Rule 16: Obstruction

The sanction for obstruction is a penalty pass awarded where the infringer was standing — unless this would place the non-infringing team at a disadvantage, in which case the penalty is taken where the obstructed player was standing.

Obstruction (Player in Possession)

Obstruction (Player Not in Possession)

Two Elements of the Measurement

The 0.9 m (3 ft) distance is measured on the ground between two points:

1. The nearest part of the landing foot of the player with the ball
2. The nearest part of the opposing player's nearer foot in contact with the ground

Both elements must be understood to correctly judge obstruction.

From the Player with the Ball

Where the distance is measured from depends on the type of landing and what the player does with their feet. The key scenarios are summarised below.

The pivot scenario is particularly important. If a player pivots their landing foot so that it is closer to the defender — most commonly seen when a shooter pivots in before taking a shot — the defender must adjust their position to maintain the 3 ft distance. The measurement is from where the landing foot is now, not where it was. For more detail on landing foot rules, see Rule 13: Footwork.

From the Opposing Player

The distance is measured to the nearest part of the opposing player's nearer foot in contact with the ground. While not explicitly stated in the rules, where a player is in the air, it is reasonable to measure from their last point of contact with the ground (the nearer part if they jumped from two feet).

Two Key Elements

For obstruction of a player in possession, there are two elements that each independently constitute a defensive action within 3 ft:

1. Interfering with the passing or shooting action
2. Making an attempt to deflect or intercept the ball, defend the player with the ball, or lift another player

Importantly, a defender can be within 3 ft of the player with the ball provided they are not doing either of these things.

Interference Without Raising Arms

A defender does not need to raise their arms in order to interfere with a passing or shooting action. If a defender stands directly in front of where the player wants to pass, they are interfering with the pass because the player cannot release the ball where they intend to. This is especially clear if the defender is moving in response to where the player with the ball is looking to pass.

You will often see defenders standing close to a shooter in preparation for a rebound. This is a common and legitimate tactic, but the judgement you must make is whether the defender is interfering with the shooter's action.

Whether this constitutes obstruction can depend on the shooter's release point. A shooter whose action involves arms straight up with a release from above the head may tolerate a defender standing closer than a shooter whose elbows come out further forward. The key considerations are:

• Is the shooter having to adjust their action in response to where the defender is standing? If so, this indicates interference.
• Is the defender so close that they are interfering with the shooter's eye line?
• Is the defender making contact with the shooter? If so, this may also be a contact infringement.
• Is the defender making any attempt to deflect or intercept the shot from within 3 ft?

The 2024 rules explicitly address the lift (sometimes called the "hoist"), where one defender lifts another in order to gain greater elevation when defending a shot or pass. This is permitted, subject to the following conditions:

• Before the lift begins, both defenders must have their feet at least 3 ft from the player with the ball.
• The lifting player must maintain their foot distance throughout the lift — their feet on the ground still count toward the distance measurement.
• Once the lifted player is airborne, the lifting player may move slightly closer (provided their own feet remain 3 ft+ away). This can effectively carry the lifted player to within 3 ft of the player with the ball. Since the lifted player has no feet in contact with the ground, the 3 ft distance measurement does not apply to them — they can attempt to block the shot or pass from this elevated, closer position.
• All other rules continue to apply — in particular, the contact rule. The lifted player must not make contact with the shooter or the ball while it is in the shooter's hands.

A defender who is at the correct distance may jump upward or toward the player with the ball and land within 3 ft, provided this does not interfere with the passing or shooting action. Equally, if the player with the ball reduces the distance themselves — by stepping closer to the defender — the defender is not penalised.

However, the fact that the distance is measured from where the landing foot was does not give the defender carte blanche to stand as close as they like to the player's current position. If the step in is small, the defender still needs to give the space to make up to 3 ft from the original landing foot position. Some defenders seem to think that any step in by the attacker means they can stand wherever they like — this is not the case.

What is Permitted

A player who is within 3 ft of an opponent who does not have the ball may extend their arms to:

• Catch, deflect, or intercept a pass or a fake pass
• Catch, deflect, or bat a rebound from an unsuccessful shot at goal
• Momentarily signal for a pass or indicate the intended direction of a movement

What is Not Permitted

A player who is within 3 ft of an opponent may not use movements that take the arms away from the body to prevent the movement of an opponent, except as required for natural body stance. This applies to both attacking and defending players — obstruction of a player not in possession is not limited to defenders.

Judging Natural Body Stance

Arms naturally move as part of a player's body stance when they are in motion. This movement is typically in line with the direction of travel and generally not out and away from the body. The key distinction is that any sideways reaches across that restrict the movement of an opponent should likely be penalised.

In making this judgement, it is important to assess whether the movement of the arms away from the body actually interfered with an opponent. If the arm simply reaches out and is "soft" — the opponent moves through it with minimal resistance — then there is little interference and this probably should not be penalised. However, if the arm becomes "hard" as the opponent tries to move through it, impeding their movement, then it should be penalised.

Contact vs. Obstruction

There is some overlap between obstruction and contact when considering off-ball situations. The key distinction is:

• Obstruction: No or incidental physical contact, but the arm position limits the opponent's movement
• Contact: There is physical contact that results in a change to the opponent's body position or movement
• Holding or grabbing: These involve physical contact and should be called as contact, not obstruction

For a more detailed discussion, see the Contact vs. Obstruction section on the Rule 17 page.