1. Advanced Referee Clinic: Refereeing the Center Forward Position Version: 1.2 Released: 2004

2. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 2 Refereeing the Center Forward Position Philosophy of the Center Forward Position Positioning at Center Forward/Back Play at Center Forward/Back Calling Fouls at Center Forward/Back

3. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 3 Refereeing the Center Forward Position Philosophy of the Center Forward Position Positioning at Center Forward/Back Play at Center Forward/Back Calling Fouls at Center Forward/Back

4. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 4 Philosophy of the Center Forward Position: Offense Role of the Center Forward Player Scorer Passer Changes with : Time in possession Time in period Time/Score in game Double Center (Double Post) Offense

5. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 5 Philosophy of the Center Back Position: Defense Role of the Center Back Player Relationship with Goalkeeper Side of defense Take away back hand Take away sweep Relationship with sloughers Forces role of set offense Forces pass: Location Timing Direction

6. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 6 Refereeing the Center Forward Position Philosophy of the Center Forward Position Positioning at Center Forward/Back Play at Center Forward/Back Calling Fouls at Center Forward/Back

7. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 7 Positioning of the Center Forward Player Body position Questions to ask: What can the player do? How far can the player reach for the ball? How much space can the player legally create to work with the ball? Vertical Position Horizontal Position Sitting Position Shoulders Relative to the Goal

8. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 8 Factors Affecting Positioning of the Center Forward Player Handedness Ability to use both hands Shooting hand preference Passing hand preference Primary moves Shooting Passing

9. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 9 Positioning of the Center Forward Player Gaining Position “Striving for position” Holding Position Burden is on the offense to maintain position Working to increase water (working space)

10. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 10 Increasing Water G x o x o o x o x o x o x

11. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 11 Increasing Water G x o x o o x o x o x o x G x o x o o x o x o x o x

12. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 12 Positioning of the Center Back Player Position Relative to Attacking Player Back Position Advantage: Almost none Disadvantage: Almost certain exclusion Lateral Position Advantage: Good defensive positioning Disadvantage: Must rely of goalkeeper

13. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 13 Positioning of the Center Back Player – 2 Front to Front Position (Fronting) Advantage: Excellent defensive positioning Disadvantage: Goalkeeper must tell you where ball is Back to Front Position Advantage: Takes away pass Disadvantage: Penalty fouls called frequently

14. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 14 Common Problems of Poor Defensive Positioning “Hands Up” Defense “Leaning”

15. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 15 Striving for Position: Equal Pushing Players have the right to the water in which they are located. Players have the right to try and move to more advantageous positions. Both players have equal rights to try and move to a more advantageous position. Neither player may move the other player out of a more advantageous position.

16. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 16 The objective of the attacking team is to gain and maintain offensive advantage. Examples: Good passes and ball control. Protecting the ball. Working for position. Taking good, high percentage shots. Striving for Position: Philosophy of Playing Offense

17. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 17 The objective of the defending team is to prevent goals. Examples: Play in the “lanes” and prevent good passes. Pressure players to give up the ball. Working for better position. Force low percentage shots. Striving for Position: Philosophy of Playing Defense

18. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 18 Striving for Position: Positioning In the Pool Is the center forward is inside or reasonably close to the 4 meter area? Does the center forward have inside water? Does the center forward have space to work? Where are the other defenders relative to the center forward? Where are the other attacking players?

19. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 19 Striving for Position Equal Pushing Philosophy of Offense and Defense Positioning in the Pool Positioning of the Attacking Player Positioning of the Defending Player

20. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 20 Refereeing the Center Forward Position Philosophy of the Center Forward Position Positioning at Center Forward Play at Center Forward When the ball is not there When the ball is there Calling Fouls at Center Forward

21. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 21 Play at the Center Forward Position When the ball is not there No foul situations Defensive fouls Ordinary fouls – Should not be called Exclusion fouls – Rare Contrafouls (Offensive fouls)

22. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 22 Equal Pushing – No foul

23. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 23 Swimming Around Opponent – No foul

24. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 24 Suit Grabbing (Women) – Contrafoul

25. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 25 Suit Grabbing (Women) – Defensive Exclusion Foul

26. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 26 Suit Grabbing (Men) – Exclusion Foul

27. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 27 Hold (and then Sink) – Exclusion Foul

28. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 28 Sink Center Forward to Gain Position – Exclusion Foul

29. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 29 Pull Back to Take Center Forward Out of Position – Exclusion Foul

30. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 30 Fouls Around Head/Neck – Exclusion Fouls (Example 1)

31. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 31 Fouls Around Head/Neck – Exclusion Fouls (Example 2)

32. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 32 Play at the Center Forward Position When the ball is there No foul situations Defensive fouls Ordinary fouls Exclusion fouls Penalty fouls When a slougher is present Contrafouls (Next section)

33. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 33 Bad Pass (Regular Position) – No Foul

34. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 34 Bad Pass (Inside Position) – No Foul

35. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 35 Hands Up Defense – No Foul

36. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 36 Hand on Ball – No Foul

37. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 37 Release Too Late – No Foul If the player is holding the ball, there are very few fouls that should be called. Younger players often have “the grip of death.” If the ball is released too late (into the hands of a slougher or the goalkeeper), no fouls should be called.

38. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 38 Hold On Pass Into Set – Exclusion Foul

39. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 39 Sink at Set – Exclusion Foul

40. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 40 Classic Pull Back – Exclusion Foul (Example 1)

41. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 41 Classic Pull Back – Exclusion Foul (Example 2)

42. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 42 Pull Back Then Hands Up – Exclusion Foul

43. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 43 Pass to Wrong Side With Slougher Too Near – No Call

44. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 44 Two Hands Up Defense With Slougher Coming In – No Call

45. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 45 Impeding With Sloughers Coming In – Ordinary Foul

46. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 46 Pull Back With Sloughers Coming In – Exclusion Foul

47. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 47 Pull Back with No Sloughers Coming In – Exclusion Foul

48. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 48 Overly Aggressive Foul (Striking) – Exclusion

49. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 49 Elbow to Face (Striking) – Exclusion Foul

50. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 50 Turn and No Foul Defense

51. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 51 Inside Water (Advantage) – No Call

52. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 52 Turn and Goalkeeper Steal – No Foul

53. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 53 Inside But Loses Control of Ball – No Call

54. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 54 Foul With Inside Water – Penalty Foul

55. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 55 Contrafouls (Offensive fouls) Turnovers (Offensive ordinary fouls) Without the ball With the ball Offensive exclusion fouls

56. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 56 Getting Out from Under a Foul: No Foul

57. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 57 Ball Under – Ordinary Foul

58. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 58 Elbowing for Space – Ordinary Foul (May be Exclusion)

59. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 59 High Elbow Turn (Holding) – Offensive Foul

60. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 60 Push Off (Standard Position) – Offensive Foul

61. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 61 Push Off (Inside Position) – Offensive Foul

62. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 62 Head Butts Are EXTREMELY dangerous Are characterized by a rapid upwards and backwards movement of the chin and striking with the head towards the opponent Minimum of an ordinary foul, may be exclusion, violence, or even brutality.

63. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 63 Head Butt Cautions Be aware that if the chin stays tucked, then it is not a head butt (probably pulling back by the defense). Be aware of bad defensive positioning and contact due to the natural head motion of the set player.

64. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 64 Beware of Fake Head Butts

65. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 65 Fouls After Change From Offense to Defense Once the counterattack to the other end starts – Watch what happens Many times, this is when brutality and violent (misconduct) fouls occur However, allow time for the players to “untangle” and get moving to the other end

66. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 66 Gross and Go – Offensive Foul (may be Exclusion Foul)

67. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 67 Hold by Former Center Forward on Counterattack – Exclusion Foul

68. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 68 Refereeing the Center Forward Position Philosophy of the Center Forward Position Positioning at Center Forward/Back Play at Center Forward/Back Calling Fouls at Center Forward/Back

69. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 69 Refereeing Center Forward – Most Difficult Task for Referees Consistency is constantly put to the test Must evaluate level of advantage continuously must be aware of advantage at the center forward position monitor advantage in rest of the pool watch for what the defenders from perimeter are doing (crashing?)

70. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 70 Basic Principles Physical contact between attacking players and defenders is permitted Intervene ONLY to return possessional advantage return positional advantage return probable goal advantage Minimize calling ordinary fouls at set away from the ball

71. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 71 Job of the Set The set is obligated to work the ball. The set should Work to shoot the ball Pass the ball Pass to driver for a shot Pass back out to reset the offense The set may earn fouls with good play BUT that does not mean the defender has open season!!

72. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 72 Elements Used to Call Center Forward Position Where are the center forward’s and center back’s hands? Who initiated the contact? Who gained an advantage from the contact? Call the appropriate foul ordinary foul (offensive or defensive) neutral throw exclusion

73. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 73 Other Elements to Call Center Forward What are the center forward and center back trying to do? Is the center forward being prevented from playing offense by impeding, holding, sinking or pulling back? Is the center back prevented from playing defense by pushing off, holding, sinking or pulling back?

74. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 74 Context, Context, Context How are the actions of the center forward and back related to what else is going on in the pool? What is happening where the ball is? Are there drivers coming through? Did a pick open up a player? Is there any shooting advantage?

75. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 75 Context, Context, Context How are the actions of the center forward and back related to the game in progress? How much time is there on the game clock? On the possession clock? What period is it? What is the score?

76. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 76 “Striving for Position” Incidental contact will occur as the center forward and back strive to gain position This incidental contact is to be ignored

77. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 77 What is NOT allowed When a player holds, grabs an opponent and moves him/her out of the way applies to both the center forward and back offensive foul (at a minimum) exclusion on defender When defender shoves the center forward under water: exclusion foul

78. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 78 Holding Position The center forward is obligated to hold position once he/she has it Defender cannot push, shove, hold, pull the hole set out of position Defender may have incidental contact with hole set when trying to go for ball Defender may not go through the shoulder of the hole set to get at ball (exclusion)

79. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 79 Turns at Center Forward Position Center forward holds ball defender can hold, sink, pull back to get at ball (may not kick or strike) if center forward ducks his/her head underwater while holding the ball, defender can go get at ball if defender has hips down and is turned by set: call what you can see

80. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 80 Turns at Center Forward Position Center forward releases ball after turning no foul if defender is holding or sinking center forward at the moment when the ball is released defender is given a little time to get off hole set after ball is release does not get off - penalty shot

81. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 81 Turns at Center Forward Position Center forward tries to get the ball again if defender holds or prevents center forward from getting ball: penalty shot if center forward made the turn such that the goaltender (or other defender) took the ball away: no call if center forward lost control of the ball when he/she released it: no call, ordinary, or exclusion

82. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 82 When a Crasher/Slougher is Coming In Does the center forward know the crasher or slougher is coming in? Yes: was he/she prevented to protecting the ball? Then ordinary foul (usually). No: then ball is often stolen. Was the ball passed to the center forward while crashers were coming in? Yes: usually a bad pass; ball should be stolen (usually).

83. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 83 Two Guiding Principles The burden of proof is on the defense. It is the defense that is obligated to prove that they are not committing a foul. The advantage is always to the offense. If it is a 50-50 call, the call should go to the offense.

84. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 84 Another Guiding Principle The player that initiates contact should be the one who is penalized. However, if the defender is given greater leeway in making contact with the set, then it is inappropriate to call an offensive foul against the attacking for making contact to remove him/herself from a foul.

85. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 85 The Goal... The referee should not focus on just one situation or just one pair of players watch what is going on in your primary area of responsibility be aware of all the other pairs of players know where the ball is be sensitive to what is happening at the ball

86. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 86 REWARD Good position Good technique It doesn’t matter how much time is left on the clock … a foul is a foul is a foul and should be called even if it is in the last second of the possession.

87. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 87 The No Call No calls are calls requires experience looks like the referee “missed” something okay for less experienced referees to call too many ordinaries … just as long as they are consistently applied with experience will decrease number of unnecessary calls

88. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 88 Better Late Than Early Examples attacking player hooks defenders arm hard hit on set that causes ball to pop out Before intervening can the center forward can improve his/her position can the center forward complete the play? A late whistle is better than an early one

89. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 89 Ordinary Fouls or Exclusions Exclusion fouls should be more common at center forward than ordinary fouls Ordinary foul typically is when the defender has played good defense and caused the set to move him/herself out of position – Should still be called!! Exclusion fouls are called for taking away offensive advantage

90. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 90 Work On Timing Fouls, when called, should return an advantage to the team that is at least as good as it had prior to calling the foul. Maximize the team’s scoring opportunities with the timing of the calls.

91. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 91 Examples of Timing Exclusion fouls early when sloughers are coming in. Ordinary fouls late when sloughers have arrived. Ordinary fouls early when an open driver is coming. Exclusion fouls early when ball is on the perimeter; later when ball is at set.

92. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 92 Exclusion – Timing to Maximize Scoring Opportunity

93. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 93 Exclusion – Does Not Maximize Scoring Opportunity

94. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 94 REWARD GOOD PLAY DISCOURAGE BAD PLAY

95. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 95 Fouls Must Be Called When Present

96. © 2004, FINAAdvanced Referee Clinic: Center Forward 1.2 96 That’s all Folks!