Is the defender 0.9 m away?
Each picture is what an umpire sees from the side line, the goal line or cutting the corner. Decide whether the defender is obstructing the player with the ball, then check the measured distance.
One-foot landing on the right foot
Landing foot highlighted. It has not moved.
Select the picture to zoom in.
Is the orange defender obstructing?
Measured on the ground from the nearest part of the landing foot to the nearest part of the defender’s nearer foot.
Rule 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.
Rule 16.3(a)
If the player with the ball has a one-foot landing, this distance is measured on the ground as follows: If the player remains in the landing position: from the nearest part of the landing foot to the nearest part of the nearer foot of the opposing player.
Sanction: Penalty pass where the infringer was standing unless this places the non-infringing team at a disadvantage, in which case the penalty will be taken where the obstructed player was standing.
Terminology: Obstruction.