GOAL BALL - THE OFFICIAL GAME OF THE INTERNATIONAL BLIND SPORTS FEDERATION AND THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - Disabilities

REGULATIONS FOR GOALBALL

0.1.1 A game is played by two teams of three players with a maximum of three substitutes on each team. The game is conducted on the floor of a gymnasium within a rectangular court which is divided into two halves by a centre line. Goals are erected at either end. The game is to be played with a bell ball. The object of the game is for each team to roll the ball across the opponent's goal line while the other team attempts to prevent this from happening.

The rules for international goalball competition are those adopted by the International Blind Sports Association (IBSA). They are presented herein in their entirety.

The RULES OF THE GAME are included in Part A , TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS are included in Part B, and the GOALBALL OFFICIALS CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME RULES are included in Part C.

0.1.2 Should there be any misunderstanding of the IBSA rules for Goalball, the English version shall prevail.

Part A Rules of the Game
1. COURT AND EQUIPMENT
1.1 Court

1.1.1 Dimensions

The court used for goalball shall consist of a rectangle 18.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in length and 9.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in width (see diagram #1). Measurements are to the outside edges. Only the court markings and nothing else shall be allowed on the court.

1.1.2 Team Area

The team area shall consist Of. an area 9.00 metres (*/- .05 metres) in depth with its back edge being the goal base line (see diagram # 2).

1.1.3 Player Orientation Lines

Two outward position lines are located in the team area 1.50 metres (+/- .05 metres) from the team area front limitation line. These lines shall be 1.50 metres (+/- .05 metres) in length and run inward from the outside limitation line towards the middle of the team area. The lines, shall be on each side of the team area.

Furthermore, two centre position lines shall be included in the team area. These shall be in the middle of the team area running inward from the team area front limitation line and the goal base line, perpendicular to these lines. They shall be 0.50 metres (+/- .05 metres) in length. Additionally, there shall be two 0.15 metre lines (+/- .05 metres), extending perpendicularly towards the goal line, 1.50 metres (+/- .05 metres) in from the side line on the front limitation line of the team area (see diagram # 2).

1.1.4 Landing Area

Immediately adjacent but lying in front of the team area, is the landing area. This is an area 9.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) wide by 3.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in depth. (see diagram # 1).

1.1.5 Neutral Area

The remaining area between the two landing areas, 6.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in depth, is the neutral area. The neutral area should be divided into two halves of 3.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) by a CENTRE line in the middle of the neutral area (see diagram # 1).

1.1.6 Team Bench Area

The location of the respective team benches shall be on either side of the scorer/timers' table and a minimum of 3.00 metres from the sideline of the playing area. The team bench area must be as close as possible to the scorer/timer table and shall not be in line with the team area. The team bench area shall be 4.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in length (see diagram # 2). The team bench area shall be identified by a front line 4.00 metres (+/- .05 metres) in length and two sidelines not less than 1 metre in length. All members of the team shall remain in the designated bench area during play. At half time, bench positions will be changed. The team bench areas of a team shall be at the same end of the court as the team of that team (see diagram # 1).

Should a player who has been injured or otherwise left the competition wish to sit in his/her team bench area as an escort, they must wear an identifying jersey as provided by the organizing committee of the tournament.

1.1.7 Markings

All court markings (lines) shall be .05 metres (+/- .01 metres) in width and shall be marked visibly and shall be tactile for easy player orientation. All lines shall have a string of 0.003 metres (+/- 0.0005) thickness placed down the centre under the uppermost layer of tape.

1.1.8 Official Time-Out Line

Around the court there should be a non-tactile line 1.5 metres (+/- 0.05 metres) from the sidelines and goal lines. When the ball passes the line, an official time-out should be whistled by the referee.

1.2 Equipment

1.2.1 Goals

The width of the goals shall be 9.00 metres (+/- .05 metres). Goal posts are 1.30 metres (+/- .02 metres) in height and they are to be round. The cross bar must be rigid. The goal posts shall be outside the court, but in line with the goal base line. Measurements shall be the inside measurements of the goals. The maximum diameter of the goal posts and cross bar shall not exceed 0.15 metres. Goals must be of safe construction.

1.2.2 Ball

The ball used for the game is to be a 1,250 gram ball with 8 holes and noise bells. The circumference of the ball is approximately 76 centimetres. The material is rubber with a hardness which has been determined by the IBSA Sport Technical Committee. For Major Championships the ball will be approved by the Technical Delegate appointed by IBSA.

1.2.3 Uniforms

All competitors must wear an official game jersey. Jerseys must have numbers permanently affixed both front and back. Numbers must be between zero (0) and nine (9) and must be a minimum of 20 centimetres in height. Clothing may not extend from the body more than 10 centimetres. At the Paralympics and World Championships the game jersey, pants and socks worn by all competitors on a team must be identical.

1.2.4 Glasses and Contacts Eye

The wearing of glasses or contact lenses is prohibited.

1.2.5 Eyeshades

Eyeshades must be worn by all players on the court from the first whistle of any half until the end of any half. This shall include regular time, overtime and free throws. If during a time out situation, bench players enter the court, they must wear their eyeshades.

1.2.6 Eye Patches

At all major Championships, as defined by the IBSA Goalball Subcommittee, all players participating in a game, shall have their eyes covered by gauze patches under the supervision of the IBSA Goalball Technical Delegate.

2. CONTESTANTS
2.1 Classification

Competition shall be divided into two divisions, men and women.

2.2 Team Composition

At the start of a tournament, a team shall consist of three (3) players with a maximum of three (3) substitutes. In the event that a competitor becomes so injured that he/she is not able to continue to play during the remainder of that game, then that team may elect to continue to play in the rest of the competition with less than the minimum number of official team players. However a team may not continue to play in the tournament with one (1) player. Each team is limited to three (3) escorts on the team bench. The referee must be notified prior to the start of the game of a player in the team bench area not involved in the contest and wearing an identifying jersey as provided by the organizing committee of the tournament.

3 OFFICIALS
3.1 Number Required

Each game shall have two (2) game referees, four (4) goal judges, one (1) scorer, one (1) timer, one (1) ten second timer, and one (1) shot recorder. At all Major Championships two (2) 10 second timers are required.

3.2 Duties of the Officials

Duties of Referees can be found in the IBSA Goalball Officials' Certification Programme Manual. Duties of the minor officials can be found in the IBSA ITO Officials' Manual.

4 CONDUCT OF THE GAME

4.1 Length of the game

A game shall be a total of 20 minutes in duration, divided into two equal halves of 10 minutes . There should be at least five (5) minutes between the end of a game and the start of the next game, at Paralympics and World Championships there will be a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes between the end of the game and the start of the next game. An audible warning shall be issued by the timer five (5) minutes before the game start, and a 30 second audible warning should be issued before the start of any half. Any half of the game shall be considered complete at the expiration of time. Half time shall be three (3) minutes in duration. The game shall commence at the expiration of the three (3) minutes. The players that are going to start to play in any half should be ready for eye patch/eyeshade control at 1 minute and 30 seconds before the start of the game. Should a team not be prepared to start the game after the expiration of three (3) minutes, a delay of game penalty shall be awarded. All time is stopped during penalty situations. Game time starts and stops on the referee's whistle.

4.2 Overtime

If a winner is needed in the case of a tied score at the end of regulation play, the teams will play two (2) additional three (3) minute overtime halves, the team to score the first goal is the winner and the game will be completed.

There will be a three (3) minute break between the end of regulation time and the first overtime half. A second coin toss will determine the throwing and receiving situation for each team at the start of overtime. During the second overtime half, the starting situations will be reversed and the teams will change benches as quickly, as is possible, to start the second half.

If a tie still exists and a winner is necessary, it shall be resolved by executing free throws.

4.3 Coin Toss

Before the start of a game, a coin toss will be conducted by either a referee or another designated official. The winner may choose either goal to defend or may elect to throw or receive. The remaining choice subsequently goes to the loser. At the beginning of the second half, the goal to defend and throws are alternated. Should a representative of a team not be available at the coin toss a delay of game penalty will be assessed at the beginning of that game.

4.4 Reorientation

During the contest, aids of orientation are permitted by the referee to the defending player following a penalty situation, where the players have been removed from the court. Should it be necessary to reorient a player at any other time, a personal delay of game penalty shall be awarded.

4.5 Scoring

At any time the ball crosses the goal line within the goal, it shall be a goal (see diagram # 3). However, a goal can not be scored by the referee or the goal judge passing the ball into play. A goal shall count only if the entire ball has passed the goal line before the expiration of time.

4.6 TIME OUT

4.6.1 Team Time Out

Each team shall be allowed three (3), forty-five (45) second time outs during regulation play for the purpose of coaching. Once called, both teams may utilise the time out. After a team calls and takes a time-out, at least one throw must take place before the same team can call for a further time-out or substitution. However, a substitution can be made before the expiration of the time-out period. Furthermore, each team shall be allowed one (1), forty-five (45) second time out during overtime. Should a time out be made during a substitution, the team shall be charged with both a substitution and a time out.

A time out may be requested to a referee at any time by a coach or player using non-verbal hand signals. A time out shall be acknowledged by a referee during an official break in play or when the ball is under control of the team requesting the timeout. Acknowledgement by the referee shall occur when the referee verbally addresses the requesting team by name. The timer shall give an audible warning signal fifteen (15) seconds before the expiration of the time out period.

4.6.2 Official's Time Out

A referee may call an officials' time out at any time considered necessary.
The coaches shall not be permitted to give instructions to the players on the court
during an officials' time out or this will be considered unsportsmanlike conduct. If a
referee has whistled for an official time out, the ball should then be controlled
by the goal judge. At the end of the official time-out, the ball should be passed
back to the team, by the goal judge, that had control when the referee called
for the officials time out.

4.6.3 Medical Time Out

In the case of injury or illness, a medical time out shall be called by a referee and the ten (10) timer closest to the injury player shall start a clock to recored the fortyfive (45) seconds. An audible warning will be given to the referee at the expiration of the fortyfive (45) seconds. If the injured player is not prepared to play at the expiration of fortyfive (45) seconds or if any member of the team enters the court, that player must be substituted until the end of that half of play.

4.7 SUBSTITUTIONS

4.7.1 Team substitutions

In each game, each team may make a maximum of three (3) Substitutions during regulation time. Each team may make one (1) substitution during overtime. After a team calls and takes a substitution, at least one throw must take place before the same team can call for a further substitution or time-out. The same player may be substituted more than once; however, each player exchange shall be recorded as a substitution. A substitution may be requested to a referee at any time by a coach or a player using non-verbal hand signals. A substitution shall be acknowledged by a referee during an official break in play or when the ball is under the control of the team requesting the substitution. Upon acknowledgement of the referee, the coach must indicate by a substitution board with the number of the player to come out of the game and the number of the player being substituted into the game.

Substitution, with the exception of a penalised player, will be allowed
during a penalty situation. The player must be brought directly on to the
court and removed from the court by an official without verbal
instructions from the coach. Should the referee judge the coach to have
instructed his on court players, a penalty throw shall be awarded.

Should a substitution be made during a time out, the team shall be
charged with both a substitution and a time out and the coach shall be
permitted to instruct his players. Any player changes at the end of any
half of play shall not be recorded as a substitution, but shall be indicated by team to the referee and announced at the beginning of the half.

4.7.2 Medical Substitution

In the event of injury when a coach and/or any other member of the team must enter the team area to provide aid, or when a player cannot continue to play within fortyfive (45) seconds after a medical time out has been acknowledged, substitution of players shall be made as soon as posible and the injured player shall not be permitted to return to the court until the conclusión of the half of play. Such substitutions shall not be considered to be one of the three allowable substitutions.

5. INFRACTIONS
In the case of an infraction, the ball shall be turned over to the defending team.

5.1 Premature Throw

If a player throws the ball before the referee has given the "play"-command, the throw counts but can not score.

5.2 Step Over

The throwing player must have part of his body touching the court at the point of release of the ball. If not, the throw counts but can not score. While in the act of orientation, a player may not be called for the infraction of stepping out of bounds.

5.3 Pass Out

When in the process of passing the ball between team members, the ball goes out of bounds over the sideline, it will be considered as a loss of the team's ability to control the ball. Any time the ball hits an object above the court, it will also be considered as a loss of the team's ability to control the ball.

5.4 Ball Over

If a ball is blocked by a defensive player and the ball rebounds over the centre line in the neutral zone, the ball shall be returned to the possession of the team that has thrown the ball. This rule also applies if the ball hits a goal post or cross bar and rolls back over the centre line. This rule does not apply to free throws and penalty throws.

6 PENALITIES

There shall be two types of penalties: personal penalties and team penalties. In both
cases, only one player shall remain on the court to defend the penalty throw. In the
case of a personal penalty, this shall be the player who committed the penalty. In the
case of a team penalty, this shall be the player who made the last recorded throw
before the penalty was awarded. In the event that a team penalty is awarded before
a throw has been taken, the player to remain on the court to defend the throw shall
be at the coach's discretion.

All penalty throws must be conducted according to the rules of the game.

A penalty may be declined by a Coach or Player, using non-verbal hand signals.

6.1.1 Short Ball

Anytime a ball that has been thrown and comes to rest before the team area of
the defending team the play shall be whistled dead and a penalty shall be
awarded to the throwing team.

6.1.2 High Ball

The ball must touch the floor at least once in the team area or the landing area after
it has left the hand of the throwing player in the act of making the throw. If not, the
throw counts but can not score.

6.1.3 Long ball

The ball must touch the floor at least once in the neutral area. If not, the throw counts but can not score.

6.1.4 Eyeshades

Any player on the court who touches his eyeshades shall be penalised. A player
removed from the court in a penalty situation may not touch his eyeshades or
another penalty shall be awarded. If during a half, a time-out, or any stoppage in
play, a player wants to touch his eyeshades, he must ask the referee for permission
and after being given permission, shall turn around before touching his eyeshades.

6.1.5 Third Time Throw

A player can throw a ball only two consecutive times. The third and any other throw
before a team-mate has thrown the ball shall be considered a penalty. The number
of consecutive throws shall be carried over into subsequent halves or penalty
situations, but not from regulation time to overtime. Scoring an accidental goal
against your own team shall not count as a throw.

6.1.6 Illegal Defense

The first defensive contact with the ball must be made by a player who has any part of his body touching the team area.

6.1.7 Personal Delay of Game

A personal delay of game penalty shall be awarded against a player if:

a) that player is reoriented by any person other than a team-mate on the court/
b) that player is not prepared to start play on the instruction of a referee.

6.1.8 Personal Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Should a referee determine that a player on the court is behaving in an unsportsmanlike manner, a personal penalty shall be awared against that player. Furthermore, any unsportsmanlike conduct may result in eliminatin from the game, or ejection from the premises and/or further competition in the tournament if a referee feels that the situation warrants it. A player so eliminated shall not be replace during that game.

6.1.9 Noise

Any excessive noise made by the attacking player in the act of throwing that prevents tracking by the defensive team shall be penalised.

6. 2 TEAM PENALITES

6.2.1 Ten (10) seconds

A player/team must throw the ball within ten (10) seconds after the defensive team's first contact with the ball. Should a timeout, substitution, or any other stoppage of play occur before the teams has thrown the ball, the team will only be permitted the time remaining since the first contact to throw the ball or a penalty shall be called.

6.2.2 Team Delay of Game

A team delay of game penalty shall be awarded against a team if:

a) that team is not prepared to start play on the instruction of a referee;
b) any action of that team preventing the continuation of the game;
c) that team makes a substitution at the end of any half without notifying the referee.

6.2.3 Team Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Should a referee determine that any team member in the team bench ar

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