WP 1 Field of Play and Equipment
WP 1.1 The promoting organization
shall be responsible for the correct measurements and markings of the field
of play and
shall provide all stipulated
fixtures and equipment.
WP 1.2 The layout and markings
of the field of play for a game officiated by two referees shall be in
accordance with the
following diagram.
WP 1.3 In a game officiated
by one referee, the referee shall officiate on the same side as the official
table, and the goal judges
shall be situated on the
opposite side.
WP 1.4 The distance between
the goal lines shall be not less than 20 meters and not more than 30 meters.
The width of the field
of play shall be not less
than 10 meters and not more than 20 meters. For matches played by women,
the maximum dimensions
of the field of play shall
be 25 meters in length and 17 meters in width. The boundary of the field
of play at each end shall be
0.30 meters behind the goal
line.
WP 1.5 For FINA events the
dimensions of the field of play, water temperature, and light intensity
shall be as set forth in FR
7.2, FR 7.3, FR 7.4, and
FR 8.3.
WP 1.6 Distinctive marks shall be provided on both sides of the field of play to denote the following:
white
marks goal line/half distance line
red marks 2 meters (2M) from goal lines
yellow marks 4 meters (4M) from goal lines
green marks 7 meters (7M) from goal lines
WP 1.7 A red mark shall be
placed at each end of the field of play, 2 meters (2M) from the corner
of the field of play on the
side opposite to the official
table, to denote the re-entry area.
WP 1.8 Sufficient space shall
be provided to enable the referees to have free movement from end to end
of the field of play.
Space shall also be provided
at the goal lines for the goal judges.
WP 2 Goals
WP 2.1 Two goal posts and
a crossbar, rigidly constructed, rectangular with a dimension of 0.075
meters facing the field of
play and painted white shall
be located on the goal lines at each end, equal distances from the sides
and not less than 0.30
meters in front of the ends
of the field of play.
WP 2.2 The inner sides of
the goal posts shall be 3 meters apart. When the water is 1.50 meters or
more in depth, the
underside of the crossbar
shall be 0.90 meters from the water surface. When the water is less than
1.50 meters in depth, the
underside of the crossbar
shall be 2.40 from the floor of the pool.
WP 2.3 Limp nets shall be
securely fastened to the goal posts and crossbar to enclose the entire
goal area and shall be attached
to the goal fixtures in such
a manner as to allow not less than 0.30 meters clear space behind the goal
line everywhere within the
goal area.
WP 3 The Ball
WP 3.1 The balls shall be
round and shall have an air chamber with a self closing valve. It shall
be waterproof, without external
strapping or any covering
of grease or similar substance.
WP 3.2 The weight of the ball shall be not less than 400 grams and not more than 450 grams.
WP 3.3 For matches played
by men, the circumference of the ball shall be not less than 0.68 meters
and not more than 0.71
meters, and its pressure
shall be 90-97 kPa (kilo Pascals) (13-14 pounds per square inch atmospheric).
WP 3.4 For matches played
by women, the circumference of the ball shall be not less than 0.65 meters
and not more than 0.67
meters, and its pressure
shall be 83-90 kPa (kilo Pascals) (12-13 pounds per square inch atmospheric).
WP 4 Flags
WP 4.1 Flags, each to be 0.35 meters x 0.20 meters, shall be provided:
(a) To goal judges, separate red and white flags; and
(b) To the secretary, separate red, white and blue flags.
WP 5 Caps
WP 5.1 One team shall wear
white caps and the other team shall wear caps of a contrasting color, other
than solid red, as
approved by the referees,
but also to contrast with the color of the ball. The other team may be
required by the referees to wear
blue caps. The goalkeepers
shall wear red caps. Caps shall be fastened under the chin. If a player
loses his cap during play, he
shall replace it at the next
appropriate stoppage of the game. Caps shall be worn throughout the entire
game.
WP 5.2 For Olympic Games,
World Championships, other FINA, and USWP events, caps shall be fitted
with malleable ear
protectors. It is recommended
that caps fitted with ear protectors be used for all other competitions.
The ear protectors of a
team shall be the same color
provided that the goalkeeper may have red protectors.
WP 5.3 Caps shall be numbered
on both sides with numbers 0.10 meters in height. The goalkeeper shall
wear cap no. 1 and
the other caps shall be numbered
2 to 13. A substitute goalkeeper shall wear the goalkeeper's cap. A player
shall not be
allowed to change his cap
number during the game except with the permission of a referee and with
notification to the secretary.
WP 5.4 For international matches,
the caps shall display on the front the international three letter country
code and may display
the international flag. The
country code shall not be less than 0.06 meters in height.
WP 6 Teams
WP 6.1 Each team shall consist
of seven players, one of whom shall be the goalkeeper and who shall wear
the goalkeeper's
cap, and no more than six
reserves, who may be used as substitutes. A team with less than 7 players
shall not be required to
have a goalkeeper.
WP 6.2 All players not in
the game at the time, together with the coaches and officials, shall sit
on the team bench and shall not
move away from the bench
from the commencement of play, except during the intervals between periods.
Teams shall change
ends and benches at half
time and at the end of the first period of any extra time. The team benches
shall both be situated on the
side opposite to the official
table.
WP 6.3 The captains shall
be playing members of their respective teams and each shall be responsible
for the good conduct and
discipline of his team.
WP 6.4 Players shall wear
non-transparent costumes or costumes with a separate undergarment and before
taking part in a
game shall remove any articles
likely to cause injury.
WP 6.5 Players shall not have
grease, oil or any similar substance on the body. If a referee ascertains
before the start of play
that such a substance has
been used, he shall order it to be removed immediately. The start of play
shall not be delayed for the
substance to be removed.
If the offense is detected after the play has started, the offending player
shall be excluded from the
remainder of the game and
a substitute permitted to enter the field of play immediately from the
re-entry area nearest to his own
goal.
WP 6.6 Before the start of
the game and in the presence of the referees, the captains shall toss a
coin, the winner to have the
choice of ends.
WP 7 Substitutes
WP 7.1 Except as otherwise provided by the Rules, a player may only be substituted:
(a) during the intervals between periods of play, including any periods of extra time;
(b) after a goal has been scored;
(c) during a time out.
In the circumstances of WP 7.1, a player may enter the field of play from any place.
WP 7.2 At any time during
the game, a player may be substituted by leaving the field of play at the
re-entry area as soon as the
player has visibly risen
to the surface of the water within the re-entry area.
WP 7.3 A substitute shall
be ready to replace a player without delay by entering from the re-entry
area nearest to his own goal
line when ready. If he is
not ready, the game shall continue without him, and, at any time, he may
enter from the re-entry area
nearest to his own goal line.
WP 7.4 A goalkeeper who has been replaced by a substitute may, if he returns to the game, play in any position.
WP 7.5 Should a goalkeeper
retire from the game through any medical reason, the referees shall allow
an immediate substitute,
subject to one of the players
taking the goalkeeper's cap.
WP 8 Officials
WP 8.1 For FINA and USWP events
the officials shall consist of two referees, two goal judges, timekeepers
and secretaries,
each with the following powers
and duties. Such officials shall also be Provided wherever possible for
other events, except that
in a game refereed by two
referees and no goal judges, the referees shall assume the powers and duties
(but without making the
specified flag signals) allocated
to the goal judges in WP 10.2.
EXCEPTION: EWPL Division III
(17 and under), Division IV (15 and under), and Division V (13 and under)
games
will be officiated by one
referee.
[Note. Depending on the degree of importance, games can be controlled by teams of four to eight officials, as follows:
(a) Referees and goal judges:
Two referees and two goal judges; or two referees and no goal judges; or one referee and two goal judges.
(b) Timekeepers and secretaries:
With one timekeeper and one
secretary: The timekeeper shall record the periods of continuous possession
of the ball by each
team, in accordance with
WP 21.17. The secretary shall record the exact periods of actual play,
time-outs and the intervals
between periods, maintain
the record of the game as set out in WP 12.1 and shall also record the
respective periods of
exclusion of players ordered
from the water in accordance with the Rules.
With two timekeepers and one
secretary: Timekeeper No. 1 shall record the exact periods of actual play,
time-outs and the
intervals between periods.
Timekeeper No. 2 shall record the periods of continuous possession of the
ball by each team, in
accordance with WP 21.17.
The secretary shall maintain the record of the game as set out in WP 12.1.
With two timekeepers and two
secretaries: Timekeeper No. 1 shall record the exact periods of actual
play, time-outs and the
intervals between periods.
Timekeeper No. 2 shall record the periods of continuous possession of the
ball by each team, in
accordance with WP 21.17.
Secretary No. 1 shall maintain the record of the game as set out in WP
12.1(a). Secretary No. 2
shall carry out the duties
set out in WP 12.1(b), (c) & (d) relating to the improper re-entry
of excluded players, improper entry
of substitutes, exclusion
of players and the third personal foul.]
WP 9 Referees
WP 9.1 The referees shall
be in absolute control of the game. Their authority over the players shall
be effective during the whole
time that they and the players
are within the precincts of the pool. All decisions of the referees on
questions of fact shall be final
and their interpretations
of the Rules shall be obeyed throughout the game. The referees shall not
make any presumption as to
the facts of any situation
during the game but shall interpret what they observe to the best of their
ability.
WP 9.2 The referees shall
whistle to start and restart the game and to declare goals, goal throws,
corner throws (whether
signaled by the goal judge
or not), neutral throws, and infringements of the Rules. A referee may
alter his decision provided he
does so before the ball is
put back into play.
WP 9.3 The referees shall
refrain from declaring a foul if, in their opinion, such declaration would
be an advantage to the
offending player's team.
The referees shall not declare an ordinary foul when there is still a possibility
to play the ball.
[Note. The referees shall
apply this principle to the fullest extent. They should not, for example,
declare an ordinary foul in favor
of a player who is in possession
of the ball and making progress towards his opponents' goal, because this
is considered to give
an advantage to the offender's
team.]
WP 9.4 The referees shall
have the power to order any player from the water in accordance with the
appropriate Rule and to
abandon the game should a
player refuse to leave the water when so ordered.
WP 9.5 The referees shall
have the power to order the removal from the precincts of the pool of any
player, substitute,
spectator, or official whose
behavior prevents the referees from carrying out their duties in a proper
and impartial manner.
WP 9.6 The referees shall
have the power to abandon the game at any time if, in their opinion, the
behavior of the players or
spectators, or other circumstances
prevent it from being brought to a proper conclusion. If the game has to
be abandoned the
referees shall report their
actions to the competent authority.
WP 10 Goal Judges
WP 10.1 The goal judges shall
be situated on the same side as the official table, each on the goal line
at the end of the field of
play.
WP 10.2 The duties of the goal judges shall be:
(a) to signal with the red flag when the players are correctly positioned on their respective goal lines at the start of a period;
(b) to signal with the white flag for an improper start or restart;
(c) to signal with the white flag for a goal throw;
(d) to signal with the red flag for a corner throw;
(e) to signal with both flags for a goal;
(f) to signal with the red flag for an improper re-entry of an excluded player or improper entry of a substitute.
WP 10.3 Each goal judge shall
be provided with a supply of balls and when the original ball has gone
outside the field of play,
he shall immediately throw
a new ball to the goalkeeper (for a goal throw), to the nearest player
of the attacking team (for a
corner throw), or as otherwise
directed by the referee.
WP 11 Timekeepers
WP 11.1 The duties of the timekeepers shall be:
(a) to record the exact periods of actual play, time out and the intervals between periods;
(b) to record the periods of continuous possession of the ball by each team;
(c) to record the exclusion
times of players ordered from the water in accordance with the Rules, together
with the re-entry
times of such players or
their substitutes;
(d) to audibly announce the start of the last minute of the game and of the last minute of the second period of any extra time.
(e) to signal by whistle the end of each time-out.
WP 11.2 A timekeeper shall
signal by whistle (or by any other means provided it is distinctive, acoustically
efficient and readily
understood), the end of each
period independently of the referees and his signal shall take immediate
effect except:
(a) in the case of a simultaneous
award by a referee of a penalty throw. in which event the penalty throw
shall be taken in
accordance with the Rules;
(b) if the ball is in flight
and crosses the goal line, in which event any resultant goal shall be allowed.
WP 12 Secretaries
WP 12.1 The duties of the secretaries shall be:
(a) to maintain the record
of the game, including the players, the score, time outs, exclusion fouls,
penalty fouls, and the personal
fouls awarded against each
player;
(b) to control the periods
of exclusion of players and to signal the expiration of the period of exclusion
by raising the appropriate
flag; except that a referee
shall signal the re-entry of an excluded player or a substitute when that
playerÆs team has retaken
possession of the ball;
(c) to signal with the red
flag and by whistle for any improper re-entry of an excluded player or
improper entry of a substitute
(including after a flag signal
by a goal judge to indicate an improper re-entry or entry), which signal
shall stop play immediately;
(d) to signal, without delay, the award of a third personal foul against a player as follows:
(i) with the red flag if the third personal foul is an exclusion foul;
(ii) with the red flag and whistle if the third personal foul is a penalty foul.
WP 13 Duration of the Game
WP 13.1 The duration of the
game shall be four periods of seven minutes each of actual play. Time shall
commence at the start
of each period when a player
touches the ball. At all signals for stoppages, the recording watch shall
be stopped until the ball is
put back into play by the
ball leaving the hand of the player taking the appropriate throw or when
the ball is touched by a player
following a neutral throw.
WP 13.2 There shall be a two
minute interval between periods. The teams, including the players, coaches,
and officials, shall
change ends before starting
the third period and the second period of any extra time.
WP 13.3 Should the scores
be level at full time in any game for which a definite result is required,
any continuation into extra
time shall be after an interval
of five minutes. There shall then be player two periods each of three minutes
actual play with an
interval of one minute for
the teams to change ends. If at the end of the first two periods of extra
time, the score is equal, there
shall be an interval of one
minute. A third period of extra time shall begin and the game shall end
when a goal is scored.
WP 13.4 Each team shall be
entitled to two time-outs in any game, including extra time, The duration
of the timeout shall be one
minute. A timeout may be
requested at any time by the coach of the team in possession of the ball
by calling timeout and by
signaling with the hands
forming a T-shape. Play shall be restarted by the team in possession of
the ball taking a free throw at
the half distance line. If
a timeout is requested, the referees and the secretaries, by whistle, shall
stop the game.
[Note. The possession clock continues from the commencement of the play after the time-out.]
WP 13.5 Any visible clock shall show the time in a descending manner (that is, to show the time remaining in a period.)
WP 14 The Start of Play
WP 14.1 At the start of each
period, the players shall take up positions on their respective goal lines,
about one meter apart and
at least one meter from the
goal posts. Not more than two players shall be allowed between the goal
posts. No part of a
player's body shall be beyond
the goal line at water level.
WP 14.2 When the referees
are satisfied that the teams are ready, a referee shall blow the whistle
to start and then release or
throw the ball into play
on the half distance line.
WP 14.3 If the ball is released
or thrown giving one team a definite advantage, the referee shall call
for the ball and award a
neutral throw on the half
distance line.
WP 15 Method of Scoring
WP 15.1 A goal shall be scored
when the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line, between the goal
posts, and underneath
the crossbar.
WP 15.2 A goal may be scored
from anywhere within the field of play; except that the goalkeeper shall
not be permitted to go
or touch the ball beyond
the half distance line.
WP 15.3 A goal may be scored
by any part of the body except the clenched fist. A goal may be scored
by dribbling the ball
into the goal. At the start
or any restart of the game, at least two players (of either team but excluding
the defending goalkeeper)
must intentionally play or
touch the ball except at the taking of:
(a) a penalty throw;
(b) a free throw by the defender;
(c) an immediate shot from a goal throw; or
(d) an immediate shot from a free throw awarded outside 7 meters.
[Note. A goal may be scored
by a player immediately shooting from outside 7 meters after his team has
been awarded a free
throw outside 7 meters. The
player may not score after putting the ball into play unless the ball has
been intentionally touched by
another player, other than
the defending goalkeeper.]
WP 15.4 A goal shall be scored
if, at the expiration of 35 seconds possession or at the end of a period,
the ball is in flight and
enters the goal.
[Notes. In the circumstances
of his Rule, if the ball enters the goal after hitting the goal post, crossbar,
goalkeeper or other
defending player, and/or
bouncing off the water, a goal shall be allowed. If the end of the period
has been signaled and the ball
is then played or touched
intentionally by another attacking player on its way into the goal, the
goal shall not be allowed.
If the ball is in flight towards
the goal in the circumstances of this Rule and the goalkeeper or another
defending player pulls
down the goal, or a defending
player other than the goalkeeper stops the ball with two hands or arms
or punches the ball to
prevent a goal being scored,
the referee shall award a penalty throw if, in his opinion, the ball would
have reached the goal line if
the offense had not occurred.
If the ball which is in flight
towards the goal in the circumstances of this Rule lands on the water and
then floats completely over
the goal line, the referee
shall award a goal only if the ball floats over the goal line immediately
due to the momentum of the
shot.]
WP 15.5 A goal resulting from
a shot taken from outside 7 meters during the course of regular play, after
the ball has
been intentionally touched
by two players, one of which may not be the defending goalkeeper, the goal
shall count as
two points. A goal resulting
from an immediate shot from a goal throw or an immediate shot from a free
throw
awarded outside 7 meters
will count as one point. (EWPL competition only.)
WP 16 Restarting after a Goal
WP 16.1 After a goal has been
scored, the players shall take up positions anywhere within their respective
halves of the field of
play. No part of a player's
body shall be beyond the half distance at water level. A referee shall
restart the game by blowing the
whistle. At the time of the
restart, actual play shall resume when the ball leaves the hand of the
player of the team not having
scored the goal. A restart
not taken in accordance with this Rule shall be retaken.
WP 17 Goal Throws
WP 17.1 A goal throw shall be awarded:
(a) when the entire ball has
passed fully over the goal line excluding between the goal posts and underneath
the crossbars,
having last been played or
touched by a player of the attacking team;
(b) when the entire ball has
passed fully over the goal line between the goal posts and underneath the
crossbar or strikes the
goal posts, crossbar or the
defending goalkeeper direct other than on an immediate shot from a goal
throw or an immediate shot
from a free throw awarded
outside 7 meters, without having been intentionally played or touched by
another player.
WP 17.2 The goal throw shall
be taken by the defending goalkeeper from anywhere within his 2 meter (2M)
area. If the
goalkeeper is out of the
water, the goal throw shall be taken by another defending player. A goal
throw not taken in accordance
with this Rule shall be retaken.
[Note. There should be no
undue delay in taking a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw, which
must be taken in a manner so
as to enable the other players
to observe the ball leaving the thrower's hand. Players often make the
mistake of delaying the
throw because they overlook
the provisions of WP 20.4, which permit the thrower to dribble the ball
before passing to another
player. The throw can thus
be taken immediately, even though the thrower cannot at that moment find
a player to whom he
might pass the ball. On such
an occasion, he is allowed to take the throw either by dropping it from
a raised hand on to the
surface of the water (figure
1) or by throwing it into the air (figure 2) and he can then swim with
or dribble the ball. In either
case, the throw must be taken
so that the other players are able to observe it.]
WP 18 Corner Throws
WP 18.1 A corner throw shall
be awarded when the entire ball has passed fully over the goal line excluding
between the goal
posts and underneath the
crossbar, having last been played or touched by a player of the defending
team;
WP 18.2 The corner throw shall
be taken by a player of the attacking team from the 2 meter (2M) mark on
the side nearest to
which the ball crossed the
goal line. The throw need not be taken by the nearest player but shall
be taken without undue delay.
[Note. For method to taking throw, see note to WP 17.2.]
WP 18.3 At the taking of a corner throw no players of the attacking team shall be within the 2 meter (2M) area.
WP 18.4 A corner thrown taken
from the wrong position or before the players of the attacking team have
left the 2 meter (2M)
area shall be retaken.
WP 19 Neutral Throws
WP 19.1 A neutral throw shall be awarded:
(a) when, at the start of
a period, a referee is of the opinion that the ball has fallen in a position
to the definite advantage of one
team;
(b) when one or more players
of each team commit a foul at the same moment which makes it impossible
for the referees to
distinguish which player
offended first;
(c) when both referees blow their whistles at the same moment to award ordinary fouls to the opposing teams;
(d) when a player of each
team commits an exclusion foul simultaneously, whether during actual play
or in dead time. The
neutral throw is to be taken
following the exclusion of the offending players;
(e) when the ball strikes or lodges in an overhead obstruction.
WP 19.2 At a neutral throw,
a referee shall throw the ball into the water at approximately the same
lateral position as the event
occurred in such a manner
as to allow the players of both teams to have equal opportunity to reach
the ball. A neutral throw
awarded within the 2 meter
(2M) area shall be taken on the 2 meter (2M) line.
WP 19.3 If at a neutral throw
the referee is of the opinion that the ball has fallen in a position to
the definite advantage of one
team, he shall call for the
ball and retake the throw.
WP 20 Free Throws
WP 20.1 The referee shall blow his whistle to declare fouls.
WP 20.2 The time allowed for
a player to take a free throw shall be at the discretion of the referees;
it shall be reasonable and
without undue delay but does
not have to be immediate. It shall be an offense if a player who is clearly
in a position most readily
to take a free throw does
not do so.
[Note. For method of taking throw, see note to WP 17.2.]
WP 20.3 The responsibility
for returning the ball to the player who is to take the free throw shall
be that of the team to which
the free throw is awarded.
WP 20.4 The free throw shall
be taken in a manner to enable the players to observe the ball leaving
the hand of the player
taking the throw, who shall
also then be permitted to carry or dribble the ball before passing to another
player. The ball shall be
in play immediately when
it leaves the hand of the player taking the free throw.
WP 20.5 Should the game be
stopped through accident, injury, illness, bleeding, or other unforeseen
reason, the team in
possession of the ball at
the time of the stoppage shall be awarded a free throw at the point of
stoppage when the game is
resumed.
WP 20.6 A free throw taken from the wrong position shall be retaken.
WP 21 Ordinary Fouls
WP 21.1 It shall be an ordinary
foul to commit any of the following offenses (WP 21.2 to 21.18), which
shall be punished by
the award of a free throw
to the opposing team, to be taken by one of its players from the point
where the foul occurred. If the
ball is further from the
defending team's goal, the free throw shall be taken from the location
of the ball. If a foul is committed by
a defending player within
his 2 meter (2M) area, the free throw shall be taken on the 2 meter (2M)
line opposite to where the
incident took place.
[Note. The referees must award
ordinary fouls in accordance with the Rules to enable the attacking team
to develop an
advantage situation. However,
the referees must have regard to the special circumstances of WP 9.3 (Advantage).]
WP 21.2 To advance beyond the goal line at the start of a period, before the referee has given the signal to start.
WP 21.3 To assist a player at the start of a period or at any other time during the game.
WP 21.4 To hold on to or push
off from the goal posts or their fixtures, to hold on to or push off from
the sides or ends of the
pool during actual play or
to hold on to the rails except at the start of a period.
WP 21.5 To take any active
part in the game when standing on the floor of the pool, to walk when play
is in progress or to
jump from the floor of the
pool to play the ball or to tackle an opponent. This Rule shall not apply
to the goalkeeper while within
his 4 meter (4M) area.
WP 21.6 To take or hold the entire ball under the water when tackled.
[Note. It is an ordinary foul
to take or hold the ball under the water when tackled, even if the player
holding the ball has his
hand forced under the water,
with the ball, as a result of the opponent's challenge (figure 3). It makes
no difference that the ball
goes under the water against
his will. What is important is that the foul is awarded against the player
who was in contact with the
ball at the moment it was
taken under the water. It is important to remember that the offense can
only occur when a player takes
the ball under when tackled.
Thus, if a goalkeeper emerges high out of the water to save a shot and
then while falling back takes
the ball under the water,
he has committed no offense; but if he then holds the ball under the water
when challenged by an
opponent, he will have committed
an infringement of this Rule and if his actions prevented a probable goal,
a penalty throw must
be awarded under WP 23.2.]
WP 21.7 To strike at the ball
with a clenched fist. This Rule shall not apply to the goalkeeper while
within his 4 meter (4M)
area.
WP 21.8 To play or touch the
ball with two hands at the same time. This Rule shall not apply to the
goalkeeper while within his
4 meter (4M) area.
WP 21.9 To impede or otherwise
prevent the free movement of an opponent who is not holding the ball, including
swimming on
the opponent's shoulders,
back, or legs. "Holding" is lifting, carrying or touching the ball but
does not include dribbling the ball.
[Notes. The first thing for
the referee to consider is whether the opponent is holding the ball, because
if he is doing so, the
player making the challenge
cannot be penalized for "impeding." It is clear that a player is holding
the ball is he holds it raised
above the water (figure 4).
The player is also holding the ball if he swims with it held in his hand
or makes contact with the ball
while it is lying on the
surface of the water (figure 5). Swimming with the ball (dribbling), as
shown in figure 6, is not considered
to be holding.
A common form of impeding
is where the player swims across his opponent's legs (figure 7), thus reducing
the pace at which he
can move and interfering
with his normal leg action. Another form is swimming on the opponent's
shoulders. It must also be
remembered that the foul
of impeding can be committed by the player who is in possession of the
ball. For example, figure 8
shows a player keeping one
hand on the ball and trying to force his opponent away to gain more space
for himself. Figure 9
shows a player in possession
of the ball impeding his opponent by pushing him back with his head. Care
must be taken with
figures 8 & 9, because
any violent movement by the player in possession of the ball might constitute
striking or even brutality;
the figures are intended
to illustrate impeding without any violent movement. A player may also
commit the offense of impeding
even if he is not holding
or touching the ball. Figure 10 shows a player intentionally blocking his
opponent with his body and with
his arms flung open, thus
making access to the ball impossible. This offense is most often committed
near the boundaries of the
field of play.]
WP 21.10 To push or push off from an opponent.
[Note. Pushing can take place
in various forms, including with the hand (figure 11) or with the foot
(figure 12). In the cases
illustrated, the punishment
is a free throw for an ordinary foul. However, referees must take care
to differentiate between
pushing with the foot and
kicking - which then becomes an exclusion foul or even brutality. If the
foot is already in contact with
the opponent when the movement
begins, this will usually be pushing, but if the movement begins before
such contact with the
opponent is made, then this
should generally be regarded as kicking.]
WP 21.11 For a player of the
team in possession of the ball to commit an offense under WP 21.9 (to impede
an opponent) or
WP 21.10 (to push or push
off from an opponent) before a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw
is taken.
WP 21.12 To be within two
meters of the opponent's goal except when behind the line of the ball.
It shall not be an offense if a
player takes the ball into
the 2 meter (2M) area and passes it to another player who is behind the
line of the ball and who shoots
at goal immediately, before
the first player has been able to leave the 2 meter (2M) area.
[Note. If the player receiving
the pass does not shoot at goal, the player who passed the ball must immediately
leave the 2
meter (2M) area to avoid
being penalized under this Rule.]
WP 21.13 To take a penalty throw other than in the prescribed manner.
[Note. See WP 24.4 for method of taking a penalty throw.]
WP 21.14 To delay unduly when taking a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw.
[Note. See note to WP 17.2.]
WP 21.15 For a goalkeeper to go or touch the ball beyond the half distance line.
WP 21.16 To waste time.
[Notes. It is always permissible
for a referee to award an ordinary foul under this Rule before the 35 seconds
possession
period has elapsed.
If the goalkeeper is the only
player of his team in his half of the field of play, it shall be deemed
wasting time for him to receive
the ball from another member
of his team who is in the other half of the field of play.
In the last minute, the referees must be certain that there is intentional wasting time before applying this Rule.]
WP 21.17 For a team to retain
possession of the ball for more than 35 seconds of actual play without
shooting at their
opponent's goal. The timekeeper
recording the possession time shall reset the clock:
(a) when the ball has left
the hand of the player shooting at goal. If the ball rebounds into play
from the goal post, crossbar, or
the goalkeeper, the possession
time shall not recommence until the ball comes into the possession of one
of the teams;
(b) when the ball comes into
the possession of the opposing team. "Possession" shall not include the
ball merely being touched in
flight by an opposing player;
(c) when the ball is put into
play following the award of an exclusion foul, penalty foul, goal throw,
corner throw, or neutral
throw.
Visible clocks shall show the time in a descending manner (that is, to show the possession time remaining.)
[Note. The timekeeper and
referees must decide whether there was a shot at goal or not but the referees
shall have the final
decision.]
WP 21.18 To send the ball
out of the field of play, including the ball rebounding from the side of
the field of play above water
level.
WP 22 Exclusion Fouls
WP 22.1 It shall be an exclusion
foul to commit any of the following offenses (WP 22.3 to WP 22.16), which
shall be punished
(except as otherwise provided
by the Rules) by the award of a free throw to the opposing team and the
exclusion of the player
who committed the foul. The
excluded player himself or a substitute shall be permitted to re-enter
the field of play from the
re-entry area nearest to
his own goal line after the earliest occurrence of one of the following:
(a) when 20 seconds of actual
play have elapsed, at which time the secretary shall raise the appropriate
flag provided that the
excluded player has reached
his re-entry area in accordance with the Rules;
(b) when a goal has been scored;
(c) when the excluded player's
team has retaken possession of the ball (which means receiving control
of the ball) during actual
play, at which time the defensive
referee shall signal re-entry by a wave-in signal by hand;
(d) when play is restarted
by a player of the excluded player's team after a stoppage, at which time
the defensive referee shall
signal re-entry by a wave-in
signal by a wave-in signal by hand.
The excluded player shall
move to the re-entry area nearest to his own goal line without leaving
the water. An excluded player
who removes himself from
the water (other than following the entry of a substitute) shall be deemed
guilty of an offense under
WP 22.10 (Disrespect).
[Notes. An excluded player
(including any player excluded under the Rules for the remainder of the
game) shall remain in the
water and move (which may
include swimming underwater) to the re-entry position on his own goal line
without interfering with
the play. He may swim from
the field of play at any point on the goal line and may swim behind the
goal to the re-entry area
nearest to his own goal line
provided he does not interfere with the alignment of the goal.
On reaching the re-entry area,
the excluded player shall be required to visibly rise to the surface of
the water before he (or a
substitute) shall be permitted
to re-enter in accordance with the Rules. However, it shall not be necessary
for the excluded
player to then remain in
the re-entry area to await the arrival of an intended substitute.
A change of possession does
not occur merely because of the end of a period, but an excluded player
or substitute shall be
eligible to re-enter if his
team wins the ball at the swim up at the start of the next period. The
referees and the secretary should
note which team was in possession
of the ball at the end of a period if a player is excluded when the end
of a period is signaled.]
WP 22.2 After the earliest
occurrence referred to in WP 22.1, except when a goal has been scored,
the excluded player
himself or a substitute shall
be permitted to re-enter the field of play from the re-entry area nearest
to his own goal line, provided
that:
(a) he has received a signal from the secretary or a referee;
(b) he shall not jump or push off from the side or wall of the pool or field of play;
(c) he shall not affect the alignment of the goal;
(d) a substitute shall not
be permitted to enter in the place of an excluded player until that player
has reached the re-entry area
nearest to his own goal line.
These provisions shall also
apply to the entry of a substitute when the excluded player has received
three personal fouls or has
otherwise been excluded from
the remainder of the game in accordance with the Rules.
[Notes. A substitute shall
not be waved in by a referee and nor shall the secretary signal the expiration
of the 20 seconds
exclusion period until the
excluded player has reached the re-entry area nearest to his own goal line.
This shall also apply to the
re-entry of a substitute
who is to replace a player excluded from the remainder of the game. In
the event of the excluded player
failing to return to his
re-entry area, a substitute shall not be permitted to enter until a goal
has been scored or at the end of a
period.
The primary responsibility
for giving the wave-in signal for the re-entry of an excluded player or
a substitute is with the defensive
referee. However, the attacking
referee may also assist in this regard and the signal of either referee
shall be valid. If a referee
suspects an improper re-entry
or the goal judge signals such an improper re-entry, then he should first
satisfy himself that the
other referee had not signaled
the re-entry.
Before giving the wave-in
signal for the re-entry of an excluded player or a substitute, the defensive
referee should wait
momentarily in case the attacking
referee whistles to restore possession to the opponent's team.]
WP 22.3 For a player to leave
the water or sit or stand on the steps or side of the pool during play,
except in the case of
accident, injury, illness,
or with the permission of the referee.
WP 22.4 To interfere with the taking of a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw, including:
(a) intentionally to throw away or fail to release the ball to prevent the normal progress of the game.
(b) any attempt to play the ball before it has left the hand of the thrower.
[Notes. A player is not to
be penalized under this Rule if he does not hear the whistle as a result
of being under the water. The
referees must determine if
the actions of the player are intentional.
Interference with a throw
may take place indirectly when the ball is hampered, delayed, or prevented
from reaching the player
who is to take the throw,
or it may occur when the execution of the throw is interfered with by an
opponent blocking the
direction of the throw (figure
13), or by disturbing the actual movement of the thrower (figure 14). For
interference with a
penalty throw, see also WP
22.15.]
WP 22.5 To splash in the face of an opponent intentionally.
[Notes. Splashing is frequently
used as an unfair tactic but is often only penalized in the obvious situation
when players are
facing one another (see figure
15). However, it can also occur less obviously when a player produces a
curtain of water with his
arm, seemingly without deliberate
intent, in an attempt to block the view of the opponent who is about to
shoot at goal or to
make a pass.
The punishment for intentionally
splashing an opponent is exclusion under WP 22.5 or a penalty throw under
WP 23.2 if the
opponent is inside the 4
meter (4M) area and is attempting to shoot at goal. Whether to award a
penalty throw or an exclusion
is decided solely by the
positioning and actions of the attacking player; whether the offending
player is inside the 4 meter (4M)
area or outside is not a
decisive factor.]
WP 22.6 To hold, sink or pull
back an opponent who is not holding the ball. "Holding" is lifting, carrying
or touching the ball,
but does not include dribbling
the ball.
[Note. The correct application
of this Rule is very important both as to the presentation of the game
and in arriving at a proper
and fair result. The wording
of the Rule is clear and explicit and can only be interpreted in one way:
to hold (figure 16), sink
(figure 17) or pull back
(figure 18) an opponent who is not holding the ball is an exclusion foul.
It is essential that referees apply
this Rule correctly, without
personal arbitrary interpretation, to ensure that proper limits to rough
play are not exceeded. In
addition, referees must note
that an infringement of WP 22.6 within the 4 meter (4M) area which prevents
a probable goal must
be punished by the award
of a penalty throw.]
WP 22.7 To kick or strike an opponent intentionally or make disproportionate movements with that intent.
[Notes. The offense of kicking
or striking can take a number of different forms, including being committed
by a player in
possession of the ball or
by an opposing player; possession of the ball is not a decisive factor.
What is important is the action of
the offending player, including
if he makes disproportionate movements in an attempt to kick or strike,
even if he fails to make
contact.
One of the most serious acts
of striking is elbowing backwards (figure 19), which can result in serious
injury to the opponent.
Similarly, serious injury
can occur when a player intentionally heads back into the face of an opponent
who is guarding him
closely. In these instances,
the referee would also be justified in punishing the offense under WP 22.9
(Brutality) rather than
under WP 22.7.]
WP 22.8 To be guilty of misconduct,
including the use of foul language, violent or persistent foul play, etc.
The offending player
shall be excluded form the
remainder of the game with substitution after the earliest occurrence referred
to in WP 22.1.
[Note. Persistent foul play
refers to play which is unacceptable within the spirit of the Rules and
which is likely to bring the game
into disrepute. Persistent
foul play is entirely different and unrelated to 'persisting in an ordinary
foul.']
WP 22.9 To commit an act of
brutality (including kicking or striking or attempting to kick or strike
with malicious intent) against
an opponent or official,
whether during play or the interval between periods or play. The offending
player shall be excluded from
the remainder of the game
and shall not be substituted.
[Notes. In the last minute of the game, the referees may delay declaring a brutality offense until the next change of possession.
This Rule shall also apply
if an act of brutality occurs during the interval between periods, except
that the free throw shall not be
awarded. The offending player
shall be excluded from the remainder of the game, without substitution,
and his team shall
continue the game with six
players only. These provisions shall not apply, however, before the game
has actually commenced.
In the case of brutality at
any time by a substitute who is not in the water during the play, the offending
player shall be excluded
from the remainder of the
game. The captain of the team shall be ordered to remove from the water
a player of his choice and
the team shall continue with
six players only. The player who has been removed can subsequently be used
during the remainder
of the game as one of his
team's six players in the water and no personal foul shall be awarded in
relation to his removal from
the water.]
WP 22.10 To refuse obedience
to or show disrespect for a referee or official. The offending player shall
be excluded form the
remainder of the game, with
substitution after the earliest occurrence referred to in WP 22.1.
[Note. If a member of a team
commits an act of disrespect prior to the restart of play after the opposing
team has scored a goal
or during the interval between
periods, he shall be excluded from the remainder of the game but his team
shall be permitted to
restart the game with seven
players.]
WP 22.11 For a player of the
team not in possession of the ball to commit any of the following offenses
before a free throw,
goal throw, corner throw,
or penalty throw is taken or for a player of either team to commit any
of the following offenses before
a neutral throw is taken:
WP 21.9 - to impede an opponent
WP 21.10 - to push or push off from an opponent
WP 22.3 to WP 22.10 - to commit an exclusion foul
The original throw (including
any neutral throw) shall be maintained. The player shall be excluded from
the remainder of the
game where the Rules so provide.
WP 22.12 For a player of each
team to commit any of the following offenses simultaneously before a free
throw, goal throw,
corner throw, penalty throw,
or neutral throw is taken:
WP 21.9 - to impede an opponent
WP 22.10 - to push or push off from an opponent
WP 22.3 to WP 22.10 - to commit an exclusion foul
Both players shall be excluded
and a neutral throw awarded; except that if the offenses are committed
simultaneously at the
taking of the penalty throw,
the penalty throw shall be maintained. Players shall be excluded from the
remainder of the game
where the Rules so provide.
[Notes. In the circumstances
of this Rule, a change of possession is deemed not to have occurred merely
because one team
gains possession of the ball
from the neutral throw. The players excluded under this Rule shall not
be permitted to re-enter until
the next earliest occurrence
referred to in WP 22.1 following the neutral throw.
However, this only applies
to the two players who were excluded simultaneously and any other players
who were already
excluded shall be permitted
to re-enter if the neutral throw results in a change of possession.
If the two players who have
been excluded under this Rule are eligible to re-enter before they have
reached their respective
re-entry areas, the defensive
referee may wave in each player as soon as he is ready to re-enter. The
referee does not have to
wait until both players are
ready to re-enter.]
WP 22.13 For a player of the
team in possession of the ball to commit an offense under WP 22.3 to WP
22.10 (exclusion
fouls) before a free throw,
goal throw, corner throw, or penalty throw is taken; except that:
(a) the player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game where the Rules so provide;
(b) if the offense is committed at the taking of penalty throw, the penalty throw is maintained.
WP 22.14 For an excluded player to re-enter or a substitute to enter the field of play improperly, including:
(a) without having received a signal from the secretary or a referee;
(b) from any place other than his own re-entry area; except where the Rules provide for immediate substitution;
(c) by jumping or pushing off from the side or wall of the pool or field of play;
(d) by affecting the alignment of the goal.
If this offense occurs in
the last minute of the game, the last minute of the second period of an
extra time, or at any time during a
third period of extra time,
the offending player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game,
without substitution, and a
penalty throw awarded to
the opposing team.
[Note. It shall be an improper
re-entry if an excluded player re-enters or a substitute enters without
having received the
referee's wave-in signal,
even if the referee should have given the wave-in signal earlier.]
WP 22.15 To interfere with
the taking of a penalty throw. The offending player shall be excluded form
the remainder of the
game with substitution after
the earliest occurrence referred to in WP 22.1 and the penalty throw shall
be maintained or re-taken
as appropriate.
[Note. The most common form
of interference with a penalty throw is when an opponent aims a kick at
the player taking the
throw, just as the throw
is about to be taken. It is essential for the referees to ensure that all
players are at least 2 meters from
the thrower, to prevent such
interference from taking place. The referee should also allow the defending
team the first right to
take position in accordance
with WP 24.2.]
WP 22.16 For the defending
goalkeeper to fail to take up his correct position on the goal line at
the taking of a penalty throw
after having been ordered
once to do so by the referee. Another defending player may take the position
of the goalkeeper but
without his privileges and
limitations.
WP 22.17 When a player of
each team commits an exclusion foul or a penalty foul simultaneously during
actual play, both
players shall be excluded
and a neutral throw awarded.
WP 22.18 When a player is
excluded, the exclusion period shall commence immediately when the ball
has left the hand of the
player taking the free throw
or when the ball has been touched following a neutral throw.
WP 22.19 If an excluded player
intentionally interferes with play, including affecting the alignment of
the goal, a penalty throw
shall be awarded to the opposing
team and a further personal foul awarded against the excluded player. If
an excluded player
does not commence leaving
the field of play almost immediately, the referee may deem this to be intentional
interference under
this Rule.
WP 22.20 In the event of the
game continuing into extra time, the exclusion period of any excluded player
shall also continue
into the extra time. Personal
fouls awarded during the periods of normal time shall also carry forward
into extra time and any
player excluded under the
Rules from the remainder of the game shall not be permitted to take part
in any periods of extra time.
WP 23 Penalty Fouls
WP 23.1 It shall be a penalty
foul to commit any of the following offenses (WP23.2 to 23.8), which shall
be punished by the
award of a penalty throw
to the opposing team.
EWPL Only: If the foul was
committed on a two-point shot attempt from outside 7 meters, two penalty
throws will be
awarded.
WP 23.2 For a defending player
to commit any foul within the 4 meter (4M) area but for which a goal would
probably have
resulted.
[Notes. In addition to the other offenses preventing a probable goal, it is an offense within the meaning of this Rule:
(a) for a goalkeeper or other defending player to pull down or otherwise displace the goal (figure 20);
(b) for a defending player other than the goalkeeper to play the ball with two hands (figure 21);
(c) for a defending player other than the goalkeeper to play the ball with a clenched fist (figure 22);
(d) for a goalkeeper or other defending player to take the ball under the water when tackled.
It is important to note that
while the fouls described above, and other fouls such as holding, pulling
back, impeding, etc., would
normally be punished by a
free throw (and exclusion if appropriate), they become penalty fouls if
committed within the 4 meter
(4M) area by a defending
player if a probable goal would otherwise have been scored.]
WP 23.3 For a defending player
within the 4 meter (4M) area to kick or strike an opponent or to commit
an act of brutality. In
the case of brutality, the
offending player shall also be excluded from the remainder of the game,
without substitution, in addition
to the award of the penalty
throw.
WP 23.4 For an excluded player intentionally to interfere with play, including affecting the alignment of the goal.
WP 23.5 For a goalkeeper or
any other defending player to pull over the goal completely with the object
of preventing a
probable goal. The offending
player shall also be excluded from the remainder of the game, with substitution,
after the earliest
occurrence referred to in
WP 22.1.
WP 23.6 For an excluded player
to re-enter or substitute to enter the field of play improperly prior to
or at the expiration of an
exclusion period with the
object of preventing a goal. The offending player shall also leave the
field of play to complete any of
the original exclusion period
remaining, if appropriate.
[Note. In the circumstances
of this Rule, if the attacking team is in a position to shoot at goal,
the referee shall wait to see if a
goal is scored before stopping
the play. If a goal is scored, the penalty throw is not awarded, but a
personal foul is recorded
against the offending player.
If a goal is not scored, then the referee shall then immediately award
a penalty throw in accordance
with this Rule.]
WP 23.7 For an excluded player
to re-enter or a substitute to enter the field of play improperly during
the last minute of the
game, the last minute of
the second period of any extra time, or at any time during a third period
of extra time. The offending
player shall also be excluded
from the remainder of the game, without substitution.
WP 23.8 For a player or substitute
who is not entitled under the Rules to participate in the play at that
time to enter the field of
play. The offending player
shall also be excluded from the remainder of the game with substitution,
where appropriate, after the
earliest occurrence referred
to in WP 22.1. This Rule shall not apply to an excluded player who re-enters
or a substitute who
enters the field of play
before the earliest occurrence referred to in WP 22.1.
[Note. If an excluded player
and a substitute both enter after the earliest occurrence referred to in
WP 22.1, whichever player
entered last shall be the
player to be penalized under this Rule. If both players enter simultaneously,
it shall be the substitute who
is to be penalized.]
Return to Table of Contents
WP 24 Penalty Throws
WP 24.1 A penalty throw shall
be taken by any player of the team to which it is awarded, except the goalkeeper,
from any
point on the opponent's 4
meter (4M) line.
WP 24.2 All players shall
leave the 4 meter (4M) area and shall be at least two meters from the player
taking the throw. On
each side of the player taking
the throw, one player of the defending team shall have the first right
to take position. The
defending goalkeeper shall
be positioned between the goal posts with no part of his body beyond the
goal line at water level.
Should the goalkeeper be
out of the water, another player may take the position of the goalkeeper
but without his privileges and
limitations.
WP 24.3 When the referee controlling
the taking of the throw is satisfied that the players are in their correct
positions he shall
signal for the throw to be
taken, by whistle and by simultaneously lowering his arm from a vertical
to a horizontal position.
[Note. The lowering of the
arm at the same time as the signal by whistle makes it possible under any
conditions, even amidst
noise by spectators, to execute
the throw in accordance with the Rules. As the arm is lifted, the player
taking the throw will
concentrate, for he knows
that the signal will follow immediately.]
WP 24.4 The player taking
the penalty throw shall have possession of the ball and shall immediately
throw it with an
uninterrupted movement directly
at the goal. The player may take the throw by lifting the ball from the
water (figure 23) or with
the ball held in the raised
hand (figure 24) and the ball may be taken backwards from the direction
of the goal in preparation for
the forward throw, provided
that the continuity of the movement shall not be interrupted before the
ball leaves the thrower's
hand.
[Note. There is nothing in
the Rules to prevent a player taking the throw with his back to the goal
while he adopts a half screw
or full screw action.]
WP 24.5 If the ball rebounds
from the goal post, crossbar, or goalkeeper it remains in play and it shall
not be necessary for
another player to play or
touch the ball before a goal can be scored.
WP 24.6 If at precisely the
same time as the referee awards a penalty throw the timekeeper whistles
for the end of a period, all
players except the player
taking the throw and the defending goalkeeper shall leave the water before
the penalty throw is taken.
In this situation, the ball
shall immediately be dead should it rebound into play from the goal post,
crossbar, or the goalkeeper.
Return to Table of Contents
WP 25 Personal Fouls
WP 25.1 A personal foul shall
be recorded against any player who commits an exclusion foul or penalty
foul. The referee shall
indicate the offending player's
cap number to the secretary.
WP 25.2 Upon receiving a third
personal foul, a player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game
with substitution after
the earliest occurrence referred
to in WP 22.1. If the third personal foul is a penalty foul, the entry
of the substitute shall be
immediate.
Return to Table of Contents
WP 26 Accident, Injury or Illness
WP 26.1 A player shall only
be allowed to leave the water, or sit or stand on the steps or side of
the pool during play in the
case of accident, injury,
illness or with the permission of a referee. A player who has left the
water legitimately may re-enter
from the re-entry area nearest
to his own goal line at an appropriate stoppage, with the permission of
a referee.
WP 26.2 If a player is bleeding,
the referee shall immediately order the player out of the water with the
immediate entry of a
substitute and the game shall
continue without interruption. After the bleeding has stopped, the player
is permitted to be a
substitute in the ordinary
course of the game.
WP 26.3 If accident, injury,
or illness, other than bleeding, occurs, a referee may at his discretion
suspend the game for not
more than three minutes (3:00),
in which case he shall instruct the timekeeper as to when the stoppage
period is to commence.
WP 26.4 If a player leaves
the game through any medical reason including cramp, the referees shall
allow the immediate entry of
a substitute. Except in the
circumstances of WP 26.2, the player shall not be allowed to take further
part in the game if a
substitute has entered. In
the circumstances of this Rule, the substitute shall be permitted to enter
from any point outside the field
of play.
APPENDIX A Instructions for the Use of Two Referees
1. The referees are in absolute
control of the game and shall have equal powers to declare fouls and penalties.
Differences of
opinion of the referees shall
not serve as a basis for protest or appeal.
2. The committee or organization
appointing the referees shall have power to designate the side of the pool
from which each
referee shall officiate.
3. At the start of the game
and of each period, the starting signal shall be given by the referee on
the same side as the official
table.
4. After a goal, the signal
to restart shall be given by the referee who was controlling the attacking
situation when the goal was
scored.
5. Each referee shall have
the power to declare fouls in any part of the field of play but each referee
shall give his primary
attention to the offensive
situation attacking the goal to his right. The referee not controlling
the attacking situation (the defensive
referee) shall maintain a
position no closer to the goal being attacked than that player of the attacking
team furthest back from
the goal.
6. When awarding a free throw,
goal throw, or corner throw, the referee making the decision shall blow
his whistle and both
referees shall display the
appropriate flag, to enable the players in different parts of the pool
to see quickly which team has been
awarded the throw. If necessary
to avoid doubt, the referee making the decision shall point to where the
throw is to be taken.
7. The signal for a penalty
throw to be taken shall be made by the attacking referee, except that a
player who wishes to take the
throw with his left hand
may request the defensive referee to make the signal.
8. When simultaneous free
throws are awarded by both referees to the same team, the award shall go
to the player awarded the
throw by the attacking referee.
9. When simultaneous awards
are made for ordinary fouls but for opposing teams, the award shall be
a neutral throw, to be
taken by the attacking referee.
10. When one referee awards
an exclusion foul and at the same moment the other referee awards an exclusion
foul but for
opposing teams, both the
offending players shall be excluded and a neutral throw awarded.
11. When simultaneous awards
are made by both referees and one is for an ordinary foul and the other
is for an exclusion foul
or penalty foul, the exclusion
foul, or penalty foul shall be applied.
12. In the event of simultaneous
awards of penalty throws to both teams, the first throw shall be taken
by the team last in
possession of the ball. After
the second penalty has been taken, the game shall be restarted with a neutral
throw at the half
distance line.
APPENDIX B Signals for Officials
Figure A: The referee lowers
his arm from a vertical position: i. to signal the start of a period (WP
14.2); ii. to restart after a goal
(WP 16.1); iii. to signal
the taking of a penalty throw (WP 24.3)
Figure B: By pointing with
one arm in the direction of the attack and using the other arm to point
to the spot from where the ball
is to be put into play in
the case of: i. a free throw; ii. a goal throw; iii. a corner throw.
Figure C: To indicate the
exclusion of a player, by pointing to the player and then moving the arm
quickly towards the boundary
of the field of play immediately
indicating the number of the excluded player so that it is visible to the
field of play and the table.
Figure D: For the simultaneous
exclusion of two players, the referee shall point both hands at the two
players, indicate their
exclusion in accordance with
figure C and signal numbers in accordance with figure C.
Figure E: To signal a neutral
throw. The referee shall point his hand to the spot where the neutral throw
has been awarded, point
both thumbs up and ask for
the ball.
Figure F: For the exclusion
of a player with substitution, for either a third foul (WP 25.2), misconduct
(WP 22.8), disrespect
(WP 22.10), interfering with
a penalty throw (WP 22.15) or similar, the referee shall indicate an exclusion
in accordance with
figure C (or if Figure D
is applicable) and then rotate the hands around one another in accordance
with figure F.
Figure G: To indicate the
exclusion of a player without substitution. The referee shall make the
signal for exclusion in accordance
with figure C (or figure
D if applicable) and then cross his arms in a manner that is visible both
to the field of play and to the
table, providing the table
with visible notification of the number.
Figure H: To signal the award
of a penalty throw, the referee shall raise his arm with four fingers in
the air. He shall then notify
the table of the number of
the defending player in accordance with WP 23.
Figure I: The referee shall indicate a goal by signaling with his whistle and immediately pointing to the center of the field of play.
Figure J: To indicate sinking
an opponent (WP 22.6), the referee shall make a downward motion with both
hands starting from
a horizontal position.
Figure K: To indicate a major
foul of kicking an opponent (WP 22.7). The referee shall make a kicking
movement with one foot
while standing on the other.
Figure L: To indicate the
major foul of pulling back (WP 22.16), the referee shall make a pulling
motion with both hands
vertically extended and pulling
towards his body.
Figure M: To indicate the
ball underwater (WP 21.6), the referee shall make a downward motion of
his hand starting from a
horizontal position.
Figure N: To indicate standing on the bottom (WP 21.5), the referee shall indicate by raising and lowering one foot.
Figure O: To indicate undue
delay in the taking of a free throw, goal throw or corner throw (WP 21.14),
the referee shall raise
his hand once or twice in
a visible manner with the palm pointed upward.
Figure P: To indicate a violation
of the two-meter rule (WP21.12), the referee shall indicate the number
2 by raising the fore and
middle fingers in the air
with the arm vertically extended.
Figure Q. To indicate wasting
time (WP 21.16) or expiry of the thirty-five second possession clock (WP21.17),
the referee
shall move his hand in a
circular motion two or three times.
Figure R. By goal judge for the start of play and for a goal throw or corner throw.
Figure S. By a goal judge for a goal.
Figure T. To indicate the
major foul of striking an opponent (WP 22.7), the referee shall make a
striking motion with a closed
fist starting from a horizontal
position.
Figure U. To indicate the
major foul of holding an opponent (WP 22.6), the referee shall make a motion
holding the wrist of one
hand with the other hand.
Figure V. To indicate pushing
or pushing off an opponent (WP 22.6), the referee shall make a pushing
motion away from his
body, starting from a horizontal
position.
Figure W. To indicate the
ordinary foul of impeding or swimming across an opponent (WP 21.9), the
referee shall make a
crossing motion with one
hand horizontally crossing the other.
Figure X. For indicating a
player's cap number, by one hand. If the number exceeds five, first an
open palm is shown with five
fingers, followed by additional
fingers to make up the sum of the player's number. For the number ten,
a clenched fist is shown.
If the number exceeds ten,
first a clenched fist is shown followed by additional fingers to make up
the player's number.
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USWP OFFICIALS COMMANDMENTS
1. Be professional in what you do -- before, during and after the game.
(a) Know the Rules: there is no excuse for not knowing the Rules.
(b) Have good mechanics: loud, sharp whistle and good flag work.
(c) Be in position - don't be lazy!
(d) Concentrate for the ENTIRE game.
2. Understand the game.
(a) Go to coaches' clinics, to college practices and games, and to any other sources from which you can learn water polo.
(b) Referee the flow of the game: DO NOT just call fouls - call the game!
(c) Watch the entire pool, but concentrate on and call in your own area.
3. Maintain consistency, both with the other official and from quarter to quarter.
(a) Communicate with the other officials - the desk and your partner.
(b) Catch the first foul: too many times it is the second foul which is caught.
(c) Apply the advantage Rule: it is the most important Rule in the game.
(d) Anticipate: be aware of what is happening and what is going to happen.
(e) Don't pay off the bad
play: when a team makes a bad play or mistake, do not call a minor foul
and five them back the
chance.
(f) Do not over-officiate: don't call "ticky-tack" fouls, especially offensive ones.
4. Control the game: Don't dominate it.
(a) Don't just call fouls - call the game! Call the flow of play.
(b) Be firm on judgment calls - don't be wishy-washy!
(c) Do not let players or coaches "mouth off" - this just makes the game more difficult to call.
(d) Talk to the players and
to the scorer's table when it is necessary - explain whose free throw it
is, who is ejected, and so
forth.
5. Pre-Game Duties
(a) Arrive early.
(b) Check the game balls, officials' flags and equipment at the table.
(c) Check the facility (goals, markings for goal line, 2M, 4M, and half).
(d) Talk to the scorers, timers, and goal judges about their duties.
(e) Find out what signals/sounds are being used for end of quarter, 35 second violations, illegal re-entry, and third personal foul.
(f) Give stamped rating cards to the coaches and other officials.
(g) Talk to the other official about pool coverage.
(h) Check nails.
(i) Talk to the captains:
Coin toss, ground Rules, substitution and exclusion re-entry areas, team
bench locations, sounds from
the scorer's table, and anything
else which is important.
6. Post-Game Duties
(a) Return game ball and officials' flags to scorer's table.
(b) Sign the score sheet.
(c) LEAVE
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© TPM, 1996