In a move that promises to reshape defensive strategies and further tilt the scales in favor of offensive players, the NBA has issued a new point of emphasis for the 2025-26 season, unofficially dubbed the “High-Five” rule. The league will now mandate officials to call fouls on defenders who make contact with a shooter’s arm, wrist, or hand during the follow-through motion after the ball has been released on a jump shot.
The clarification, distributed to all 30 teams, aims to eliminate a gray area that has long been a source of frustration for the league’s premier shooters. While defenders are taught to contest shots without fouling, the split-second after the release, where a shooter’s arm is fully extended, has often been a zone of unpenalized contact, with defenders swiping down or across the shooter’s limbs.
The “Curry Rule”: A Decade in the Making
The impetus for this change, as explained by Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, stems directly from the playing style of his superstar guard, Stephen Curry. For over a decade, Curry has revolutionized the game with his deep three-point range and lightning-quick release, often drawing contact after the ball has left his fingertips that previously went uncalled.
“This is something that, frankly, we’ve been asking about for about ten years with Steph,” Kerr stated, providing a candid look at the rule’s origins. “He gets hit on the follow-through all the time. Defenders are taught to contest, and in their momentum, they often make contact with the shooter’s arm after the release. The league has finally decided that this is a point of emphasis.”
Kerr estimated that the enforcement could add “one or two free throws per game” for shooters who are consistently targeted in this manner, a significant impact in a league where games are often decided by a handful of points.
From Memo to Reality: Preseason Provides First Glimpse
The theoretical rule was immediately put into practice during the Warriors’ preseason opener against the Sacramento Kings. In a moment that will likely be repeated throughout the season, Stephen Curry elevated for a three-point attempt, released the ball, and as his shooting arm followed through, a closing Kings defender made contact with his wrist. The whistle blew instantly, sending Curry to the free-throw line.
Curry finished the game with 22 points, a portion of which came from free throws awarded under this new interpretation. While just a preseason contest, the call served as a stark warning to defenders across the league: the margin for error when contesting jump shots has just become infinitesimally small.
Strategic Implications and Potential Backlash
The enforcement is expected to have wide-ranging consequences. Elite shooters like Curry, Damian Lillard, and Klay Thompson stand to benefit directly, forcing defenders to contest with even more verticality and discipline. This could open up more driving lanes as defenders become hesitant to close out aggressively on perimeter threats.
However, the rule is also poised to be a major point of contention. Critics and defensive-minded coaches are likely to argue that it further handcuffs defenders in an already offense-dominated league, potentially leading to a flurry of ticky-tack fouls that disrupt game flow. The challenge for officials will be to consistently discern incidental, light contact from impactful, foul-worthy swipes in a high-speed environment.
As the 2025-26 season tips off, all eyes will be on the whistle. The “High-Five” rule represents the NBA’s ongoing effort to protect shooters and encourage scoring, but its implementation will ultimately be judged on the hardwood, where the delicate balance between offensive freedom and defensive integrity is constantly being negotiated.
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