VERTICALITY Rule 4.44

1
VERTICALITYRule 4.44

• The principle of verticality (POV) applies to
  legal position. The terms OBTAIN and MAINTAIN
  also apply to POV, just as they do to guarding.
  The Defensive Player is to receive the full
  protection or benefit of the rule regarding his
  LEGAL POSITION. Officials MUST do a BETTER job
  of making their RULINGS on POV. Officials who do
  not know the basic components of POV cannot
  possibly officiate post play properly

2
VERTICALITYRule 4.44

• THE DEFENSIVE PLAYER
• Is in legal defensive position when he has two
  feet on the floor and is facing the opponent
• Is entitled to jump vertically from a legally
  established position
• Should not be penalized or placed at a
  disadvantage for leaving the floor, while
  maintaining a legally obtained position
• May raise his hands vertically while standing on
  the floor or jump vertically, while raising
  hands, and be in legal position
• May NOT BELLY UP or use the lower part of the
  body, by moving into the airborne player
  causing contact

3
VERTICALITYRule 4.44

• OFFENSIVE PLAYER
• The jump-shooter or offensive player, may not
  break the plane of the defensive player, who is
  in a legal defensive position and cause contact.
  This would result in a foul on the OFFENSIVE and
  not the DEFENSIVE player.
• Regardless of how the play may look the
  DEFENSIVE player should not be penalized if the
  offensive player jumps into the Defensive Player,
  it is reasonable to expect the ball may come
  loose and the shooter may even fall to the floor.
  DO NOT penalize the defense

4
VERTICALITYRule 4.44

• Players not only have a right to a spot on the
  floor they also have the right to occupy the
  airspace above that spot. The rules clearly
  establish the right of the DEFENSIVE and
  OFFENSIVE Player to raise their hands and also
  jump into the air while continuing to remain
  legal.