Please find below the latest rule interpretations (16th November 2011).
1. Talking to Referees. Any
complaint directed to a Referee draws an exclusion. This includes:
using a referee’s name and directing a complaint to the referee. The
FINA viewpoint is that a player / bench cannot be derogatory to a
Referee.
2. Centre Forward / Centre Back Decisions. If
the attacking team has the clear option to pass the ball into CF and
the CB takes the advantage away by holding, sinking or pulling back –
then an exclusion is called. In this situation, if it is an exclusion off the ball: a)
The CF/CB may wrestle, but if one takes the advantage away from the
other illegally, then it’s a contra foul (turnover) or exclusion
(depending on CF/CB). b) CF takes advantage away from CB – CB receives a contra foul (turnover). c) CB takes advantage away from CF – CB is excluded. d)
CF gaining an advantage by going underwater to enhance position against
CB – draws a contra foul (turnover) against the CF. e) CB still has to ensure that that he is not holding / sinking / pulling back. Where a minor foul is due, it must be given
3. Defending a drive. In
a balanced situation in front of an attacker’s goal, if the attacker
drives, and the defender of that player driving is vertical in the water
and has his/her hands down, then it’s an exclusion. Hands down
indicates the defender is holding/sinking/pulling. In a balanced
situation, if the defender deliberately blocks a drive from an attacker,
the defender is excluded. The defender cannot take away the space of
the attacker in order to block. It is important to remember that to hold
or sink the attacking player to prevent movement with two hands, is an
exclusion foul. Restricting the movement by holding is not allowed, and
must be punished with exclusion foul also.
4. Referees making calls in the other Referees area. Referees
have a responsibility to watch all play. Both referees are equally
responsible for the fair/correct outcome of the game and the safety of
all players.
5. Head Contact. Head
contact when not in possession of the ball is an exclusion. Head contact
when in possession is an exclusion if it interferes with the outcome of
the play. Any grabbing of the head is an exclusion.
6. Attacking player is not entitled to receive a foul because they have “turned” their opponent Attacking player legally turns the defender and then gains front water, then the defender fouls – exclusion of defender.
If
the attacking player uses two hands or illegally pulls around the
defender the ball must be turned over in favour of the defence.
7. Two hands foul. Blocking
or any intent to block, prevent a pass or shot, with two hands is an
exclusion foul, or penalty, when committed inside 5 metres line.
Referees must put more intention in this foul. Many players are using
two hands “as showing to the referee that they are not holding the
opposite player” – this is not an excuse for using two hands. If the
attacking player has the ball in the hand then the defender cannot use
two hands to block a pass or shot.
8. Effective hand signalling by Referees. Referees
are to use hand signals to indicate decisions.
Players/Coaches/Spectators will receive far better communication as a
result
Referees should make sure the signals are given clearly
to the players, before signalling the table. In most cases the
defending referee should be directing the numbers to the table so the
referee under pressure can concentrate on the action.
9. Last minute of game – the ball must be moved. Even
if the rule of wasting time doesn’t exist anymore, it is not in the
spirit of the game that players be allowed in last minute(s) to hold the
ball and refuse to play. In last minute of any game, the ball must be
moved. The goalie or a player cannot hold the ball without moving it.
The ball may move (e.g. dribbled) or be passed in any direction n but it
must keep moving. If the instruction is not respected by the player in
possession, then the referee shall declare a change of possession of the
ball.
10. Simulation Fouls. An
attacking player who in the dying seconds of their attack puts the ball
on the water in a “safe” position and moves into the defender must not
be given a minor foul (which would allow a 5m shot). Instead the referee
must immediately turn the ball over to the defence. The reasoning is
that the attacking team has already had 30 seconds to score and have
wasted it. Therefore the referee must not reward their poor play.
Today - Now there is no excuse to argue the referee's call, after all the referee has the final say!!!
These 14 philosophies were emphasized during the series of recent FINA Water Polo Schools for Referees.
1. The latest philosophy encourages referees to promote movement and speed in the game.
2. The privilege should always be with the attacking team.
3. The central aim is to allow the attack to continue, but not to increase its success.
4. If one referee calls a goal throw and the other a corner, the corner throw stands. This is to advantage of the attack.
5. Referees should assist play, not influence or direct it.
6. The referee should be aware of the whole pool, and not just a section of play. This is to avoid any unnecessary whistles.
7. Whichever referee sees the major foul, and is aware that calling this does not advantage the defending team, should call it.
8. There is no set section for a referee; they work as a team.
9. Whistle only when necessary. Each whistle stops the clock and therefore reduces the attacking team's momentum over the 35 second possession.
10. Only call a minor foul when without it, the defending team would be advantaged.
11. It is impossible to delay a major foul call. Try to avoid late calls. Call an exclusion foul the first time it is seen, not the second or third time it is repeated.
12. Contra foul against C/F should not be the "easy" or "alibi" call for an indecisive referee. It should be called only when obvious.
13. Any technical error by referees or the table, should not penalize players or influence the game's outcome.
14. When signalling numbers, referees should make these clear first to the players, then the coach, then the table
