p 12, Major Officiating Concerns for Women: Incidental Elbow Contact
Officials are reminded that there can be incidental contact with the elbow above or below the shoulders and that not all elbow contact with the elbow is a foul regardless of where the elbow makes contact. Some incidental contact is being penalized improperly.
Rule 4-29 Art. 2.c. Flagrant One Personal Foul
6. Illegal contact with an elbow that occurs above the shoulders of an opponent when the elbows are not swung excessively per 4-36.7.a.
Rule 4-36 Art. 6. It shall be illegal to extend one’s elbow(s) and make contact when one’s:
a. Hands are on one’s hips;
b. Hands are held near one’s chest; or
c. Arms are held approximately horizontal to the playing court when not holding the ball.
Note: These illegal positions are most commonly used when rebounding, screening or in the various aspects of post play.
Art. 7. The following shall be considered excessive swinging:
a. When arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung about while using the shoulders as pivots, and the speed of the extended arm(s) and elbow(s) exceeds that of the rest of the body as it rotates on the hips or on the pivot foot; or
b. When the speed and vigor with which the arm(s) and elbow(s) are swung is such that injury could result if another player were contacted.
Rule 9-13. Elbow(s)
Art. 1. A player shall not excessively swing his or her arm(s) or elbow(s), even without contacting an opponent.
Art. 2. A player may extend arm(s) or elbow(s) to hold the ball under the chin or against the body.
Art. 3. Action of arm(s) and elbow(s) resulting from total body movement as in pivoting or movement of the ball incidental to feinting with it, releasing it, or moving it to prevent a held ball or loss of control shall not be considered excessive.
Rule 10-1 Art. 13 Illegal contact caused by the swinging of the elbow(s) that:
a. Results from total body movement is a common or flagrant 1 personal foul
b. Is excessive per Rule 4-36.7 is a flagrant 2 foul.
c. Occurs above the shoulders of an opponent is a flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul.
d. Occurs below the shoulders of an opponent is a common, flagrant 1 or flagrant 2 personal foul.