Clarification nº1
Free-Throw Execution after the Final Signal (2:4-6)
In many cases, the team that has the opportunity to execute a free-throw after the playing time has expired is not really interested in trying to score a goal, either because the outcome of the game is already clear or because the position for the free-throw is too far away from the goal of the opponents. Although technically the rules require that the free-throw be executed, the referees should show good judgment and consider the free-throw taken if a player who is in the approximately correct position simply lets the ball drop or hands it to the referees.
In those cases where it is clear that the team wants to try to score a goal, the referees must try to find a balance between allowing this opportunity
(even though it is a very small one) and ensuring that the situation does not deteriorate into a time-consuming and frustrating «theater». This means that the referees should get the players from both teams into correct positions firmly and quickly so that the free-throw can be executed without delay. The new restrictions in Rule 2:5 regarding player positions and substitutions must be enforced (4:5 and 13:7).
The referees must also be very alert to other punishable violations by the two teams. Persistent encroachment by the defenders must be punished
(15:4, 15:9, 16:1c, 16:3c). Moreover, the attacking players often violate the rules during the execution, e.g. one or more players cross the free-throw line after the whistle but before the throw (13:7, 3rd paragraph), or the thrower actually moves or jumps when throwing (15:1,15:3).
It is very important not to allow any goals scored illegally.
Clarification nº2
Time-out (2:8)
Apart from the situations indicated in Rule 2:8, where a time-out is obligatory, the referees are expected to use their judgment regarding the need for time-outs also in other situations. Some typical situations where time-outs are not obligatory but nevertheless tend to be given in normal circumstances are: a) there are external influences, e.g. the court must be wiped;
b) a player seems to be injured;
c) a team is clearly wasting time, e.g. when the team is delaying the execution of a formal throw, or when a player is throwing the ball away or not releasing it;
d) if the ball touches the ceiling or a fixture above the court (11:1), and the ball is deflected so that it goes far away from the location of the resulting throw-in, causing an unusual delay.
When determining the need for a time-out in these and other situations, the referees should foremost take into consideration whether an interruption of the game without a time-out would create an unfair disadvantage for one of the teams. For instance, if a team is leading by a very clear margin late in the game, then it might not be necessary to make a time-out during a brief interruption to wipe the court. Similarly, if the team that would be disadvantaged by the lack of a time-out is the team that, for some reason, is itself causing a delay or wasting time, then there is obviously no reason for a time-out. Another important factor is the expected duration of the interruption. The length of an interruption caused by an injury is often difficult to estimate, so it may then be safer to call a time-out. Conversely, the referees should not be too quick to call a time-out just because the ball has left the playing court. In such cases the ball is often back and ready to be played almost immediately. If not, the referees should concentrate on getting a reserve ball into play quickly (3:4), precisely in order to make a time-out unnecessary. The obligatory time-out in connection with 7-meter throws has been removed. It may still be necessary to give a time-out based on subjective judgment on some occasions, in accordance with the principles just discussed. This may involve situations where one of the teams clearly delays the execution, including for instance through a substitution of the goalkeeper or the thrower.
Clarification nº3
Team Time-out (2:10)
Each team has the right to receive one 1-minute team time-out in each half of the regular playing time (but not in overtime).
A team that wishes to request a team time-out must do so by having a team official place a green card on the table in front of the timekeeper.
(It is recommended that the green card measures about 15 x 20 cm and has a large «T» on each side).
A team may request their team time-out only when it has possession of the ball (when the ball is in play or during an interruption). Provided that the team does not lose possession before the timekeeper has time to whistle
(in which case the green card would be returned to the team), the team will be granted the team time-out immediately.
The timekeeper then interrupts the game by blowing the whistle, and stops the clock (2:9). He gives the hand signal for time-out (no. 16) and points with a stretched arm at the team that requested the team time-out.
(If necessary, due to noise and commotion, the timekeeper stands up while doing so.) The green card is placed on the table, on the side of the team that equested the team time-out, and remains there during the time-out.
The referees acknowledge the team time-out, and the timekeeper starts a separate clock controlling the duration of the team time-out. The scorekeeper enters the time of the team time-out in the score sheet for the team that requested it.
During the team time-out the players and team officials remain at the level of their substitution areas, either on the court or in the substitution area. The referees stay in the center of the court, but one of them may briefly go to the timekeeper's table for consultation.
Infractions during a team time-out have the same consequences as infractions during playing time. It is irrelevant in this context whether the players concerned are on or off court; under Rules 8:4 and 16:3c, a suspension may be given for unsportsmanlike conduct.
After 50 seconds the timekeeper gives an acoustic signal indicating that the game is to be continued in 10 seconds.
The teams are obliged to be ready to resume play when the team time-out expires. The game is restarted either with the throw that corresponds to the situation that existed when the time-out was granted or, if the ball was in play, with a free-throw for the team requesting the team time-out from the place where the ball was at the time of the interruption.
When the referee blows the whistle the timekeeper starts the clock.
Clarification nº4
Passive Play (7:11-12)
General Guidelines
The application of the rules regarding passive play has the objective of preventing unattractive methods of play and intentional delays in game. This requires that the referees throughout the game recognize and judge passive methods in a consistent manner.
Passive methods of play may arise in all phases of a team’s attack, i.e. when the ball is moved down the court, during the build-up phase, or during the finishing phase.
Passive ways of playing may be used relatively more frequently in the following situations :
- A team is narrowly in the lead towards the end of the game.
- A team has a player suspended.
- when the defense of the opponents is superior.
The Utilization of the Forewarning Signal
The forewarning signal should be shown particularly in the following situations :
1. When substitutions are made slowly or when the ball is moved slowly down the court.
Typical indications are :
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Players are standing around in the middle of the court waiting for substitutions to be completed;
* a player is delaying the execution of a free-throw (by playing around with the ball or pretending not to know the correct spot), throw-off (by a slow recovery of the ball by the goalkeeper, by an erratic pass to middle, or by slow walking with the ball to the middle), goalkeeper-throw, or throw-in, after the team has previously been admonished for such delaying tactics.
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A player is standing still bouncing the ball;
- the ball is played back into the team’s own half of the court, even though the opponents are not putting on any pressure;
2. In connection with a late substitution after the build-up phase has already started.
ITypical indications are :
- All players have already taken up their attacking positions.
- The team starts the build-up phase with a preparatory passing play.
- Not until this stage does the team undertake a substitution.
Comments:
A team which has attempted a rapid counter-attack from its own half of the court, but has failed to get to an immediate scoring opportunity after reaching the opponents’ half of the court, must be allowed to undertake a quick substitution of players at that stage.
3. During an excessively long build-up phase.
In principle, a team must always be allowed a build-up phase with a preparatory passing play before they can be expected to start a targeted attacking situation. Typical indications of an excessively long build-up phase are :
- The team’s attack does not lead to any targeted attacking action;
Comments:
A targeted attacking action exists particularly when the attacking team uses tactical methods to move in such a way that they gain spatial advantage over the defenders, or when they increase the pace of the attack in comparison with the build-up phase;
- Players are repeatedly receiving the ball while standing still or moving away from the goal.
- Repeated bouncing of the ball while standing still.
- When confronted by an opponent, the attacking player turns away prematurely, waits for the referees to interrupt the game, or gains no spatial advantage over the defende.
- Active defensive actions : active defensive methods preventing the attackers from increasing the pace because the defenders block the intended ball movements and running.
- The attacking team achieves no clear increase in pace from the build-up phase to the finishing phase.
4. After showing the forewarning signal
After showing the forewarning signal, the referees should allow a build-up phase. (The referees should recognize that younger players and teams at lower levels may require more time). If after this build-up phase there is no clear increase in pace and no targeted attacking action can be recognized, then the referees must conclude that the team in possession of the ball is guilty of passive play.
Comments:
The referees must be careful not to take action against passive play precisely at the moment when the attacking team is actually trying to shoot or undertake a move against the goal of the opponents.
How the Forewarning Signal should be shown
If a referee (either the court referee or the goal-line referee) recognizes the emergence of passive play, he lifts the arm (Hand signal No.18). The other referee should also give the forewarning signal. (They should use the arm that is closest to the team benches.) This is to indicate the judgment that the team in possession is not trying to get a scoring opportunity or is repeatedly delaying a restart of the game. The hand signal is maintained until : 1. the attack is over or 2. the forewarning signal is no longer valid (see below).
If the team in possession does not make a recognizable attempt to get into position to take a shot on goal, then one of the referees whistles for passive play and awards a free-throw to the opponents.
An attack, which begins when the team gets into possession of the ball, is considered over when the team scores a goal or loses possession. The forewarning signal normally applies for the entire remainder of the attack. However, during the course of an attack, there are two situations where the judgement of passive play is no longer valid, and
the forewarning signal must be stopped immediately : 1. the team in possession takes a shot on goal and the ball rebounds to the team from the goal or the goalkeeper (directly or in the form of a throw-in) or
2. a player or team official of the defending team is given a progressive punishment under Rule 16 due to a rules infraction or unsportsmanlike conduct. In these two situations, the team in possession must be allowed a new build-up phase.
Clarification nº5
Unsportsmanlike Conduct (8:4, 16:1c, 16:3e)
For the purpose of punishments under Rule 16, unsportsmanlike conduct falls into one of the three categories for which examples are provided below :
5.1 Punished progressively if the action is repeated (16:1c)
5.2 Punished progressively already the first time (16:1c)
5.3 Specifically always punished with a 2-minute suspension (16:3e)
The following specific situations are indicative of when the three categories should apply :
5.1 When defending players are using the goal area as their basic defensive position (i.e., not just as a sudden reaction in an isolated situation when confronted by a player in a scoring position);
5.2a) harassing an opponent or teammate through words or gestures of a provoking nature; a specific example : shouting to an opponent who is executing a 7-meter-throw.
b) delaying the execution of a formal throw for the opponents, typically by not respecting the 3-meter distance or, for example, when a goalkeeper does not release the ball to a 7-meter thrower; (see, however, Rules
14:8,14:9,15:42ndparagraph,and15:53rdparagraph).
c) through fake action (‘theater’) trying to mislead the referees regarding the actions of an opponent (e.g., pretending that a foul was committed).
d) when actively blocking a shot or pass by using a foot or lower leg; (a reflex motion, such as instinctively closing the legs when the ball is coming; or blocking the ball in a normal movement of the legs while moving the whole body forward towards the opponent, are not to be punished); see also Rule 7:8;
5.3a) when there is a decision against a team in possession, and the player with the ball does not immediately drop it or put it down on the floor; similarly, if the ball is already on the floor and a player pushes the ball away;
b) interference with the game from players or team officials in the substitution area, e.g., intervening by reaching over the side line into the court or by not releasing a ball that went into the substitution area.
Clarification nº6
Seriously Unsportsmanlike Conduct (8:6, 16:6c)
following are examples of actions that should lead to punishment in the form of a direct disqualification in accordance with Rule 16:6c. By analogy, other actions could be deemed by the referees to belong in the same category :
a) insulting behavior (through speech, facial expressions, gestures or body contact) directed at another person (referee, timekeeper/scorekeeper, delegate, team official, player, spectator, etc.);
b) throwing or kicking the ball away in a demonstrative manner, after a decision by the referees;
c) if a goalkeeper demonstratively refrains from trying to stop a 7-meter throw;
d) taking revenge after having been fouled (hitting back in a reflex action);
e) deliberately throwing the ball at an opponent during a stoppage in the game; (if it is done with a lot of force and from very short distance it is more appropriately regarded as assault);
f) destruction of a clear chance of scoring through interference by a team official or an additional player entering the court (4:2, 4:3, 4:6), or by a team official or player intervening by reaching into the court from the substitution area.
g) if during the last minute of a game, a player uses methods that could be seen as falling under Rules 8:5 or 8:6, simply in order to prevent the opponents from having the time to get into a position to score a deciding goal (to win or tie the game, or to gain the necessary goal difference) or to get into a position where a 7-meter-throw could be awarded;
Clarification nº7
Throw-Off (10:3)
As a guiding principle for the interpretation of Rule 10:3, the referees should keep in mind the objective of encouraging teams to make use of a quick throw-off. This means that the referees should avoid being pedantic and should not search for opportunities to interfere with, or penalize, a team trying to throw quickly.
For instance, the referees must avoid letting note-taking or other tasks interfere with their readiness to check the player positions quickly. The court referee should be ready to whistle at the very moment when the thrower reaches the correct position, assuming that there is no clear need for corrections of other player positions. The referees must also keep in mind that the teammates of the thrower are allowed to move across the center line as soon as the whistle is blown. (This is an exception from the basic principle for the execution of formal throws.)
Although the rule states that the thrower must step on the center line and be within 1.5 meter from the center, the referees should not be excessively precise and concerned about centimeters. The main thing is to avoid unfairness and uncertainty for the opponents as regards when and where the throw-off is taken.
Moreover, most courts do not have the center point marked, and some courts may even have the center line interrupted due to advertising at the center. In such cases, both the thrower and the referee will obviously need to estimate the correct position, and any insistence on exactness would then be unrealistic and inappropriate.
Clarification nº8
Definition of Clear Chance of Scoring (14:1)
For the purposes of Rule 14:1, a clear chance of scoring exists when :
a) a player who already has ball and body control at the goal-area line of the opponents has the opportunity to shoot on goal, without any opponent being able to prevent the shot with legal methods;
b) a player who has ball and body control is running (or dribbling) alone towards the goalkeeper in a counter-attack, without any other opponent being able to come in front of him and stop the counter-attack;
c) a player is in a situation which corresponds to a) or b), except that the player does not yet control ball but is ready for an immediate reception of the ball; the referees must be convinced that no opponent will be able to prevent the reception of the ball with legal methods;
d) a goalkeeper has left his goal area and an opponent with ball and body control has a clear and unimpeded opportunity to throw the ball into the empty goal. (This also applies if defenders are in positions between the throwing player and the goal, but the referees must then take into account the possibility for these players to intervene in a legal manner.)
Clarification nº9
Interruption by the Timekeeper (18:1)
If a timekeeper interrupts the game due to a faulty substitution or illegal entry under Rules 4:2-3, 5-6, the game is restarted with a free-throw for the opponents, normally at the place of the infringement. If, however, the ball was at a more favorable position for the opponents at the time of the interruption, then the free-throw should be taken from that place (see 13:6,3rd and 4th paragraphs).
In the case of such infringements, the timekeeper shall interrupt the game immediately, without regard for the general advantage rules in 13:2 and
14:2. If a clear scoring chance is destroyed because of such an interruption, when it is caused by an infringement on the part of the defending team, then a 7-meter throw shall be awarded in accordance with Rule 14:1a.
In the event of other types of infringements that need to be reported to the referees, the timekeeper should generally wait until the next interruption in the game. If the timekeeper nevertheless interrupts the game, such an intervention cannot lead to a loss of possession. The game will be restarted with a free-throw for the team which had possession at the time of the interruption. If, however, the interruption was caused by an infringement on the part of the defending team, and the referees judge that the premature interruption destroyed a clear chance of scoring for the opponents, then a
7-meter throw shall be awarded in analogy with Rule 14:1b. As a general principle, infringements observed and reported by the timekeeper/ scorekeeper (except as under 4:2-3, 5-6) do not lead to personal punishments.
The provision for awarding a 7-meter throw in accordance with Rule
14:1a, as indicated in the second paragraph above, also applies if a referee or technical delegate (of the IHF or a continental/national federation) interrupts the game for an infringement leading to a verbal caution or a punishment against a player or an official of the defending team, at a moment when the team in possession has a clear chance of scoring. |
1. The substitution areas are situated outside the sideline, to the left and right of the extension of the center line, up to end of the respective team benches, and also behind the benches if there is space (Rules of the Game : diagram 1).
The regulations for IHF and continental federation events prescribe that the team benches shall start at a distance of 3.5 meters from the center line. This is also a ecommendation for games at all other levels.
No objects of any kind may be placed at the side line in front of the team benches (for at least 8 meters from the center line).
2. Only the players and team officials entered in the score sheet are allowed to be in the substitution area (4:1-2). If an interpreter is needed, he must take up a position behind the team bench.
3. The team officials in the substitution area must be fully dressed in sportswear or civilian clothing
4. The timekeeper and scorekeeper shall support the referees in monitoring the occupancy of the substitution area before and during the game.
If before the game there are any infringements of the rules as regards the substitution area, the game may not start until the infringements have been remedied. If these rules are infringed during the game, the game may not be continued after the next interruption until the matter has been resolved.
5. The team officials have the right and duty to guide and manage their team also during the game, in a fair and sporting spirit within the framework of the rules. In principle, they should sit on the team bench. However, the officials are permittedto move around within the substitution area, specifically in order to :
- Manage the substitution of players.
- Give tactical advice to players on the court and on the bench.
- Give medical care.
- Request a team time-out.
- Communicate with the timekeeper/scorekeeper; this applies only to the responsible team official and only in unusual situations (see4:2).
At any given point in time, the permission to move around applies to only one official per team. Moreover, the team official who is moving must respect the limits of the substitution area as defined in point no.1 above. Similarly, the team official must also respect the need for unrestricted vision on the part of the timekeeper/scorekeeper.
In principle, players in the substitution area should sit on the team bench.
The players are however permitted to ::
- move around behind the bench to warm up, without ball, provided that there is sufficient space and that it is not disruptive.
It is not permitted for team officials or players to :
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interfere with or insult referees, delegates, timekeeper/scorekeeper, players, team officials, or spectators, by behaving in a provocative, protesting, or otherwise unsportsmanlike manner (speech, facial expression or gestures).
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Leave the substitution area in order to influence the game;
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Stand or move along the side line while warming up
Team officials and players are generally expected to remain in the substitution area of their team. If a team official nevertheless leaves the substitution area for another position, he loses the right to guide and manage his team and must return to the substitution area to regain his right.
More generally, players and team officials remain under the jurisdiction of the referees throughout the game, and the normal rules for personal punishments apply also if a player or official decides to take up a position away from the court and the substitution area. Therefore, unsportsmanlike conduct, seriously unsportsmanlike conduct, and assault are to be punished in the same manner as if the violation had taken place on the court or in the substitution area.
6. If the Substitution Area Regulations are infringed, the referees are obliged to act in accordance with Rules 16:1c, 16:3c-d or 16:6a,c (warning, suspension, disqualification).
7. If the referees fail to notice an infringement of the Substitution Area Regulations, they must be informed about it by the timekeeper/ scorekeeper during the next interruption of the game.
Technical Delegates of the IHF, a continental federation or national federation who are on duty at a game are allowed to draw the attention of the referees (at the next interruption of the game) to a possible violation of rules or a failure to comply with the Substitution Area Regulations (except in the case of decisions made by the referees on the basis of their observations of the facts).
In such cases the game must be restarted with the appropriate throw depending on the game situation.
However, if the technical delegate of the IHF (or the continental/ national federation) finds it necessary to interrupt the game immediately because of an infringement by one team, then the game is resumed with possession of the ball for the opponents (free-throw or, in the case of a clear scoring opportunity, 7-meter throw).
The player or official who committed an infringement shall be punished by the referees; the details shall be recorded in the score sheet.
8. If the referees do not take action regarding an infringement of the Substitution Area Regulations, even after they have been made aware of it, then the technical delegate of the IHF (or continental/ national federation) must submit a report to the appropriate authority (e.g. Disciplinary Commission). This authority shall rule on the events in the substitution area and on the attitude of the referees. |
