SCAF WATER POLO

High School Officials Instruction

2024-2025

Clinic #2

• Rule Book Clarifications
• Rules Test Review
• Calling the Game
• Reminders

• Protests
• Shallow Water
• Q&A
• Assigning

Rule Book Clarifications/Corrections

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• Go to page 46-47 of the rule book:
• cross out 4-22 Art. 5 d. the replacement of a cap or while zipping up a suit.

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• Go to page 76 of the rule book:
• replace in 7-21 (under the NOTE:) “final minute of the game” to read “within the last minute of regulation, last minute of second overtime period, or anytime during sudden death”

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NFHS Rules Test Review

If you have not taken the rules test yet please exit the room and have a discussion with your area president on how to proceed.

NFHS Rules Test Review

1. Reminder that the primary objective of the rules test was to make referees think a little more and to encourage them to interact with the rule book.
2. Please take out your rule books as we go through the most missed questions.
3. Rules Test - LINK (Instructors use this link to view test questions)
4. Answers - LINK (Instructors use this link to view test answers)

NFHS Rules Test Review

Go through the following questions and corresponding page numbers from the rule book

Most missed questions in order by % missed (as of Friday, Aug. 9th 3:30 pm)

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Top 5 Most Missed Questions:

#26 - pg.90 (Appendix B #17)

#18 - pg.67 (7-11 Art. 2b.)

#24 - pg.67 (7-11 Art. 2b.)

#19 - pg.47 (4-22 Art. 5)

Note: “d. the replacement of…” - Should be removed.

#36 - pg.41 (4-7 Art. 4)

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Remaining Most Missed Questions:

#30 - pg.57 (6-11 Art. 2)

#39 - pg.61 (7-3 Art. 6)

#40 - pg.51 (5-10 Art. 1)

#35 - pg.57 (6-11 Art. 3) (NEW)

#20 - pg.51 (5-10 Art. 1a.) (NEW)

#6 - pg.30 (3-11 Art. 3b.) (see NOTE)

#34 - pg.39 (4-3)

#4 - pg.44 (4-14)

#25 - pg.61-62 (7-3)

#27 - pg.75 (7-16), 17 (2-1-2), 60 (7-2), (first 3 choices)

(oily substance) pg. 22 (needs discussion as Art. 3 and Notes #2 contradict each other)

#31 - pg.64 (7-6)

#38 - pg.73 (7-14 Art. 1)

#28 - pg.79 (8-8 Notes: 1)

Calling the Game

Calling the Game - Center Position

Away From the Ball:

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• Attack referee’s main focus should be positional advantage/exchange and controlling the physicality.
• Examples of gaining position illegally are ducking under (impeeding), going over the opponent, sinking, and pulling.

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Calling the Game - Center Position

Away From the Ball:

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• Referees must be aware of where the ball is and potential advantage situation.
• To control the physicality, referees must establish limits early.
• Be in position to see who initiates the contact and to catch the first foul.

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Calling the Game - Center Position

Away From the Ball:

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• If center defender is being too “heavy” with body or arms, it should be an exclusion for sinking.
• If players are “playing each other” instead of playing for position, double exclusion if physicality rises to an unacceptable level.

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Calling the Game - Center Position

Ball at the Center Position:

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• Referees should apply the advantage rule to the fullest extent.
• Exercise patience. Allow the center to play through the contact and score a natural goal. No need to call quick fouls if center is still progressing or not in jeopardy of losing the ball.
• If center defender commits a minor foul that takes away a passing opportunity or for the center to maintain the ball, an ordinary foul should be awarded.

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Calling the Game - Center Position

Ball at the Center Position:

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• Pay attention to the perimeter players dropping back. As they get closer to steal the ball, your window of opportunity to make the call is closing. Timing of your whistle is important for the flow of the game.
• If center defender “takes” the exclusion, no need to wait as the center will most likely not be able to continue the action.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Stay mobile. Be in position to see who initiates the contact.

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• Contact doesn’t always mean a foul. What is the defender trying to do? If they are trying to foul, call the first foul. If they are trying not to foul, withhold your whistle if the attacker can play through the contact and move the ball.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• The defender is entitled to the space between their shoulders. However, if they prevent the free movement of the attacker outside the shoulders by holding, sinking, pulling back, hand checking, or otherwise impeding, the defender should be excluded.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• The onus is on the offensive player to initiate the drive legally. Any time an offensive player gains an advantage by committing a foul, the referee should whistle a contra foul. Examples: Ducking under, pulling, going over the top to gain an advantage a drive.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Remember: A defender is allowed to “tackle” an opponent who is holding the ball in an effort to steal the ball as long as it is not a player safety issue (violent or overaggressive). If the attacker let’s go of the ball, give the defender a chance to show they are no longer fouling.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Watch for defenders holding up two hands. Showing hands to show that they are not fouling with the attackers back to the goal is okay. If the attacker turns to shoot or pass, the defender must put one arm down. Exclusion if defender is outside of 6m, penalty foul if defender is inside 6m.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Perimeter referee is usually responsible for monitoring four sets of players. Don’t get tunnel vision. Be aware of what is happening with the pairs next to the ball as this is where much of the movement is generated.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Fouling (tackling) an offensive player before they are able to catch a dry pass should be an exclusion foul.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• If the player on offense is using a straight arm to hold their defender at bay who is attempting to play the ball, a contra foul should be called.

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Calling the Game - Perimeter

• Make sure there is an actual foul before you whistle an ordinary foul. It is not our job to “move the ball” for the offense. An ordinary foul stops the clock and allows for a free pass or direct shot if outside 6m. It should not be a gift.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• Referees should be aware of offensive advantage. Show patience if a potential goal-scoring opportunity exists.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• Although the new rule of making yourself live allows for referees to call an exclusion behind the line of the ball, referees should ignore if a natural goal is likely.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• Former attack referee should monitor former center and defender untangling. In most cases let them untangle. The next player who engages would be penalized if need be.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• If an offensive player gains an advantage by committing a foul, an offensive foul should be called. Pulling, ducking under, going over the top are a few examples.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• If an offensive player who is ahead of the defender slows down or stops in order to draw an exclusion foul, it should not be an automatic exclusion, especially if the defender is swimming with their head down and unintentionally swims into the player. However, if the defender swims into the player and continues to swim over them, an exclusion should be called if no probable goal is eminent.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• The former “attack” referee should be even or behind the last pair of players. Don’t be in a rush to walk to the attacking half.

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Calling the Game - Transition

• Perimeter referee should anticipate the counterattack and get ahead of the players. The shot clock winding down, a bad pass, and a shot taken should be your signals.

Important Reminders

Player Safety

1. Player safety is always first and foremost
2. Overaggressive play must not be tolerated. Must be called early and often or it can escalate.
3. Fouls, especially with two hands, with no attempt to play the ball must be exclusion fouls anywhere in the field of play.
4. Advantage should not be a reason to ignore player safety.
5. Misconduct may be called for overaggressive or persistent foul play (not playing the ball)
6. Misconduct is overaggressive play (does not have to be intentional). Flagrant Misconduct is with malicious intent. Punching, kicking, elbowing or attempting to with malicious intent.

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Referee Collaboration

1. There is no “your water” or “my water”. Referees are a team.
2. The referee who is in the best position to see the play and make the call should whistle the foul.
3. Discuss coverage with your partner before the game and between quarters if need be.
4. Perimeter referee - you must engage in the attack. If a pair of player is staying back, stand in between the front court and the pair of players. Take a few steps back if possible to open your field of vision. The front court attack is too important for a perimeter referee to be on the other side of half with two players doing nothing.
5. Discuss double post. If attack referee sees perimeter referee stepping down that means they are watching. If the player turns toward the cage, perimeter referee should release the play to the attack referee.

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Signalization and Whistle Mechanics

1. Hand signals and whistles must be clear to the players and table staff.
2. Make sure the players are aware first before showing the table.
3. Hand signals should be clear and concise. Whistles should be loud and crisp. Exude confidence through your mechanics.
4. Standardize your whistles. One whistle for ordinary fouls, goals, and goal throws. Two whistles for contra fouls, corner throws, and penalty fouls. Three or more whistles for exclusions. Preferably two whistles to get the players attention and then a longer whistle to exclude.
5. Give a signal of what you called, especially if it is away from the ball. Don’t be in a rush to show. Most important is the direction of attack and the excluded players cap number. Once that is clear, then show the signal.

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Solo Officiating

1. In extenuating circumstances you may need to officiate games alone.
2. You must be focused and diligent at all times. Eyes must be moving constantly.
3. Err on the side of making the call as opposed to no call for 50/50 plays.
4. Stay mobile with your positioning. Be in position to make the call.
5. Do not tolerate anything close that will jeopardize player safety. Make the necessary calls to keep the game under control.
6. It’s a good idea to make the captains aware during the meeting that you will be on top of the overaggressive play.

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Protest Procedure

Protest Procedure - pg. 32-33 (3-12)

1. Protests can only be filed for misapplication of the rules, equipment malfunction, or desk errors, including timing errors. No team should gain an unfair advantage over the other due to this kind of error. If an upheld protest disadvantages the offended team, no correction is needed.
2. Offended coach filing the protest must do so at the time of the incident, at the next goal or next time-out or the start of the next period, whichever occurs first.
3. When informing the referee of the protest, do not allow the coach to disrupt the game. You are in control. Stop the game at the first opportunity without taking away an advantage.
4. Ask the coach what are they protesting? If it’s valid and not a judgement call, the referees should separate the players, and notify the opposing coach of the protest.

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Protest Procedure - pg. 32-33 (3-12) (cont.)

1. Referees should then discuss the protest amongst themselves and should rule on the protest immediately using the rule book.
2. If the protest is upheld, the game will be replayed with the clocks reset to the point of the event protested. All 20 second exclusions and penalty fouls shall be removed from the scoresheet. If the appropriate stoppage was a goal or time-out, that shall be removed as well. All misconducts, flagrant misconducts, red cards, and yellow cards will remain.
3. Bring both coaches together and explain the decision that was made.
4. The coach must file a brief written description of the protest after the game. The written protest with the decision must be attached to the scoresheet and signed by the referees.

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Shallow Bottom Officiating

Shallow Bottom Officiating

1. 6.5 feet or less is considered shallow bottom.
2. If defensive player uses the bottom to impede or hold an offense player, it is an exclusion foul.
3. Exclusion foul if a defensive player uses the bottom to improve his/her position and take away an advantage created by the offense. Example: defensive player launching themselves off the bottom to catch a player with an advantage on a drive.
4. Exclusion foul if perimeter player launches off the bottom to crash back as the ball is passed to the center.
5. Offensive foul if attacking player uses the bottom to create or maintain position or advantage.

Shallow Bottom Officiating (cont.)

1. Using the bottom does not apply to the goalkeeper within the 6 meter area. Outside of 6 meters they cannot use the bottom.
2. Jumping off the bottom by a defender to prevent a probable goal is a penalty foul.
3. Be aware of players using the bottom in transition to gain an advantage.
4. No whistle is necessary for players who are not involved in the play resting on the bottom.

Questions & Answers