Some of you may already have seen details on the forums about some ICF rule clarifications and updates for 2008.  In the UK we are in the middle of our winter season and so we have decided that these changes will come into effect from the National Champs onwards.

Many of the changes are really clarifications of existing good refereeing.
There are however four elements which I believe may affect the way the game is played:

- Rugby style advantage.  The referee may choose to play on for the next pass or shot and come back if no advantage develops.
- Fouls moved to TWO metres from the goal line if closer.
- Players within 2 metres of the goal may block a free shot with a stationary hand or paddle after release but before it has travelled 1m
- Fouls are considered to be deliberate unless the player makes an attempt to avoid the foul.  (Referee is judging what the player actually does rather than mind reading!)

A pdf with all of the details is available below.

Once again can I re-iterate that in the UK these changes will come into effect from (and including) the National Championships in May 2008.