2008 NSSWPL Referee Training

2008 NSSWPL Referee Training Head Referee: Matt Turner huskerpolo@yahoo.com (630) 730-7514

Overview • Role of a referee • Game Setup • Course • Equipment • Clocks • Rules • Using USAWP/FINA rules 2005-2009 • Some adapted instructions for age group water polo • Mechanics

Role of a Referee • Referees are present to enforce rules • Make calls consistently throughout the game: • Same call for one team as you make for the other in same situation • Same calls at end of game as you make at the beginning of the game • This means call the games tightly at the beginning and continue throughout • Players learn what you want them to do better with more consistent calls • At the level of this league, some “coaching” may be required from a referee • That means dropping the whistle on occasion and telling players to bring the ball back to the point of the foul or where to go for corner throw, etc. • Also try to call out cap numbers verbally after exclusions if there might be confusion • Do most of your “coaching” by how you enforce the rules – players learn not to do something if they are called for fouls and exclusions • Team that plays better on a given day should win the game

Game Setup • Pool: we will play games in whatever pools are available, 25 yd with wall mounted goals is common for IHSA • Markings: • Goal line (front of goal posts) and Half with white marks • 2m line (from goal line) with red marks • 5m line (from goal line) with yellow marks • Exclusion area: under goal line (ideal), under side line (if possible), or all the way to the corner and out of play if no lane lines • Always on the side of a team’s bench • Goals: 10 ft wide inside goal posts, 3 ft high in deep water or 8 ft from floor in shallow water • Ball: Use women’s water polo ball for all games 14U • Caps: Visitor wears white, Home wears blue or dark, Goalies are red caps with ear guards matching their team • Swim caps worn under polo cap should be similar color (light/dark)

Pool Layout

Teams • 6 field players and 1 goalie for each team in the water • Additional substitutes should be seated on the bench • Benches should be located behind goal line on side of pool across from table when possible • Cap numbers: • Goalies are cap #1, table and ref must be notified if switching goalies • Every player must have a different number • Head coach may stand, move out to 5m on offense, behind goal line on defense • Assistant coaches are to remain seated

Officials – Timekeeper/Secretaries • 1-2 Secretary: maintain record of game (goals, exclusions, time outs, etc.), wave reentry flags for exclusions • Record time, team, cap number for every goal and major foul (exclusion or penalty) • Record score in game progress when a goal is scored, tally in player’s row • Record exclusions to appropriate player as personal foul (e.g. E1, P3, E4) • Wave white flag for white team, blue flag for blue team, red for third personal foul • 1-2 Timekeepers: run game and shot clocks • Both clocks start initially when team controls ball off of sprint • Both clocks stop every whistle • Both clocks run when ball is put back into play • Shot clock (30 seconds) is reset: • Shot on goal • Complete change of possession • Major foul (exclusion or penalty) • Ball over the goal line (goal throw or corner throw) • Neutral throw (jump ball)

Officials - Referee • 2 referees: have absolute control of the game • Whistle start and restart game • Declare goals, goal throws, corner throws, neutral throws • Declare infringements of the Rules • May alter decision if done before ball is put back in play • Prior to the game: • Check teams for finger and toe nails, jewelry, and foreign substance (oil or grease), no goggles • Conduct a captains and coaches meeting: • Coin flip for ends • Go over pool layout, where clocks are, etc. • Any additional instructions to teams

Duration of the game • 4 – 5 minute quarters of actual play, clocks stop each whistle and restart when ball is made live (pop, drop, pass) • U11 Quarters will be running time until last minute of each quarter • 2 minutes between each period, switch ends each quarter • 2 – 2 minute Overtime periods if score is tied at end of regulation (must play both periods) • Overtime is only to be used in championships: 2 – 2 minute quarters, followed by 2 minute sudden victory periods if still tied • 2 – 1 minute time outs per game, 1 T/O in overtime

Starts, goals, restarts • Start of period: players line up on goal lines, sprint when whistle is blown and ball dropped • Both sides may use wall unless not equal on both ends, then neither may push off • Scoring a goal: entire ball must pass completely over goal line within posts and under cross bar • Goalkeeper can only score from their own half, bottom may only be used within 5m of goalie’s own goal • Two players must intentionally play ball except: • Penalty throw • Free throw into own goal • Immediate shot from a goal throw • Immediate shot from free throw outside of 5m • Goal may be scored after 30 seconds or quarter expires if ball has already left shooter’s hand and is in the air towards the goal • Restarts: after a goal is scored, players take position anywhere on their own halves of the pool • Restart play by blowing whistle and dropping arm

Types of throws • Goal throw: awarded when entire ball passed over goal line, not within the goal, last touched by any player other than goalkeeper of defending team • Also when ball goes into goal or strikes goal or keeper from: • Free throw inside 5m • Free throw outside 5m not taken properly • Goal throw not taken immediately • Corner throw • Goal throw is taken by any player of team now gaining the ball from within the 2m area • Corner throw: awarded when ball crosses goal line out of bounds and last touched by goal keeper of defending team or a field player who deliberately sends pass over goal line • Taken from side of pool at 2m mark • No players of attacking team should be within 2m when throw is taken • Neutral throw: Ball is thrown into field of play near same location as event occurred, with the two players involved or closest to event • Awarded for: • Ball dropped at start of period in definite advantage to one side • Both referees blow whistles at same time for ordinaries on opposing teams • Ball strikes overhead obstruction within field of play • Free throw: taken at the place where a foul occurred or behind the line of the foul if ball has moved backwards, must be outside 2m if foul was inside 2m area • Free throw taken from wrong position shall be retaken • Should be able to observe ball leaving hand of player taking the free throw: pop, drop, or pass

Categories of Rules • Rule of Advantage • Rules of Play • Minor Fouls • Major Fouls • Rules of Conduct • Rules of Physicality and Violence • Possession, Position, Probable Goal

Advantage Rule 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 favour 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.]

Minor (ordinary) fouls • Advance beyond goal line at start of period, before signal to start • Assist a teammate at start of period of any other time during game • Hold on to or push off goal or sides of pool during play • Take an active part in game while on floor of pool (exception for goalkeepers inside 5m area) • Take entire ball under water while being tackled • Strike at ball with a clenched fist (exception for goal keeper inside 5m area) • Touch or play ball with two hands (exception for goal keeper inside 5m area) • Impede or prevent free movement of opponent who is not holding the ball. Includes swimming over shoulders, back or legs. “Holding the ball” is lifting, carrying or touching the ball, not swimming while ball is dribbled on wave in water • Push or push off an opponent who is no holding the ball

More minor fouls • Player of team in possession of ball commits impeding or push/push off before a free throw, goal throw, or corner throw • Be within 2m of opponents’ goal except behind line of the ball • Take a penalty throw other than prescribed manner • Delay unduly when taking free throw, goal throw, or corner throw • Goalkeeper to touch ball beyond half distance line • Send ball out of side of field of play, including a rebound from the side of the pool above water line • Retain possession of ball for more than 30 seconds without shooting • Wasting time: • Pass back to goal keeper when he/she is only player on their half after ball is already live • Dumping the ball in corner of the pool (usually at end of shot clock)

Major fouls – Exclusion fouls • Exclusion foul is punished by awarding a free throw to opposing team and exclusion for 20 seconds of player who committed the foul • Excluded player goes to re-entry area nearest own goal line without leaving the water. Player who leaves the water is guilty of Misconduct • Excluded player (or substitute) may re-enter at earliest occurrence of following: • 20 seconds of actual play have elapsed, secretary shall raise appropriate colored flag provided player has reached re-entry area • Goal is scored • Excluded player’s team has retaken possession of ball during actual play, referee shall signal re-entry • Excluded player’s team is awarded a free throw or goal throw • Excluded player or sub may re-enter if: • Received signal from secretary or referee • Player does not jump or push off side or bottom of pool • Player does not affect alignment of goal • Substitute may not enter until excluded player has reached re-entry area

Exclusion fouls • Player to leave water or sit or stand on side of pool during play except accident, injury, illness, or permission of referee • Interfere with taking of free throw, goal throw, or corner throw • Attempt to play or block a shot with 2 hands outside 5 m • Splashing in the face of an opponent intentionally • Hold, sink, or pull back an opponent who is not holding the ball • Kick or strike an opponent intentionally, or make movements with that intent (even if kick or strike does not connect) • Before a free throw, goal throw, corner throw, or penalty throw, for a defensive player to: • Impede an opponent • Push or push off • Commit any exclusion foul above • Interference with taking of a penalty throw: player is excluded for remainder of game with substitution (after 20 seconds…) and penalty throw is retaken • Defending goalkeeper refuses to take up correct position on goal line for penalty throw after being ordered to do so by referee

More on Exclusions • Double exclusion: player of each team commits simultaneous exclusion fouls, both players are excluded and team in attack maintains possession. Ball should be taken out to make sure appropriate players are excluded. Both players (or subs) must re-enter at same time. • If player on attack commits an exclusion foul before a penalty throw, penalty throw is maintained • Excluded player or substitute re-enters field of play improperly, including: • No signal from referee or secretary • From any place other than proper re-entry area • Jumping or pushing off side of pool • Affecting alignment of goal • If this is done by player of team not possessing the ball, player is excluded and penalty throw is awarded • If done by player of team in possession of ball, player is excluded and opponent is awarded a free throw • If excluded player intentionally interferes with play, a penalty throw is awarded and an additional personal foul awarded to the player • If game continues to extra time or next period, the exclusion period shall continue until appropriate (20 seconds, change of possession…)

Fouls of conduct • Misconduct, including use of unacceptable language, violent or persistent foul play, and refusing obedience or showing disrespect for a referee or official or behavior against the spirit of the Rules and likely to bring game into disrepute • Offending player shall be excluded for remainder of the game with substitution allowed as allowed for by exclusion fouls

Fouls of violence • Misconduct of the violent or persistent foul play variety • Committing an act of brutality, must meet 3 criteria • Obvious • Intent • To injure • For brutality, offending player is excluded for remainder of game, penalty throw is awarded to opposing team and a substitute is allowed to re-enter after 4 minutes of actual play • Any Misconduct, Brutality, or Violence calls need to be reported to myself immediately after the conclusion of the game

Major fouls – Penalty Fouls • Defending player within 5m area commits any foul but for which a goal would probably have resulted, includes: • Pull down goal • Play ball or block shot with 2 hands • Block or attempt to block a shot with 2 hands • Play ball with clenched fist • Goalkeeper to take ball under water when tackled • Brutality or violence can result in penalty as well as game exclusion • Excluded player intentionally interferes with play, including affecting alignment of goal • Player or substitute not entitled to participate enters field of play – offending player also excluded for remainder of game • Coach of team not in possession of ball to take a time out or take any action to prevent probable goal • In last minute of game, if a penalty throw is awarded to a team, coach may elect to maintain possession with new shot clock

Penalty throw • Penalty throw taken by any player of team except goal keeper from opponent’s 5 m line • All players leave 5 m area and away from shooter • Goalkeeper hips on goal line for wall mounted goal, head behind goal line for floating goal • When referee is satisfied of positions, whistle and lower arm to signal for throw to be taken • If penalty awarded as time expires, only shooter and goalkeeper remain in pool

Accident, injury, illness • Stop game immediately for blood, allow substitution • If any other accident, injury, or illness occurs, referee may at their discretion suspend game for up to 3 minutes for player to recover • If player cannot resume after 3 minutes, a substitute shall take the player’s place

Mechanics • Whistles • Hand signals • Dividing the pool • Body positioning

Whistles • Minor foul: single short tweet (-) • Contra foul (offensive): double short (- -) • Exclusion foul: several short, long (- - - ―) • Penalty foul (5m): short, long (- ―) • Offensive exclusion: contra foul, followed by exclusion foul (- -, - - - ―) • Others: • Start or restart: single tweet (-) • Goal: single tweet, may draw it out a little (–) • Time Out: double tweet or more, along with “T”

Hand signals • Ordinary foul: arm up horizontally in direction of attacking team • Exclusion foul: point to excluded player with arm nearest his/her bench, then across towards exclusion area • Penalty foul: palm towards pool showing “5” • Corner throw: hand nearest goal same as ordinary foul, other hand point down to corner where you want the ball placed in from the bench

Additional hand signals • Contra foul away from the ball: one hand raised as ordinary foul indicating direction, point with other hand to spot of foul (only necessary if ball must be brought back to this point) • Goal: hand nearest goal points towards goal, then across chest to center of the pool • Start, restart (after goal or T/O): hand raised vertically, drop hand as whistle blows

Signaling cap numbers • 1: Thumb • 2: Thumb and index • 3: Thumb, index, middle • 4: All but thumb • 5: Open hand, all fingers • 6 – 9: “5” with right hand, 1 – 4 with left hand • 10: clenched fist • 11 – 15 : fist with right hand, 1-5 with left • 16 – 19 : fist with right, 5 then 1-4 with left • 20: two fists • Above 20: two fists, then add above

Dividing the pool • In a half court offense, one referee is “front court” and the other is “back court” • Call front court for the goal to your right • Front Court referee is primarily responsible for 2m (hole set), the near wing (at your feet), and the flat to your left (unless they are too far away • Back Court referee is primarily responsible for point, wing and flat on the opposite side, and the flat on the front court referee’s side when well behind 5m line • Drives from back court to front court should have some overlap of responsibility • Front Court should call 2m line and goal line violations • Both referees can call 5m line for direct shots – generally defer to referee closest to the line or whomever called the initial foul • Discuss dividing the pool with your partner before starting a game • Better for both refs to call something than neither call it because you both think it is the other person’s call

Front Court Responsibility

Body positioning • Open body at 45° angle to the pool so at least 13 players can see your chest at all times • Transition to front court: Stay ahead of first pair coming down the pool • Transition to back court: Stay behind last pair down the pool • Front court: Normally positioned between 2m and 5m • Back court: Normally positioned even with last field player

2008 NSSWPL Referee Training