Rewrite of the Obstruction Rule March 2023.
The current 2022 – Obstruction Rule
9.12 Players must not obstruct an opponent who is attempting to play the ball.
Players obstruct if they:
— back into an opponent
– physically interfere with the stick or body of an opponent
– shield the ball from a legitimate tackle with their stick or any part of their body.
A stationary player receiving the ball is permitted to face in any direction.
A player with the ball is permitted to move off with it in any direction except bodily
into an opponent or into a position between the ball and an opponent who is within
playing distance of the ball and attempting to play it.
A player who runs in front of or blocks an opponent to stop them legitimately
playing or attempting to play the ball is obstructing (this is third party or shadow
obstruction). This also applies if an attacker runs across or blocks defenders
(including the goalkeeper) when a penalty corner is being taken.
Suggested Revision of the Obstruction Rule.
RULE PROPER
Rule 9.12. Players must not run in front of or otherwise impose any part of their body or their stick between an opponent and the ball, to prevent that opponent playing immediately and directly at the ball, or from making a tackle attempt for the ball when, but for the blocking off or ball shielding, the opponent would probably have been able to do so.
EXPLANATION OF APPLICATION
Players must not:-
– while shielding the ball from an opponent with stick or body, back the ball into the playing reach of that opponent (moving – backing into)
– move to one side or another, while leading the ball with any part of the body – and thus shielding it, towards and into the playing reach of an opponent. (moving sideways – with a shunt or hitch step for example)
— shield the ball with their stick or any part of their body, from an opponent to
prevent a legitimate tackle by that opponent. (stationary)
– physically interfere with the stick or body of an opponent.
A player with the ball is not permitted to move into bodily contact with an opponent or to move into a position between the ball and an opponent who is within playing distance of the ball, in a position of balance (i. e. able to play at the ball), and demonstrating an intent to play at the ball.
A player in possession of the ball who is facing in a direction other than generally towards his opponent’s base-line or goal, must not allow an opponent to close up behind him so as to be within playing reach of the ball. There is an onus on a player in possession of the ball not to obstruct the direct path of an opponent towards the ball. In such circumstances the player in possession of the ball is obliged to move with the ball (or pass the ball away) to put and keep the ball beyond the playing reach of opponents i.e. not to allow an opponent to come within playing reach of the ball while he is in possession of the ball and shielding it from opponents. It will frequently be the case that a player who has received a pass from the direction of his own defenders will be obliged to at once move rapidly away from approaching or close marking opponents with the ball (or pass the ball away immediately) to avoid obstructing an opponent’s path to the ball. (the making of a lead run towards the ball will generally be found to be simpler and easier than only starting to move from the reach of a tackler’s stick after the ball has been received in a stationary position)
Deletion recommended. This statement on its own is now redundant.
A stationary player receiving the ball is permitted to face in any direction.
A player who runs in front of or blocks off an opponent to stop them legitimately playing or attempting to play the ball is obstructing.
(This may also be third party or shadow obstruction).
This also applies, when a penalty corner is being taken, if an attacker runs across or blocks defenders (including the goalkeeper), to prevent them making a tackle attempt or an interception attempt, when they would otherwise (but for the obstruction) have probably been able to do so.
It is possible for a player in possession of the ball to obstruct an opponent who is attempting to make a tackle whether or not:-
– the ball holder’s stick is in contact with the ball.
– the ball is moving.
– the ball is stationary
– the ball-holder is moving.
– the ball holder is stationary.
A player in possession of the ball cannot obstruct an opponent by interposing his body between that opponent and the ball if that opponent has not got at least one of his feet nearer to his own goal than the ball is or he/she is level with the ball.
Once a player in possession of the ball has gone past an opponent with the ball that opponent is behind the play and cannot claim bodily obstruction.
A player in possession of the ball can however be guilty of stick obstruction or stick interference if once past his opponent he uses his stick or arm or hand or leg to fend off‘ the stick of his opponent to prevent it reaching the ball.
A lengthy suggested Rule, but no longer than it was prior to 2003, with the Rule Interpretation and Advice to Umpires that were at that time attached to it – but placed in separate sections towards the end of the book.
Rules of Hockey 
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