Is a player's legal guarding position affected if they are touching the boundary line during gameplay?

A player's legal guarding position is indeed affected if they are touching the boundary line during gameplay. Specifically, if the player establishes a legal guarding position but lifts their foot and comes into contact with the boundary line, that position no longer holds. The key factor here is that touching the boundary line is considered being out of bounds, which invalidates the player's ability to legally guard the opponent.

It’s important to understand the nuances of player positioning with respect to the court boundaries. When a player is on the boundary line, they are deemed out of bounds, and therefore, cannot fulfill the necessary requirements of legal guarding. A legal guarding position necessitates that the player be on the court, enabling them to legally defend against an opponent. The interpretations around boundary line contacts are crucial for officiating as they determine the correct application of the rules during the game.