The “high five” foul rule: greater protection for shooters?
In addition to the “heave rule”, the NBA is placing a key point of emphasis on the “high five” rule as officials look to target unnecessary and excessive contact on shots.
As of this season, if a defender makes follow-through contact with a shooter’s hand, wrist or arm after the ball has been released, it will be called as a foul.
If a player is attempting to block a shot, they can still contest it vertically, but should they make a secondary movement, such as a swipe to the shooter’s arm, this will be noted.
In the case that there is obvious, illegal contact that is unnecessary or excessive in the secondary motion after the ball is released on a shot attempt then it could be deemed a flagrant foul.
Marginal or incidental contact on the hand at the point of release by a defender attempting to block the shot will still be seen as legal.
