INSTRUCTIONS FOR REFEREES
Before the game, the referees shall ensure that the field of play and equipment comply with the rules. They shall also satisfy themselves regarding the signals made by any electronic equipment.
WP5. CAPS
Referees should not tolerate the situation of the players of one team repeatedly losing their caps or having untied caps. When a cap is lost or untied, the referee shall call for the ball at the first appropriate stoppage.
WP6. TEAMS
a.The coach shall be allowed to stand and to move around his team's bench and when his team is on attack, to advance to his team's 4-metre mark. When his team is defending, he should return to the bench.
b.If the coach makes any remarks to the referee, he shall be instructed by the referee to remain at the bench for the remainder of the game. Any further misbehaviour by the coach shall be dealt with as appropriate by the referees or delegate.
c.The coach may freely advance along the pool side when making substitutions after a goal has been scored.
d.Players excluded for the remainder of the game under WP 22.8 (Misconduct), WP 22.9 (Brutality) or WP 22.10 (Disobedience or Disrespect) shall remain at the bench with cap.
e.In addition to the captain's responsibilities, the coaches shall also be responsible for the good conduct and discipline of their teams and all persons on the bench. Smoking shall not be permitted.
WP7. SUBSTITUTES
WP7.2 At any time during the game a player may be substituted by leaving the field at the re-entry area nearest to his own goal line. The substitute may enter the field of play from the re-entry area as soon as the departing player has visibly risen to the surface of the water within the re-entry area.
A player cannot be substituted after the calling (awarding) of a penalty throw unless in accordance with WP 25.2 or when a time-out is requested.
In case of goal-keeper is substituted, the substitute must invariably enter the field of play wearing the red cap (it is up to the team to provide another cap or whether the player changes caps before entering the field of play - but play should go on). The coach is to indicate to the official table the number of cap of the substitute player.
After a goal is scored, the referee should not restart play until he is satisfied that all substitutions have been completed.
In the case of substitutions during play, the referees should take care not to miss fouls and other incidents while observing that the substitution is made correctly. The secretary is also responsible to ensure that substitutions during play are made correctly.
WP9. REFEREES
a.The referees must use the illustrations as provided in the Rule Book - Appendix B.
b.It is not necessary to award a free throw to an attacking player other than the player with the ball, so long as his team is in possession of the ball. However, a free throw shall be awarded if the player with the ball loses possession as a result of a foul or if there is real advantage for his team.
c.The referee shall conduct the game in such a way as to assist the teams to develop the play in accordance with the spirit of the rules.
WP10. GOAL JUDGES
The referees shall be responsible for the award of goals, goal throws and corner throws irrespective of signals of the goal judges.
WP13. DURATION OF THE GAME
13.4 TIME OUT
Each team shall be entitled to two timeouts in any game, including extra time. A timeout may be requested at any time by the coach of the team in possession of the ball calling "TIMEOUT" and signaling with the hands forming a T-Shape. When a timeout is requested, the referees and the secretary shall stop the game by whistle. The defensive referee should be particularly alert to the possibility of a timeout being called.
N.B. As in almost all cases whenever the TIMEOUT is called, play is developing on the other side of the field of play, when the referees, delegate and persons on the official table are looking on the side of play and not in the direction where the coach of the attacking team is sitting, it is recommended that on the official table one person should take care of the TIMEOUTS and paying attention ONLY to the bench of the attacking team to see whenever the coach call for a TIMEOUT.
At a TIMEOUT, the defensive referee should take the ball. Other balls may not be used by the players during a TIMEOUT.
RESTARTING AFTER CALLING OF A TIMEOUT
The defensive referee with the ball takes position at mid-field of play. The timekeeper should make a "WARNING" signal by whistle 10 second before the end of the timeout period and should give the signal by whistle at the end of the timeout. The TIMEOUT must be the full 60 seconds.
Immediately the defensive referee will throw the ball at the centre of the half distance line of the field of play and whistle for restart of the game and the team in possession of the ball putting the ball into play at the half distance line. (All players may take any position in the field of play which they deem to be most advantageous.)
NOTE (1) If timeout is requested by the coach of the team in possession of the ball, play shall be restarted on the whistle of the referee and the team in possession of the ball putting the ball into play at the half distance line. (All players may take any position in the field of play which they deem to be most advantageous.)
NOTE (2) If timeout is requested b the coach of the team in possession of the ball after the calling (awarding) of a penalty throw or corner throw play shall be restarted by the team in possession of the ball by taking the penalty throw or corner throw (All players may take any position in the field of play which they deem to be most advantageous but in accordance to the rules pertaining to the taking of penalty throw or corner throw).
NOTE (3) If timeout is requested after the scoring of a goal the referee shall restart play in accordance with WP 16 and then immediately stop play for the requested timeout.
A goal cannot be scored directly from the free throw by which the game is restarted after a timeout. "See comments on WP 15.3"
CALLING OF ILLEGAL TIME-OUT
NOTE (1) If a third or additional timeout is requested by the coach of the team in possession of the ball, play shall be restarted on the whistle of the referee and the defending or team not in possession of the ball putting into play at the half distance line. (All players may take any position in the field of play which they deem to be most advantageous.)
NOTE (2) If timeout is requested by the coach of the team not in possession of the ball a penalty throw shall be awarded to the opposing team and play shall restart by the team now in possession of the ball by taking the penalty throw.
THE START OF PLAY
At the start of the game and at the restart of each period the referees shall take up a position opposite one another on the half distance line. The starting referee shall wait with his arm raised in vertical position for the signal of his colleague that both teams are correctly positioned on the goal line. This signal shall be made by raising both hands when both teams are positioned correctly, above the head. The starting referee shall then signal immediately for the start by blowing his whistle and lowering his arm to a horizontal position.
This procedure should reduce the possibility of a false start.
FALSE START
Although this should hopefully should never happen, if correct signalisation by both referees are done in time, if it happens, play should restart from half distance line.
WP15. METHOD OF SCORING
WP15.3 A goal may be scored by any part of the body except the clenched fist. At the start or any restart of the game, at least two players (of either team but excluding the defending goalkeeper) must play or intentionally touch the ball except at the taking of:
Scoring a goal in accordance with WP 15.3(d). The defensive referee can assist by taking a position near the 7 metre line whenever possible to confirm whether the shot was taken inside or outside the 7 metre area. The shot must be immediate. Referees may find it helpful to use the same criteria as for the taking of a penalty throw.
A goal may be scored by a player shooting from outside 7 metres after his team has been awarded a free throw for foul committed outside 7 metres. This is to apply also to the situation should the ball be closer to the defending teamÆs goal. In this situation the ball must without delay be returned to the point at which the foul occurred whereupon the player must immediately shoot.
NOT SCORING A GOAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH WP 15.3 (d)
The player may not score after the following circumstance:
However if a player taking the free throw inside the 7 metre line passes the ball to a player on his team and the ball is diverted by a defending player into the goal or outside the field of play, then the resulting goal, corner throw or free throw is to stand.
RESTARTING AFTER A GOAL
After a goal is scored, both referees take up a position on the half-distance line. When both referees are satisfied that any substitutions have been completed, the referee who is to control the attacking play shall raise his hand and advance along the pool side to his right, and the other referee shall restart the play. The referee shall ensure that the correct number of players are in the water before restarting play.
WP18 CORNER THROWS
At the taking of a corner throw on the side opposite to the attacking referee, the defensive referee shall ensure that the throw is taken from the correct position by going to the 2 metre line, pointing with his right arm to where the ball has to be put into play and with his left arm the direction.
WP19 NEUTRAL THROWS
If referees award free throws simultaneously, for ordinary fouls for opposing teams, the award shall be a neutral throw. (A referee should only change his decision under these circumstance if he realizes he made a mistake.)
At a neutral throw a referee shall throw the ball into the air at approximately the same lateral position where the event occurred (WP19.2). Referees are reminded that should the players touch the ball before it reaches the water, there is no foul and play should continue.
WP20 FREE THROWS
A free throw shall be taken without undue delay.
Referees are reminded that it is an offence if a player who is clearly in position most readily to take a free throw does not do so. Provided the throw is taken without undue delay, it is not necessary for the throw to be taken by the nearest player.
WP21 ORDINARY FOUL
During the last years, you could notice players who, in order to get easily a free throw by the referee, are pushing their own bodies and/or are ducking their heads under water. This behaviour should not be encouraged by the referee awarding easily an ordinary foul. Award of a free throw must the result of a "real" ordinary foul. Sometimes, it even happens that the player in possession of the ball does not only duck his head under water, but moves his head from under water into the body of his opponent. This is, clearly, a foul committed by the player in possession of the ball.
The referee is not the centre of interest of the game, the real protagonist is the player. His creativity and his ideas form the attractiveness of the game. The good referee tries to make sure that there is always room for his creativity as much as the spirit of the rules permit.
A referee should not try to draw attention to himself by exaggerated gestures or impressive attitude. He should try to referee a game without the abuse of his whistle. This means that his decision should be as clear as it is understandable.
But this means also that he should whistle as little as possible. Often, you can see a situation when a player is still able to pass the ball despite being fouled. A whistle in this case could even be a disadvantage for the attacking team. Often, you can see players who do not want to play the ball without a comfortable free throw. DonÆt award the player for this kind of behaviour.
Apply the advantage rule (WP9.3) to the fullest extent. In most cases referees should only award ordinary fouls to the attacking player having possession of the ball. Otherwise, he could disturb the ideas of the attacking team which then has to rebuild the attack.
Especially on a pass to the centre forward, some referees award an ordinary foul too quickly disturbing the ideas of the attacking players and preventing a possible shooting situation.
It is not in the spirit of the game, if where a team losing possession of the ball through a bad pass, that the team is then rewarded by the awarding a free throw for another foul somewhere else.
Referees are reminded that "impeding" includes an attacking player who is in possession of the ball making backwards movements towards a defender. By observing the position of the attacking player's head, the referee may be able to determine whether the player is pushing backwards or is being pulled back by the defending player.
Referees should not penalize an attacking player who momentarily enters the 2 metre area without interfering with the play.
To send the ball out the field of play (lateral side) is an ordinary foul and therefore, if no change of possession of the ball has taken place the possession time should continue. The possession time should be reset only when a team in possession of the ball has thrown out the ball out of the field of play. (WP21.17) Possession time (35 secs) should be reset whenever:
Most often, the point of complaint and criticism of the referees' decision by the coach, players and the fans is the lack of consistency by the referee.
The referee who has the right attitude in mind and behaviour will try to find his level and maintain it throughout the game.
It is most important that you apply the rules appropriately and be consistent from the beginning to the end of game.
CONSISTENCY IN THE PENALTY AREA
Even though the knowledge of the rules concerning ordinary fouls, exclusion fouls or penalties seem to be very good for most referees, the decisions in this area cause much controversy. In this area there are several criteria to be used to arrive at the correct decision. It is not easy to be consistent to what kind of foul results, in penalty, exclusion or ordinary foul situation.
In the case of splashing, it is the position of the attacking player which determines whether a penalty throw of exclusion is awarded. If the attacking player is inside the 4 metre area and a probable goal is prevented by a defending player splashing, it is a penalty irrespective of whether the defending player is inside or outside the 4 metre line. In all other cases, the correct decision is exclusion.
Exclusion fouls apply equally to defending and attacking players throughout the entire field of play. Referees must pay particular attention to the offences of holding, sinking and pulling back.
When the ball is in flight and directed towards an attacking player, sinking committed by the defending player must be punished by exclusion. If the attacking player loses the ball or loses the opportunity to receive the ball, because of an ordinary foul by the defending player, the referee shall award a free throw.
Contact between opposing players is permitted. The referees should allow opposing players to struggle for position and should only intervene to penalize a foul committed by a player of the team in possession of the ball, or to award an exclusion foul or in certain circumstances for an ordinary foul.
Referees are reminded that if an excluded player does not commence leaving the field of play almost immediately, the referee has the power to award a penalty throw for interference.
Any form of disrespect towards the referee by a player, whether by word or action, should be punished by exclusion with substitution. The referee should carefully consider the level for this exclusion foul because it is a definitive decision. He should not be too narrow-minded to interpret every critical look, word or gesture of a player as disrespect, but any personal insult should be dealt with by this rule.
A good referee is SENSIBLE but not SENSITIVE.
WP 21.1B TAKING OF A FREE THROW
A free throw is to be taken:
The probably goal.
WP23.2 says very clearly "ANY FOUL COMMITTED" and this includes also fouls, which in other cases, are only regarded as ordinary fouls. So, the most important criteria is to decide what is "probable". The application used for many years is (with for one exception) that the attacking player must be in a position or must make movements towards the goal, either in possession of (but not holding) the ball or awaiting a pass so he can shoot.
It is sometimes critical to decide for in very short moment whether the attacking player releases the ball and the defending player releases the attacking player more or less at the same moment.
It is the referee who has to decide if it is a lazy attacking player or a good actor who wants the penalty as a gift or if it is an attacking player who wants to score and is still hindered from doing so by any foul.
This situation may occur either after a fight between the centre forward and his defending player or by a player swimming in. But the application is clear, in a side position (not swimming towards the goal) or a position with the back to the goal, the referee can imply a probable goal and award a penalty only when the goalkeeper is completely out of his goal (this is the above mentioned exception).
Position or swimming towards the goal implies that it is absolutely forbidden to award a free throw for the attacking player. The principle should also be applied in a side position when he is in a good position to score. As this is a dangerous position for the defending player, the attacking player very often is held by the defending player, which means exclusion foul, while a defending player usually tries to commit only ordinary fouls when attacking player has his back to the goal.
A penalty throw must always be awarded when a foul committed by a defending player inside the 4 metre area prevents a probable goal, and in the other situations described in WP23.2 to WP23.8.
However, the referees should not award a penalty throw:
In this situation it is important to consider whether the attacking player could have reached the pass if the foul was not committed. Do not award a penalty throw on a bad pass.
KICK, STRIKE, BRUTALITY
All referees should remark that to kick, strike or commit an act of brutality is ALWAYS a penalty, no matter where it occurs within the 4 metre area.
BRUTALITY
In the rules there are got three similar but different types of exclusions (WP22.7; WP22.8 and WP22.9) with three different sanctions for kicking, striking, violent foul play and brutality.
As in the rules WP22.7 and WP22.9 the criterion "intention" is mentioned, the difference between these fouls must be the degree or gravity of fouling. On the other hand the criterion to distinguish between violence and brutality must be the "intention" to cause an injury.
WP26. ACCIDENT, INJURY and ILLNESS
The attention of referees is drawn to the special provision when a player is bleeding. The referee should stop play to allow the player leave the water. A substitute shall be permitted to enter immediately. When the player has been treated and bleeding has stopped, he may return under the normal substitution rules.
APPENDIX A - INSTRUCTION FOR THE USE OF TWO REFEREES
COLLABORATION
A referee who has in mind: Help your colleague and YOU help yourself, follows the right principle. Both referees are helping each other to recognize and indicate goal or corner throw.
Of course, the referee in the back part of the field does not whistle goal or corner throw but may indicate them especially in the case of uncertainty of his colleague.
There is not strict division of the field of play. Generally, the principle should be applied, but whenever the colleague cannot fully control the situation, because players are obstructing his view, the other referee should declare fouls and penalties. He may not refer to the fact that these fouls have been committed in the part of his colleague. This principle applies especially for major fouls. On the other hand, a referee shall not award anything into his colleague's part if it is clear that the colleague is controlling the situation and allowing the advantage to the attacking team.
The key-word for all kinds of situations is communication, and communication in this case does not mean to speak to each other.
Both referees are responsible for the behaviour of the players and officials on the bench. They may assist each other with the observation of the bench and intervene to assist their colleague.
The referees shall pay particular attention to the teams while they are changing ends.
Referees should make sure that it is obvious for everybody in the pool that they are going to officiate the game as a couple, which means, to fulfill both and together the duties before the game, to speak to each other how to apply the guidelines for two referee system, to assure both and together the responsibility for the decisions and to help each other as much as possible.
Referees should meet at least 30 minutes before the start of the game.
For technical errors both the referees are responsible. It is not important which referee has committed the error because the other referee has the chance to correct it if necessary.
If either referee displays the wrong signal, he shall stop the play, call for the ball display the correct signal and allow the players to take their positions before resuming the play. In the event that both referees simultaneously award free throws but for opposing teams, one referee should not change his opinion or reverse his decision merely to avoid disagreement between the referees.
The referees shall apply the relevant Rules which deal with simultaneous fouls.
After the game, the referees should leave the pool-side together as a team.
APPENDIX B. SIGNALISATION
In order to communicate better with players and official table, the referees are to signal the number of the caps with both hands. In signaling a player's cap number from 11 to 13 a referee must show a clenched fist with one hand and the rest of the number with the fingers of the other hand. (This will enable also the public to follow better the situation.)
If an incorrect signal by the referee has resulted in a change of possession the referee should stop play and call for the ball. They should wait until the players have understood the new situation, taken their positions so that there is no disadvantage to any team.
MISTAKES OF JUDGEMENT
Finally, we have to state that, as this is the nature of human being, every referee is liable to commit mistakes. Most players and most coaches at the international level accept this fact as well, though they like to criticize the referees decisions.
But it is much more important that the referee, too, recognize and accept that fact.
If a referee has the impression or feeling of having made a mistake, he should never start thinking about it. Otherwise he may commit another mistake.