On defense, the players work to make sure the ball does not go into the goal. In order to pressure the offensive players, the defensive players work to knock the ball away from the offense, block any shots at the goal, and foul defensive players positioned close to the goal.
The defense works to knock or steal the ball from the offense or to commit a foul in order to stop an offensive player from taking a shot at the goal. If an offensive player, such as the Hole Set (better known as Center Forward), has possession of the ball in front of the goal, the defensive player works to keep the Center from shooting or passing, if the defender cannot, the defender commits a foul. The hole man must then pass the ball off to another player rather than taking a shot at the goal.
Minor fouls occurs when a player impedes or otherwise prevents the free movement of an opponent who is not holding the ball, including swimming on the opponent’s shoulders, back or legs. The most common is when a player reachs over the shoulder of an opponent and knocks the ball away. However, the player cannot legally reach over the opponent until the opponent has taken possession of the ball. Once a player has committed the foul, the opponent has three seconds to make a free pass to another offensive player. If the foul has been committed outside the 7-meter line, the offender may also attempt a direct shot on goal.
Major fouls are committed when the defensive player pulls the offensive player away from the ball before the offensive player has had a chance to take possession of the ball or illegally take away advantage from the offensive player. This includes dunking (sinking in FINA rules), pulling back, or otherwise preventing the offensive player from preserving his advantage.
A referee signals a major foul by two short whistle bursts and indicates that the player must leave the field of play and move to the penalty area for twenty seconds.
The player must move to the penalty area without impacting the natural game play. If the player does not leave the field of play, the player will be kicked out for the remaining time of the game with substitution.
A penalty shot is awarded when a major foul is committed inside the 4-meter line, when the offender has an opportunity to score. This usually means that the offender is in front of and facing the goal. The penalty is shot from 4 meters. Any defenders flanking the executing offender must be no closer than 2 meters away. The goalkeeper must be on the goal line.
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