The rule is simple: was it a deliberate movement of the hand towards the ball? But we all know "deliberate" is the grey area. We're trained to judge if the hand's position is a consequence of the body's movement for that specific action, or if it's made the body unnaturally bigger. Honestly, half the time it's about the vibe of the play—was it instinct or intention? I know this because I've been yelled at from both touchlines in a Gangtok derby, trying to explain that a player falling with an arm out for balance isn't the same as a defender making a block.
#umpires#referees
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