Hindering Someone of the Same Sex

A player is in a hindering position when he is within arm's length of an opponent and, whenever the opponent is in possession of the ball, is actively trying to prevent the opponent from passing or shooting. The hindering player's aim is to get the opponent to throw the ball against his hand or arm, or position himself in such a way as to be able to intercept it.

However, if in trying to counter the ball the hindering arm or hand is brought in the path of the throwing arm and thereby makes contact with the throwing arm, especially when the arm moves towards the throwing arm, then an infringement of rule 16j takes place.

No infringement is possible when the hindering player touches the ball after it has already left the hand of the thrower. If contact is made when the ball is still on the hand of the thrower then no foul is committed when the hindering arm or hand is at rest. On the other hand an infringement is committed when the arm moves towards the ball at the moment the ball is thrown. If contact is only slight and the pass is not affected unfavourably, then the referee can apply the advantage rule and allow play to continue.

Another form of hindering is also possible when an opponent is not in possession of the ball. It can be thought of as a minor form of defending - the player is within arm's distance of his opponent but not complying with some or all of the other three conditions required for defending.

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