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JOIN NOWObstruction or not obstruction
My teams are getting a bit older now and watching ANZ challenge and Aus NZ games the way the defenders defend or block has certainly changed. The defenders now have their backs to the attackers arms out wide what we used to say was airplane arms which would be picked up as obstrution. In the circle the defender is between goal and player at the edge still with back to the player and side shuffles with arms out wide blocking the shooter moving into the circle. Is this not obstruction or are they doing something that does not constitute an obstruction call. Netball is certainly changing quickly in the way it is played
Netball CoachCoach
ANSWERS
Janet Coach, Australia
There are a lot of things happening in elite netball matches that would be penalised as obstruction, contact, intimidation etc at lower levels. The elite comp umpires' brief is to officiate & facilitate the fast flow and contest in the game to create a physical and exciting match for elite players and spectators. They tend to allow a lot more player freedom to contest unless there has been major interference. For younger players and at lower levels of competition an understanding of the traditional rules regarding obstruction etc should be encouraged as those umpires are required to umpire to the rule book.
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia
fuuny Janet. we were just talking about that exact thing the other day, and how many kids and coaches are trying to emmulate the same type of play in club netball. which the true rules of netball dont support. im wondering if this is the way we will be seeing our young girls all start playing soon.
Netball CoachCoach
Thanks for the response, keep it clean and coach correctly- my daughter also umpires she has just told me that they are briefed heavily on obstruction rules. Our season starts this week so it will be interesting to see what is happening in the A grade year 8 game plays. I know my eldest daughters coach has introduced defensive switches in the goal circle so that will be interesting to watch. Lee-anne from what I was seeing last year our girls and some of the coaches are trying to play like this and having watched some of the challenge games over the last month it is even more physical this year. I have coaching brief next week so it will be interesting to see if this issue is brought up. We maybe seeing more questions re bullying and poor sportsmanship rise on the forum
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia
i think you are right debbie! we are 6 weeks into our season, and i would say more than half of the teams that my girls play against, are using rough and unsportsmanlike tatics and behaviours, against each other, and the umpires. its amazing and sad. we are off to one of the Firebirds games in a few weeks so will be interesting to see how the girls feel about this type of contact.
