created between an offensive and defensive player constitutes a blocking foul primarily depends on whether the defender was in legal guarding position or not.

The criteria for a defender to be in legal guarding position are that they must have both feet on the ground, be facing the offensive player, and be established before the offensive player leaves the floor.

There is no requirement of time or space for the defender, as the player with the ball should expect to be guarded and, therefore, ready to change direction if a defender is in their path.

However, that is not the case for establishing legal guarding position for a player off the ball.

In that case, a defender must allow enough time and space for the offensive player to avoid making contact, which is usually considered one stride.

As the offensive player moves, a defender must also move to stay in legal guarding position. They can move backward, laterally, or even vertically to maintain this position.

Once there is movement, the defender no longer has to face the offensive player to remain in legal guarding position. They also do not have to have both feet on the ground, as they are probably moving to stay in front of the offensive player.

Contrary to popular belief, a defender is allowed to shield their face or body to absorb contact or protect themselves from injury if contact with a ball handler is unavoidable and still be considered in legal guarding position.

The defender must re-establish legal guarding position before an offensive player begins their upward motion to attempt a shot or airborne pass. Otherwise, any contact would be illegal and considered a blocking foul.

Keep in mind that a defender does have the right to have his hands up vertically and even jump straight up, as long as he is considered in legal guarding position.

The most common way to get called for a blocking foul is for a defender to lose legal guarding position. This immediately occurs once the offensive player gets his head and shoulders past the torso of the defensive player, and contact occurs. 

It can also occur when a defender steps forward and makes contact before establishing legal guarding position again or steps sideways into the path of an offensive player and doesn’t allow sufficient time and space.

According to basketball rules, both of these will likely result in an immediate blocking foul call.

Any time a defender extends a body part (arm, shoulder, hip, or leg) outside of their personal cylinder to stop an offensive player from dribbling or cutting past them, any contact they make would be considered a blocking foul.

Below are a couple different examples of blocking fouls:

Most people associate a blocking foul with a defensive player. And while that is predominantly the case, it is also possible for an offensive player to get whistled for a blocking foul.

This primarily occurs when an offensive player attempts to set a screen for a teammate. As the defender tries to avoid the screen, the offensive player moves their body to make contact with the opponent.

This contact should be viewed as illegal and whistled as a blocking foul.

The block/charge call is considered one of the most difficult to make in the game of basketball.

And for good reason, as it’s typically a very bang-bang play that is usually very close.

If a defender is in legal guarding position and the offensive player initiates contact, then it should be considered a charging foul. As was mentioned earlier, this position must be established BEFORE the offensive player plants their last stride before taking off for a layup or dunk. This is often one of the most challenging aspects of officiating these plays, as it can be very close to determine whether the defender was there in time or not.

The restricted area is also there to help officials with this call. While it is not present at all levels of basketball, this mark on the floor clearly shows where a defender needs to be positioned to avoid a blocking foul on a drive to the basket.

This comes into play frequently when the primary defender is beaten and a help defender attempts to slide over and take a charge. He must be entirely outside the restricted area and also be established before the offensive player begins to leap for the finish, or a blocking foul will be called.

Here are a couple videos explaining what referees are looking for in a block/charge situation:

A blocking foul is considered a common foul, so the offending player’s foul count will go up by 1, as will the team’s foul total for the quarter or half.

The offense will also receive free throws if the blocking foul occurred while the offensive player was in the act of shooting or if the offense is in the bonus.

Otherwise, the offense will inbound the ball from the baseline or sideline, depending on where the foul occurred.

The surest way for a regular contributor to find themselves on the bench is to get themselves into foul trouble.

And a blocking foul can be one of the easiest fouls to get called on a defender. Yet, it is arguably also one of the easiest to avoid.

Here are 3 things for players to keep in mind to avoid getting whistled for a blocking foul:

This sounds easy, yet basketball players of all ages and stages of development struggle with it.

Players need to understand how athletic they are compared with their opponents and adjust their positioning accordingly.

If there is a super-quick offensive player on the floor, then defenders may need to give him an extra step out on the perimeter to keep him in front.

And if the defenders have the athleticism advantage, then they can tighten up their defense and apply some more pressure.

Having the basketball IQ to make this determination and then adjust accordingly is the sign of an advanced basketball player, and one who will play solid defense and coaches can trust to keep on the floor.

Another key to being a solid defensive player is staying disciplined, regardless of offensive fakes and actions.

The quickest way for a defender to get called for a blocking foul is by getting out of position. And the fastest way to get out of position is by jumping or lunging for a fake.

So defenders must make sure they stay in a defensive stance, staring at the offense’s belly button to avoid getting faked out of that position.

Additionally, each team should have a standard approach for getting screened in various ways. Whether that means they are going over ball screens or switching down screens, defenders HAVE to know what to do each time they are put in that situation.

By being properly prepared and staying disciplined when faced with these circumstances, players are less likely to foul while defending, as they know how to react to screens and, therefore, get themselves back into the play without being called for a blocking foul.

The best way to avoid blocking fouls is by staying in front of the offensive player.

And the only way to legally do that is for the defender to move their feet to remain in this position. Because as soon as a defender reaches out or makes any contact at all, it’s likely going to immediately be some sort of foul.

As stated earlier, to assume legal guarding position, a defender must initially face the offensive player with their feet on the ground. And to maintain that position, they have to beat the offensive player to a spot so they are there before the offensive player arrives.

The only way to legally do this?

The defensive player must quickly move their feet and keep themselves in front of the ball, which sounds easier than it actually is.

A blocking foul in basketball is likely to be called numerous times a game. 

Almost every time, this is because the defensive player failed to maintain legal guarding position and made illegal contact with the offensive player.

If you are a coach or a player looking to limit the blocking fouls you see whistled against you, make sure you have a clear understanding of just what legal guarding position is, as well as making sure defenders know their limitations, stay disciplined, and play with their feet.

If defenders can handle those seemingly simple steps, then they will maintain a good defensive position and make it less likely for officials to call them for blocking fouls.