CONTACT AND CONTEST (Rule 12.1)

When attacking, defending or playing the ball, opposing players may come into physical contact with each other. Provided the players do not interfere with each other’s play or use their bodies to gain an unfair advantage over their opponent, it is deemed to be ‘contest’ and play continues. ‘Contact’ occurs when a player’s actions interfere with an opponent’s play whether these are accidental or deliberate.

INTERFERENCE (Rule 12.)

Interference may occur in the following ways:

• Physical contact using any part of the body to limit an opponent’s ability to move freely (this includes, but is not limited to, pushing, tripping, holding or leaning on an opponent).

Inevitable Contact (Rule 12.2.2)

Player/s, whether moving or stationary, may not position so closely to an opponent that this player is unable to move without contacting.

4 SCENARIOS:  What would your call be?       I made my decision using the rules above.

CONTACT GD – Shooter positions in front of the defender which she may, and the defender then put her hands forward into the shooters face.  Defender was about 6ft from the ball, so no need to put her hands in the air “to defend” from that distance.

NO SANCTION:  Both the GD and the GS went into their positions simultaneously.  Impossible for the GD not to touch the GS with her defending action.  Both have a right in this instance.

CONTACT of the GA.  The GD was there first and then the GA moved back into the defender.

CONTACT OF THE GS.  The defender was 3ft away arms up and the GS moved closer towards the defender (unnatural body stance).  Causing the contact.