6.3 To shoot from a defended position

Whenever an attacker player shoots the ball towards the korf while a defender satisfies all the following conditions:

a) is actively trying to block the ball;
b) is within one (1) arm’s length in relation to the attacker;
c) is nearer the post than the attacker;
d) they have their face turned towards the attacker.

The rule is based on the desire to encourage players to cooperate together to attain free positions from which shots may be taken and prevent slick hand and arm movements being rewarded by a goal.

When judging the distance of an arm’s length between the attacker and the defender, the referees must consider (visualise) the vertical position of both players.

A shot must still be considered defended when specific circumstances do not allow for one of the four (4) conditions to be satisfied:

Exceptions where a shot must still be considered defended when one of the four (4) conditions are not satisfied:

Condition a) cannot be achieved when:

• the attacker is much taller than the defender, and because of that, the defender cannot actually block the ball;
• the attacker, having jumped up, shoots or taps the ball over the hindering arms of the defender towards the korf;
• the attacker has received the ball while they have their back to the korf and the defender is behind them.

Condition b) cannot be achieved when:

• the attacker standing in a defended position steps, or jumps backwards, without infringing 6.1 (to run with the ball) and shoots. If the defender immediately tries to follow their movement and actually tries to block the shot, even if the attacker is out of an arm’s length..

Condition c) cannot be achieved when:

• the attacker is so close to the post that the hindering defender cannot stand nearer the post and the defender and the attacker are on opposite sides of the post.

A shot cannot be considered defended if:

• the defender doesn’t actually try to block the shot (the simple raising of the arm is insufficient);
• the torso of the defender is further from the post than that of the attacker. It is not sufficient when the defender’s hand or arm is nearer the post. The reference must be most of the torso (upper body) being closer to the post;
• the defender is unaware that the attacker has the ball in their possession (very fast shot, tapping);
• during a shot against a tall defender or when the defender jumps up, the ball is touched but the defender was not within an arm’s length at the instant the shot is taken.