Defending in the goal area
?
by
Christer Ahl - Presidente Playing Rules and Referees Commission
http://www.ihf.info
A large proportion of the 7-meter throws awarded are not for fouls but for defending in the goal area when an attacker wants to shoot on goal. Rule 6 indicates that the 7 meter throw should be given only if the defender´s position in the goal area “destroys a clear chance of scoring”.
This means that the exact position of the defender is critical for the interpretation. The IHF interpretation is clearly that a player standing on the line or with one foot half a step inside the line can not be seen as sufficient interference for destroying a chance. Being a full step inside and therefore clearly having a major influence is what the rule is all about. Some referees are too strict in this respect.
But, even more important, video analyses show that 7-meter throws are also given when the defender is in fact standing clearly outside the 6-meter line! This must not happen. The problem is that the referee often focuses on the bodies of the defending and the attacking player, in anticipation of the collision. They want to be ready to observe if there is a foul. This moment that they do not really notice where the feet of the defender are at the moment of the body contact. After the contact they notice that both players are typically inside the goal area, but this is of course irrelevant. Neverheless, if helps convince the referees, incorrectly, that the position of the defender was inside the line already before the collision.
There may also be a “psychological” reason. When the referees see an attacking coming at full speed right at the defender, without any attempt to stop, they may believe that surely the attacker does so because he has seen that the defender is inside the line. If not, he would not take the risk of causing an offensive foul. But many players count on an incorrect perception of the referees that the defender was inside, so this is why they take the risk.
The Rules and Referees Commission urges referees at all levels to be more alert to these tendencies and to make sure that they really see the defender´s position before the body contact. Giving an incorrect 7 meter instead of an offensive foul makes a big difference! Better collaboration and work distribution between the goal-line and the court referee is one way to improve.
| 1. |  |
The left back goes for a jump shot. One inside defender is clearly standing inside the goal area.. |
| 2. |  |
The inside defender is blocking the jump shot by jumping inside the goal area. Decision: 7 meter. |
| 3. |  |
The left back acts in a one-on-one-situation. He tries to play a breakthrough between the outside and half defender. |
| 4. |  |
The feets of both defender are at the moment of the body contact inside the goal area. |
| 5. |  |
The left back jumps into both defenders but: No attacker fault! |