Peninsula Referees’ Association (PRA)
WATER POLO REFEREE GUIDELINES
(print pdf version)

Uniform and equipment requirements and recommendations:
1. ALL WHITE: collared shirt / jacket, shorts or long pants, shoes, sox, belt, hat/cap
2. Whistle (Fox 40)
3. Yellow and red cards
4. Coin (for coin flip)
5. Accessible high school rulebook.
Recommendations: Sunglasses, sunscreen, water or Gatorade
Pool site duties and responsibilities:

1. Arrive on pool deck, in uniform, approximately 20 minutes prior to match
2. Bring TWO payment invoices. Sign and give one to coach and have coach initial your file copy.
3. Check the following:
Proper markings and secured boundary lines
Goals for secured goal nets/canvas
Proper placement of team benches:
note: bench areas** - (especially tournaments) ... before each game, reset the
chairs/benches so that they are positioned behind the goal line. This will
consistently keep teams/staff back behind the goal line. Also set chairs so
that they don't go past reentry area.

Scorer’s desk for appropriate flags and clock operation.
Duties of scoring desk personnel
Signal to note the end of a period, 35-sec. end of possession
Inflation of game ball and 2 counter balls
"Fingernail" check both teams
4. Meet with captains to discuss issues pertaining to:
the location of ejection area and reentry requirements,
location of counter balls,
define out of bounds;
perform coin flip for choice of ends,
exercise option to switch ends at quarters or half,
any other pre-match instructions.
5. Meet with refereeing partner to:
discuss pool coverage and switching sides if applicable.
discuss any issue regarding: players, coaches, desk personnel, spectator control, site representative,
and or pool site that may influence the outcome of the contest.