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Ivory CoastNBA Instructs Referees to Crack Down on Offensive Push Offs
The NBA has issued new guidelines for referees to penalize offensive players who illegally push off to create space.
Cracking Down on Push Offs
The NBA is making a major change to how games will be called this season. Referees have been told to crack down on offensive players who use their arms to push off against defenders. The league announced the new focus during a conference call on Tuesday.
James Jones, the NBA executive vice president of basketball operations, explained that the league has issued new guidance on four types of calls. These are plays that are both high volume and highly impactful. The goal is to make sure the game remains appealing for both players and fans.
This change comes during a scoring boom in the league. Last season, NBA teams averaged 115.6 points per game, which is the highest average since the 1969 to 1970 season. Defensive players have struggled to keep up, and the league wants to balance the scales. Monty McCutchen, the senior vice president of referee development and training, said, "We've got to make sure the defensive side of the ball does not get penalized by allowing illegal acts by the offensive player."
The Four Fs Formula
To help referees make the right call, the league is introducing a new framework known as the Four Fs. These stand for feeling, firming, force, and full extension.
Under these guidelines, a ballhandler can still use his off arm to feel his opponent or to firm up his position. These actions are legal. However, if the offensive player uses force or fully extends his arm to push a defender away, the referees will call an offensive foul.
Distinguishing between firm contact and force will be a challenge. McCutchen admitted that this will be the biggest test for officials. He noted that the league plans to meet with the Competition Committee frequently early in the season to get feedback on borderline plays.
Examples and Other Rule Focuses
The league shared video examples of what will now be called a foul. In one clip, RJ Barrett of the Toronto Raptors used his arm to push Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers while driving to the basket. Because the push was forceful enough to make Mobley stumble, it is now an offensive foul.
However, some famous historical plays would still be legal. Michael Jordan's famous shot in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals against Bryon Russell would not be a foul today. Under the new rules, Jordan did not use noticeable force or fully extend his arm.
Referees will also look closely at other areas this season. They will monitor illegal contact on screens, such as offensive players shoving defenders. They will also watch for defenders grabbing and holding players off the ball. Finally, on straight line plays to the basket, both offensive and defensive players must stay on their path. Anyone who goes out of their way to bump an opponent will get called for a foul.
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