To contest a shot in basketball without committing a foul, which behavior is appropriate?

• A. Grabbing the jersey
• B. Turning away
• C. Making a sincere effort to go for the ball
• D. Pushing the opponent

Answer: (C)

Contesting a shot cleanly means challenging the shot with genuine effort to play the ball, not the shooter or the opponent’s body. The best way to do this is to make a sincere effort to go for the ball—reach for the ball with your hands, time your jump, and keep your body vertical and under control so you don’t swing or push. This keeps contact to a minimum and avoids fouls, letting you affect the shot without illegal contact.

Grabbing the jersey or pushing the opponent are clear fouls because they involve illegal contact with the body. Turning away doesn’t contest the shot at all; it avoids contact but doesn’t affect the attempt. So the recommended behavior is to go for the ball in a controlled, legal way.