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JOIN NOWIs holding a player with the ball in the ring allowed?
Can the GD/GK stand close behind - within 3 feet of - the GS/GA while they are shooting and so effectively prevent them from stepping back to a more comfortable position (e.g. when they are directly under the ring)? If not, which rule prevents this?
Emma GardnerAdministrator, Germany
ANSWERS
Eleanor DurrPlayer, England
Hi Emma,
If you read rule 11.1, iv, in the International Netball Federation handbook, the rule states:
'A defending player may be within 0.9 m (3 ft) of an opponent with the ball provided there is no interference with the throwing or shooting action of this player. The defending player may not make any effort to intercept the ball or defend the player with the ball.'
Therefore, the defender can stand there as long as they are not so close that the player cannot shoot. If the shooter steps back into the defender it should be called up as contact by the shooter, as the defender is allowed to be there and was not interfering until the shooter stepped back and interfered with them. However the defender must not put their arms up to mark the shot, if so they would have to be 3ft away from the shooter or this would be obstruction.
Consequently there is technically no rule to prevent this, however umpires will call what they deem appropriate.
Hope this helps.
