RULES
OF
ELECTRIC WHEELCHAIR
BALLOON SOCCER
SECTION 1 ~ DESIGNATED PLAYING AREA
1.1Court Size
1.3Goal Posts
1.4Penalty Line
1.5Penalty Spot
1.6Restricted Area
SECTION 2 - DURATION OF GAME
2.1Normal Playing Times
2.2Time Outs
2.3End of Half
2.4Extra Time
SECTION 3 - TEAMS
3.1Team Size
3.3Substitutions
SECTION 4 - COMMENCING PLAY
4.1Toss of Coin
4.2Informing Team Positions
4.3Player Position Prior to Play Commencing
4.4Centre Hit Off
SECTION 5 - SCORING
5.1Legal Goal
5.2Certain Goal, Offence
5.3Re-commencing Play
SECTION 6 - FREE HITS
6.1When Awarded
6.2Disallowed Goal from Free Hit
6.3Free Hit Between the Penalty Line and Goal Line
6.4Direct Free Hit
6.5Free Hit Options
SECTION 7 - ADVANTAGE RULES
7.1Three Metre Advantage
7.2Beyond the Penalty Line
7.3After a Goal has been Scored.
SECTION 8 - BALLOON OUT OF PLAY
8.1Over Lines of Playing Area
8.2Re-Commencing Play
8.3From the Side Line Between the Penalty Line and the Goal Line
8.4From the Goal Line
8.5Re-throw
8.6Throwing Balloon In
8.7Throwing Balloon Up
SECTION 9 -WARNINGS AND SUSPENSION
SECTION 10 - EQUIPMENT
10.1 Authority for Use
10.2 Balloon
10.3 Posts
SECTION 11 - OFFICIALS
11.1 Number of Officials
11.2 Referee
11.3 Linespersons
11.4 Use of Whistle
11.5 Signals
1.0
DESIGNATED PLAYING AREA
1.1
The game shall be played indoors on a regulation size basketball court, twenty eight metres in length by fifteen metres in width. Variations in the dimensions are permitted; plus or minus two metres on the length and plus or minus one metre on the width, the variations being proportional to one another.
1.2
The playing area will be divided into an eight square grid, each square being equal in size.
1.3
Two upright goal posts five metres apart will be located centrally on the goal line at both ends.
1.4
There will be a penalty line three metres ~'om the goal line at both ends.
1.5
A penalty spot will be marked at the centre of the three metre line.
2.0
DURATION OF GAME
2.1
The game is divided into 2 x I 0 minute halves with 2 minutes for halftime.
2.2
Time Outs
2.2.1
Each team may call two time outs in any half of a game. Three time outs per half are permitted in finals. A time out is a break of play of thirty seconds duration and can only be called during a stoppage of play - e.g. ball out of bounds, after goal etc.
2.2.2
A time out can only be called during a stoppage of play.
2.2.3
The central ampire may call an indefinite time out should a player sustain an injury requiring treatment - or for a matter of safety~ No substitution of players - other than the injured player may occur at this time.
2.3
Each half will conclude when the timekeeper signals time. The umpire will then end play.
2.4
Extra Time
2.4.1
Should scores in a final match be level at the completion of two halves of normal time, then Extra Time, being two by five minute halves shall be played following a two minute break. Following the first half of extra time, there will be a one minute break - and teams shall change ends.
2.4.2
Each team may call one time out during extra time but only due to a breakdown of a wheelchair.
2.4.3 In extra time, should scores be level at the completion of two halves of playing time, the team with the most number of points gained in the Round Robin Competition will be declared the winner. Should both teams have an equal number of points, the team with the highest number of Round Robin Goals will be declared the winner.
3.0
TEAMS
3.1
Size
3.1.1
A team shall consist of six players, five on the court and one substitute who may be interchanged throughout the game.
3.2
Positions
3.2.1
Each player from both teams must use four adjoining areas of the grid.
3.2.2
One player from both teams may use six adjoining areas of the grid. This player is to wear a number 6 bib of a different colour.
3.2.3
There can be more than one player from a team in any position, except adjoining six. Team positions may be changed only during a time out.
3.2.4
A player may still participate in the play as long as that player' s wheels are inside their designated playing squares.
3.3
Substitutions
3.3.1
Team substitutions may occur at a time out.
(Except: Refer 2.2.3)
4.0
COMMENCING PLAY
4.1
The referee will toss a coin and the team winning the toss has the fight to choose which end to attack or take the centre hit off to commence play.
4.2
The captain or coach of each team will inform the referee of team positions prior to play commencing, and when team positions alter throughout the game.
4.3
Each player will take up their positions in the court prior to play commencing.
4.4
The Centre Hit Off
4.4.1
A centre hit off will take place to commence each half of the game and to re-commence the game after a goal has been scored.
4.4.2
The team not having taken the centre hit off to commence the game will take the centre hit off to re-commence the second half.
4.4.3 Each team will change ends at the completion of the first half.
5.0 SCORING
5.1
A goal is scored to the team attacking that end when more than half of the inflated balloon has passed over the goal line and between the goal posts.
(Exception: Refer to 6.2)
5.2
When the team attacking that end has a certain goal, and an offence occurs against a player on that team, the minor penalty will be negated in favour of awarding that team the goal.
5.3
When a goal has been scored, the opposing team will take the centre hit off to recommence play.
6.0 FREE HITS
6.1 A free hit is awarded to the opposing team when a player:
6.1.1 Rams, holds or pushes an opponent from any direction if the balloon is not playable.
6.1.2
Crosses a line with any wheel from their legal court position to another, and interferes with play.
6.1.3 Holds the balloon nozzle by the hand or in the mouth.
6.1.4
Moves a hand or foot from its usual stationary position on the body or wheelchair, and deliberately interferes with play.
6.1.5
Is within three metres of an opponent taking a centre hit off, or free hit, at the moment the balloon makes contact with the opponent or ground.
6.1.6 Behaves in a manner showing poor sporting conduct such as:
6.1.7
Arguing with the referee or linesperson.
Uses offensive language.
Deliberately wastes time.
Deliberately rams, or pushes court equipment.
Is shown a yellow or red card.
6.1.8
6.2
Requests a re-throw on more than two occasions for the one incident.
When a centre hit off, or free hit is awarded to the team attacking that end, and the balloon passes over the goal line between the posts, not having made contact with a wheelchair, or body of any player or one player twice or post or ground, a penalty line hit will be awarded to the opposing team, anywhere on the penalty line.
(Exception: Refer to 6.4.1)
6.3
Between the ~ line and the goal line
6.3.1
When the opposing team commits an offence, and there was no certainty of a goal being scored, a penalty line flee hit will be awarded to the team attacking that end, in a direct line from where the offence occurred.
6.3.2
When the team attacking that end commits an offence, a penalty line free hit will be awarded to the opposing team, m a direct line from where the offence occurred.
6.4
Direct Free Hit
6.4.1
When a flee hit is given to the team attacking that end, on the penalty line, and the opposing team commits a second offence prior to the free hit being taken, a direct free hit for goal will be given to the team attacking that end, from the penalty spot.
6. 5
Free Hit Options
When an offence occurs the referee may award a free hit to the offended team either:
a) Where the offence occurred;
or
b) Where the balloon was at the time of the offence;
or
C) Allow play to continue if it is to the advantage of the offended team;
Or
d) Three metres from where the offence occurred.
7.0
ADVANTAGE RULES
7.1
A three metre advantage flee hit will be awarded to the team attacking that end, when the opposing team commits an offence before the balloon makes contact with a player or the ground at a centre hit off, or free hit.
7.2
When a team is awarded a three metre advantage flee hit which would move the player awarded the free hit to a point beyond the penalty line, the free hit will be taken from the penalty line.
7.3
At~er a goal has just been scored.
7.3.1
When the team that has just scored then commits an offence, a three metre advantage free hit will be award to the opposing team, from the centre, to re-commence play.
7.3.2
When the team that has just scored is then offended against, that team will be awarded a centre hit off free hit to recommence play.
8.0 BALLOON OUT OF PLAY
8.1
A balloon is out of play when more than half of the inflated balloon has passed over the lines of the playing area.
8.2
To Re-Commence Play
8.2.1
From the Side Line
8.2.2
When the balloon has passed over the side line, a side line hit will be taken by an opponent of the team who last hit the balloon, from where the balloon went over the side line.
8.2.3
When the ball has passed over the side line, and the linesperson is unsure about a decision (who last hit the balloon), the balloon will be thrown in from where the balloon went over the side.
8.2.4
When the balloon bursts or is held still for more than five seconds, the balloon will be thrown in from the nearest side line, in a direct line from where the incident occurred.
8.3
From the Side Line Between the Penalty Line and the Goal Line
8.3.1
When the balloon has passed over the side line between the penalty line and the goal line, a side line hit will be awarded to an opponent of the team who last hit the balloon, from the penalty line.
8.3.2
When the linesperson is unsure about a side line decision or the balloon bursts or is held still for more than five seconds the balloon will be thrown in from the penalty line.
8.4
From the Goal Line
8.4.1
When the balloon has passed over the goal line and not between the goal posts.
8.4.1 i
If the balloon was last hit by the opposing team, a comer hit will be awarded to the attacking team from the nearest comer.
8.4.1 ii
If the balloon was last hit by the team attacking that end, a penalty line hit will be awarded to the opposing team, anywhere on the penalty line.
8.5
Re-Throw
8.5.1
The player awarded a centre hit off, or any flee hit, may request a RE-THROW, on two occasions only, providing the wheelchair or body of that player or the ground does not make contact with the balloon before making the request.
8.6
Procedure for Throwing Balloon In
8.6.1
When the linesperson is unsure about a side line decision or the balloon bursts or is held still for more than five seconds, the linesperson will proceed to the side line, wait five seconds and throw the balloon in over the head while facing away from the court.
8.7
Procedures for Throwing Balloon UI!
8.7.1
A centre hit off, or free hit, will take place by the referee tossing the balloon up m front of a player in position.
8.7.2
A side line or comer hit will take place by the linesperson tossing the balloon up in front of a player in position.
9.0
WARNINGS AND SUSPENSIONS - Refer to Governing Rules
10.0
EQUIPMENT
10.1
The following equipment has been authorised for use in Balloon Soccer.
10.2
Balloon
10.2.1
A double dipped monster inflated to a 650 - 675mm diameter.
10.3
Posts
10.3.1
Upright posts of prescribed specifications.
11.
OFFICIALS
11.1
There will be one referee and two linespersons.
11.2
Referee
11.2.1
The referee will be responsible for making the final decision on fair, unfair, safe and unsafe play, goals and line decisions, and can seek advice from either linesperson before making those decisions.
11.3
Linespersons
11.3.1
The linesperson will be responsible for side line decisions and can seek advice ~'om the referee before making decisions.
11.3.2
The linesperson can inform the referee of significant offences not sighted by the referee, offences that bring the game into disrepute or contribute to a significant unfair advantage to a team.
11.4
The officials will blow the whistle when commencing, recommencing and stopping play, unless 'play on' is called to ensure the offended team is not further penalised.
11.5
Signals
11.5.1
Ramming
11.5.1i
The referee will thrust a clenched fist into an open hand.
11.5.2
Holding
11.5.2 i
The umpire will hold a wrist with the other hand.
11.5.3
Pushing
11.5.3 i
The referee will push an open hand away from the body.
11.5.4
Dangerous Pla/Poor S ortin Conduct
11.5.4i
The referee will make a calming movement by raising both hands horizontally, palms downwards, in front of the body, moving them slowly up and down.
11.5.5
Goal Scored
11.5.5 i
The referee will call 'all clear' and point to the centre of the court.
11.5.6
Commencing each Half
11.5.6 i
The referee will hold the balloon aloft.
11.5.7
Time Out
11.5.7i
The referee will blow the whistle, call 'time out', and form a T shape with both hands.
11.5.8
Balloon Out of Play
11.5.8i
The linesperson will call 'out of play', and point with outstretched arm down the side line, toward the attacking end goal line of the team taking the side line hit.
11.5.9
Ending Each Half
11.5.9i
The referee will raise both hands vertically above the head.
August, 1996
You Are Visitor Number Since 1 June, 1998
