Defended Shooting Interpretations

The rule on defended shooting was recently amended to take into account the current trend for players to move from a defended position. There are five main situations. In each case the starting position is one of correct defending.

1) From a standing position, without any prior movement of the feet, the attacker jumps.

If the attacker jumps back or to the side from a defended position, it shall be considered to remain defended if the defender reacts to the jump with the intention of keeping within arm's distance.

2) From a standing position, without any other prior movement of the feet, the attacker steps back without lifting the front (standing) foot.

As for 1, the defender must react to the step and try to keep within arm's distance.

3) From the standing position the attacker first steps forward causing the defender to step backwards and then brings his weight back onto his rear standing foot (in effect his pivot foot) and then either jumps (as in situation 1) or steps back (as in situation 2).

Provided the jump is made from the standing pivot foot this is not running. It shall be considered to be defended if the defender tries to make good his previous defended position by reacting with the intention of keeping within arm's distance.

4) Stepping back but the standing (front) foot is subsequently lifted.

This is an infringement of the rule on running and must be punished accordingly.

(This situation also occurs where the attacker not only steps back but then jumps backwards from this back foot. The force for jumping back comes from the back leg with the front leg being used for balance. The result of the jump comes from the moved back leg and therefore it is also running.)

5) Stepping back as in 2 or 3 but no shot is made

This movement is normally made to draw the defender forward so that the attacker can quickly step forward again and pass the ball whilst the defender is off balance.

In this situation there is normally no offence unless -

either the running rule is infringed or a collision takes place

If a collision takes place the referee needs to consider the following:-

Did the defender move too far forward whilst covering the attacker's first movement?

In this case the defender is at fault.

Did the attacker, in making his new forward movement, collide with the defender in his new position?

In this case the attacker is at fault.

Were both players moving at the time of the collision?

In this case it is normally the attacker who is at fault because of his second, sudden change in direction.

In addition the PRC amended the defended shooting rule to clarify what constitutes being at "too great a distance". The requirement for both players to be standing upright has been removed. To be defended it is necessary for the defender to be "at arm's length" from the attacker i.e. could be within reach of the front of the body of the attacker. How a defender achieves this is up to him but clearly without both players now having to be upright it is possible for this position to be achieved by leaning towards the attacker.

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