Following a few queries and a release from the INF please find a list of up to date rules clarifications and applications. Please see some guidance from Carolyn Davies:
Taking a Sanction
If a player takes a sanction from the incorrect position, the umpire should award a free pass to the opposition. The terminology used should be – Incorrect position, free pass red. Umpires should review their performance to ensure that their signals and indication is clear.
In very rare circumstances if the umpire is convinced that the player did not hear their indication (the arena may be very loud) they can ask that the sanction is re-taken but every effort must be made to avoid this by using a strong whistle, strong hand signals and where applicable eye contact with the player can avoid this from occurring.
In extremely rare situations where an umpire feels that a player has continually taken sanctions in the incorrect position they may deem the player to be delaying play and can apply the game management rules. This will include advancing the sanction (if it doesn’t place the non-offending team at a disadvantage) and a caution is issued. Should this situation occur it is imperative that the umpire reviews their match and identifies where they could have used more effective umpiring methods to ensure this scenario did not occur.
Taking a Sanction
If a player takes a sanction from the incorrect position, the umpire should award a free pass to the opposition. The terminology used should be – Incorrect position, free pass red. Umpires should review their performance to ensure that their signals and indication is clear.
In very rare circumstances if the umpire is convinced that the player did not hear their indication (the arena may be very loud) they can ask that the sanction is re-taken but every effort must be made to avoid this by using a strong whistle, strong hand signals and where applicable eye contact with the player can avoid this from occurring.
In extremely rare situations where an umpire feels that a player has continually taken sanctions in the incorrect position they may deem the player to be delaying play and can apply the game management rules. This will include advancing the sanction (if it doesn’t place the non-offending team at a disadvantage) and a caution is issued. Should this situation occur it is imperative that the umpire reviews their match and identifies where they could have used more effective umpiring methods to ensure this scenario did not occur.
Taking a shot at goal (players gaining an unfair second shot)
Umpires will recall there being some issues with consistency and when a shot is deemed to be ‘taken’ or if another penalty is to be awarded.
If the player has released the ball after the whistle has been blown and the umpire deems there to be no interference from another player, this will be the only shot allowed.
If there is an infringement that interferes with the shooting action whilst the shooter is still in possession of the ball (contact on the ball or on the arm etc) a new infringement will be called and sanction issued.
Umpires should also be aware of rule 10.2.ii a and b after the ball has been released. This relates to a player causing the goalpost to move and or deflecting the ball on its downward path which includes touching the ball up through the net. The sanction is a Penalty Pass unless the shot is successful and the goal stands.
Umpires should refrain from saying the term ‘Taken’.
Possession
A Possession call under rule 9.5.1 (iii) is made without blowing the whistle. If the umpire needs to blow the whistle then a possession call is not appropriate. If the call is given in a timely manner the player should remove their hands from the ball. If they do not, the umpire should penalise under the contact rule.
Procedure for extending an injury for an emergency
This is covered in Rule 9 of the INF Match Protocols. Every effort should be taken to try and ensure that injury substitutions are completed within 30 seconds but if the primary carer alerts the umpire that the player cannot be moved safely they will need to extend the injury. It is advised that the umpire returns to the bench side of the court, informs their co-umpire of the extension and then the timekeeper. At this point it is advisable for the umpire to inform the opposition that the injury will be extended. Both umpires will then remain alert to ensure that the situation is monitored and restart the game when the injured player is back at their team bench. Throughout this time the Primary carer will be deemed to be assessing the injury and should not treat the player on the court. Umpires should not restart the game if the player is still in the court surround.
Procedures and guidance for assisting your co-umpire in dealing with a Game Management scenario they did not see
These should be limited to serious breaches of the Game Management rules as outlined in Foul Play.
If a non-controlling umpires sees something serious that has not been observed by their co-umpire they should:
- Be sure that the co-umpire did not see the incident and that they are not waiting for their own break in play to deal with it.
- Use common sense and wait for a break in play. It may be pertinent to intervene immediately but this is judged by the scenario and umpire instinct and not written word.
- Signal to the timekeeper to hold time.
- Quietly ask their co-umpire if they saw the incident and quickly provide details of what they saw.
- A decision to penalise should be quick and based on the rules.
- The controlling umpire will then inform the relevant player and say “On the advice of my co-umpire I have been informed that you XXXX… and as a result I am taking this action XXXX…”
- Normal sanctions and protocols will then follow
- This is a major intervention in the match and should not be taken lightly but is a clear display that the umpires are working together.
Retaliation
Under the Unfair Play Rule - 13.2.1 , Retaliation - 13.2.1 (vi) A player must not retaliate even if an opponent infringes the Rules. Sanction: Penalty pass and the player is cautioned. If the action is considered to be serious the player is given an official warning or suspended.
In the following the scenario the Red WA Contacts the Blue WD and the umpire awards a penalty pass. At the same the Blue WD retaliates by shrugging off the Red WA as a result of the contact.
The umpire should hold time and issue a caution or if the action is deemed serious enough an Official Warning or a Suspension is issued.
The Red WA is free to play on and a penalty pass is awarded against the Blue WD.
The umpire restarts the game.
Injury Time
If a player asks an umpire to hold time for injury or illness it is important that the umpire continues to ask why. This allows the umpire to clearly identify who time has been called for and for what reason. Whilst it is not expressly written it is advisable to repeat toward the direction of the official bench “Injury, (playing position) followed by what the injury is (knee, leg, head etc). The player for whom injury time is called must always come off.
Hand signals
Umpires must only use the hand signals that are in the Rules Book. The new Contact hand signal should not be followed by a recreation of the infringement. The protocols allow an umpire to provide a clarification of a single word or phrase, Contact (playing position) – knees, on ball, arm etc but this should only be done on appeal.
For obstruction infringements, umpires should be clear to use the correct hand signal. For obstruction of a player with the ball hand signal 16 must be used and for obstruction of a player without a ball hand signal 16 should be used.
Terminology
The INF RAP are currently working on a list of accepted terminologies but Cheryl has provided the following interim guidance:
- Umpires should refrain from using the term ‘wing’ in isolation and should use the full playing position when referring to a player for example “Advantage Obstruction Wing Defence”.
- When setting a penalty or throw in, umpires should use a strong whistle and hand signal 4. For infringements close to the circle edge the umpire may clarify if the infringement is to be taken inside or outside of the goal circle. “Throw In Red, Outside of the circle”. Umpires should refrain from using the term “Wing Area”.
- When playing advantage an umpire should clearly indicate the infringement and the playing position that advantage being played for “Advantage Obstruction Wing Attack”.
- Terminology and hand signals relating to incorrect playing the ball infringements can still be referred to as ‘Repossession” or “Replaying” and use hand signal 15
Breaking (Rule 8.2.1 iii)
Please note that the correct terminology to be used for a player that infringes rule 8.2.1 (iii) is ‘Breaking’ followed by their playing position. Historically, England Netball has released documentation where the term ‘Early Entry’ has been used. This is not correct and will be removed in any updates to these documents.
Miscellaneous
A player that has blood on them or their uniform but who is not actually bleeding (the blood came from another player) must always leave the court and you would follow the normal procedures for a 30 second injury.
A Pony Tail is adequate for play at all levels. Umpires should not be requesting players to further tie their hair up into a bun.
