founded 2003
Frequently Asked Questions
about the rules...

QUES: Does the ball have to hit the back of the canvas or net to be considered a goal?
ANS: No. The entire ball must pass over the goal line (an imaginary line in front of the goal mouth measured across the front of each of the goal posts)

QUES: If the game and possession clock stop when the whistle is blown, when does it start again?
ANS: According the to the rule book, the clocks start when the player puts the ball in play. Putting the ball in play is for the player to show separation betwen ball and hand, by tossing the ball slightly into the air, passing, or dribbling. Not doing so is rarely called because of the philosophy that at the higher level of the game the players know where they are going to pass or shoot the ball when a foul is called and do so within a reasonable time. It has been acceptable at lower level games for the timer to wait for 3 seconds and start the clock. Until the rules are changed or enforced, this is what referees, players and coaches will have to live with.
QUES: Can a player shoot directly at the goal when they are awarded a foul?
ANS: As long as the foul occurred beyond the 5-meter line, they may shoot directly at the goal, after obtaining possession of the ball if they do within the time frame of what is considered to be "undue delay".
QUES: Is there an "off sides" rule, like in soccer?
ANS: Yes, but it is not called "off sides", it is called inside the 2-meter line. No offensive player is permitted inside the two meter line without possession of the ball. At no time may a player be inside the two meter line unless the ball precedes him.

QUES: Is there a prescibed distance that a defender has to be away from a player awarded a free throw?
ANS: Prescibed to the extent that a defender must not be so close as to interefere with the taking of the free throw, and must have their arm or hand vertical or behind the plane of their own head. It is considered to be prudent to allow a 1-meter separation between the defensive player and the player awarded a free throw. Violation of this rule may result in an exclusion foul being called for interfering with a free throw.

QUES: Other than pulling back or sinking a player who is in possession of the ball and inside the 5 meter line, are there other fouls that warrant a penalty throw?
ANS: Any foul committed inside the 5 meter line for which a probable goal may have been scored may result in the awarding of a penalty throw.
QUES: What is the difference between an ejection, and an exclusion?
ANS: Technically, according to the rule book ---none. Practically, an ejection warrants a 20 second removal from the game without a substitute, an exclusion is when a player is excluded from further participation because of the accumulation of 3 personal fouls, or misconduct, the commission of an over aggressive foul or a Flagrant Misconduct (brutality) foul. The player may be replaced after a substitute serves the 20-second penalty.
QUES: Why are some fouls that are obvious not called?
ANS: Fouls that appear to be obvious to some may not qualify as fouls at all. For example what one would constitute a foul may not be, if the offensive player is holding the ball. Fouls should not be called if they take a possible scoring advantage away from the attacking team. An example would be a defensive foul on the perimeter should not be called if the offensive player at 2 meters is making progress toward an attempt to score a goal. However, delayed calls may be made after the situation of advantage plays out, if the foul warranted an exclusion.
 
about the referee...
QUES: Is a referee limited to calling fouls in a specific area of the pool?
ANS: No, although the area of responsibility is divided, a referee may call a foul anytime it is observed.

QUES: I see a lot of fouls, why aren't they all called?
ANS: Many ordinary "fouls" are deliberately not called so as not to take the advantage away from the attacking team.
QUES: Why isn't ball under called when the ball disappears below the surface of the water?
ANS: To take the ball under water is ONLY a foul if the ball is taken under water when the ball carrier is tackled on the hand, arm our shoulder of the hand holding the ball.
QUES: Why don't referees signal ejections or exclusions the same way?
ANS: Most are close, but since all are human, there are differences. All baseball umpires don't signal balls and strikes the same way.
QUES: Can a referee give a red card to a disruptive spectator?
ANS: No, if a spectator's actions cause a referee to become distracted, hence less effective, the head coach, administrative representative of the spectator's team or a tournament direector will order that that spectator (s) to leave the pool precincts.

QUES: Do PRA referees have jobs or do they just referee water polo?
ANS: PRA referees represent a varied segment of our society. Most have or have had full time jobs. Our association is comprised of former players, college students, coaches, physicians, stock brokeres, real estate management, corporate executives, etc. Many in our group referee to give back to the sport in appreciation from what they have received.

QUES: Do referees keep track of the number of ejections and offensive fouls they call on each team during a game?
ANS: No, referees call the game in accordance with the rules. A disparity in the number of fouls called on a given team is dependent on what fouls are committed by that team.
QUES: What is the difference between a Minor Act of Misconduct (MAM -a 20-second exclusion except as the 3rd personal foul) Misconduct and Flagrant Misconduct (a game exclusion).
ANS: A Minor Act of Misconduct may be called when a player within the field of play makes a negative remark or gesture towards an official or opponent. Examples of this type type of exclusion foul include a player directing minor comments to a referee, such as , "Call the foul", or "Where is the push-off?". or, " He is inside the two", or making minor gestures to the referee or opponent. Misconduct is called when a player makes an overt remark or gesture towards an official that is generally considered disrespectful. Specifically,
Misconduct is called for the use of obscene, abusive, threatening language or gestures, overaggressive fouls, or to refuse obedience to or show disrespect for a referee or official.
Flagrant Misconduct is called for acts involving violent or persistent foul play,
QUES: What is the penalty for receiving a Yellow Card? Is the referee reqired to file a report?
ANS: The rulebook does not provide for any penalty when a Yellow Card is issued. However, it is a Central Coast Section rule that if a head coach receives a Yellow Card, the coach must remain seated in the bench area during the remainder of the game. The coach may only stand when addressing the team during a timeout or other intervals in between play. No report is required for a Yellow Card.
QUES: What is the difference between a Flagrant Misconduct foul and what was formerly called Brutality ?
ANS: NONE. Flagrant Misconduct (considered to be a more educationally accepted term) is called when a player intentionally kicks or strikes an opponent or makes disproportionate movements with that intent. Flagrant Misconduct fouls must be accompanied by a PRA incident report submitted by the referee to the PRA, and forwarded to CCS Commissioner. If a player is charged with a Flagrant Misconduct foul for a second time during the same season, they are desqualified for the remainder of that season unless an appeal is overturned by the respective league commissioner.
QUES: What should the bench side referee do when the desk referee needs to address desk personnel (e.g., clock problem, game log problem, wave-in flag, etc.)?
ANS: Watch the pool!!! Make sure that all participants are on their best behavior - remove the ball from the pool. The referee may choose to move the team on offense behind the center line until the problem is fixed. Do not allow any substitutions and do not allow teams to go to the sidelines for any reason. If an apparent long delay is imminent to solve the problem, it would be appropriate to call an "official timeout" (not charged to either team).
QUES: Should a referee officiate a game to ensure that the team who plays better during that game wins the game?
ANS: Absolutely NOT! The role of the referee is to ensure that a fair and equitable outcome results from the playing of the game, and the concern for the safety of the players is given consideration at all times.
QUES: When is it OK for referees to talk with spectators or answer questions from spectators during a game?
ANS: Never during a game. The referee may, but is not obliged to converse with spectators at any time.