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May be we need to rethink this rule. A solid arms/crossed over the chest isn't going to gain any advantage and might really keep a serious injury from occuring.


The rule is:
"A player shall be penalized for deliberately handling, carrying, striking or propelling the ball with a hand or arm."

If a player is protecting herself without deliberately handling, etc, it is not a foul. If, however, in the judgement of the referee, she is guilty of deliberately handling the ball, it is a foul.

As usual, it comes down to the judgement of the official who is human and can make mistakes. Referees are a very necessary part of the game, but they can make mistakes and those are also a part of the game.

A baseball umpire once said, "There's balls and there's strikes, but they ain't nothin' until I call 'em."