NBA to Plans to Implement Rules Limiting Non-Basketball Moves

The 2021-22 regular season is set to debut a host of new guidance regarding how to judge contact initiated by an offensive player. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the rule changes that will re-tool foul calls made by non-basketball moves is headed towards final approval.

The NBA is planning to implement new rules to limit non-basketball moves used to draw fouls beginning next season, pending final discussion and approvals from the Competition Committee and Board of Governors, sources tell The Athletic.

Charania’s report goes on to explain that the new rules could be in place as early as this year’s Las Vegas Summer League.

The report also outlined the points of emphasis for the new rules.

Based on the Competition Committee’s guidance and subject to discussions with the Board of Governors, the league will train officials to identify and properly adjudicate the following overt actions to initiate contact with defenders:

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.

Under the new emphasis, these overt actions will now be officiated as offensive fouls (if deemed more than marginal) or no-calls (if marginal).

You can read the complete story from Charania at The Athletic (subscription required).