Rules question: Breaking on a centre pass... Can someone please clarify?

Rules question: Breaking on a centre pass... Can someone please clarify?

When going for the centre pass, as a WA I was taught to lose your player behind the transverse line then sprint to the line and as long as I was in the air (over the transverse line) and not grounded in the centre third when the whistle blew, I was not breaking... This used to work brilliantly and gave me a head start on my defender. However now it seems that just being in the air when the whistle is blown is considered breaking from the umpires point of view .......can someone please clarify the ruling on this?? Thanks

Netball CoachCoach
ANSWERS
Lee-annes NetballCoach, Australia

Michelle you are correct in the way you interept the breaking ruling, but unfortunately its all about umpire perspective.  i get called for breaking a lot by doing the same thing, and honestly there isnt much you can do about it.  if you are getting called for it, then you might just have to stop doing it, for it isnt worth losing the ball everytime for it, even if you are correct.  if you want to take it further, have someone tape you doing it and take it to the umpiring conveyer or center management, but at the end of the day, its up to the umpires discretion on how they call it.

Netball CoachCoach

Hi Michelle, I agree with the previous comment that you are correct in what you are doing. As long as no part of your body touches the centre third before the whistle is blown you are OK. If it is the same umpire mis-calling it, by all means go to the Umpiring Convener who may then monitor that umpire. The captain may also approach the umpire at a break to ask her to "clarify" the ruling and explain her call, but do not point out that she is wrong. The other umpire may volunteer input as well and could "assist" in explaining the rule to the other umpire. This is from another umpire's perspective.

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