9. GUIDANCE NOTES
9.0 Miscellaneous
9.0.1 Define Text
9.0.1.1 The definitive text of these Rules is the ENGLISH text.
9.0.2 Responsibility of a Hosting Nation
9.0.2.1 As soon as possible after CMAS give approval for a World Championship to be held, and no later than a year
prior to the event, the hosting nation must provide details of the date, location, name and specifications of the pool(s) to be used, accommodation facilities, and any specific information pertaining to how the games are to be conducted (e.g., puck, goal frames, etc.)
9.0.3 Schedule of Games
9.0.3.1 There should be ample time for scheduling a tournament of games in which each nation plays against each other
nation at least once. Teams should not be scheduled to play more than 2 games on any one day. Following the tournament, a play-off should be scheduled. The tournament will determine the making of teams for a play-off, which will determine a world champion, runner-up etc.
9.1 Playing Area and Equipment
9.1.1 Playing Area
9.1.1.6 For World Championships, sturdy barrier or walls are essential.
For Zone Championships or other tournaments, a sturdy barrier or wall is preferred, however, if not possible, a demarcation line is acceptable.
9.1.4 The Stick
9.1.4.1 All sticks will be checked at captain's meeting and stamped.
9.1.4.2 The Chief Referee may delegate the inspection and approval of all personal and team equipment prior to a game
to the Water Referees.
9.2 Team Composition, Identification and Personal Equipment
9.2.1 Team composition
9.2.1.1 In the case of player coaches, the team may play with less than 10 if the coach decides to not play for the whole
game. The Chief Referee must be informed.
9.2.1.2.1 In the event of an injury, a reserve may not be USED FOR THAT GAME.
9.3 Officials and their Equipment
9.3.2 Chief Referee's Duties
9.3.2.1.6 Chief Referee to watch that substitutions are done correctly.
9.4 The Game
9.4.1 Rules of Play
9.4.1.6.1 "The puck while being propelled by the stick may rest against the index finger when the hand is in its natural
position of holding the stick".
9.4.1.11.1 Incorrect substitution: Remove substitute from the water, plus one other player. (if a substitute is penalized
while not in the water, then both the substitute and a team member in the water will be given a time penalty of one (1) min.)
9.4.1.11.2 Referees will not wait for substitutes to return to their pool position. (i.e. Advantage Puck)
9.5 Foul Play
9.5.0.1 The Nature of Fouls
9.5.0.1.1 Minor Infringement
* most stick infringements
* incorrect starts
* most obstruction infringements
9.5.0.1.2 Major Infringement
* grasping, holding, pulling,
* obscene language, abuse
* deliberate obstruction,
* continued minor infringements
9.5.0.1.3 Serious Infringement
* fighting, striking
* continued major infringements
9.5.0.2 Foul Selection Procedure
Could this Foul have been accidental? YES
MINOR INFRINGEMENT
* advantage puck awarded
* player not penalized
Was this Foul of a serious nature? NO
MAJOR INFRINGEMENT
* advantage puck awarded
* player penalized 1 or 2 minutes
SERIOUS INFRINGEMENT
YES
*advantage puck awarded
* player dismissed
9.5.2.1 Incorrect Starts
Starting play early (breaking)
Start: Advantage Puck at center
Caution: Advantage Puck to other side
Advantage Puck: Back 3m further. (If this occurs at 5m from goal line,
the puck is then moved sideways to the center of the pool.
9.5.2.7 Obstruction
9.5.2.7.1 Especially watch when puck is flicked forward and the opposing player turns but doesn't directly go for the
puck.
9.5.2.7.2 Obstruction on Advantage Puck:
On an advantage puck, before the puck has been played, a player is deemed to be obstructing if he/she endeavors to block another players direct line to the puck.
Action: Advantage Puck. if done by defending team.
Equal Puck. if done by attacking team.
9.6 Penalties
9.6.1 Dangerous Play
9.6.1.1 If the Water Referee believes that the puck has been deliberately played in a dangerous manner, he will caution
the offending player and award an Advantage Puck, dismiss the player for a time penalty, or send the player out of the water for the remainder of the game.
9.6.1.2 Where a player deliberately flicks a puck over a side-line boundary, the team is warned once. With subsequent
infringements the offending player is given a two minute time penalty. Play re-starts as for an Advantage Puck.
9.6.4 Time Penalties
The following table is the list of time penalties to be awarded against offenders of the listed rule infringements.
RULE 5.2 INFRINGEMENTS 1st OFFENSE 2nd OFFENSE OR MORE
5.2.1 Incorrect start Caution 1 min.
5.2.2 Standing on bottom Caution 1 min
5.2.5 Handling the puck with free hand 1 min 2 min
5.2.6 Lifting/carrying puck 1 min 2 min
5.2.8 Unsportsmanlike conduct 2 min 2 min
5.2.9 Illegal stopping of Goal 2 min 2 min
5.2.12 Handling an opponent 2 min 2 min or Game Dismissal*
5.2.13 Removing equipment 2 min 2 min or Game Dismissal*
5.2.14 Insults 2 min 2 min
5.2.16 Attacking/hurting Game Dismissal
* For rules numbered 5.2.12 and 5.2.13 , on any subsequent offense by the player, a game dismissal may be awarded, rather than a two (2) minute time penalty if the action was deemed to be deliberate.
9.7 General
9.7.2 Protests and Appeals
9.7.2.1 If a player receives a penalty, only the team captain can protest to the Water Referee; this will not constitute
"refusing to accept any decisions made by the officials;" thus, it does not merit the award of another penalty for breaking Rule 5.2.15 . If after receiving an explanation, the player refuses to go to the Penalty Area, such action may constitute refusing to accept decisions made by officials. The player will go immediately to the penalty area and let the team captain protest the matter with the Chief Referee. After consultation, and the Chief Referee's announcement of a decision, the team captain will no longer protest the issue, so that the game can be resumed. An appeal can be made following the game, if necessary.
9.8 Amendments
9.8.1 RULE CHANGES - Agreed Procedure
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
6 Months 12 Months 6 Months
Write up new rules Present New Rule New Proposals sent
and send out New proposals out to all countries
Rule Book for trailing
9.8.1.1 After a World Championship the Rules Director has 6 months to write up the new rules and include them into
the Rule Book. Then post the Rule Book to all participating countries. The countries then have a further 12 months to present to the Rules Director proposed rule changes or guidance notes. The Rules Director then must distribute all the proposals 6 months prior to the World Championships. Countries will then try all the proposals and then vote on them at the next World Championship.
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