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JOIN NOWRule 17: contact in particular 17.2(i)
can someone please clarify interpretation of this particular rule. I had a situation on court where the GA was driving into the goal circle and the GK, having spotted this, moved into that space to "block" the attacker. Who contacted who as they were both moving at speed.
Abimbola SmithCoach, Nigeria
ANSWERS
Janet Coach, Australia
Rule 17.2(i) relates to landing space and players may not move into the path of a player committed to a particular landing space to allow safe landing of any player.
Even if both players are moving at speed there are other considerations affecting the "Contact" penalty being applied. If GK moved into the path of GA to block entry into the circle and GA was able to either stop or change direction to avoid contacting GK then penalty should be applied to GA. If GA was unable to (1) see e.g. her eyes were on the ball coming in, (2) stop or change direction e.g. in the air or moving too quickly, or (3) GK positioned herself so closely to the GA that she was unable to move without contacting then GK would be penalised for "Contact - causing". The key considerations for the umpire are (1) who caused the contact (2) who could have avoided it and (3) did it interfere with play?
This rule is quite technical and even experienced umpires may have different interpretations during a match. If an isolated incident It is probably best to accept the call and move on from it.
