USA WATER POLO REFEREE ASSOCIATION NATIONAL REFEREE SCHOOL NEW RULES & POINTS OF EMPHASIS SEMINAR 2015
New Rules and Interpretations Roster Restrictions Time Outs Overtime Free Throws and Direct Shots Wasting Time Simulation Exclusions in Transition Impeding and 2 Hand Fouls as Exclusions Double Exclusions Exclusions Inside 5 meters Added Penalty for Delay Advantage - Enhanced Directions to Referees
PLEASE NOTE: The following is a summary of Playing Rule Changes as instituted by FINA and are in effect through 2017. Some of those playing rules, both new and existing, may be by modified by specific language in USA Water Polo s Conduct of Championships or by a particular event s management. We have indicated those instances where the rule may be modified as part of this summary.
The Intent: To Promote Offense and Movement Reduce (Eliminate) Violence Simplify the Game for Spectators Fewer Whistles?
Not the Intent!
ROSTER RESTRICTIONS FINA has limited the size of a team s roster to 13 players total, two of which MUST be Goalkeepers. (#1 and #13) The rule also states that there will be no changing of caps during a game and any player not designated as a Goalkeeper may not play that position. No such limitations will be enforced for Sanctioned Events in the United States and cap changes between players on a verified roster will be allowed.
TIMEOUTS Each team is allotted four (4) timeouts per game, ONE (1) PER PERIOD OF PLAY. (This is subject to modification for particular events and in general USAWP events will allow 2 timeouts per game to be used at any time.) If a team does not use their allotted timeout in any particular period it is lost. If a team calls for a timeout with possession of the ball but they have none available, it is a turnover. If a team calls for a timeout without possession of the ball, including when neither team has possession, a penalty is awarded to the other team and the team calling for the timeout loses one of their timeouts. (There is some uncertainty in this situation as to the application when there are no timeouts remaining. For now, there is no additional sanction.)
OVERTIME (OR LACK THEREOF) If a game that requires a definite result, (one that needs to determine a winner), ends in a tie, the game shall proceed directly to a Shoot Out. Overtime procedure, if any, may be modified for particular events.
FREE THROWS AND DIRECT SHOTS A Free Throw or Direct Shot must be taken IMMEDIATELY. This is an upgrade from Without Undue Delay. A defender shall be required to move away before raising an arm to block a pass or shot. While no specific distance is indicated in the rules, 1 meter shall be the guideline.
WASTING TIME There must be an effort on the part of the attacking team to progress the ball. The goalkeeper MAY NOT receive the ball if all of the other players on the attacking team are in their offensive half of the field. A referee MUST be consistent with their application of this rule.
SIMULATION It is an ordinary foul to simulate being fouled. The Referee may issue a Yellow Card to a team for repeated simulation. The Yellow Card shall serve as a warning to that team that if such behavior continues the referee may whistle Misconduct. (Rule 21.13)
EXCLUSIONS IN TRANSITION This particular rule is open for continued interpretation, but the intent is to promote offense and punish defense for deliberately slowing down the team in transition. The Referee is instructed to promote the advantage for the attacking team by whistling an exclusion foul in situations that may have previously been considered ordinary fouls for impeding, especially in the back court. (Please keep in mind that the initial whistle that simply establishes possession should be whistled as an ordinary foul.)
IMPEDING AND 2 HAND FOULS AS EXCLUSIONS Any foul committed with the use of two hands (not playing the ball) anywhere in the field of play shall be an exclusion foul. To impede or otherwise prevent the free movement of an opponent not holding the ball shall be an exclusion foul. However, should a player lose possession of the ball and the defender cannot avoid impeding, an ordinary foul should be awarded. (ie. perimeter play)
Perimeter Defense
DOUBLE EXCLUSIONS If a Double Exclusion foul is whistled when one team has possession of the ball the Shot Clock SHALL NOT be reset. If a double exclusion is whistled when neither team has possession the Shot Clock shall be reset and the referee shall administer a Neutral Throw.
EXCLUSIONS INSIDE 5 METERS Based on the Theory that an Exclusion Foul away from the ball, especially at the Center Position, is too big of an advantage considering the offence the Referee shall: 1. Whistle/Signal the Exclusion while signaling the stoppage of play. 2. Signal the number of the Excluded Player to the Field and the Table. 3. Then restart play with an upward motion of the hand that was used to signal stoppage.
ADDED PENALTY FOR DELAY It shall be a Penalty Foul for a Coach or any Team Official to take any action to prevent a probable goal or delay the game while play is in progress. (Does not apply to interval time.) This includes, but is not limited to the throwing of an extra counter ball into the field of play when on defense. The Referee must be sure that the action does indeed delay the game or prevent a goal. This may also apply to a player that throws the ball so far out of the reach of the offense or out of the field of play that the referee deems the action to be a purposeful delay of game.
ADVANTAGE ENHANCED INSTRUCTIONS TO REFEREES The Advantage Rule (7.3) has been modified to make it very clear that the Referee shall whistle in favor of the offense if all other considerations are equal. This is not an instruction to create an advantage that does not exist, only to restore what has been taken away. The Interpretation further states that it is perfectly acceptable for the Referee to whistle an ordinary foul at the Center Position to maintain possession for the attacking team if warranted. The thought is that currently referees will whistle either an Exclusion Foul or nothing at Center which in most cases clearly advantages the defending team.
POINTS OF EMPHASIS & RESOURCES Player Safety Accountability and Reporting Verified Roster / ID Checks Resources and Videos Modifications to Playing Rules for 12/Under Age Group Competitions
Player Safety As a Referee for USA Water Polo, Player Safety needs to be one of your Top Priorities! Call fouls if needed early and often to control undue physicality and over aggressive actions. The Referee MUST learn the art of allowing superior physical play while controlling violence and over aggressive fouls.
Is this the Result of Regular Exclusion Foul?
Accountability and Reporting You MUST report any and all incidents as outlined on the USAWPR Incident Reporting Form within 24 hours! (Link to that form at usawaterpolo.org) Failure to report an incident as mandated will result in sanctions to that referee. Know that USA Water Polo will be tracking all reports for information on the offended parties, offenders, the type of incident, and the reporter. Habitual offenders will be subject to sanctions as well. This is an effort to increase the responsibility and accountability of all parties, including the Referee.
Verified Rosters and ID Check You are responsible to make sure that Verified Rosters are presented and checked for accuracy via photo ID for each and every game at any and all USA Water Polo Sanctioned Events. This process should take place at half time of the previous game in a tournament setting or 30 minutes prior to game time. This procedure may of course be modified to fit the specific needs of any given event, but IT MUST BE DONE! If a player s or coach s ID cannot be verified they may not participate in a game until such identity can be verified. You may also coordinate with tournament staff to facilitate these roster checks, but the ultimate responsibility is with the Referee.
Modifications to the Playing Rules USA Water Polo Operations Administration along with the National Team Coaching Staffs have adopted some changes and/or modifications to the playing rules to aid in player development and opportunities for the 12/Under Age Groups. Those modifications are included with this training material and are posted at usawaterpolo.org.
12 & 10/Under Rule Modifications No Exclusion Time Excluded Player Swims to Re Entry Area and is then Eligible to Return to Field of Play Penalty for Illegal Entry still applies. No Direct Shot Outside 5 Meters after foul - First Offence is Warning, then Contra Foul.
Playing Rule Modifications Cont. No Zone Defense Defender must stay within 1 meter of Opponent when they are in their defensive half (indicated by a cone at 9 meters) First Offence Warning to both teams with new possession clock to offense, then Exclusion Foul, does not apply to player advantage (6on5) situations.
FINI!! THANKS TO ALL! GOOD LUCK AND PLEASE HAVE FUN! Links to Playing Rules, Interpretations, Certification Criteria, ZHR Contact Information, Rules Test, Reporting, Video Examples, and more can be found at: www.usawaterpolo.org (Membership Tab/USAWP Referee Association) please address any questions or concerns to jcullingham@usawaterpolo.org