The place to have your questions answered.

If you are puzzled by an incident in a game or just have a question regarding the rules, then this is the place to ask.

Email us your question and we will endeavour to answer it. If we cannot, then we will consult higher authorities to give you your answer. All questions & answers will be on this page. We will also email you your answer personally.

Q:
A shooter is standing in the shooting circle but at the edge. The opposing WA or C attempts to mark from outside the circle but they are within 3 feet. Where is the penalty for obstruction set (inside or outside the circle)? If it inside, where does the infringing player stand? Would it make any difference if WA or C contacted?

A:
Infringing Rule 16 Obstruction & Rule 17 Contact both have the same result ie Penalty Pass or Penalty Pass or Shot where the infringer is standing unless this places the non-offending team at a disadvantage, when the penalty shall be taken where the obstructed or contacted player is standing. On this occasion it will be a Penalty Pass or Shot as the GS is already in the circle. The offending player will have to stay where they are and play no part in the game until such time as the ball has left the Penalty takers hands.

Q:
In a recent game, a shooter caught the ball with one foot outside the circle (and the other inside the circle), not realising this they stepped fully into the circle, took a shot and scored. My question is this: is it the act of shooting that makes this a foul shot or the 'scoring' of the goal? i.e. if she had taken a shot but not scored should it still have been a free pass to the opposition?

A:
Rule 15.2 states
In taking a shot for goal a player shall: -
have no contact with the ground outside the Goal circle either during the catching of the ball or whilst holding it. Therefore it is the action of taking the shot that is the offence irrespective of whether the ball passes through the net. A free pass is awarded to the defending team from where the shot was taken.

Q:
If a player is injured during the game and is substituted at the time( ie during a playing quarter not at an interval), is that injured player allowed to play later on in the game?

A:
Yes that player is allowed to take part later in the game but not in the quarter that they were injured if they were replaced at that time. However if they were not substituted at that time they can rejoin the game in the following circumstances
1. Immediately after a goal is scored in the position that is vacant.
2. At another stoppage for illness or injury
3. Immediately following an interval.