Charging

What does Charging - basketball Mean?

A foul called when an offensive player collides with a defensive player who is stationary and has both feet firmly planted on the floor. The defensive player has to be in that established position before the offensive player's head or shoulder gets by him. When a charging foul is called, the offense loses its possession and the player who committed the foul is charged with a personal foul and a turnover. When an offensive player makes a basket while committing a charging foul, the basket does not count.

Sporting Charts explains Charging - basketball

Charging is the most difficult call to make in a basketball game. If a defensive player is not stationary, does not have both feet firmly planted on the floor, or does not have established position before the offensive player is by him, he will be charged with a blocking foul. The referee has a split-second to determine which player arrived at the spot first when the contact is made.

Moreover, in the NBA and in Euroleagues, the defensive player needs to be outside of a semi-circle four feet from the basket. Otherwise, he will be charged with a blocking foul.