NCAA votes to amend block/charge rule

The NCAA is attempting to fix one of college basketball’s most controversial rules.

On Monday the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel voted via conference call to amend the block/charge rule, which has been the subject of much scrutiny for the past several years. The changes will be effective for the start of next season.

“Under the revised block/charge call in men’s basketball, a defensive player is not permitted to move into the path of an offensive player once he has started his upward motion with the ball to attempt a field goal or pass,” according to the new rule. “If the defensive player is not in legal guarding position by this time, it is a blocking foul. Previously, a defender had to be in legal guarding position when the offensive player lifted off the floor.”

“With these facts in mind, much of the committee’s discussion in May focused on ways to open up the game,” the release said. “To that end, it will be stressed to officials that they must address the current rules throughout the game. The following types of personal fouls should be called consistently: When a defensive player keeps a hand or forearm on an opponent; When a defensive player puts two hands on an opponent; When a defensive player continually jabs by extending his arm(s) and placing a hand or forearm on the opponent; When a player uses an arm bar to impede the progress of an opponent.”

The panel also voted to make changes to monitor reviews and the so-called “elbow rule.”

Beginning this season, officials will be able to utilize the courtside monitor to confirm or deny a shot-clock violation and make determinations on balls out-of-bounds. Officials will also be able to use the monitor to determine whether elbow contact should be a flagrant 1, a flagrant 2 or no foul at all.