INSTRUCTIONS TO REFEREES AND POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Competing for Position at Set: (NCAA: Points of Emphasis page 8, #3)
ADD to existing interpretations: Once the center forward has taken a front position they should not be allowed to hold at any time to maintain position--an offensive foul should be called whether the ball is at set or not.
Rationale: To clarify what should be regarded as an offensive foul.

Calling the Set Position:
REVISE existing interpretations: (NCAA: Points of Emphasis page 8, #4)
Return to the 2005-2006 Instructions to referees that stated, “It is also correct to call an ordinary foul at set when the ball is on the perimeter and the two players are starting to get overly physical. This call can be can be thought of as a warning to the two players, and the next time an offensive or exclusion can be called”.
Rationale: Allow an official to call a ordinary foul (to serve as a warning) at set that would send a message to both the offense and defense that the next whistle will mean either an ejection or double ejection--this call should be used judiciously and should not interrupt the flow of the offense. Care must be taken not to take the advantage away from a player outside of 5-meters who is eligible to shoot the ball.

Calling the Transition Out of the 2-meter Area: NCAA: (Points of Emphasis page 9, #7)
REVISE existing interpretations: Immediately following a change in possession, if the offensive and defensive players at set do not immediately separate to allow the offensive player to move to his/her end of the field of play either an exclusion or an offensive foul should be called.
Rationale: To discourage the existing physicality that is permitted by the current terminology allowing a reasonable time for players to untangle. Overt fouling and subsequent retaliatory play will be reduced if the interpretation of “untangling” is revised. If the referee determines that separation does not occur because of holding, sinking, or pulling back, a foul should be called. If both players are at fault, a double exclusion should be called. This rule shall not be interpreted to mean a player with a positional advantage must relinquish that advantage in order to effect the separation. However, both players must show they are attempting to immediately disengage following the change of possession.

RULE 19/ FREE THROWS (NFHS: Rule 19-1 page 108) (NCAA Rule 19-1 page 74)
Revise text to include: The ball does not have to return to the point of the foul when a foul is called behind the point to where the ball has been advanced.
Rationale: This will help to eliminate back court mischief and will empower referees to clean up belligerent play that may be ignored due to a perceived advantage situation as a result of the ball already having advanced further down the pool.

RULE 20 / ORDINARY FOULS (NFHS: Rule 20-1, page 109) (NCAA Rule 20-1 page 76)—
REVISE text to include: the location of a player is determined by the position of his/her head relative to 2-meter, 5 meter, and goal line.
Rationale: The definition of what constitutes being in violation of the rules surrounding these lines is missing from the text of the current rules.

Taking the Ball Under (NFHS: Rule 20-6, page 110) (NCAA Rule 20-6 page 76)SECTION 6.
To take or hold the entire ball under the water when tackled.
REVISE text: replace the word “challenged” with the word “tackled”
Rationale: This change will encourage a consistent interpretation and penalty for what is considered to be an ordinary foul for taking the ball under water.

Impeding (NFHS: Rule 20-9, page 113) - (NCAA Rule 20-9 page 78
REVISE text: expand the definition of impeding to include "submarining" an opponent
Rationale: This act would be called a defensive exclusion on a counter-attack or an offensive on a driver who goes under an opponent on the counter-attack; it may also be called an offensive on a driver who goes under an opponent to start a drive in a set offense (as an example). This same principal would apply at 2m. encouraging players to play with their heads above water at all times.

Possession Time (NFHS: Rule 20-17, page 113) - (NCAA Rule 20-17 page 81)
REVISE text: change the time of possession to 30-seconds.
Rationale: 30-second possession clock - would match current international rules. From a more subjective point of view, would help to reduce some physicality in the game due to the requirement to set up and work an offense much faster than before. Would also provide more possessions per game, increase swimming and counter-attack opportunities.

Wasting Time NFHS: (Rule 20-18, page 113)— (NCAA Rule 20-18 page 82)
REVISE rules: ELIMINATE the section “wasting time” from the rulebook
Rationale: A team in possession of the ball for a designated amount of time, before shooting, should be entitled to use the full interval of their possession time in any manner that they choose.

RULE 21 / EXCLUSION FOULS (NFHS: Rule 21-1, Page 114) (NCAA Rule 21-1 page 83)—
REVISE rules: The penalty for an exclusion foul shall be 30 seconds (replacing the current 20 seconds)
Rationale: The penalty for an exclusion foul would be more severe as the additional time may provide for added attempts to score a goal.

Description of Interfering with Throws: (Rule 21-5b, page 116)— (NCAA Rule 21-5b, page 87)—
REVISE rules: interfering with a free throw to include raising *any* hand within 1m of a player taking a free throw.
Rationale: This rule would apply to all defending players within 1m of the fouled playr. A defensive player committing a foul anywhere in the pool will not be allowed to put either arm up or have a hand out of the water, prior to the ball being put in play by the fouled player. The defensive player must give the offensive player space and not attempt to block or interfere with the pass or shot until the ball has left the offensive player's hand or has been put into play.

Description of Interference with Free Throw (Rule 21-5, page 116)— (NCAA Rule 21-5, page 87)—
ADD TEXT to interpretations: Prior to the ball entering set, both the defensive and offensive players in the set area, will not be allowed to put two hands on the opposing player. If the defensive player uses or puts two hands on the offensive player, it would be an ejection. If the offensive player uses or puts two hands on the defensive player, it would be an offensive foul.
Rationale: Because overly physical or rough play is not allowed when the ball is at set and should not be allowed prior, the overly physical play at two meters will be greatly reduced, and the officials job calling two meters will become less subjective as well. Observing the number of hands being used to gain position would be more black and white. Players will not be allowed to just grab and take a position. Skill players will be allowed to play two meter defense by good positioning and legs, and the offensive player will be able to hold set, once he gains it, by using good technique. Two-meter play will not be dominated by the biggest and strongest players, but those with the better fundamentals, skill, technique and athletic ability.

Holding, Sinking, Pulling Back: (Rule 21-8, page 116) (NCAA Rule 21-8, page 89)
REVISE rules to include: Two-handed fouls committed against an opponent on the perimeter, and swimming over a player's shoulders, neck or head as part of a foul or after foul is committed
Rationale: To discourage overaggressive play when there is no obvious playing for the ball or disregard for the safety of an opponent.

Misconduct (NFHS: rule 21-10, page 119)— (NCAA Rule 21-10 page 91)—
REVISE rules to include: If a player of either team commits misconduct or any other offense relating to Rule 21-10 during an interval between periods, a timeout, or before the restart after a goal, no matter which team committed the foul, the player shall be excluded from the remainder of the game and the teams start the period with a man down.
Revise text to read: that if this occurs between periods, the excluded player may be substituted immediately with the substitute serving the 20-second penalty.
Rationale: A team should be penalized for acts of misconduct. The existing rule does not penalize the offending team. The minimum penalty would be that the team starts the period with a man down.