Heading: Contact: General principles     Sub Heading: Cylinder principle

"The cylinder principle is defined as the space within an imaginary cylinder occupied by a player on the court. The dimensions, and the distance between the player’s feet, shall vary according to the height and size of the player. It includes the space above the player and is limited to the boundaries of the cylinder of the defensive player or the offensive player without the ball which are:

• The front by the palms of the hands,

• The rear by the buttocks, and

• The sides by the outer edge of the arms and legs.

The hands and arms may be extended in front of the torso no further than the position of the feet and knees, with the arms bent at the elbows so that the forearms and hands are raised in the legal guarding position.

The defensive player may not enter the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball and cause an illegal contact when the offensive player is attempting a normal basketball play within the cylinder. The boundaries of the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball are:

• The front by the feet, bent knees and arms, holding the ball above the hips,

• The rear by the buttocks, and

• The sides by the outer edge of elbows and legs.

The offensive player with the ball must be allowed enough space for a normal basketball play within the cylinder. The normal basketball play includes starting a dribble, pivoting, shooting and passing.

The offensive player cannot spread the legs or arms outside of the cylinder and cause an illegal contact with the defensive player in order to gain an additional space."