56 - COMMENCEMENT OF PLAY

The First Referee should check that the other Referee, Timekeeper, Scorekeeper and Goal-Line Controllers are in position and ready to start, and have a suitable ball.

56.1 At the beginning of each game, five (5) players will line up ready to start, stationary and with some part of their kayaks on their own goal line.

In a smaller than regulation sized pitch such as a swimming pool, then the players can line up with their kayaks touching the back wall rather than the goal line. In normal play, the boundary will be played to the face of the goal.

56.2 The referee will blow the whistle to start play and then release or throw the ball into the centre of the playing area.

Once both the Goal-Line Controllers are indicating the teams are ready to start, the 1st Referee then blows their whistle to start play. In Preparing to blow the whistle the referee should avoid indicating to the players that the whistle is about to be blown.

56.3 If the ball is released or thrown giving one team definite advantage, the referee shall call for the ball and shall restart the period of play.

56.4 Physical assistance from other players is not allowed on the player attempting for the ball. Infringement incurs a free throw. Signals 1 and 14 apply. Start Infringement (Free Throw).

56.5 Only one player from each team may make an attempt to gain possession of the ball. Any other player that accompanies the player attempting for the ball must not be within a radius of three (3) metres from the body of the player attempting for the ball. Infringement incurs a free throw. Signals 1 and 14 apply. Start Infringement (Free Throw).