What Is Freedom of Movement?

I am all for the basketball concept of “freedom of movement.” 

Since the beginning of this WNBA season, everyone says the emphasis for officials is to allow freedom of movement. 

Freedom of movement means…

If an offensive player is dribbling up the court, a defender cannot put their hands on the offensive player to impede their movement. 

If an offensive player is dribbling, a defender cannot physically bump the player to impede their progress. 

If an offensive player wants to cut from one spot to another spot on the court, the defender cannot move to block their cut. 

Freedom of movement does NOT mean…

If a defender has established position, an offensive player cannot run through. If the defender has established position, if the offensive player initiates contact, it is an offensive foul. 

If a dribble runs into a defensive player who has established position, it also is a charge. 

The concept of “freedom of movement” makes the game a better game. 

When the announcers and the referees wrongly label charging fouls as defensive fouls, they are just muddying the concept. 

“Freedom of movement” has not eliminated the defenses ability to draw charges.