Rule 8 - The Approach to the Opponent

It is permitted to:

8:1
use arms and hands to block or gain possession of the ball;
use an open hand to play the ball away from the opponent from any direction;
use the body to obstruct an opponent, even when the opponent is not in possession of the ball;
make body contact with an opponent, when facing him and with bent arms, and maintain this contact in order to monitor and follow the opponent.
It is not permitted to:

8:2
a. pull or hit the ball out of the hand of an opponent;
b. block or force away an opponent with arms, hands or legs;
c. restrain, hold, push, run or jump into an opponent;
d. otherwise impede, obstruct or endanger an opponent (with or without the ball) in contravention of the rules.

Note:

The infractions of the rules listed in Rule 8:2a-d concern defending and attacking players equally.

It is deemed to be an offensive foul particularly when an attacking player runs or jumps into a defender. For this rule to apply, at the time body contact is made the defender must already be in front of the attacking player and have a correct defensive stance without moving forward.

8:3
Infractions of the rules regarding the approach to the opponent (8:2a-d) lead to a free-throw (13:1g) or 7-meter-throw (14:1a) for the opponents.

8:4
Infractions of the rules regarding the approach to the opponent, where the action is mainly or exclusively directed at the opponent and not at the ball, are to be punished progressively (17:1b, 17:3b). Progressive punishment also applies in the case of unsportsmanlike conduct (17:1d).

8:5
A player who endangers the opponent's health when attacking him, shall be disqualified (17:5b), particularly if he:

from the side or from behind, either strikes or pulls back the throwing arm of a player who is in the process of throwing or passing the ball;
takes any action resulting in the opponent being struck on the head or neck;
strikes the body of an opponent with his foot or knee or in any other way;
pushes an opponent who is running or jumping, or attacks him in such a way that the opponent loses control of his body.

8:6
Seriously unsportsmanlike conduct (17:5d) shall be punished with disqualification.

8:7
A player who is guilty of assault during the playing time shall be excluded (17:7-9).

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