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Hi Kristen.
As and umpire and coach, I can tell you:
Provided she is 3 ft from the landed foot and doesn't make contact with the ball while it's still in the shooter's hand, she is definitely allowed to move her hand and follow the ball.
I train all of my players from GS through to GK, when they're defending, to follow the ball with one hand and block the open side with the other hand. If they're close to a side line or goal line, that's easy; the open side is away from the line. Out in the open court, than involves changing hands depending upon which way the player with the ball is looking or moving.
Definitely allowed (and should be encouraged) to follow the ball.
However,
Just make sure that she's not putting her hand(s) in front of the GS/GA's face. That's intimidation.
Also, if she is waving her arms wildly, attempting to distract the shooter, not just following the ball, that would also be called intimidation, not obstruction.
One suggestion, I teach my GD and GK, if the GS/GA steps forward and shortens the 3 ft, the GD/GK does not step back, and she holds her hands up but stops moving her hands/arms. Then, if the GS/GA pushes the ball into the defender's hand/arm, then the GS/GA will be called for contact. If the GD/GK keeps moving her arms, it's the umpire's judgement who caused the contact.
I umpired a game last Saturday where the GS stepped in and shortened the 3 ft. The GK stayed absolutely still. The GS head-butted the GK's arm. Guess who got the penalty pass?
From: netballcoaching@yahoogroups.com [mailto:netballcoaching@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Kristen Simpson
Sent: Wednesday, 16 August 2006 8:27 PM
To: netballcoaching@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [netballcoaching] Umpiring decisions
Hi everyone,
Thanks again for the recent advice you gave re strategies The girls are starting to work that out quite well. Now I would like to have a rule cleared. I have a GD/GK whom defends every ball with "passion". She defends using various techniques but the one landing her in trouble with only 1 umpire is when defending the ball with her hand straight up over the ball she 'tracks' the ball but the umpire is pulling her for obstruction telling her shes not allowed to move her hand. I thought following the movement of the ball was okay???
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