Netball: obstruction rule

obstruction rule ANSWERS
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hi i jut started playing GK for a local netball team?

hi i jut started playing GK for a local netball team and i am struggling abit, im not sure on what i can and cant do, ie jumping and waving my arms etc plz help

Archived User Coach

"What does the term "holding" mean?

Hi, I was wondering if someone could please explain what "holding" means in a netball game. Sometimes a defending player will get penalised for 'holding'. Thank you. 

Archived User Coach

Is it obstruction if the shooter steps in?

When a shooter steps in when taking a shot the defender does not have to move. Is this rule still current or have they changed it because on saturdays game my defenders were not moving when the shooter stepped in but they were being pulled for obstruction every time. Also if the shooter steps in and you keep your feet still but move your arm is this still obstruction?

niki Coach, Australia

Obstruction 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

Archived User Coach

Rules question: Causing contact?

After my opponent release the ball can I use my body but not arms to block in front of her so as to prevent her from going to the front?( In centre third) If the opponent just run ahead and crash on the defender, is it a contact?Or in fact the action of the defender preventing the attacker to run towards goal third is obstruction or a rule called" causing contact"?

Archived User Coach

Obstruction when shooter steps in

When a shooter steps in to shoot, but no defender was in place at that time, can one come up and then defend within the 3ft of the shooter but are 3ft from their original landing foot? Does the 3ft need to be 'established' before they defend or can they defend anytime after they step in?

Archived User Coach

Playing advantage then no advantage gained

If advantage is called by the umpire and then no advantage gained by the non offending team due to the ball being lost/intercepted,should play be brought back for a free/penalty pass depending on the infringement that advantage was called for?

Archived User Coach

Double marking defence

How do you deal with a GD and GK double marking a shooter from front and behind? The shooter unfortunately does not have much of a gap to shot the ball.Also how do you deal with a defender who constant,y marks you facing you with practically a 1 inch gap between you and her? Especially in the semi circle?Thanks

Ruksana Moress Coach, England

Obstruction in the Circle

Tonight we played a team where the GD stood right in front of the GS or GA. He had his back to the shooter(with the ball), he didn't put up an arm but he stood so close (without touching) that the shooter couldn't get any leverage with her shot. If the shooter stepped back he shuffled with her. The umpires didn't pull it up at all. Is this allowed or do they have to be three feet away? Any feedback would be much appreciated, I would just like to know if this is allowed or is it obstruction? Thanks

Lizzie Walsh Coach, New Zealand

Defender falling in on the shooter

If the defender falls in while defending the shooter, is that obstruction? If they fall in and duck down they are still moving into the 3ft zone....

michelle goan Coach, Australia

7-8 yr olds struggling to understand obstruction rule

I coach a high level u7-8s team, overall they are well rounded players who get the idea of a drill very quickly so I'm not scared to try harder drills. But I'm stuck in getting them to get back their 3ft to be able defend without getting pulled up. I've tried putting dots on the ground away from transverse lines and getting them to jump back. Any other ideas??

Lahni C Coach, Australia

Is 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 Gardner Coach, Germany

no advantage taken by the team with the ball

when you call an advantage to an attacking team and no advantage had been taken due to the ball being intercepted etc. Do you call the play to come back as the team actually was disadvantaged and didn't receive any advantage from the infringing player

Julie Alexander Coach, Australia

Obstructing player with back to the ball less than 3 feet away.

I am a coach and an umpire, but i have been doing more coaching than umpiring of late. I have noticed a particular peculiarity with regards to the obstruction rule that i have seen more and more than i really do not think is correct. I have politely challenged asking the umpires concerned and also a second opinion from another umpire and they agree with me.We have had a defending player who is standing less than a foot away with her back to the person shooting with her arms up who is clearly interfering with the shot. The explanation i was given by the umpire that let this go unchallenged said that as long as the player can bring her arms up to shoot that is ok.My argument is that if a side or goal line pass is taken and the defending player has her back to the playing taking the pass then that shouldn't be challenged either.I agree that sometimes when the shot is under the post it is difficult to get 3 feet or with covid rules 4 feet away. But a lot of shooter follow there shoot through before releasing the ball, and when this is impeded sure all of these things constitute obstruction.Please help me, because although i am pretty confident that i am right and this umpire, and a number of other umpires i have noticed are doing the same. Can i please have feedback.

Maria Massey Coach, England

Obstruction rules

Is it obstruction if the defending player is standing next to the person in possession of the ball with their arms down ie. not attempting to defend or intercept the ball whilst mid-court? There is a lot of mixed messaging from umpires around this rule, particularly if it occurs within goals with some umpires saying as long as you're not putting your hands up to defend the ball or standing in front of them then it is not obstruction to then being called obstruction in instances decribed above.

Nicole Coach, Australia

Is it obstruction if the shoot...

When a shooter steps in when taking a shot the defender does not have to move. Is this rule still current or have they changed it because on saturdays game my defenders were not moving when the shooter stepped in but they were being pulled for obstruction every time. Also if the shooter steps in and you keep your feet still but move your arm is this still obstruction?

niki Coach, Australia

Rules question: Causing contac...

After my opponent release the ball can I use my body but not arms to block in front of her so as to prevent her from going to the front?( In centre third) If the opponent just run ahead and crash on the defender, is it a contact?Or in fact the action of the defender preventing the attacker to run towards goal third is obstruction or a rule called" causing contact"?

Archived User Coach

Obstruction in the Circle | Sp...

Tonight we played a team where the GD stood right in front of the GS or GA. He had his back to the shooter(with the ball), he didn't put up an arm but he stood so close (without touching) that the shooter couldn't get any leverage with her shot. If the shooter stepped back he shuffled with her. The umpires didn't pull it up at all. Is this allowed or do they have to be three feet away? Any feedback would be much appreciated, I would just like to know if this is allowed or is it obstruction? Thanks

Lizzie Walsh Coach, New Zealand

Defender falling in on the sho...

If the defender falls in while defending the shooter, is that obstruction? If they fall in and duck down they are still moving into the 3ft zone....

michelle goan Coach, Australia

Obstructing player with back t...

I am a coach and an umpire, but i have been doing more coaching than umpiring of late. I have noticed a particular peculiarity with regards to the obstruction rule that i have seen more and more than i really do not think is correct. I have politely challenged asking the umpires concerned and also a second opinion from another umpire and they agree with me.We have had a defending player who is standing less than a foot away with her back to the person shooting with her arms up who is clearly interfering with the shot. The explanation i was given by the umpire that let this go unchallenged said that as long as the player can bring her arms up to shoot that is ok.My argument is that if a side or goal line pass is taken and the defending player has her back to the playing taking the pass then that shouldn't be challenged either.I agree that sometimes when the shot is under the post it is difficult to get 3 feet or with covid rules 4 feet away. But a lot of shooter follow there shoot through before releasing the ball, and when this is impeded sure all of these things constitute obstruction.Please help me, because although i am pretty confident that i am right and this umpire, and a number of other umpires i have noticed are doing the same. Can i please have feedback.

Maria Massey Coach, England

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