CAN THE DEFENDER BE WITHIN 3FT OF A PLAYER WHO HAS THE BALL?
First watch this reel. (click on the button at the top for the sound)
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As explained in the reel: A player can be within 3ft of a player with the ball – As long as they’re not interfering with the throwing or shooting action and they are not attempting to deflect, intercept or defend the ball. As soon as the ball is released the defender can make an attempt to intercept the pass????
A prominent Umpire Mentor for which I have the greatest respect have indicated the following. I can totally relate with this:
“This interpretation as stated is both inaccurate and contradicts Rule 16.1 & 16.7.”
16.1 "An opposing player may attempt to deflect or intercept the ball or defend a player in possession of the ball, provided there is a distance of not less than 0.9 m (3 ft) measured on the ground from the nearest part of the landing foot of the player with the ball to the nearest part of the opposing player’s nearer foot in contact with the ground."
16.7 "A defending player may be within 0.9 m (3 ft) of an opponent with the ball provided there is no interference with the passing or shooting action of this player. The defending player may not make any effort to deflect or intercept the ball or defend the player with the ball including by lifting another player from their team for this purpose."
My explanation further:
If you take the same situation as the reel into the goal circle:
GA in possession of the ball and the GD within 3 feet and not interfering with the shooting action, the GA releases the ball and the GD jumps from within 3 feet and deflects the shot or the player is lifted by a teammate. According to the reel – this is allowed??!!
BUT according to the Rule Book – the reel = Obstruction.
If you also look at rule
16.2 An opposing player may attempt to deflect or intercept the ball or defend a player in possession of the ball while being lifted by another opposing player, provided there is a distance of not less than 0.9 m (3 ft) measured on the ground from the nearest part of the landing foot of the player with the ball to the nearest part of either opposing player’s nearer foot in contact with the ground.
I also like to ask ChatGPT for an explanation of the rule:
A defending player must not attempt to block, catch, or interfere with the ball, nor can they try to guard or challenge the player who has possession of the ball. This includes not being allowed to lift a teammate to reach the ball or block the play. Essentially, defenders should avoid any actions that directly disrupt the player with the ball or their pass.
If you look at the definition of A PASS in the Rule book. It states:
Pass: action of a player throwing, batting or bouncing the ball to a player, dropping the ball or putting the ball on the ground and removing their hands.
I interpret it that if a player is within 3ft they can NOT defend THE PASS.
In netball, a “pass” refers to the action of one player throwing, pushing, or otherwise sending the ball to a teammate.
I consider a pass as the same as the rule clarification for Repossession:
“After having possession and releasing the ball, a player may not touch the ball again before it touches another player or it rebounds from the goalpost.”
While the ball is still in the hands of the attacking player and the defender is within 3ft. All an umpire will do is to determine if the defender is “interfering”. Being it on the goal circle edge or in the goal circle or anywhere on court. If they do interfere with the passing or shooting action, an umpire will consider to play advantage or penalize for obstruction.
IN CONCLUSION: If you are standing next to a player on the circle edge or if you stand within 3ft of a shooter in the goal circle. Any action to defend THE PASS is obstruction. You can ONLY “touch” the ball if it touches another player or it rebounds from the goalpost; otherwise you must be called for obstruction. If not – Rule 16.1 and Rule 16.7 is not relevant anymore??