1.1 The court will be a rectangle 18.0 m long by 9.0 m wide (+/-0.05 m). Measurements are to the outside edges. Nothing except the court markings are allowed as markings on the court. (See Appendix 1 for a diagram with markings and measurements). The court is divided every 3.0 m along its length to give six areas.

1.2 In front of the goals at each end of the court are Team Areas, 6.0 m,

(+/-0.05 m) long by 9.0 m (+/-0.05 m) wide. The Team Areas are divided into two equal sections (3.0 m (+/-0.05 m) long and 9.0 m (+/-0.05 m) wide). These sections are called the Orientation Area and the Landing Area. The Orientation Area is closest to the goal and the Landing Area is furthest from the goal. The team areas have player orientation lines.

1.3 The Neutral Area is the middle area of the court. It is 6.0 m (+/-0.05 m) long by 9.0 m (+/-0.05 m) wide and is divided in two by the centre line.

1.4 All lines will be 0.05 m in width (+/-0.01 m) and will be marked with tape. They will have string under them to assist with player orientation. The string will be 0.003 m (+/-0.0005 m thickness) and will be placed under the top layer of tape. A tape colour should be used that provides contrast with the floor and ball and improves the ability of referees and sighted spectators to better observe the ball and the court markings.

1.5 The floor of the court must have a smooth surface and be approved by the technical delegate (for IBSA-sanctioned competitions). For Paralympic Games, World Championships and all other championships, a wood, plastic or synthetic resilient flooring surface will be used.

2 Team Bench Area

2.1 Each team will have a team bench area which will be positioned on either side of the officials table, a minimum of 3.0 m from the court’s side line. It will be 4.0 m long (+/-0.05 m) and 3.0 m (+/-0.05 m) deep and will be marked all around by a tape line with string.

2.2 The team bench area end closest to the goal line will be in line with the goal line.

2.3 At half time, teams will change bench areas as teams change ends.

2.4 All members of the team except three players on the court must remain in their designated bench area and must have some part of their body on or behind the

tape line during play. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

2.5 If a player who has been injured or has left the competition wishes to sit on the team bench, they must wear an identifying jersey provided by the tournament organising committee. The player will be considered a non-participant. Failure to comply will result in the player being required to leave the field of play.

3 Goals

3.1 Goals will extend across each end of the court. The internal measurements will be

9.0 m across (+/-0.05 m) and 1.3 m high (+/-0.02 m) and at least 0.5 m deep (measured from the front of the crossbar to the closest rear part of the goal).

3.2 The cross bar will be rigid.

3.3 The goal posts and cross bar will be round or elliptical and must not exceed 0.15 m in diameter.

3.4 The goal posts will be positioned with the inside front edge of the post outside the side line and aligned to the rear edge of the goal line.

4 Ball

4.1 The ball will conform to the following specifications:

· Diameter: the ball must be round and have a diameter of 24–25 cm

· Circumference: 75.5 cm–78.5 cm

· Weight: 1.250 kg (+/-0.050 kg)

· Sound holes: 4 holes in upper hemisphere staggered from 4 holes in

lower hemisphere

· Bells: 2 pieces

· Elastomer: Natural Rubber (NR)

· Hardness according to Norm DIN 53505: 80–85 °Shore A

· Colour: blue

· Surface: knobbed

· No toxicological components

4.2 For IBSA sanctioned championships, the ball will be determined by the organising committee and approved by the technical delegate.

5 Uniforms

5.1 All players must wear an identical team jersey.

5.2 Each player must have a number permanently fixed on the front and back of the jersey. Numbers used must be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 or 19 and must be a minimum of 10 cm high on the front of the jersey and minimum of 18 cm high on the back of the jersey. The number must not be tucked into the shorts, covered by padding, or otherwise obscured from the view of referees or table officials. The number on the front has to be placed in the chest area of the jersey. Numbers must have a high contrast in relation to the jersey. Failure to comply with any of these requirements will result in a financial penalty of

€100 for the team to be paid to the technical delegate.

5.3 Players may have their nationality and/or name written on the back of the jersey. The size of letters cannot exceed 7 cm unless approved by the technical delegate.

5.4 Teams are allowed to have logos of their national team/federation on the front of their jersey or the sleeve. These logos cannot be bigger than 50 square centimetres.

5.5 In IBSA sanctioned tournaments, teams are allowed to present sponsors on their jerseys. Sponsor logos may be placed on the front of the jersey and/or on the sleeves. A logo cannot be bigger than 450 square centimetres (front) or 50 square centimetres (sleeve).

5.6 Clothing, equipment and padding must not extend more than 10 cm in any direction from the body. Players are only authorised to play in uniforms described in these rules or in a uniform approved by the technical delegate under Rules 5.1, 5.2, 5.3,

5.4 or 5.5.

5.7 At the Paralympic Games, the game jersey, trousers/shorts and socks worn by all players on a team must be identical and meet all advertising standards as required by the International Paralympic Committee. Due to the contractual nature of advertising requirements, non-compliant uniform items will not be permitted on the court. Non-compliant players will not be permitted to play.

5.8 At all IBSA sanctioned tournaments, the game jersey, trousers/shorts and socks worn by all players on a team must be identical and meet all advertising standards as required by IBSA.

5.9 Any padding or other external items placed on the head may not interfere with eyeshade positioning or function. Non-compliant player(s) will not be permitted to play but may sit in the team bench area as a non-participating player.

5.10 Teams must have additional uniforms available in case of blood. Teams will replace blood-stained uniform items with items of the same design and colours as the uniform item being replaced. If an additional uniform item is needed but not available, the player needing the uniform item will not be permitted to play for the remainder of the game.

5.11 Teams must also have two sets of jerseys to serve as their home team jersey and their visitor team jersey. The two jerseys will be clearly different in their colour combinations.

6 Eyeshades/Eye Patches/ Eyeglasses and Contact Lenses / Hearing Aids

6.1 Players will not wear eyeglasses or contact lenses.

6.2 Eyeshades must be worn by all players on the court from the time of the eyeshade check at the start of the half until the end of the half. Additionally, a player being substituted may remove their eyeshades once their substitution has been announced and they are leaving the court. Failure to comply will result in a Personal Penalty – Eyeshades.

6.3 Eyeshades must also be worn during overtime by all players on the court. All players must wear eyeshades during extra throws, whether they are on the court or not. Failure to comply will result in a Personal Penalty – Eyeshades.

6.4 At all International Paralympic Committee or IBSA-sanctioned championships, players participating in the game must have their eyes covered by gauze patches, or an equivalent material under the supervision of the technical delegate or by a person designated for each team (usually the ten second timer), who is known by the technical delegate. The local organising committee (LOC) must announce the type, mark or brand of the patches 60 days before the start of the tournament allowing all teams to know which type and brand will be used. If a player needs to use alternative patches, teams must provide a medical certificate to the technical delegate 2 weeks in advance of the tournament start date. If the alternative patches are approved, the requesting team will provide the patches at their own expense.

6.5 Any eyeshades provided by a tournament organiser must be approved by the technical delegate and must be worn by all players. Failure to comply without prior written approval from the technical delegate will result in removal of the player from the game. That player may be substituted. Furthermore, at all IBSA-sanctioned tournaments and the Paralympic Games, all players must wear eyeshades with a beak (nose cover). Players not wearing this type of eyeshades will not be permitted to play.

6.6 Players cannot wear or use any hearing aids whilst in the field of play. Failure to comply will result in removal of the player from the game. That player may be substituted.

6.7 Players who intentionally manipulate their eyeshades or patches to gain an advantage (being able to see on the court) and are proven to have done so may be

banned from participating in IBSA events for up to two years by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee.

7 Competition Categories and Classification

7.1 Competition will be divided into two categories, male and female.

7.2 For IBSA-sanctioned competition all players must possess a current IBSA sport class of B1, B2 or B3.

8 Team Composition

8.1 At the beginning of every game each team will consist of 3 players on court with a maximum of 3 substitutes. A team will be forced to forfeit the game if they cannot start that game with 3 players on court. A team will be forced to forfeit the game at any time they have only one remaining eligible player.

8.2 Additionally, each team may have up to 3 staff on the bench during the game. The total number of individuals allowed in the team bench areas must be not more than nine, including the three starting players. Failure to comply will result in the extra person being required to leave the field of play.

8.3 The referees must be notified in writing at the coin toss, of any player(s) in the team bench area who will not be involved in the game. The player(s) must wear an identifying jersey provided by the organising committee of the tournament; otherwise, they will not be permitted to sit in the team bench area. Failure to comply will result in the player being required to leave the team bench area.

9 Officials

9.1 At the Paralympic Games and for all IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, each game will have 2 referees, 4 goal judges, 1 scorer, 1 timer, 2 ten second timers and 1 back- up timer.

9.2 The officials’ duties may be found in the IBSA Goalball ITO Manual. Referees and the technical officials’ duties may be found in the IBSA Goalball ITO Manual.

SECTION B – BEFORE THE GAME

10 Coin Toss

10.1 A team representative must be present at the correct time and place for the coin toss. Failure to comply will result in a loss of choice of throwing or defending the ball and the choice of court ends left or right of the officials’ table. If neither team appears for the coin toss, the first team on the Score Sheet – Game Information (Team A) will start on the left side of the officials table with the ball.

10.2 Prior to the start of the game, a team representative will be required to validate the Score Sheet – Game Information to ensure that correct player names and numbers are recorded as well as the list of staff who will be permitted in the team bench area during the game. If the Score Sheet – Game Information is not provided, the Score Sheet – Game Information from the previous game will be used. If no previous Score Sheet – Game Information exists, team names and functions as presented on the entry form provided to the organising committee for the tournament will be used.

10.3 For games that must have a winner, the team representative will complete a line-up sheet provided by the referee at the first coin toss and must be returned to the referee at the time of the extra throws coin toss. Failure to comply will result in loss of choice to throw or defend, Score Sheet – Game Information order will be used to determine the player’s order. If neither team provided a line-up sheet, Team A will start with the ball.

10.4 The coin toss will be conducted by an official approved or appointed by the technical delegate for the tournament.

10.5 The winner of the coin toss will have the choice of either throwing or defending the ball first, or they may instead choose which end of the court they would like to start play in (left or right). The remaining choice will be decided by the other team.

10.6 At the end of the first half, the teams will change ends. The first throw of the second half will be thrown by the team that defended the first throw at the start of the game.

10.7 Only players listed on the line-up sheet used for the actual game will be allowed to play that game. All team members listed on the Goalball Score Sheet – Game Information for the actual game must be on the court (three players) or in the team bench area at the audible signal indicating the start of play. Failure to comply will result in one Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

11 Warm Up

11.1 The players will be allowed a warm up on court at the end of the court that they will defend. Teams will not be allowed to throw the ball in the direction of the other team’s half of the court.

11.2 If, during the warm up, a team throws the ball into the other team’s half of the court, they will be given a warning by the referee. If the same team throws a second ball

into the other team’s half of the court they will be given a Team Penalty – Unsporting Conduct. Every subsequent throw to the other team’s half of the court will lead to a further team penalty for unsporting conduct and may result in a player or coach being ejected from the game.

12 Length of the Game

12.1 A game will be a total of 24 minutes divided into halves of 12 minutes.

12.2 There will be at least 5 minutes between the end of a game and the start of the next game. At the Paralympic Games and all IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, there will be a minimum of 15 minutes between the end of a game and the start of the next game.

12.3 An audible signal will be given 5 minutes before the start of the game. There will also be a second audible signal 90 seconds before the start of each half.

12.4 Players who are going to start any half must be on court and ready for eyeshade check by the referees, 90 seconds before the start of each half – Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

12.5 Half time will be 5 minutes in duration.

12.6 All teams and players should be ready to start when the table official calls “time” or where there is an audible signal

12.7 Any half will be considered complete at the end of time.

SECTION C – DURING THE GAME

13 Game Protocol

13.1 The referee starts the game by asking everyone to switch off mobile phones and remain quiet while the ball is in play. The referee will call “quiet please” followed by calling “centre”, and then throw the ball to the team who will start with the ball. The referee will throw the ball to the player who is closest to the centre position. The referee will then blow their whistle three times and call “play”.

13.2 The main clock and the ten second clock will start on the call “play”.

13.3 The referee will complete any half by whistling once and calling “half time”, “game”, “overtime”, “extra throws” or “sudden death extra throws”. This is a signal that players may touch their eyeshades and is to ensure that a penalty situation did not

occur before the end of the half. During extra throws and between extra-throws and sudden-death extra throws players are not allowed to touch their eyeshades.

13.4 The game clock and the ten second clock will be stopped whenever the referee blows their whistle and started when the referee calls “play” except during a penalty situation. The game clock is stopped during a penalty situation.

13.5 At a time the ball needs to be put back into play it will be dropped by a referee or goal judge at the side line 1.5 m in front of the goal post closest to the side it exited the court. The referee will then call “quiet please”, blow their whistle once and call “play”. The game and ten second clock will restart on the call “play”. In the case the ball goes over the centre line and after the goal the team may keep the ball.

13.6 If, in the act of throwing, a ball is thrown over the side line without touching the defending team, the referee will blow their whistle once and call “out”. The game clock will stop. The ten second clock will also be stopped and reset. Any time the ball needs to be put back into play it will be dropped by a referee or goal judge (see Rule 13.5). The referee will say “quiet please”, whistle and say “play”. The game clock and the ten second clock will both restart on the call “play”.

13.7 If a ball is blocked within the Team Area and is more than half way over the side lines and moving the ball in a direction off the court, the referee will blow their whistle once and call “blocked out”. The game clock and the ten second clock will stop. Any time the ball needs to be put back into play it will be dropped by a referee or goal judge (see Rule 13.5). The referee will say “quiet please”, whistle and say “play”. The game clock and the ten second clock will both restart on the call “play”.

13.8 Any time the game clock is stopped and the ball is dropped back into play by a referee or goal judge at the 1.5 m line in front of the goal post, the referee will call “quiet please”, blow their whistle once and call “play” even if no team member is attempting to pick up the ball.

13.9 No additional orientation aids are permitted on court. Failure to comply will result in Personal Penalty – Delay of Game.

13.10 Following a penalty situation, players may be re-orientated to the goal post by a referee or goal judge. If at any other time a referee must re-orientate a player, a Personal Penalty – Delay of Game will be called.

13.11 When a thrown ball comes to rest in the Team Area of the defending team, without a defending player touching it, this will be called a "Dead Ball". The referee will blow the whistle and call “dead ball.” The ball will be given to the defending team by an official as per Rule 13.5. A “dead ball” will also be called if the thrown ball hits the goal post/crossbar without touching a defending player and comes to rest in either

the Team Area or first half of the Neutral Area. The whistle will not be blown until the ball has completely stopped its motion.

13.12 A team member will only be allowed to leave the field of play, regardless of the reason (such as medical attention or equipment adjustment) during an official stoppage in play and after receiving permission from the referee.

That team member may not return to the field of play until the end of that half of the game. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

14 Scoring

14.1 At any time where the game clock is running, the ball is in play and completely crosses a goal line (see Appendix 1), a goal is scored. The referee will whistle two times and announce the goal. The game clock will stop on the referee’s first whistle.

14.2 During penalty situations when the game clock is not running, but when the ball completely crosses a goal line, a goal is scored.

14.3 If a defending player’s eyeshades are moved or come off when hit by a thrown ball, the play will be allowed to continue until the ball is controlled, the ball is blocked out or the ball scores.

14.4 The team with the most goals at the end of regulation time will be the winner.

14.5 The game will end immediately once one team leads the other team by 10 goals.

15 Team Time-Out

15.1 Each team will be allowed 4 time-outs of 45 seconds during the game. At least one of these time-outs must be taken during the first half or this time-out will be lost. Once one of the teams has called a time-out both teams may use the time-out.

15.2 Each team will be allowed 1 time-out during overtime. All time-outs not used at the end of regulation time will be lost.

15.3 The team that has control of the ball may request a time-out. Either team may request a time-out when there is a whistle stoppage in play.

15.4 A time-out may be indicated to the referee by any member of the team, using the “time-out” hand signal (see Appendix 1) and/or by saying “time-out”. Any member of the team may ask for the time-out by hand signal before their team

has control of the ball but must wait for the ball to be controlled before requesting the time-out verbally. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching.

15.5 The time-out starts when the referee announces it and the requesting team by name. Any person in the team bench area is then allowed to enter the court.

15.6 A ten second timer will record the 45 second time-out, giving an audible signal 15 seconds before the time-out is finished and again when the time-out expires. At the expiration of the time-out all team members other than the on-court players must be in the team bench area. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Delay of Game

15.7 When the 15 second audible signal sounds, the referees will call out “15 seconds”.

15.8 A substitution may be called before the end of a time-out by the team that requested the time-out. If the team that requested the time-out signals for a substitution before the end of the time-out, that team will be charged with both a time-out and a substitution. At the end of the 45-second time-out, the referee will call the substitution and the substitution will then be processed. If the team that requested the time-out signals for a substitution after the end of the time-out, that team will be charged with a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

15.9 After a team calls a time-out at least 1 throw must take place before the same team may call another time-out or a substitution.

15.10 If a team takes more than 4 time-outs during regulation time or more than 3 time- outs during the second half or more than 1 time-out during overtime, the request will be rejected and an immediate Team Penalty – Delay of Game will be called.

15.11 When the referee says “quiet please” all communication from the bench must stop or a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching will be called.

16 Official’s Time-Out

16.1 A referee may call an official’s time-out at any time.

16.2 If a referee has whistled for an official’s time-out the ball will remain with the team. At the end of the official’s time-out if the ball is not already with the team, the goal judge will drop the ball 1.5 m in front of the goal post (Rule 13.5).

16.3 There is no time limit on an official’s time-out.

16.4 During an official’s time-out, any member of the team on the bench may

communicate with the players on the court until the referee calls “quiet please”. All communication from the bench must then stop. Any failure of a team member to be quiet after “quiet please” is announced will result in a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching as per Rule 15.11.

16.5 At the end of an “Official’s time-out – Clarification”, the table side referee will explain to both teams and the audience the reason for the call as well as the decision made.

17 Medical Time-Out

17.1 Medical time-out is a maximum of 45 seconds. In the event of an injury or illness a “medical time-out” may be called by a referee. The referee will consult with the medical staff and determine whether the player is able to continue to play at the conclusion of 45 seconds.

17.2 The ten second timer who is not presently timing the 10 seconds will time the 45 second medical time-out.

17.3 An audible signal will be given 15 seconds before the medical time-out is to expire and also when the medical time-out expires.

17.4 If the referee determines that the injured player is not ready to play at the end of the medical time-out, they must be medically substituted but may return if the coach uses a regular substitution to return the player to the game.

17.5 Up to 3 persons from the team bench area are allowed to enter the court during a medical time-out. Everyone who enters the court on a medical time-out must remain with the injured player and be in their team bench area by the end of the medical time-out. A signal will be provided 15 seconds before the end of the medical time-out. If individuals who entered the court do not return to their team bench area by the end of the medical time-out, or if more than 3 persons enter the court, a Team Penalty – Delay of Game will be assessed. If an injured player was selected to defend a penalty throw and not able to continue to play, they must be medically substituted before the penalty throw is made. The injured player cannot be selected by the opposing coach to defend the penalty.

18 Blood Rule

18.1 If a player receives an injury where blood is observed by the referee, a medical time-out will be called. The player will be removed from the court and may not return to the court until bleeding has stopped, the wound is covered, and if necessary, the uniform changed. If the bleeding has not stopped, the wound is not covered and the uniform hasn’t been changed within the medical time-out period, a medical substitution is required.

18.2 If the injured player is substituted because of a blood issue, this will be considered a “medical substitution”. The player may return if the coach uses a player substitution and only if the referee determines that the player has met the requirements of Rule 18.1.

18.3 All contaminated surfaces must be appropriately cleaned before play restarts.

18.4 If a player does not have an additional game jersey with the same number as their original one, they will be allowed to wear a jersey with a different number (not already in use by the team) as long as this is indicated to the referee who will announce the change. The jersey must be the same colour worn during that game by that team’s other players.

18.5 The table side referee will inform the other team and audience of the change of the number. The change will be recorded in the Score Sheet – Regulation Time.

19 Player Substitutions

19.1 Each team will be allowed 4 substitutions during a game. At least one substitution must be taken during the first half of the game or this substitution will be lost.

19.2 Each team will be allowed 1 substitution during overtime. All substitutions not used at the end of regulation time will be lost.

19.3 The same player may be substituted more than once.

19.4 A team that has control of the ball may request a substitution. Either team may request a substitution when the game clock is stopped.

19.5 A substitution may be indicated to the referee by any member of the team, using the “substitution” hand signal (see Appendix 1) and/or by saying “substitution”. Any member of the team may ask for a substitution by hand signal before their team has control of the ball but must wait for the ball to be controlled before requesting the substitution verbally. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching.

19.6 The substitution starts when the referee announces it and the requesting team by name.

19.7 Once the substitution has been announced by the referee, the requesting team may verbally announce (in English) the number of the player to come off the court followed by the number of the player to go on the court, or hold up the substitution boards with the number of the player to come off the court followed by number of the player to go on the court, or use both methods at the same time.

19.8 In a tournament requiring eye patching, the player to be substituted into the game must be patched and ready for eyeshade inspection when the referee announces the substitution. Any delay caused by a coach or a player to be substituted will result in a penalty. Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

19.9 A time-out may be called before the end of the substitution. If the team that requested the substitution signals for a time-out before the end of the substitution, the team will be charged with both a substitution and a time-out.

19.10 A team may have more than one substitution at the same time however after a team completes a substitution, at least one throw must take place before the same team may call another substitution or time-out. A substitution is considered completed, when the player steps on court. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

19.11 As soon as the referee has announced the team name and the number of the outgoing player, the outgoing player is then allowed to remove their eyeshades, eye patches and go to the team bench area. The goal judge shall be available to help the outgoing player off the court and then take the incoming player to the goal post nearest the team bench area. If the outgoing player touches their eyeshades before their team name and number has been announced by the referee, they will be assessed an eyeshade penalty.

19.12 During a penalty situation, substitutions will be allowed, except for the penalised player.

19.13 Coaching from the bench of either team is allowed during a substitution until the referee says “quiet please”. If a team continues to coach after the call for ‘quiet please’, that team will be given a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching.

19.14 Any player substitutions during half time and between regulation and overtime will not count as one of the team’s remaining substitutions. During half time, teams must indicate any substitutions to the scorer. The table side referee will then announce the substitution(s) at the beginning of the next period of play. If a team fails to inform the scorer of their substitution before the expiration of half time, that team will be charged with a Team Penalty – Delay of Game.

19.15 If a team requests more than 4 substitutions during regulation time, or more than 3 substitutions during the second half or more than 1 substitution during overtime, the request will be rejected and a Team Penalty – Delay of Game will be called.

20 Medical Substitutions

20.1 A medical substitution will not count as one of the 4 substitutions allowed during regulation time or the 1 substitution allowed during overtime.

20.2 Two medical time-outs called during regulation time and overtime for the same player will, at the decision of the referee, result in that player’s removal from the court for the remainder of that half of the game. Any new medical stoppage for the same player in any remaining half will result in an immediate medical substitution and that player will not be able to return for the remainder of that half of the game.

20.3 After a medical time-out has been announced, the referee will determine whether the player is able to continue to play. At the conclusion of 45 seconds, if the referee determines the player cannot continue, the player must be substituted but may return if the coach uses a regular substitution to return the player to the game.

The team may communicate with the players on court during a medical substitution until the referee says “quiet please”. Failure to comply will result in a Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching.

SECTION D – INFRACTIONS

When an infraction occurs, the referee will blow the whistle, if necessary, and name the infraction. The ball will be given to the team that did not commit the infraction.

21 Premature Throw

21.1 A Premature Throw occurs if a player throws the ball before the referee has called “play”.

22 Ball Over

22.1 If a ball is blocked by a defending player and the ball rebounds over the centre line or over the side line in the neutral area, the referee will whistle and call “ball over”. The ball will then be dropped back into play and to the opposing Team Area from which it was blocked out per Rule 13.5. The referee will then call "quiet please", blow their whistle and call “play”.

22.2 If the ball hits a goal post or cross bar and rolls back over the centre line or over the side line in the neutral area, the referee will whistle once and call “ball over”.

22.3 If the ball hits an object above the court, the referee will whistle once and call “ball over”.

22.4 If a player carries the ball completely over the centre line, the referee will whistle once and call “ball over”.

22.5 This rule does not apply to extra throws and penalty throws.

SECTION E – PERSONAL PENALTIES

In the case of a personal penalty, the referee will blow the whistle, name the penalty, the number of the player and the team. The penalised player will defend the penalty throw. If, due to injury or ejection, the penalised player is unable to defend the penalty, the throwing team will select the defending player from the remaining two players on court.

The rules of the game apply to all penalty throws being that if a penalty occurs on the thrower, the throw cannot score and the throwing team will be charged with a personal or team penalty. If a defensive penalty occurs, the throw will be repeated unless that throw scored. If during the act of throwing, the ball finishes in the thrower’s own goal it will not be counted as a goal but as a loss of possession of the ball. If another penalty is awarded during a personal penalty situation, the first penalty will be completed before the second penalty is played. If the team awarded the penalty throw decides to decline the penalty throw, they should indicate this by using the hand signal (see Appendix 1) and/or by saying “penalty declined”. The team declining the penalty will have possession of the ball when play starts again. The game clock is stopped during all penalty situations.

23 Short Ball

23.1 Any time a thrown ball stays on the court but forward motion of the ball stops before the defending team’s Team Area, the player who threw the ball will receive a Personal Penalty - Short Ball.

24 High Ball

24.1 If the ball does not touch the court at least once on or before the High Ball Line (6.0 m) at the front of the thrower’s Team Area when the ball is released from the thrower’s hand, the thrower will receive a Personal Penalty - High Ball.

25 Long Ball

25.1 Notwithstanding Rule 24, during the throw, the ball must also touch the floor at least once in the Neutral Area or the thrower will receive a Personal Penalty - Long Ball.

26 Eyeshades

26.1 During the game any player on the court who intentionally touches their eyeshades or the eyeshades of any other player without the referee’s permission will receive a Personal Penalty - Eyeshades.

26.2 A player removed from the court during a penalty situation may not touch their eyeshades or they will receive a Personal Penalty - Eyeshades.

26.3 If a substituted player leaving the court touches or removes their eyeshades and/or eye patches before the referee has announced the substitution by team name and outgoing player number, they will receive a Personal Penalty - Eyeshades.

26.4 The eyeshades penalty may be called by either referee or may be drawn to the referees’ attention by the ten second timer at that team’s end of the table. If called by the latter, the ten second timer will signal the referee by using the sound used to indicate a ten second penalty. The table side referee will confirm the details of the

eyeshades penalty with the ten second timer before checking the eyeshades and/or eye patches concerned and taking the appropriate action.

27 Illegal Defence

27.1 The first defensive contact with the ball must be made by a player who has at least any part of their body in the Team Area (Orientation and Landing Areas).

27.2 When a defending player has committed an illegal defence, play will be allowed to continue until the ball is controlled, blocked out or scores. If the ball scores, the penalty will not be called.

28 Personal Delay of Game

28.1 Players must be prepared to play at the start of any half, on the referee’s command.

28.2 Players must not be re-orientated by anyone other than an on-court team member unless they are being assisted by the referee or goal judge after a penalty situation (per Rule 13.10). A player will not be re-oriented by a referee or goal judge unless requested by the player.

29 Personal Unsporting Conduct

29.1 If the referee determines that a player is not behaving in a sporting manner, the player will be given a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct. The referee is limited to the situations listed in this rule (Rule 29). Any personal unsporting conduct penalty received by a single player during a game may result in ejection from that game. Furthermore, two personal Unsporting Conduct Penalties received by a single player during a game will result in ejection from that game. Any player ejected from a game as the result of one or more unsporting conduct penalties will receive an automatic suspension from their next game in the same tournament. Any further unsporting conduct penalties may result in ejection from the venue or tournament.

29.2 If a player is ejected, the referee must report this action to the Technical Delegate. The Technical Delegate, together with the protest committee will then, without delay, decide if a player will be suspended from further competition in that tournament. This incident and the protest committee’s decision must be documented by the Technical Delegate in a written report submitted to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee before the conclusion of that tournament. If the protest committee is unable to convene and make a decision on this matter, the player in question will not be able to participate in any further games in that tournament until that decision is made by the protest committee. If the matter cannot be resolved prior to the end of the tournament, the matter will be submitted to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee for further review.

29.3 A player ejected from the game for personal unsporting conduct may be substituted. This substitution will count as one of the allowable substitutions.

29.4 Before or during a game, any intentional physical contact with a technical official, caused by a player or any other member on the team’s line-up sheet, will result in immediate ejection of that person from the game and the field of play. The team to throw the penalty will choose the defending player from the remaining players on court. If the penalty is awarded before the game has commenced, the throwing team will be able to choose any player from the score sheet to defend the penalty.

29.5 If a player intentionally deforms the ball, so that the ball is still deformed when the player releases the ball from their hand(s), a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct will be called. Intentional includes (but is not limited to) when a player deforms the ball between two hands before getting ready to release the ball, or by pressuring the ball against the floor with their hands or a knee. However, this rule does not apply to a normal deforming that will occur when a player, for example, by using one hand, pressures the ball between the forearm and the fingertips to have a solid grip around the ball when the act of throwing starts.

29.6 If a player insults a referee or official, then they will receive a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct. The same applies to insulting or mocking opponents, for example, through provocative laughter, loudly shouting “ha-ha” or similar.

29.7 Foreign substances that increase or decrease the grip of the ball to the player or the floor are strictly prohibited. Foreign substances may include (but not limited to) resin, "stick'em", perspiration, skin lotion, lubricant or petroleum jelly. Such conduct will result in a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct.

29.8 Any player intentionally making the ball wet by rubbing it on any surface will be given a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct.

29.9 After first contact, any intentional kicking of the ball in standing position will be given a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct.

29.10 Any throwing of the ball out of play where it goes over hip height at any point between leaving the hand and contact with the floor towards the officials table side or the audience, where this may cause injury, or over the crossbar of their own goal will be considered as unsporting conduct and the player, who has thrown the ball, will receive a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct.

29.11 A player may not intentionally interfere with the eye patches under their eyeshades in any way. Otherwise, that player will be given a Personal Penalty - Unsporting Conduct and ejected from the rest of the game. That player may be substituted. This substitution will count as one of the allowable substitutions.

30 Noise

30.1 Any unnecessary noise made by a thrower from the beginning of the throw, until the ball touches a defensive team’s player, crosses a side line, or touches the defensive team’s goal post will be penalised.

30.2 Unnecessary noise includes (but is not limited to), animal noises, excessive foot stomping, excessive punching or slapping on the court by hand, excessive clapping, whistling, singing, shoe squeaking, tongue clicking, continuous excessive or unrelated conversation and unnecessary shouting.

SECTION F – TEAM PENALTIES

In the case of a team penalty the referee will blow the whistle, announce ‘team penalty’, announce the penalty and announce the team. The team awarded the penalty throw will choose the player that will defend the penalty throw from among the on-court players. If the team penalty is awarded before the start of the game, the team awarded the penalty throw will choose the player that will defend the penalty throw from any player listed on the Score sheet – Game Information.

The rules of the game apply to all penalty throws, and if a penalty occurs on the thrower, the throw cannot score and a personal or team penalty will be charged to the throwing team. If a defensive penalty occurs, the throw will be repeated unless that throw scored. If the throwing player puts the ball into their own goal, it will not be counted as a goal but as a loss of possession of the ball. If the team awarded the penalty throw decides to decline the penalty throw, they should indicate this by using the hand signal (see Appendix 1) and/or by saying “penalty declined”.. The team declining the penalty will have possession of the ball when play starts again. The game clock is stopped during all penalty situations.

31 Ten Seconds

31.1 A team has 10 seconds to ensure the ball crosses the court centre line or side line from their first defensive contact with the ball.

31.2 If a time-out, substitution or blocked-out occurs after defensive contact is made, and the team has the ball under control (in a player’s physical possession or the ball is clearly being passed between players), the 10 seconds clock will be stopped/paused on the referee’s whistle and be restarted when the referee calls “play”. The team will have the remaining time left on the clock to ensure the ball crosses the court centre line or side-line.

31.3 When a defensive contact is followed by a whistle and a “blocked out” call, the 10 second clock will be stopped. After returning the ball to the court the referee will call “quiet please”, blow the whistle and call “play”. The 10 second clock will restart from the call ”play”.

31.4 The 10 seconds clock will be reset if an official’s time-out or a medical time-out is called.

31.5 The 10 seconds clock will be reset after a goal.

31.6 The 10 seconds clock will be reset at the end of any half.

31.7 The 10 seconds clock will be reset in penalty situations.

31.8 The 10 seconds clock will start from first defensive contact regardless of whether or not the team has control of the ball.

31.9 The 10 seconds timer at the table will indicate to the referee when the clock reaches 10 seconds and the team is still in possession of the ball from first contact or before the ball has crossed the court centre line or side-line from that team’s half of the court.

32 Team Delay of Game

32.1 Players who are going to start any half must be on court and ready for eyeshades check by the referees, at 90 seconds and able to start play for that half on the instruction of the referee.

32.2 Any action of a team preventing the continuation of the game.

32.3 The scorer must be notified before the completion of half time or the period between the end of the game and overtime, of any substitution(s) that are made during those periods.

32.4 A team may not request more than 4 time-outs during regulation time or more than 3 time-outs during the second half or more than 1 timeout during overtime.

32.5 A team may not request more than four substitutions during regulation time, or more than 3 substitutions during the second half or more than 1 substitution during overtime.

33 Team Unsporting Conduct

33.1 Any violation of warm-up protocol outlined in Rule 11.2.

33.2 All members of the team and its delegation that are present at the game must behave in a sporting manner.

33.3 Any further unsporting conduct may result in elimination from the game or the premises and/or further participation in the tournament if a referee believes the situation deserves it. The referee has to report the incident to the technical delegate

for further decision. If the technical delegate, in conjunction with the protest committee believes it is necessary, a team may be ejected from further games in the tournament. The technical delegate has to send a written report of the event to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee.

34 Illegal Coaching

34.1 The illegal coaching penalty may be called by either referee or may be drawn to the referees’ attention by either ten second timer. If called by the latter, the ten second timer will signal to the referee by using the sound used to indicate a ten second penalty. The table referee will check the details of the Illegal coaching penalty with the ten second timer before confirming the penalty and taking the appropriate action.

34.2 Members of the team listed on the line-up sheet and not on court may only communicate with the players on the court during an official break in play (whistle stoppage), and only until the referee says “quiet please”. If a team is still communicating after ‘quiet please’ is called the team will receive Team Penalty – Illegal Coaching.

34.3 If there is a second incident of illegal coaching during the same game, that person will be ejected from the field of play and a team penalty will be given. If it is not certain which person is guilty of illegal coaching, eliminate persons based on data on the score sheet in the following order: (1) Head coach or the first staff member listed, (2) assistant coach or the second staff member listed, or (3) any other staff member remaining on the bench, or (4) players on the bench in ascending order of player number.

34.4 E-coaching by the use of any electronic devices is allowed from the ’spectators’ area to members on the team bench. Players cannot use any hearing devices as in Rule 6.6. If an e-coaching device is making any sound or noise that will disturb the game, a team penalty will be called for illegal coaching and the device(s) will be switched off, removed from the team bench area and given to table officials.

35 Noise

35.1 Any unnecessary noise made by any member of the throwing team on the court that is made from the beginning of the throw until the ball touches the defensive team, goes over a side line or touches the defensive team’s goal post will be penalised with a Team Penalty – Noise.

35.2 Unnecessary noise includes (but is not limited to), animal noises, excessive foot stomping, excessive punching or slapping on the court by hand, excessive clapping, whistling, singing, shoe squeaking, tongue clicking, continuous excessive or unrelated conversation and unnecessary shouting.

SECTION G – END OF THE GAME

36 Overtime

36.1 If a winner is needed in the case of a tied score at the end of regulation play, the teams will play 1 additional 6-minute period.

36.2 There will be a 5 minute break between the end of regulation time and the beginning of the overtime period. During this time, there will be a coin toss to determine which team throws and defends and which end the teams will start play.

36.3 The first team to score a goal is the winner.

37 Extra Throws

37.1 If the score is still tied at the end of overtime, extra throws will decide the winner. The rules of the game apply to all extra throws.

37.2 When the winner of a game needs to be determined, the coach will be provided with a line up sheet for extra throws at the coin toss before the game. The line-up sheet must include all players on the Score Sheet – Game Information sheet.

37.3 The number of extra throws per team will be determined by the minimum number of players listed on either line up sheet.

37.4 There will be a coin toss at the beginning of extra throws to determine which team throws first. At this coin toss, the coach must submit the line-up sheet that was provided to them at the first coin toss. Players will throw and defend in the order submitted on the line up sheet.

37.5 All players will wear eyeshades and they will remain in the team bench area until taken on to the court by a referee. Eyeshades will remain on until all extra throws have been concluded.

37.6 The first player on the line-up sheet from each team will enter the court assisted by a referee to be placed at back centre, and each player will throw once. The referee will present the player by team name and number and state which thrower will throw first.

37.7 Any players injured during extra throws will be deleted from the line up sheet, the remaining players will move up in order of the line-up sheet and the extra player of the opposite team will be removed from the bottom of the sequence.

37.8 The team winning the coin toss will choose to either throw or defend in the first pair or throws. The order will be reversed in the second pair of throws and this procedure will continue until a winner has been decided.

37.9 If a personal or team penalty occurs on the throwing team, the throw counts but cannot score and that throw will not result in a further penalty. If a personal or team penalty occurs on the defending team then the throw will be repeated unless that throw scored. An own goal will be considered a throw out of court and will not result in a goal.

37.10 For each pair of players on the court, each player will throw and defend based on the outcome of the coin toss. The sequence is repeated until the minimum number of players has had a chance to throw and defend. A winner will be declared when one team is ahead by more goals than there are throws remaining.

37.11 The team with the greatest number of goals will be declared the winner.

37.12 If, from the beginning of the throw, the ball finishes in the thrower’s own goal, the team loses possession of the ball but the goal does not count.

38 Sudden Death Extra Throws

38.1 If the score is still tied at the end of extra throws, sudden death extra throws will decide the winner. The rules of the game apply to all sudden death extra throws.

38.2 The players that took part in extra throws will also take part in sudden death extra throws as per the line-up sheet for extra throws.

38.3 There will be a coin toss at the beginning of sudden death extra throws to determine which team throws first.

38.4 The first person on the line up sheet from each team will enter the court assisted by a referee to be placed at back centre, and each player will throw once. The referee will present the player by team name and number and state which thrower will throw first.

38.5 The team winning the coin toss will choose to either throw or defend in the first pair of throws. The order will be reversed in the second pair of throws and this procedure will continue until a winner has been decided. A winner will declared when one team is ahead at the conclusion of any pair of throws.

38.6 If an injury to a player occurs, Rule 37.7 above applies.

38.7 If a personal or team penalty occurs on the throwing team, the throw counts but cannot score and that throw will not result in a further penalty. If a defensive penalty occurs, then the throw will be repeated unless that throw scored.

38.8 If during the act of throwing, the ball finishes in the thrower’s own goal, the team loses possession of the ball but the goal does not count.

39 Signing the Score Sheet and Protest Procedures

39.1 Immediately after the game a coach of each team, both referees and the scorer will sign the score sheet at the officials’ table. Also, immediately after the end of a game, coaches need to indicate on the score sheet whether or not they want to file a protest. A coach who does not sign the score sheet immediately after the end of the game cannot protest the results of that game.

39.2 If a coach indicates they will file a protest, they must submit a completed protest form and provide the protest fee to the technical delegate or their representative, within 30 minutes after the end of the game being protested.

The protest fee is determined by the organising committee of the competition and must be made by a cash payment of not less than €100 or the equivalent.

39.3 Protests must be submitted on IBSA protest forms and written in English. The protest forms must list the rule number(s) protested. The protest must specifically involve the incorrect use of a rule and cannot be about playing venues. Teams protesting may use as evidence video material of the official tournament broadcast. Own video material is not permitted.

39.4 The technical delegate, tournament director, or designated representative will inform the protestor of the time and place where the protest committee will review the protest. All participants will be given time for a short presentation with arguments for the protest that are relevant and supplement the written protest. The participant submitting the protest will have the first opportunity to provide their presentation. The other party named in the protest will then be provided time to provide comments or a response. Any information to support the protest must be provided at the time the protest form is submitted and must be provided in the format outlined in the instructions listed on the protest form. Video or other digital recordings may be accepted, but only when recorded by the organising committee’s equipment. Videos from the organising committee will start 5 minutes before the start of the game and will end 5 minutes after the end of the game.

39.5 The protest committee’s decision is final. Both teams must be informed of the committee’s decision in writing no later than 30 minutes after the protest committee meeting concludes. All parties mentioned in the protest will receive written notification. The written decision shall include rationale for the committee’s decision. All results of the protested game will be put on hold until a determination is made by the protest committee.

39.6 If a protest is upheld, the protest fee will be returned to the protestor. If the protest is dismissed the protest fee will be credited to (a) IBSA, if the tournament was sanctioned by IBSA or (b) the local organising committee, if the tournament was not sanctioned by IBSA.

SECTION H – REFEREES’ AUTHORITY AND ABUSE OF OFFICIALS

40 Referees’ Authority

40.1 In all matters of safety, the rules, procedures and play, the final decision will be made by the referee.

40.2 If there is a dispute between a team and an official, only the head coach may speak to the referee. The discussion will only occur at an official break in play and only after the referee has acknowledged the request of the coach.

40.3 The referee has to explain the issue to the head coach.

40.4 If the coach does not agree with the explanation, the game will be completed and the coach may protest the game after it is completed on the IBSA protest form provided by the organising committee.

40.5 If a head coach does not stop arguing with the referee about the same topic, the referee is allowed to eject the head coach from the field of play. A referee has to give a head coach a warning first before making this decision. This may only happen, if the head coach argues about the same topic with the referee, after it has been explained to the head coach and it would not be possible to continue the game. This will result in a Team Penalty – Unsporting Conduct.

41 General Referee Regulations

41.1 Referees must be impartial towards all players, coaches and staff members.

41.2 Referees are not allowed to touch players without announcing their intent and getting the player’s verbal permission.

41.3 Every referee represents a single nationality at IBSA-sanctioned tournaments and the Paralympic Games. This nationality is determined by the referee's citizenship. If a referee holds multiple citizenships, they must choose one to represent during the aforementioned tournaments. Every referee represents a single nationality at IBSA- sanctioned tournaments and the Paralympic Games. This nationality is determined by the referee’s citizenship. If a referee holds multiple citizenships, the referee must choose one nationality to represent.

41.4 At IBSA-sanctioned tournaments and the Paralympic Games, referees are not allowed to officiate a game of the same nationality as one of the two teams.

41.5 During the elimination phase of IBSA-sanctioned tournaments and the Paralympic Games, referees are not allowed to officiate games that directly determine the opponent of a team sharing the same nationality of the referee in the next round.

41.6 Rules 41.4 and 41.5 also apply to referees, who have a permanent residence in a different country other than their stated nationality.

41.7 If there is a proven conflict which may affect the referee in the neutral view on a game, the referee is not permitted to officiate the game with the other conflict party involved until the conflict is solved.

42 Abuse of Officials

42.1 Any action by a participant in a game, that is reported by an IBSA official, in writing, to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee, will be dealt with at their next meeting. Sanctions against that participant(s) will be decided by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee as per Regulation 53.

PART B – TOURNAMENT REGULATIONS

43 IBSA-Sanctioned Tournaments or Paralympic Games

The IBSA Goalball Sport Committee reserves the right to change or modify tournament regulations as needed, provided they present 60 days written notice on the IBSA website.

43.1 IBSA-Sanctioned Tournaments or Paralympic Games:

43.1.1 Paralympic Games Qualification Tournaments:

· IBSA Goalball World Championships

· IBSA Regional Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Americas Championships

§ IBSA Goalball European Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Asia-Pacific Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Africa Championships

· IBSA Paralympic Goalball Qualification tournament

43.1.2 IBSA Goalball World Championships Qualification Tournaments:

· IBSA Regional Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Americas Championships

§ IBSA Goalball European Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Asia-Pacific Championships

§ IBSA Goalball Africa Championships

· Any other tournament specifically designated by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee

43.1.3 Other IBSA-Sanctioned Tournaments:

· IBSA Goalball Youth World Championships

· IBSA Goalball Youth Regional Championships

· Any other goalball competitions formally sanctioned by IBSA

43.2 Sanctioning of Tournaments – General

International Goalball Tournaments in which four or more countries participate will require the completion, submission and approval of an IBSA Sanction Application Form to be considered for approval as an IBSA-sanctioned tournament. The IBSA Competition – Application for Approval form needed to apply for a sanction may be found on the IBSA website under “IBSA Documents – Requests”. Competitions with less than four countries may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

43.3 Information required for a sanction request may be found in the IBSA Competition – Application for Approval form.

43.4 Sanction Penalties

If a sanctioned tournament deviates on essential points from those agreed, the organising country may be penalised to a maximum of €10,000 and may be subject to being barred from applying for future tournament sanctioning for a maximum period of 5 years.

43.5 Procedure for Reviewing Sanction Penalties

The procedure for reviewing sanction penalties is as follows:

The technical delegate for the tournament or member organisation (plaintiff) will, within 28 days from the completion of the tournament, lodge a complaint in writing to the Secretary of the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee which will include the following details.

· the name and contact details of the plaintiff;

· the name of the tournament;

· the date of the tournament;

· details to the nature of the complaint;

· name and contact details of any other person or organisation (if any) who support the complaint.

The Secretary will immediately inform the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee of the complaint. The Secretary will also refer the complaint to the organising committee for the tournament (defendant).

The defendant will have a further 28 days from the day the Secretary referred the complaint, to respond in writing to the allegations. The response will include details such as:

· how the agreed essential points were carried out;

· reasons why the agreed essential points were not carried out;

· any circumstances that did not allow the defendant to carry out the agreed essential points.

A lack of response from the defendant will be treated by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee as if there are no grounds to protest the complaint.

Having received all the information and if applicable, the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee will decide any penalties at their next meeting.

The Secretary will then inform the plaintiff and the defendant in writing of the result of the complaint.

44 Facilities and Equipment

44.1 Playing Venue (Sports Hall)

The venue will be acoustically suitable for goalball. Air conditioning or heating will be quiet so as not to impact the games if it is to be used during the tournament.

Open air venues that permit outside noise shall be avoided. There must be at least four locker rooms including showers for the teams. The venue also has to offer a room for doping tests as well as enough space for media representatives and an area for a media mixed zone.

44.2 Goalball Field of Play Dimensions

The field of play for a goalball competition must have minimum floor dimensions of

21.0 x 30.0 m, and a minimum height of 5.0 m.

44.3 Floor

44.3.1 The floor of the court must have a smooth surface and be approved by the technical delegate. For the Paralympic Games, World Championships and regional championships, synthetic, wood or plastic floors must be used.

44.3.2 The organising committee must announce the type of floor 1 year before the start of the tournament or as soon as practical after the tournament is announced.

44.4 Spectator Area

Spectators must be restricted to an area no closer than 4.0 m from any part of the court. This area will be clearly tactilely marked or fenced so that spectators do not encroach on or near the playing area.

44.5 Equipment

All equipment will meet the criteria established in the Rules of the Game and be approved by the technical delegate.

44.6 Score Board

For the benefit of spectators and coaches, a visual scoring system must be maintained. The scoreboard must be visible at all times from the team bench area.

44.7 Clocks

There will be 3 clocks. The first clock is the official time/game clock and must be visible at all times from the team bench area. The second clock is a backup clock, which is not official unless required by the referee who may then designate it as official. For the Paralympic Games and World Championships the main clock shall be a basketball type clock with a 10th of a second count down during the last minute. A third clock must be placed in the coin toss area and will be the official clock used for coin tosses.

44.8 Broadcasting

44.8.1 All IBSA-sanctioned tournaments as well as the Paralympic Games must be broadcast.

44.8.2 The official broadcast has to be with an English audio description.

44.8.3 The broadcast must at least have 3 different camera views and be able to show replays and game specific graphics.

44.8.4 Any organising committee has to present their broadcasting plans to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee to be approved.

44.8.5 IBSA Goalball is allowed to have an official broadcasting partner to ensure a high standard. Organisers must work together with this partner, if they cannot offer broadcasting fulfilling the criteria listed.

44.9 Official Game Sheets

The following official game sheets will be used:

· Score Sheet–Game Information

· Score Sheet–Regulation time

· Score Sheet–Overtime and Extra throws

· Line-up Sheets

· Protest Form

· Protest Decision Form

All sheets must be of the type included in the IBSA Goalball ITO Manual. The information for the IBSA Goalball ITO Manual may be found on the IBSA website.

44.10 Substitution Boards

Substitution boards may be used by the coach as an alternative or in addition to a verbal call for any player substitutions indicating the number of the incoming player and the number of the outgoing player. Numbers must be at least 15 cm high.

44.11 Balls

44.11.1 The organising committee must select and announce the game balls 12 months before the start of any IBSA-sanctioned tournament or as soon as practical after the tournament has been announced. The organising committee will inform all participating teams, the type of balls that will be used in that tournament. Failure to comply will compel the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee to select the manufacturer of the balls.

44.11.2 For all IBSA World Championships and Paralympic Games, the balls used will be new and not previously used. Balls will be replaced after being used for 3 games. Competition balls and warm up balls will be from the same manufacturer. For other IBSA-sanctioned tournament decision is under discretion of the technical delegate.

44.12 Practice on the Competition Court

For all Paralympic, World and Regional Championships, all teams must have access to the competition playing court for at least a 1 hour practice prior to the start of the competition.

44.13 Eyeshades

At Paralympic, World and Regional Championships, the eyeshades must be the beak style, not let in any light and they shall be of a size and form so that it is not possible to see. Eyeshades may be provided by the organising committee; however, only equipment approved by the technical delegate for the tournament must be used. Eyeshades provided by the organising committee shall be provided to the teams before their practice on the training or competition courts.

44.14 Approval of Equipment and Facilities

All equipment and playing facilities to be used for any IBSA-sanctioned tournament must be approved by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee or a representative designated by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee.

45 Accommodations

45.1 Housing

At World Championships and any IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, housing of the teams must be of a standard that will not have any negative influence on the players and their performance during competition. If possible, players will be housed in rooms that do not accommodate more than 2 individuals.

45.2 Catering

Food and water must be provided with consideration to the players and be of a standard that permits optimal performance. The needs of special diets will be taken into account.

45.3 Transportation

Accommodations are to be reasonably close to the playing venues and adequate transportation between the two sites will be made available.

46 Officials

46.1 Referees

46.1.1 Number of Required Referees

A competition requires a minimum of 8 referees per venue. For the Paralympic Games, a minimum of 12 referees are required unless otherwise negotiated by the technical delegate. Regional and World Championship requirements are to be determined by the technical delegate in consultation with the organising committee.

46.1.2 Appointment of Referees

46.1.2.1 For the Paralympic Games, World Championships, regional championships and other IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, referees will be appointed subject to approval by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee.

46.1.2.2 No more than 2 referees from any country may be selected to referee at the Paralympic Games or IBSA-sanctioned championships.

46.1.3 Certification of Referees

At IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, all referees must have the appropriate IBSA certification. For the Paralympic Games and World Championships, all referees must have IBSA Level 3 certification. For regional championships and Youth World Championships, all referees must have a minimum IBSA Level 2 certification. For all other IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, all referees must have IBSA Level 1 certification.

46.2 Ten Second Timers

For IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, 10-second timers must have the same level certification as per the referees for the same event.

46.3 Table Officials

Table officials at all IBSA-sanctioned tournaments must be IBSA-certified.

46.4 Goal Judges

The organising committee and technical delegate are responsible to select and train the goal judges in any IBSA-sanctioned tournaments. Goal judges for the Paralympic Games must have IBSA Level 1 certification at a minimum.

46.5 Technical Delegate

All IBSA-sanctioned tournaments must have a technical delegate appointed by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee or its Chairperson. Technical delegates will not perform as a referee during the tournament.

The technical delegate will be responsible for liaising with the tournament organisers prior to the event and will be responsible for ensuring the necessary standards in all technical matters at the tournament including:

· the court and its markings;

· the conduct of the tournament;

· scheduling;

· management of technical officials;

· ratification of score sheets and approval of official results;

· approval and maintenance of equipment and their correct use;

· management of protests.

46.6 Commissioners

46.6.1 The main duties of commissioners are to:

· observe referees during IBSA World Championships, Paralympic Games, regional championships and other IBSA-sanctioned tournaments;

· assist the technical delegate in selecting the best performing referees after round robin games are played (Technical delegate has the final choice);

· serve as chairperson of the protest committee;

· assist the technical delegate to give referees immediate performance feedback at major tournaments with the intent of assuring better consistency among referees.

46.6.2 A minimum of 2 commissioners will be nominated by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee for International Paralympic Committee and IBSA-sanctioned competitions.

46.6.3 An individual will not referee at a tournament while serving as commissioner for that tournament.

47 Organisation (Non-Paralympic Tournaments)

47.1 Participants

The following items are the responsibility of participants:

· delegation travel to and from the competition site;

· all expenses for health and accident insurance as the organiser cannot be held responsible for accidents or illness, unless caused by negligence;

· payment of entry fees to the organising committee prior to competition.

47.2 Organisers

The following items are the responsibility of organisers:

· facilities and equipment needed for competition (as per Regulation 45);

· accommodation for the competing teams;

· catering for competing teams and officials during competition times;

· all board, lodging, travel expenses and per diem for referees, technical delegate, classifiers, commissioners and necessary ITOs;

· medals and awards,

· Provision of timely, evidence-based medical resources, including trained personnel and necessary equipment, for the effective management of life and limb-threatening situations.

48 Qualifying Standards

The following criteria are in place for the Paralympic Games and the World Championships. The four competition regions are Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe. Regional championships will be held in the alternate years between the Paralympic Games and the World Championships. All regional championships must be approved by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee and must be open to all member nations within the region.

Tournaments must have a minimum of 4 participating countries to qualify as a regional championship tournament with a technical delegate and commissioner appointed by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee. IBSA Level 2 referees or higher must officiate regional tournaments.

IBSA Regional Championships or Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships should be held between 6 and 18 months prior to the World Championships or Paralympic Games.

If a Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships is not held prior to the Paralympic Games, the Paralympic qualification slot for that region will be lost and a slot will be allotted to the IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament. If there is no regional championship held prior to World Championships, all regional qualifying slots for that region will be lost and allotted to the Ratio Formula.

48.1 World Championships

48.1.1 Qualifying Criteria – Men’s and Women’s Competition

At World Championships, there will be a maximum number of 16 participating men’s and 16 participating women’s teams:

· Host country

· Paralympic Games Champion

· Paralympic Games 2nd Place

· Paralympic Games 3rd Place

· Regional Champion (from IBSA Regional Championships)

· Regional Runner Up

· Ratio formula

Regional champion for this process is defined as the highest available team within that region that has not already qualified (host country or Paralympic medallists).

48.2 Ratio Formula

Each place available for the Ratio Formula will be filled by a team from the region with the highest score using the following principle:

The total number of competing countries in the previous two regional championships divided by the number of competing countries from that region already qualified for the World Championships. This formula will be recalculated for every spot available under the Ratio Formula.

A region will only be able to obtain a maximum of half the available places from the ratio formula. Once a region has obtained half the places or more, that region will be removed from any further calculations.

If there are four places allocated to the Ratio Formula, any region may only be allocated a maximum of 2 places under the formula. If there are 5 places allocated to the Ratio Formula, any region may only be allocated a maximum of 3 places under the formula.

If the ratio formula calculation is the same for 2 or more regions, the slot will be given to the highest ranked team of the tied regions on the IBSA World Ranking.

48.3 Paralympic Games

Qualifying criteria and procedures will be posted a minimum of 24 months prior to the Paralympic Games.

48.3.1 Qualifying Criteria – Men’s Competition

At the Paralympic Games, there will be a maximum of 8 participating men’s teams:

· Host country

· World Championships 1st Place

· World Championships 2nd Place

· Regional Champion (from Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships)

· IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament 1st Place

Regional Champion for this process is defined as the highest available team within that Region that has not already qualified (host country or World Goalball Championship medallist). IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament place for this process is defined as the highest available team that has not already qualified (host country, World/Regional Goalball Championship).

48.3.2 Qualifying Criteria – Women’s Competition

At the Paralympic games, there will be a maximum of 8 participating women’s teams:

· Host country

· World Championships 1st Place

· World Championships 2nd Place

· Regional Champion (from Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships)

· IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament 1st Place

Regional Champion for this process is defined as the highest available team within that Region that has not already qualified (host country or World Championships medallist). IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament place for this process is defined as the highest available team that has not already qualified (host country, World/Regional Championships).

48.4 IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament

48.4.1 The IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament may be held prior to all Pre- Paralympic Regional Championships. The Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships should be completed between 6 and 18 months prior to the Paralympic Games.

48.4.2 A maximum of 16 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams will be selected by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee to participate in the IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament.

The IBSA Goalball Sport Committee’s selection will be based on team performance at the previous IBSA World Goalball Championships followed by the ranking of teams within their regional qualification tournaments preceding the previous IBSA Goalball World Championships.

48.4.3 Places for the men’s and women’s tournament will be allocated to regions as set out in this sub section. If a region is not able to occupy their full allocation, those spots left unoccupied will be allocated to teams by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee depending on when their application to participate in the tournament was received by the organising committee. This list will be published on the IBSA Goalball website each month from the first application and will continue to be published up to final applications are received. A region may not be allocated more than half the available tournament slots.

Men's Competition

Women's Competition

Host country

Europe 1st

Europe 2nd

Europe 3rd

Europe 4th

Europe 5th

Asia-Pacific 1st

Asia-Pacific 2nd

Asia-Pacific 3rd

Asia-Pacific 4th

Americas 1st

Americas 2nd

Americas 3rd

Americas 4th

Africa 1st

Africa 2nd

48.4.4 At the end of the IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament, teams will be placed in rank order for each competition based on tournament finish. The ranking of teams finishing outside the quarterfinals and medal games (9th to 16th) will be determined by their total points and goal difference (as per Regulation 49) from the round robin. Losers of quarterfinals have to play for 5th to 8th places according to their total points and goal difference (as per Regulation 49) from the round robin (teams 1–4, 2–3). Winners play for 5th and 6th, losers for 7th and 8th.

48.4.5 After all Pre-Paralympic Qualification Tournaments are completed, remaining Paralympic Games qualification slots will be filled using results from the IBSA Paralympic Goalball Ranking Tournament, selecting teams in order of finish.

48.4.6 Only teams that have not already qualified through Pre-Paralympic Regional Championships (does not include any regional championships conducted for the purpose of qualification for World Championships) will be considered for a qualification slot.

49 Conduct of Tournaments

49.1 Drawing and Seeding

For World Championships and Paralympic Games, teams will be divided into pools of four.

To ensure equal weighting in each pool, seeding will be conducted according to the following schemes.

49.1.1 Paralympic Games

Those teams that are not automatically seeded (1st and 2nd at previous World Championships) will be allocated to their pools in two separate draws. The first draw will only contain the teams allocated from the four regional tournaments. The second draw will contain the teams that qualified via the Paralympic Ranking Tournament as well as the host country.

· Pool A:

o 1st at last World Championships

o 1st drawn Regional Champion (first draw)

o 3rd drawn Regional Champion (first draw)

o 1st drawn Paralympic Ranking Tournament or host country (second draw)

· Pool B:

o 2nd at last World Championships

o 2nd drawn Regional Champion (first draw)

o 4th drawn Regional Champion (first draw)

o 2nd drawn Paralympic Ranking Tournament or host country (second draw)

49.1.2 World Championships

The participating teams will be split in four groups with four teams per pool. The teams will be placed though a draw in the different pools. The procedure for the draw is as follows:

Pot 1: Host country, Paralympic medalists Pot 2: Regional Champions (all four regions) Pot 3: Regional runner-up (all four regions) Pot 4: Teams qualified through ratio formula

There will be four pots deciding about the placement of the teams in the pools Pot 5: A1, B1, C1, D1

Pot 6: A2, B2, C2, D2 Pot 7: A3, B3, C3, D3 Pot 8: A4, B4, C4, E4

The pools are called A to D (men) and E to H (women). The positions listed in pots 5 to 8 will change with the names of the pools in the women´s competition. Each pool will have only one team out of each pot listed. Regional champions and runner-ups cannot be in the same pool.

Draw procedure

1st draw: one team out of pot 1 will be drawn. To place the teams out of pot 1 in a pool, there will be drawn a positioning out of pot 5. After this has happened for the first team, it will continue with the remaining teams in pot 1 after the same procedure.

2nd draw is the teams out of pot 2. They will receive their positioning after the same method as in the first draw out of pot 6 until all teams are placed.

3rd draw is the teams out of pot 3. They receive their positioning in the same method as in the precious draws out of pot 7. If a runner up will end up in the same pool as a regional champion, another team has to be drawn for the position

and a new position for the team ending up in the same pool as the regional champion.

4th draw is using the same method as previous. The teams out of pot 4 will receive their position out of pot 8.

The same system will be used for both men and women.

49.1.3 Dual Qualification

Should a country qualify for Paralympic Games or World Championships as both the host country or through one of the qualification spots from the previous Paralympic Games or World Championships, that country’s host nation spot will be allocated to either the Paralympic Ranking Tournament for Paralympic Games or to the ratio formula for World Championships.

49.2 Type of Tournament

The type of tournament utilised for all international championships, with the exception of World Championships and Paralympic Games will be as follows.

49.2.1 In the event, there are no more than 4 teams, a double round robin system will be used. After this double round robin, the top team will progress directly to the final. The second and third place teams will play against each other in a single elimination type semi-final. The first-place finisher after the round robin will then play the winner of the semi-final for the championship.

49.2.2 In the event there are more than 4 but no more than 7 teams, a single round robin system will be used. After this round robin, the top 4 teams will play against each other in a single elimination type competition. The first-place finisher will play the fourth-place finisher in semi-final 1. The second-place finisher will play the third- place finisher in semi-final 2. The winners of the two semi-finals will play for the championship. The losers of the two semi-finals will play for third and fourth places respectively.

49.2.3 In the event there are more than 7 but no more than 16 teams, teams will be equally divided into two pools. In each pool, a single round robin system will be used. If there are an odd number of teams the size of the two pools will only differ in size by one team. In the event that there are two uneven pools, the results of the games that involved the bottom placed team in the larger pool will be removed before using the method in Regulation 49 to rank teams from the two pools.

At the end of the round games, the top 4 teams from each pool will play against each other in a single elimination format, A1 versus B4, B2 versus A3 (winners to semi-final 1), B1 versus A4, A2 versus B3 (winners to semi-final 2). The losers will be eliminated from the competition unless placement games are scheduled for that

tournament. The winners of the 2 semi-finals will play for the championship. The losers of the 2 semi-finals will play for third and fourth places respectively.

49.2.4 In the event there are more than 16 teams, teams will be equally divided into a divisional competition with no fewer than eight teams in each division. The divisions will run in conjunction with each other and will be subject to a promotion and relegation system.

Competition will be conducted either in a single round robin format amongst all teams or teams may be split into 2 equal pools. In the case of a single round robin, the top 4 teams will compete in the finals (as per Regulation 49.2.2). In the case of 2 equal pools (as per 49.6 & 49.7). The remaining teams will be seeded as they finished on the points table. Teams on equal points will be separated using the method in Rule 49. In the event that there are 2 uneven pools, the results of the games that involved the bottom placed team in the larger pool will be removed before using the method in Rule 49 to rank teams from the 2 pools.

The groups will be called Group A, Group B, Group C. Group A being considered the premier group. At the conclusion of all competitions, the bottom 3 teams in each group will be relegated to the group immediately below it (Group A to Group B). Alternately, the top 3 teams in each group will be promoted to the group immediately above it (Group B to Group A).

49.3 Seeding of Teams

To ensure equal weighting of pools at regional championships, seeding will be based on placement at the previous regional championships. If a team did not compete in the previous regional championships they would be placed at the bottom of the list.

If the event there is more than 1 team that did not compete in the previous regional championships, those teams would be seeded by draw and placed at the bottom of the list. For example:

· Pool A:

o 1st at previous Regional Championships

o 4th at previous Regional Championships

o 5th at previous Regional Championships

o 1st team drawn that did not compete at previous Regional Championships

o 3rd team drawn that did not compete at previous Regional Championships

· Pool B:

o 2nd at previous Regional Championships

o 3rd at previous Regional Championships

o 6th at previous Regional Championships

o 7th at previous Regional Championships

o 2nd team drawn that did not compete at previous Regional Championships

49.4 Format for Men’s Competition at World Championships

Teams will be equally divided into four pools and four teams per pool. In each pool, a single round robin system will be used.

At the conclusion of the round robin, the top 2 teams from each pool will play against each other in a single elimination format: A1 versus B2; B1 versus A2 (winners to semi-final 1, losers to play each other in the placement round); C1 versus D2; D1 versus C2 (winners to semi-final 2, losers to play each other in the placement round). The losers will play for places 5 to 8. The winners of the 2 semi- final games will play for the championship. The losers of the 2 semi-final games will play for third and fourth places. The winners of the placement round matches 5 to 8 will play for places 5th and 6th, the losers will play for places 7th and 8th. Team placing after the end of the single round robin 3rd and 4th in their pools will play after the same system for places 9 to 16.

49.5 Format for Women’s Competition at World Championships

Teams will be equally divided into four pools and four teams per pool. In each pool, a single round robin system will be used.

At the conclusion of the round robin, the top 2 teams from each pool will play against each other in a single elimination format: E1 versus F2; F1 versus E2 (winners to semi-final 1, losers to play each other in the placement round); G1 versus H2; H1 versus G2 (winners to semi-final 2, losers to play each other in the placement round). The losers will play for places 5 to 8. The winners of the 2 semi- final games will play for the championship. The losers of the 2 semi-final games will play for third and fourth places. The winners of the placement round matches 5 to 8 will play for places 5th and 6th, the losers will play for places 7th and 8th. Team placing after the end of the single round robin 3rd and 4th in their pools will play after the same system for places 9 to 16.

49.6 Format for Men’s Paralympic Competition

Teams will be equally divided into 2 pools. In each pool, a single round robin system will be used.

At the conclusion of the round robin, the top 4 teams from each pool will play against each other in quarter-final games: A1 versus B4, B2 versus A3 (winners to semi-final 1), B1 versus A4, A2 versus B3, (winners to semi-final 2). The 2 highest ranked (from the Pool phase) losing teams will playoff for 5th and 6th. The 2 lowest ranked (from the Pool phase) losing teams will playoff for 7th and 8th. (Note: ranking at the end of the pool phase will be based on IBSA Rule 50). The winners of the 2 semi-final games will play for the championship. The losers of the 2 semi- final games will play for third and fourth places.

49.7 Format for Women’s Paralympic Competition

Teams will be equally divided into 2 pools. In each pool, a single round robin system will be used.

At the conclusion of the round robin, the top 4 teams from each pool will play against each other in quarter-final games: C1 versus D4, D2 versus C3 (winners to semi-final 1), D1 versus C4, C2 versus D3, (winners to semi-final 2). The 2 highest ranked (from the Pool phase) losing teams will playoff for 5th and 6th. The 2 lowest ranked (from the Pool phase) losing teams will playoff for 7th and 8th.

(Note: ranking at the end of the pool phase will be based on IBSA Regulation 50). The winners of the 2 semi-final games will play for the championship. The losers of the 2 semi-final games will play for third and fourth places.

50 Ranking of Teams in a Round Robin

The final ranking of teams at the conclusion of a round robin will be determined by the number of points earned. Each team will earn 3 points for every win, 1 point for every tie score, and 0 points for every loss. If 2 or more teams have the same number of points at the end of the round robin, the teams will be separated by using the following methods in this order:

· Goal Difference – subtracting a team’s goals scored against from their goals scored in the total round robin. The team with the higher goal difference will be given the higher ranking.

· Goals Against – the team with the lowest goals against in the overall competition will be given the higher ranking.

· Goal Difference – the same procedure shall be used again, but this time only the games in the round robin between the teams that have to be separated shall be included.

In the event that a tie occurs between more than 2 teams, the above criteria will be used, in order, until one team has been separated. The above criteria will then be used again, from the beginning and order (and will continue to do so), until all teams have been separated and ranking has been decided. In case of a tie, a draw will apply.

51 Forfeits

A forfeit counts as a loss with the winning team earning 3 points and a ten point score. If a team leaves the competition for any reason, all teams earn 3 win points and 0 goals difference. Previous results are automatically cancelled. This rule may be waived by the technical delegate or their assistant based on circumstances beyond control of the team or caused by the organising committee. Rescheduling of the game may be permitted.

52 Maximum Number of Games per Team per Day

There will never be more than 2 games per team per day.

53 Gross Misconduct

53.1 Any team, player, coach, staff, delegation member, referee or official found, in the lead up to or during a tournament, to be behaving in a manner that is contrary to the spirit of the game will be duly penalised. Behaving in a manner that is contrary to the spirit of the game may include but is not limited to the following actions:

· unsporting behaviour;

· dissent by word or action;

· persistent infringement of the rules of the game;

· violent conduct;

· spitting at any other person;

· using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures;

· not attending a game without a valid reason.

53.2 In the event of any issues regarding gross misconduct at a tournament, the technical delegate, in consultation with the protest committee, will sanction that person and/or their team. Such sanctions may include but will not be limited to disqualification of the individual and/or team from the tournament

or disqualification of the individual and/or team from future tournaments.

53.3 Any event of gross misconduct will be reported to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee. The report may be sent by the technical delegate or any other interested party and should be in writing. It will contain details of the defendant(s) and of the details regarding the gross misconduct that occurred. The report may include any supporting material such as eyewitness accounts, medical reports, video and/or audio evidence.

53.4 Upon receipt of a report regarding gross misconduct by any individual or team, the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee will advise the defendant(s) and their IBSA member body that it has received a report along with the details of the reporting party and the incident in the report. The IBSA Goalball Sport Committee will allow the defendant(s) and/or their member body to respond to the accusations in the report within 14 days, after which the sport committee will convene a meeting where they will decide what sanctions (if any) will be mandated.

53.5 Any sanctions handed down by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee may include but will not be limited to:

· disqualification of the defendant(s) from future tournaments;

· loss of ranking points;

· any other sanction as deemed appropriate.

53.6 Upon making the decision the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee will inform the defendant(s) and their IBSA Member Body of their decision in writing within 7 days of making that decision.

53.7 The defendant(s) will then have a further 14 days from the day the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee advised its decision, to respond in writing to the sanctions. The response must contain information not already given to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee and will include details such as:

· reasons why the misconduct was carried out;

· any other reasons that should be taken into consideration for the misconduct;

· any arguments against the severity of the sanctions.

53.8 Upon receiving an appeal to its original decision, the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee will send all documents including the original report, defendant(s) and/or their member body’s response to the accusations as well as the appeal to the IBSA Executive Board of receiving the appeal notice to consider the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee’s decision. The IBSA Executive Board must consider the contents of the original report(s) together with the contents of the appeal before making the final decision.

53.9 A lack of response to the original decision from the individual or team will be treated by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee as if there are no grounds to protest the sanction(s) and the decision will stay final.

53.10 Any decision made by the IBSA Executive Board regarding any appeal will be final and will be reported to the individual or team in the report, their national body and will be recorded by the IBSA Goalball Sport Director of the IBSA Executive Board for their information. The IBSA Executive Board or the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee are authorised to share copies of any decisions made under this rule with any tournament organising committees and/or athlete licensing bodies for a particular competition for the purpose of ensuring that any sanctions are duly enforced.

54 Game Protocol

54.1 Team Check-in and Coin Toss

Before the start of the game, a representative of both teams will report to the designated check-in area, in order to validate the Score Sheet–Game Information and line-up sheets and to perform the coin toss. All participating players and coaches that will be in the team bench area must be listed on the Score Sheet– Game Information.

At the expiration of the final 90 seconds that indicates the beginning of the game, if there are any team members in the team bench area that are not listed on the line- up sheet those individuals will be removed from the field of play.

Also, at the expiration of the final 90 seconds that indicates the beginning of the game, if there are any team members listed on the Score Sheet–Game Information that are not in the team bench area, those team members will not be allowed to enter the field of play for the half.

54.2 Warm Up

All teams must have the opportunity to warm up in a suitable area at least half an hour before they are called to their game. The warm up area for both teams will be similar and as close as possible to the same conditions as the competition venue. Warm-up balls shall be of the same brand or model as used in the competition games for the tournament.

54.3 March In

For all major championships, the teams will march into the field of play. If any player does not have their team uniform available at march in they will not be allowed to enter with the team or warm up on the field of play. If the player’s uniform is not available at the 90 second warning, that player will be ejected from play in that game and will be considered a non-participant and be required to wear the identifying jersey as provided by the organising committee of the tournament.

54.4 Introduction of the Teams

Before the start of the game, both teams will be called to line up on the 6.0 m line. Both national anthems will be played, and the names of all players, team staff and referees will be announced.

54.5 Use of Announcers, Music or other Sounds During a Tournament

No music, announcers, or other sounds may be made during the game except during team time-outs, medical time-outs, 5-minute half times and during the 5- minute period prior to the start of a game. Music, announcers or other sounds must not obstruct referee calls or other warning tones. For consistency, any use of music, announcers or other sounds must be equally used in all gyms and during all games. Any music used must not violate any copyright or use laws.

54.6 Protest Committee

At IBSA-sanctioned tournaments, all protests and matters of expulsion (as in Regulation 52) concerning the tournament will be dealt with by a protest committee, whose decision is final. The protest committee will consist of the technical delegate, a tournament referee appointed by the technical delegate and who is not involved in the protested game, the tournament director (competition manager/organising committee representative), and 1 extra person appointed by the technical delegate (this cannot be another referee or person involved in the protested game or whose team may be influenced by the decision of the protest committee).

55 Exceptions to Tournament Regulations

Any exception to these tournament regulations must be:

· requested in writing to the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee or its Chairperson no later than 60 days prior to the commencement of the tournament;

· approved, by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee or its Chairperson within 21 days from the receipt of the request, and;

· communicated to the other participating teams by the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee or its Chairperson immediately upon approval.

The IBSA Goalball Sport Committee reserves the right to change or modify the rules and tournament regulations as needed, provided they present 60 days written notice on the IBSA Goalball Sport Committee website.

The rules, regulations and appendices to this document take effect January 1, 2025.

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