Why is the game of basketball officiated differently depending on ball or player location on the court?

A common question that a referee hears from all levels of the game. Simple answer - YES - the game is officiated differently depending on the ball location and player location on the court. I will ATTEMPT to explain why. The game of basketball is played by people of all shapes and sizes. Generally the taller and larger players take a position next to the hoop to utilize their height for rebounding and smaller or maybe quicker players are controlling the ball movement up the court. The defence then matches these situations. *As always in the following situations being described, nothing is black and white or absolute. Common sense, fair play, level of the play by coaching or athletes involved and a general understanding of the intent of a rule or how the game is played must be used.* Back court. Hands off - TOTALLY. A defender placing a hand on the ball carrier in the back court is a foul. Only when the ball carrier completely beats the defender easily should the referee hold the whistle. Why? Teams would wear down the point guard with constant hand checking or bumping of the body. Point guards (late in games) would be tired and less effective to their teams in shooting the ball. Allowing hand checking in the back court generally leads to rougher play. Premier Play in the front court. Generally when the ball is around the 3 point line. Defenders are allowed to find their checks with a hand touch. Defenders are NOT allowed to leave their hand on their check or constantly jab at their check. A ball carrier going side line to side line (east to west) some hand checking allowed but the defender can't leave it there, extend their arm or influence the direction of the ball carrier. A ball carrier going towards the basket (north to south) defender shouldn't have a hand on them but the referee should apply advantage/disadvantage in this situation. The difficult one to officiate is when the ball carrier changes direction and goes to the hoop. Is the ball carrier now going into the defender causing the contact? Has the defender beat the ball carrier to the spot? Has the defender influence the direction of the ball carrier with a hand check? Cutting through the key to create time and space vs the defender taking it away. Shooters cutting through the key to create time and space on ball rotations to the other side of the court. A common defensive play is to bump the cutter, slowing him down and also wearing him out to take away his legs for shooting. Defender must beat the cutter to the spot on the court and not bump from the side. This becomes difficult to officiate at times due to the number of bodies in the paint, incidental contact vs intentional contact happening. Post Play The game of basketball is played VERY DIFFERENTLY in the post compared to the rest of the court. Generally post play is played by big bodies attempting to get 'their' spot on the floor (the block) with the defender attempting to deny them that piece of real estate. Also rebounding action, loose balls, fronting action to deny passes and players attacking the basket with the ball. Lots of contact, most is incidental but when contact goes beyond incidental and an advantage/disadvantage is created - should be a foul. Good aggressive post players create contact on their move to the hoop as they seal the defender. The best way to referee contact is to look at a play and ask yourself "what did the defender do wrong"? ferg 613.924.0844 (home # and family voice mail) 613.246.2724 (cell # - no voice mail but able to receive text)