Offensive Charging-Why is it never called?

by bdp
(Uxbridge, ma)

Basketball Charging Foul

In watching many basketball games at all levels from youth to pro, it continuously astounds me that clear offensive charging is hardly ever called.

There is no call so frustrating as when a good defensive player has clearly set his feet and is standing with arms straight up, then comes (typically) a quick little guard who goes flying into the chest of the defensive player.

The defensive player takes the blow and ends up on his rear-end, and the refs call is blocking, with the offensive player getting 2 shots.

Recently, after 3 calls in a row went this way in a game, I call out to the ref and he explained that "the player was allowed a half a step"
I have no idea what he meant by this.

Does anyone have a good understanding of the charge/block rule? I am beginning to doubt my sanity on this point. If you can't establish position defensively, how can you ever defend against a layup?

-Frustrated Fan.

Click Here For The Best Selection of Basketball DVDs & Books