Section 3: Game Officials
3.1. Officials
3.1.1. A tournament requires a Head Referee designated by the event organizers and communicated to the players at the beginning of the tournament.
3.1.2. A game requires the following officials:
3.1.2.1. One Referee is designated as the Main Referee to rule the game and is communicated to each team prior to the start of the game.
3.1.2.2. Goal Judges are appointed and approved by the Main Referee prior to the start of the game.
3.1.2.2.1. Goal Judges are visually distinguishable from spectators.
3.1.2.3. Game Assistants and Assistant Referees are not mandatory, but encouraged.
3.1.2.3.1. In case Game Assistants are not available, the Main Referee will take on their responsibilities and duties.
3.2. Equipment
3.2.1. Event organizers must provide the following equipment for the Game Officials:
3.3. Positioning
3.3.1. Main Referee
3.3.1.1. The Main Referee and Game Assistants must be positioned at half court, with a direct unobstructed view of the court, preferably at a height.
3.3.2. Game Assistants
3.3.2.1. Game Assistants must be positioned close to the Main Referee, at a distance where communication is favorable and easy.
3.3.3. Assistant Referees
3.3.3.1. Assistant Referees may position themselves across the court to help signal actions otherwise difficult to see by the Main Referee; otherwise they will take position right next to the Main Referee in order to follow the action on and off ball according to the needs of the game.
3.3.4. Goal Judges
3.3.4.1. Goal Judges must be positioned on the opposite side across from the Main Referee, close to the goal line slightly towards mid court, with a clear and unobstructed view of the goal opening; preferably at a height.
3.3.4.1.1. In case that positioning is unavailable, they must be placed behind the goal or slightly to the side of it, depending on where they obtain a better view of the goal opening and approved by the Main Referee.
3.4. Duties
3.4.1. Head Referee
3.4.1.1. The Head Referee oversees the proper enforcement of the ruleset by the other Officials.
3.4.1.1.1. The Head Referee cannot override a Main Referee’s decision during a game.
3.4.1.2. The Head Referee must provide a copy of the current ruleset for reference.
3.4.1.2.1. It is the responsibility of the Head Referee to explain the ruleset to players and other Game Officials.
3.4.1.3.1. The Head Referee might obtain help from other Officials to verify the equipment.
3.4.1.4. The final score for forfeited games is defined and announced by the Head Referee before the beginning of the tournament.
3.4.2. Main Referee
3.4.2.1. The Main Referee maintains full control of the game, enforcing the ruleset to the best of their ability.
3.4.3. Goal Judges
3.4.3.2.1. A Goal Judge must be prepared to provide perspective to the Main Referee regarding any potential scores or penalties.
3.4.3.2.2. Interaction with the Main Referee is strictly consultative and the final call must be made by the Main Referee.
3.4.3.3. Goal Judges must return the goals to their position if moved or toppled during play.
3.4.3.3.1. If the court does not allow access for the Goal Judge, the Main Referee must delegate this responsibility to another volunteer.
3.4.3.3.2. If no access to the court is available, players are instructed that they are responsible for returning the goal to the correct position.
3.4.3.5. Goal Judges may signal a timeout otherwise unheard by the Main Referee, Game Assistants or Assistant Referee.
3.4.4. Game Assistant
3.4.4.1. The Game Assistant keeps the time of the game and is responsible for starting and stopping the official stopwatch.
3.4.4.2. The Game Assistant times any penalties issued on players that result on the player being temporarily excluded from play.
3.4.4.2.1. The Game Assistant is responsible for letting temporarily excluded players know when they may return to play.
3.4.4.3. The Game Assistant maintains the game log on paper.
3.4.4.4. The game log must contain the following:
3.4.4.4.1. A tournament organizer might additionally request:
3.4.4.5. If there is a timer and scoreboard visible to players, the Game Assistant is responsible for starting, stopping the time and adding goals to it.
3.4.4.6. The Game Assistant calls out game-times at periodic intervals, as well as the following:
3.4.4.6.1. After the two minute warning, the Game Assistant must call out sixty seconds
(60s), thirty seconds(30s), ten seconds(10s)and a countdown from five seconds(5s)to one(1s).
3.4.5. Assistant Referee
3.4.5.1.1. Assistant Referees must be prepared to provide perspective to the Main Referee regarding any potential scores or penalties.
3.4.5.1.2. Interaction with the Main Referee is strictly consultative and the final call must be made by the Main Referee.
3.5. Hand Signals
3.5.1. Main Referee
3.5.1.1. Start of play – Raises an arm in the air, dropping the arm as the whistle is blown.
3.5.1.2. Restart of play – Extends an arm outward with the palm facing up to indicate play can begin.
3.5.1.3. Delayed Penalty/Advantage – Raises an arm straight into the air.
3.5.1.4. Possession after stoppage – Extends an arm in the direction of the team who restarts with the ball.
3.5.2. Goal Judges
3.5.2.1. Goal scored – Raises an arm straight in the air.
3.5.2.1.1. If a flag is available, the goal Judge raises the flag.
3.5.2.2. Missed shot/Invalid goal – Crosses arms and extends them outwards in a sweeping motion.
3.5.2.3. False Start/Infraction – Extends an arm straight in the air and the other pointing at the player that committed the infraction.
3.5.2.3.1. If a flag is available, the goal Judge raises the flag and extends the other arm.
3.5.2.4. Timeout – Makes a “T” shape with both arms.
3.5.3. Assistant Referee
3.5.3.1. Infraction – Raises an arm in the air and the other pointing at the player that committed the infraction.
3.5.3.2. Timeout – Makes a “T” shape with both arms.
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