Re(5): What is this? Interference? Bad Form? A New Trick to use? Posted on October 17, 2025 at 06:45:10 AM by jatna77
I rewatched it five times in slow motion and twice in real time. Respectfully, I disagree with your assessment.
Cabrera was standing behind the 9 line with Julen just behind the 11, so he was not far in front.
Urrutia releases the ball at 1.41.18. It hits the wall at 1.41.19. Very shortly after that, still in 1.41.19, Cabrera starts to move laterally. The camera switches angles just as Cabrera crosses into Julen's field of vision, still in 1.41.19. Milliseconds later, still in 1.41.19, the ball is past Cabrera and hitting the side wall and Cabrera is still in front of Julen and slightly closer to the side wall than past the middle of Julen.
So, Carbrera was blocking Julen's vision as the ball was approaching the side wall, making it much harder to perceive how the ball was going to come off the wall. Thus Julen gave up, as this was the second time Cabrera did this maneuver.
I understand that this is not technically illegal and thus the Ref made the right call. I also understand that the Ref's say is final. But surely, this maneuver is at the very least, highly distracting to the receiver, even if his vision is only blocked momentarily. To have a blur enter your field of vision and momentarily block your view of the ball as it approaches the side wall or even just at all, is a clear disadvantage as well as dangerous for both players.
You and I are in agreement that "you can't have players cutting in front of other players as they try to make a catch." Yet it is legal to do so. So, I would like to know: if it is not illegal, what is stopping players from doing it normally or even occasionally when the game is on the line? Is it simply proper etiquette, tradition and good sportsmanship that stops players from using it as a trick?
Could a player stand directly in front of and 4.5 feet ahead of the serve receiver if they wanted to? Could they do jumping jacks to distract the receiver? Because moving as a blur into the receiver's field of vision- just as the ball is approaching the side wall -is in the same category of distractive action. Replies:
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