NBA introduces the “Four F’s” framework
Referees will more consistently call offensive fouls on players who use their off arm to create separation from defenders before perimeter shots.
James Jones, the NBA’s executive vice president of basketball operations, outlined the changes as part of four categories the league considers “high-volume and highly impactful.”
To determine whether contact on a push-off constitutes an offensive foul, officials will use the “Four F’s” framework: feeling, firming, force and full extension.
When does a push-off become an offensive foul?
Ball handlers will still be allowed to “feel” a defender with their arm or “firm up” as they gather in front of an opponent.
An offensive foul should be called when the off arm is used with force or full extension to create an advantage and generate additional separation.
“We’ve got to make sure the defensive side of the ball does not get penalized by allowing illegal acts by the offensive player. I think we can do a better job.”
NBA senior vice president of referee development and training Monty McCutchen said.
The change comes amid an offensive surge
The new emphasis comes as scoring continues to rise across the NBA. Teams averaged 115.6 points per game last season, the league’s highest mark since 1969-70.
The NBA has also targeted other offensive tactics in recent years, including players stopping short to draw collisions and leg-splaying on jump shots.
Jaylen Brown and RJ Barrett among NBA examples
The league released video examples Tuesday showing plays that would now be called offensive fouls under the new guidelines.
Among them were a push by Jaylen Brown against Kelly Oubre Jr. while setting a screen and a forceful arm extension by RJ Barrett that knocked Evan Mobley off balance in the paint.
More attention on illegal screens and off-ball contact
McCutchen acknowledged that distinguishing between “firming up” and using “force” will be challenging for officials.
“There’s going to be some [contact] that you would consider ‘firming up’ and I would consider ‘with force’ and illegal.”
The NBA will therefore meet with the Competition Committee more frequently at the beginning of the season to receive feedback on plays that fall close to the line between legal and illegal contact.
Officials will also pay closer attention to illegal screens by offensive players and defensive actions away from the ball, including grabbing and holding.
The league also highlighted “straight-line pathway plays,” in which both offensive and defensive players moving toward the basket retain the right to their direct path. A foul can be called if either player deviates from that path to bump the opponent off course.
Source: Ben Golliver/ESPN
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