Fast Five: Taking the Charge

Taking a charge is one of the best plays in basketball. It changes possession and costs your opponent a foul. You may get the opponent's top player in foul trouble or get your team headed toward the penalty, although player control fouls are not shooting fouls.

Marcus Smart turned a recent Celtics-Cavaliers game around by taking a pair of charges late.  




1. Excellent defense is "multiple efforts." Taking the charge requires anticipation and athleticism for position and the physical and mental toughness to absorb contact. 

2. Taking a charge is not "risk-free reward." There's a physical price and as Shane Battier counsels above, protect yourself. 

3. Solid defenses provide help (protection). Great defenses turn help into charges. Charges also help energize teammates. 

4. Excellent defenders anticipate where and when the offensive player will attack...and get position first. You will never take charges by playing 'handsy' defense. Charges provide another example where footwork rules. 

5. Charges are 'stats'. The NBA tracks individual and team charges under "hustle stats." 

There's a difference between taking charges and flopping. Marcus Smart is no stranger to both. 

NBA anti-flopping rules may have diminished flopping...or at least fining for flopping. 

Source: SI.