Every defender has the right to play legitimate defense when an attacker has possession. But, is the defender playing legitimate defense within 5m or are they trying to use their own body to give the umpire the impression the play is dangerous?
If the umpire believes the attacker disregarded their opponent playing defense and the defense was in immediate danger, then a foul should be called on the attacker attempting to put the ball in the air. If the defender is trying to “decieve” the umpire and only gives the impression of danger that is actually not there, then the play can continue but the defender can be subjected to a misconduct warning.
Once the ball is overhead, umpires should have no reason to watch the ball and should focus their attention on the area where the ball is anticipated to land.
Upon landing, a whole new set of issues arise. Umpires can be preventive versus reactive in order to minimize what can be a very dangerous situation. The major decision to be made as the ball is coming down is, who, if anyone, is the obvious player to receive or have the right of way to receive the aerial pass.
As in the rule, if the umpire does not deem anyone as the intended or obvious player to receive the ball, the team that put the ball up in the air is responsible to give a minimum of 5 meters to the opposition. This can be one of the most difficult decisions for an umpire.
If a player is in an open area and is the obvious receiver of the ball, the opposition must give a 5 meter cushion around the receiver, even behind, until the receiver has the opportunity to collect the ball and control it on the ground. Many umpires are too quick to allow the opposition to engage or disrupt the receiver before the ball is controlled and on the ground. A free hit should be awarded to the receiver if any part of their process to collect and control the ball is disturbed by the opposition.
If the ball falls into a totally open area and bounces on the pitch, it does not negate the rule of an obvious player having the right of way to receive and play the ball properly. All the same rules
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and requirements apply until the ball is controlled on the ground. It does become more difficult to make this decision once the ball has landed, but it must not be made in the most preventive man- ner as it can be very dangerous for opposing players to attempt to play a bouncing ball.
When the ball is falling in between two opposing players and no obvious receiver is recognized or determined by the umpire, the team who put the ball in the air must back away and allow the opposition to receive the falling ball or else a free hit should be awarded to the team who did not put the ball in the air.
There are many decisions to be made on aerial overhead passes which will be determined by not only the actions or inactions of players, but distance, time and space. It is important to under- stand that all decisions are not cut and dry, nor are they easy to make in a split second. We all see things a little different from different angles but the decision rests on the shoulders of the umpires and we must respect that the decisions are made in good judgment and fairness.
© 2011 Photos by Yuchen Nie
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