This is an example of an unsportsmanlike foul (Criteria 4). Defenders cannot contact an opponent who is progressing towards their opponents’ basket from behind or laterally if there are no other opponent players between the progressing player, the ball and the basket. Team control is not relevant.

This rule applies until the offensive player starts his act of shooting. In this example, defender Blue 10 contacts Red 8 from the side (or laterally) on a fast break with no player between Red 8 and the Red team basket. This is a ‘clear path’ unsportsmanlike foul (Criteria 4) on Blue 10.