2011-12 AND 2012-13 MEN'S AND WOMEN'S RULES - NAIA

RULE 4 / DEFINITIONS55
b. The entire ball is above the level of the ring and has the possibility, while
in flight, of entering the basket and is not touching the cylinder.
Art. 2. It is goaltending to touch the ball outside the cylinder during a free throw,
regardless of whether the free throw is on its upward or downward flight.
Art. 3. When the entire ball is above the level of the ring during a field-goal try
and contacts the backboard, it is considered to be on its downward flight. In such
a case, it is goaltending when the ball is touched by a player.
Section 35. Guarding
Art. 1. Guarding shall be the act of legally placing the body in the path of an
offensive opponent. The guarding position shall be initially established and then
maintained inbounds on the playing court.
Art. 2. There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent,
but the maximum shall be (men) 6 feet or (women) 3 feet when closely guarded.
This distance shall be measured from the forward foot or feet of the defender to
the forward foot or feet of the opponent. These distances shall apply only when
a player, (men) in the front court, is holding the ball or dribbling or (women) is
holding the ball anywhere on the playing court.
Art. 3. Every player shall be entitled to a spot on the playing court, provided that
such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent. (Exception:
Rule 4-35.7)
Art. 4. To establish an initial legal guarding position on the player with the ball:
a. The guard shall have both feet touching the playing court. When the guard
jumps into position initially, both feet must return to the playing court after
the jump, for the guard to attain a legal guarding position.
b. The guard’s torso shall face the opponent.
c. No time and distance shall be required.
d. When the opponent with the ball is airborne, the guard shall have attained
legal guarding position before the opponent left the playing court.
(Exception: Rule 4-35.7)
Art. 5. To establish legal guarding position on a player without the ball:
a. Time and distance shall be required to attain an initial legal guarding
position;
b. The guard shall give the opponent the time and distance to avoid contact;
c. The distance given by the opponent of the player without the ball need not
be more than two strides; and
d. When the opponent is airborne, the guard shall have attained legal
guarding position before the opponent left the playing court.
Art. 6. To maintain a legal guarding position after the initial position has been
attained, the guard:
a. Is not required to continue having the torso face the opponent;
b. Is required to have either one foot or both feet on the playing court (cannot
be out of bounds);
c. May raise the hands or may jump within his or her own vertical plane;