74 - SANCTIONS

The referee can impose any combination of the following sanctions for illegal-play depending on the severity and/or frequency of offences being penalised. The referee may send a player off the playing area for varying periods depending on the severity and/or frequency of offence being penalised. Timing of send-offs is suspended for periods of time out or intervals of play.

74.1. Goal-penalty-shot. Signal 16 and time out applies.

74.1.1. A goal-penalty-shot will be awarded for any deliberate and/or dangerous offence in the six (6) metre area where a player is fouled in the act of shooting, or passing or positioning for a near certain goal. The act of shooting begins when a player has contact with the ball, with their hand or paddle, and is clearly attempting or preparing for a shot.

74.1.2. A goal-penalty-shot can be awarded for an offence where a player, outside the 6 metre area, is fouled in the act of shooting or passing or positioning for a near certain goal, whilst the goal is not otherwise defended if no attempt is made to avoid illegal play (deliberate) and/or an offence where paddle contact with the ball in the opponents hand or any illegal play that endangers the opposition occurs (dangerous).

74.1.3. A Goal Penalty Shot will be awarded for a deliberate and/or dangerous infringement on a player within the six (6) metre area who is attempting to take a free-shot.

Note. This can take place in the first incidence.

There is some confusion and a lot of inconsistency on when to award a goal penalty shot, so the following are interpretations we would like used for 2008. For all decisions, please refer to the definitions for deliberate fouls, dangerous fouls, and the act of shooting, and a near certain goal at the start of this document, and consider the clarifications for rule 63 regarding illegal use of paddle. Play advantage where possible and give the relevant card at the next break in play where appropriate.

Inside the six (6) metre area,

Inside the six (6) metre area, a goal-penalty-shot will be awarded for any deliberate or dangerous foul on a player in the act of shooting.

Inside the six (6) metre area, a goal-penalty-shot will be awarded for any deliberate or dangerous foul on a player in the act of passing or positioning for a near-certain goal.

Inside the six (6) metre area- a goal penalty shot will be awarded for a deliberate or dangerous foul on a player who is attempting to take a free shot.

Outside the 6m area-

Outside the six (6) metre area, a goal-penalty-shot will be awarded for any deliberate or dangerous foul on a player in the act of shooting for a near-certain goal while the goal is not defended.

Outside the six (6) metre area, a goal-penalty-shot will be awarded for any deliberate or dangerous foul on a player in the act of passing or positioning for a near-certain goal while the goal is not defended.

74.2. Free shot. Signal 15 applies.

74.2.1. A Free shot may be a direct shot at goal. General play resumes when the ball has traveled one metre horizontally or changed possession to another player of the team. A free shot will be awarded for offences where a goal-penalty-shot, free throw, corner throw, goal-line throw, side line throw or a centre re-start has not been awarded.

74.3. Free throw. Signal 14 applies.

74.3.1. A Free throw may not be direct at goal. General play resumes when the ball has traveled one metre horizontally or changed possession to another player of the team. A free throw will be awarded when a goal-penalty-shot or free shot has not been awarded.

There is some confusion about whether to award a free shot or a free throw so the following interpretation is to be used for 2008/9:

A free shot will be awarded for any foul on a player unless a goal penalty shot is awarded.

When a free shot is awarded less than two (2) metres from the goal line, the free shot will be taken at the nearest point to the infringement two (2) metres from the goal line.

Note for Free Shots awarded within 2 metres of the goal: (UK Ref note – easiest to think of this rule as applying to defenders sitting within 2m of the goal when the free shot is taken)

Defenders (including the goal keeper) will be allowed to block the free shot after release, but before it has travelled 1 m from the point of release, with a stationary paddle or stationary hand(s). All defender’s paddles and hands must be kept out of arms reach and any movement towards the player taking the free shot by either a paddle or hand(s), or blocking the ball before it has been released will be deemed a deliberate action and result in a goal penalty shot being awarded.

74.4. Player sent off for the rest of the game. Signal 17 with a red card and Time-Out applies.

74.4.1. A red card must be awarded to a player receiving a second yellow card for any reason. (see
section 44 Scorekeeper)

74.4.2. A red card should be awarded when a yellow card is disputed or has not had the desired effect of causing the player to control their play or attitude.

74.4.3. A red card should be awarded if a personal attack on a player occurs.

74.4.4. A red card should be awarded for repeated and continuous foul or abusive language.

74.4.5. If a player is sent off for the rest of the game, the player cannot be replaced by a substitute.

NOTE: UK RULE ADDITION

77.4.6 Any player receiving a Red card during, or after, the game for any reason will automatically be suspended from the next game in that tournament or championship. This is to avoid players deliberately fouling towards the end of the game when they may have only a few seconds suspension to serve and also to eliminate the practice of players abusing the referee after the game is over.

Referees should bring the Red card to the attention of the tournament organiser who will enforce the rule at all UK competitions (National League, Regional and Summer C class “Internationals”). For the avoidance of doubt this penalty will not cross between competitions or seasons of play (but will cross between separate days / evening of the same season’s series). The suspension affects the player and not the team. Hence the team may have 5 players on the pitch for the next game if they have sufficient substitutes available. A team will not be penalised for playing with less than 5 players if it is directly as a result of this rule.

74.5. Player sent off for two (2) minutes. Signal 17 with a yellow card applies.

74.5.1. A yellow card must be awarded to a player receiving a third green card for any reason.

74.5.2. A yellow card should be awarded for a deliberate and/or dangerous foul that prevents the scoring of a near certain goal where the referee feels that the awarding of only a free shot will not have the desired effect.

A yellow card will be awarded for a deliberate or dangerous foul on a player that prevents the scoring of a near certain goal, except where the referee feels that the awarding of a goal penalty shot is sufficient sanction.

74.5.3. A yellow card should be awarded for dangerous illegal play, that is deliberate, repeated, or where no attempt is made to avoid dangerous play.

A yellow card will be awarded for a foul that the referee considers both deliberate and dangerous unless a red card is awarded, or for a deliberate foul that is repeated.

74.5.4. A yellow card should be awarded for repeated and continuous disputing of referee’s decisions.

74.5.5. A yellow card should be awarded for foul or abusive language.

74.5.6. Players sent off must obey the rules of entry to the playing area for re-entry at the completion of the send-off period.

74.6. Warning. Signal 17 with a green card applies. and Time-Out applies (see section 40 above).

74.6.1. A green card should be awarded for deliberate unsporting behavior of major influence to the state of the game. A green card warning will be awarded for any deliberate or dangerous foul except where a yellow or red card is awarded.

74.6.2. A green card should be awarded for unnecessary verbal communication to the referee, dangerous play and/or unsporting behaviour. A green card WILL be awarded for unnecessary verbal communication directed at the referee or an opponent, or any other unsporting behaviour except where a yellow or red card must be awarded.

Reason: Deliberate fouls, dangerous fouls and other unsporting behaviour must be controlled at all times to prevent repeat offences. By using green cards effectively referee’s can ensure the game is controlled and fair for both teams.

Since Green Cards are counted as a means of recording a pattern of bad behaviour of a player, Referees should ensure they are used in the same way as a Yellow and Red Card in terms of calling a Time-Out and then clearly indicating the details to the scorekeeper including player number.

Process for Sending a Player Off with a Yellow or Red Car:

• Use a triple whistle to attract attention and Indicate a Time-Out, Signal 7 applies.
• The Timekeeper should acknowledge they have seen the Time-Out signal by raising their Red flag or arm.
• Issue the Appropriate Yellow or Red Send-Off Card.
• Show the card and player number (use a clenched fist to indicate 10 if required), to the Timekeeper and Scorekeeper, and wait for acknowledgement.
• The Scorekeeper should record the player’s team and number and the duration of the send-off.
• Make sure the player leaves the Playing Area.
• The Referee uses the whistle to restart play with Signal 17. The Timekeeper should restart the clock at that time.
• At the end of the game the Referee (who carried out the sending off) must record the details of the send-off on the game sheet, and ensure the other Referee signs the sheet. This sheet must then be given to the Chief Referee. Normally the Tournament Organiser sends this on.

If a sent-off player does re-enter the field without being signalled to do so by the Goal Linesmen, then as soon as the Referee is aware of it they shall stop the game, Send-Off the player for the rest of the game (using a Red Card) and award a Free-Throw to the opposition. If the sent-off player’s team has scored any goals while the player has wrongly been on the Playing Area, those goals will be disallowed.

Players sent off with a red card, may not take part in a Tiebreaker Shoot-Out, and their team will lose that shot, and it will be treated as a miss.

74.7. Team Warning. Signal 17 with a green card and Time-Out applies. A team warning occurs when a referee awards a green card to all players on a team.

74.7.1. A team warning will be awarded for repeated infringements of a particular offence by more than one player of the same team. A team warning will be awarded to a team by either referee if more than 1 player on the same team is guilty of the same deliberate or dangerous foul.

This may be for obvious infringements like illegal use of paddle, illegal hand or kayak tackles, or obstruction, but should also be used for less obvious or perhaps subtle illegal play like continual unnecessary verbal communication by several team members, or deliberate delaying tactics. Any subsequent deliberate or dangerous foul by any member of that team for the same offence will result in a yellow card as per rule 74.7.2.

74.7.2. After a team warning has been given, a yellow card will be awarded to any player of that team for any subsequent infringement for the same offence.