Netballers outfox rivals with novel block

The line between innovation and bending the rules is often blurred in sport.

And so it proved during a recent amateur netball game in Melbourne after two players employed a novel tactic to block a rival's shot on goal.

Playing in the Peninsula Football Netball League, Sommerville Seagulls player Becky Dixon was lining up a shot when Frankston Bombers rival Maddy Zach dropped onto all fours to allow teammate Jen Simmons to climb onto her back and swat the ball away.

Footage of the bizarre block has gone viral on Facebook with over 400,000 views and prompted scores of players to mimic the move.

But the ploy has divided netball fans with many hailing it and others suggesting it is against the spirit of the game.

Frankston player Tahlia Hartskeerl admitted the move was controversial, but within the rules. "The young umpire caught a bit of flack about (allowing) it," Hartskeerl told 774 ABC Melbourne radio.

"(But) all the umpires, the senior ones, said 'it was all okay'."

Hartskeerl said the Bombers, who were at the bottom of the ladder, simply decided to have "a bit of fun".

The girls even tried the move earlier in the match with a comical result.

"The girls both fell over, so it didn't quite work," Ms Hartskeerl said.

"The shooter did miss, though, because she was too busy having a cackle to herself."