Team A (C) has the ball in the centre and play is about to begin.
The (WD) of Team B stands right next to the (WA) of Team A, usually on the inside, actually touching in many cases I have seen,
The (WD) for Team B can end up either facing frontwards towards the centre or even facing backwards into the (WA) of Team A
The (WD) of Team B then extends either their left or right leg across in front of the legs of the (WA) for Team A,
they also lean outwards and across the body of the (WA) for Team A
and at the same time they fully extend their right or left arm across the body of the (WA) of Team A often beyond their body on the left hand side.

On the other side of the court the (C) and (GD) of Team B are performing a double version of the above with one player on either side of the (GA) for Team A.

This has got to be Intimidation and if not it is clearly Obstruction?

I have questioned NSW Netball about this and also the Umpires at HDNA and they all seem to agree that is in fact Intimidation or Obstruction but then they all go on to state that it is all very difficult, situational, and something younger Umpires do not pick up on.

On the situational front where I have actually stood at an HDNA match and showed an HDNA Umpire Supervisor an actual example in play of what I was questioning, they still “ummed and arred” about the issue but then finally went over and spoke to the offending team coach and instructed them to stop their players from doing this.

The reverse case is also true where Team B has the ball but still obstructs the Team A defending players.

Team B (C) has the ball in the centre.

The Team B (GA) now stands right next to the Team A (GD), usually on the inside, extends her right or left leg across the legs of the Team A (GD), then leans outwards across the body of the Team A (GD) and then fully extends their right or left arm further across the body of the Team A (GD) and beyond.

Meanwhile the Team B (WA) is performing a similar routine with the Team A (WD).

This must also be Intimidation and or Obstruction.

The clear objective of the centre court players of Team B is to Obstruct the players of Team A from having a clear run to the ball, either in attack or in defence, at the start of play.

Netball is a fast, skilful team game based on running, jumping, throwing and catching. Teams may include up to 12 players but only 7 may take the court at any one time.Each player has a playing position determined by the areas on the court where they may move. The playing positions are shown by identification letters worn above the waist positioned on both the front and the back of the player. Those positions are GS, GA, WA, C, WD, GD and GK - we have prepared a table giving more details on each of the positions.

The major aim of the game is to score as many goals as is possible from within an area called the Goal Circle, which is a semi-circle centred on the goal line and measuring 4.9 metres in radius. Only two players from each team may score goals, these being the Goal Attack and Goal Shooter.

Officials
The omnipotent Match Officials are the two umpires, two scorers and two timekeepers.

Equipment
The Ball is made of rubber, leather or similar material, weighs 400 - 450g, and measures 690 - 710mm in circumference.

The Court is 30.5 metres long and 15.25 metres wide; it is divided into thirds. The Center circle has a diameter of 0.9 metres and the two goal circles are both semi-circles measuring 4.9 metres in radius.

All lines are part of the court (i.e. a bounce on the line is “in”) and measure 50mm in width.

The Goal Posts are placed mid point of each goal line and measure 3.05 metres (10 feet) in height. The goal rings have an internal diameter of 380mm (15 inches). The goal ring projects horizontally from the post on a single attachment measuring 150mm (6 inches) in length.

Playing Time
A game consists of 4 x 15 minute quarters with an interval of 3 minutes between the first and second, and the third and fourth quarters and a 5 minute half time interval. Up to 2 minutes of additional time are allowed for each injury.

The Rules of Play
The Rules may be placed into two generic groups, those which infringe only a rule of play and are called minor rules. Those which infringe the rights of an opponent are called major rules.

The minor rules, such as “stepping”, “breaking”, “over a third”, “held ball” and “offside” are all penalised with a free pass to the opposing team. The major rules, consistign mainly of intimidation, contact, obstruction and discipline are all penalised with a penalty pass or penalty pass or shot to the opposing team. On infringing a major rule, the guilty offender must stand out of play until the ball has left the thrower’s hands.