Rule 18 - The Referees

18:1
Two referees with equal authority shall be in charge of each game. They are assisted by a timekeeper and a scorekeeper.

18:2
The referees monitor the conduct of the players from the moment they enter the premises until they leave.

18:3
The referees are responsible for inspecting the playing court, the goals, and the balls before the game starts (3:1); they decide which ball will be used. The referee who is officially listed first shall decide if they have different opinions.

The referees also establish the presence of both teams in proper uniforms. They check the scoresheet and the equipment of the players. They ensure that the number of players and officials in the substitution area is within the limits, and they establish the presence and identity of the "responsible team official", for each team.

Any discrepancies must be corrected (4:7).

18:4
The coin toss is undertaken by the referee who is officially listed first, in the presence of the other referee and both team captains (10:1).

18:5
At the start of the game, the referee listed second takes up the position as court referee behind the team which is taking the throw-off.

The court referee starts the game with a whistle signal for the throw-off (10:3).

When subsequently the other team gains possession of the ball, the referee listed second takes up the position on the outer goal-line of the now defending team.

The other referee starts as goal-line referee at the other goal line. He becomes court referee, when the team at that end gains possession.

The referees must change ends with each other from time to time during the game.

18:6
In principle, the entire game shall be conducted by the same two referees.

It is their responsibility to ensure that the game is played in accordance with the rules, and they must penalize any infractions (see, however, 13:6, 14:10).

If one of the referees becomes unable to finish the game, the other referee will continue the game alone.

18:7
In principle, the court referee whistles for:

a. the execution of all formal throws in accordance with rules 16:3 a-h, and after time-out (2:4);
b. the expiration of the playing time, if the automatic signal has not sounded or the timekeeper has not given the final signal.

The goal-line referee whistles:

c. when a goal has been scored (9:1).

18:8
If both referees whistle for an infraction and agree about which team should be penalized but have different opinion as to the severity of the punishment, then the most severe of the two punishments shall be given.

18:9
If both referees whistle for an infraction, or the ball has left the court, and the two referees have different opinions as to which team should have possession, then the opinion of the court referee always prevails.

The game is restarted following clear hand signals from the court referee and a whistle signal (16:3h).

18:10
Both referees are responsible for keeping the score.

The also take notes about warnings, suspensions, dis-qualifications, and exclusions.

18:11
Both referees are responsible for controlling the playing time. If there is any doubt about the accuracy of the timekeeping, the referee who is officially listed first will decide.

18:12
The referees are responsible for ensuring after the game that the scoresheet is completed correctly.

Disqualifications for actions outside the playing court or for actions against the referees, as well as exclusions, must be explained in the match report (17:5c, d, f, 17:7).

18:13
Decisions made by the referees on the basis of their observations of facts are final.

Appeals can be lodged against decisions which are not in conformity with the rules.

During the game, the "responsible team officials" are entitled to address the referees.

18:14
Both referees have the right to suspend a game temporarily or permanently.

Every effort must be made to continue the game, before a decision is taken to suspend it permanently.

18:15
The black uniform is reserved for the referees.

17. The Punishments === Contents of IHF Rules === 19. The Timkeeper and the Scorekeeper