The reach over can create great plays when used correctly. I use this front reach method to stop offensive plays. I would say make your play and release yourself from the opponent. Be graceful and it will work fine. Play the ball!
The Reach Over...
We've had the reach around discussion... what about the front reach over? Righty on righty or lefty on lefty... riding parallel to each other... the defender reaches over the front of the ball handler (usually by extending his/her arm at shoulder level across the face or neck of the handler) and kind of comes over the top and tries to bump mallets to disrupt handling.
What's an acceptable way of dealing with this that doesn't violate Rule #1?
I'm inclined to just elbow in the ribs (while keeping the hand on the handlebar of course) or shoulder lift you off of me. I've been called a dick for it, though. My thinking is that if half your body is in front of me, and the back of your upper arm is basically in my mouth then it's kind of fair game.
Opinions or set rules you guys play by about that?
what the fuck is rule #1 ?
It's clean so long as your arm doesn't hit their handlebars or chest/face/neck, but it is risky and can produce mallet heads under wheels = eating shit.
Body to body contact is legal. We like physical play, if you elbowed or shouldered someone here no one would argue you did any wrong. Some people might laugh, but no one would call you a dick.
Body to body contact is legal.
Only to an extent. Most players agree that extended arm pushes are not acceptable. Just like how bike to bike contact is legal, so long as you aren't T-boning.
I hardly think elbowing someone who is reaching over you is an extended arm push. I am replying in context. And in this context the elbow-er is protected by this rule.
Just dont be a .....
Ha - fun to imagine an adaptation of the straight-arm as a counter for this. Too bad we've only got two arms. I think the (accelerating) shoulder lift is a good response. And brake and ditch'em is good too.
Something that bugs are defensive (or noob) moves where the defender has a big chance of making a mess, and jack shit of a chance of doing anything with the result. So pull this reach over move too many times without doing anything with it, and we'll have words.
Quick question though, Daniel: Doesn't this usually happen when the defender is a half a wheel length ahead of the handler? Ergo, handler must handle?
Devin
This exact situation happened last night at pick up. Myself (with the ball) sprinting down court with a defender on my left (both righties). Pretty much bar to bar, he has his arm and mallet across my chest attempting to lift/stop my shot on goal.
Totally caught me off guard because it seemed like a really easy opportunity for us both to eat it.
So I cut harder right for a second and got my shot off.
In the net, and we both rode away upright, so no harm no foul, and had he been successful in blocking my shot it would have been one hell of a defensive move IMO.
Clean, but risky.
As for elbowing him in the ribs, i'd say you'd be the only one breaking the rules there. It would seem as though his play would be an attempt at a clean/though risky defensive move and yours is an excuse for not grabbing brake and getting out of the situation. 'What-if's' don't justify breaking rule #1 yourself.
that's a different situation if you're both right handed; what daniel was talking about is way more dangerous.
sorry, i should have clarified, i was aiming my response at the OP, "Righty on righty or lefty on lefty... riding parallel to each other... the defender reaches over the front of the ball handler (usually by extending his/her arm at shoulder level across the face or neck of the handler) and kind of comes over the top and tries to bump mallets to disrupt handling."
sorry, I misread the OP. I don't have problems with other lefties doing this to me (it doesn't happen), but it sounds unpleasant.
Maybe you could consider some riser bars. People will still do this to you but at least they will come across your chest. This could have something to do with your style of play. Maybe speed up, slow down, or get rid of the ball before he gets there. Figure out some way to beat this guy before he can reach over. He can't reach over if your ahead of him, if your not ahead --change direction. You'll find a way to counter it, good luck.
Reaching across the front like that just sounds like an invitation for that person's front wheel to get caught up on your pedal (or pedals striking if someone's playing fixed) or an eventual mallet head across the face when they pull away or crash 'n burn. I would avoid reaching like that myself, and I'd probably deal with it by braking and cutting behind them to get away from that inevitable pile-up.
I would say that you are in the clear for using like contact to try to shed them. They put themselves in that awkward situation and should expect contact when they're over your top tube, as long as you're pushing/leaning and not striking with your elbow.