Standard Clinic Part 5:
Center and Perimeter
Version 3.2
Release date: 2004
2004 Points of Emphasis





Players must put the ball in play correctly.
Allow the former center forward and center
back to untangle when possession changes;
do no call a foul too quickly.
Just because a slough is coming, a referee
can still call ordinary or exclusion fouls
against the center back.
Minimize calling offensive fouls away from
the ball.
Be an offensive-minded referee.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 2
Refereeing the Perimeter
Not time for a vacation
 Current strategy is moving the ball
to get it to the hole set

watch for how the ball gets passed to
the set
 if there is a foul at set, ball needs to
be passed back out


Referees should always call the
exclusion when in doubt
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 3
Perimeter Principles

Calls are based on principles of
advantage (the three P’s)


Violate advantage only to protect
players
Obligation is for the defense to
play good defense
if they play good defense and the
offense can’t do anything with the
ball: too bad
 if they play bad defense: call the foul

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 4
Perimeter Principles

There should be no ordinary fouls
away from the ball
go ahead and call the exclusion foul
for holding, sinking or pulling back a
player
 be aware of what is happening where
the ball is

• Is the center forward turning?
• Is someone ready to shoot?
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 5
Calling Ordinary Fouls

If there is an ordinary foul, call it.
Be sure that it is related to play
 Call the foul quickly if it is there

• delay takes time off the possession clock
• if the attacking team has earned it, give
it to them

The onus is on the defense to
show they are not committing
fouls.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 6
Drives

Watch the players and their
positions
Did the attacking player swim over
the defender
 Did the defender hand check the
attacking player
 Did the defender hold the attacking
player


Who got to the position first?
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 7
Picks


Are often run, especially after a foul is
called at set
If the pick affects play:
 if an attacking player holds a defender:
offensive foul
• So that the ball reaches another attacking
player
 if a defender holds an attacking player:
exclusion foul
• So the player cannot get free to receive
the ball
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 8
Refereeing the Center
Forward Position
Philosophy of the Center Forward
Position
 Positioning at Center Forward
 Play at Center Forward
 Calling Fouls at Center Forward

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 9
Philosophy of the Center
Forward: Offense

Role of the Center Forward Player
Scorer
 Passer
 Changes with :

• Time in possession
• Time in period
• Time/Score in game

Double Post Offense
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 10
Philosophy of the Center
Back: Defense

Role of the Center Back

Relationship with Goalkeeper
• Side of defense
• Take away back hand
• Take away sweep

Relationship with sloughers
• Forces role of set offense
• Forces pass:
• Location
• Timing
• Direction
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 11
Refereeing the Center
Forward Position
Philosophy of the Center Forward
Position
 Positioning at Center Forward
 Play at Center Forward
 Calling Fouls at Center Forward

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 12
Positioning of the Center
Forward Player

Body position

Questions to ask:
• What can the player do?
• How far can the player reach for the ball?
• How much space can the player legally
create to work with the ball?
Vertical Position
 Horizontal Position
 Sitting Position
 Shoulders Relative to the Goal

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 13
Factors Affecting Positioning
of the Center Forward Player

Handedness
Ability to use both hands
 Shooting hand preference
 Passing hand preference


Primary moves
Shooting
 Passing

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 14
Positioning of the Center
Back Player

Position Relative to Attacking
Player

Back Position
• Advantage: Almost none
• Disadvantage: Almost certain exclusion

Lateral Position
• Advantage: Good defensive positioning
• Disadvantage: Must rely of goalkeeper
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 15
Positioning of the Center
Back Player – 2

Front to Front Position (Fronting)
• Advantage: Excellent defensive positioning
• Disadvantage: Goalkeeper must tell you
where ball is

Back to Front Position
• Advantage: Takes away pass
• Disadvantage: Penalty fouls called
frequently
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 16
Common Problems of Poor
Defensive Positioning

“Hands Up” Defense
Continued pressure on the attacking
player
 Can hold and/or sink with elbows,
chest, and chin


“Leaning”

Sinking an attacking player who has
gained position
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 17
Striving for Position:
Equal Pushing


Players have the right to the water in
which they are located.
Players have the right to try and move to
more advantageous positions.
 Both players have equal rights to try
and move to a more advantageous
position.
 Neither player may move the other
player out of a more advantageous
position.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 18
Refereeing the Center
Forward Position
Philosophy of the Center Forward
Position
 Positioning at Center Forward
 Play at Center Forward

When the ball is not there
 When the ball is there


Calling Fouls at Center Forward
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 19
Play at the Center
Forward Position

When the ball is not there
No foul situations
 Defensive fouls

• Ordinary fouls
• Exclusion fouls

Offensive fouls
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 20
Equal Pushing – No foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 21
Swimming Around
Opponent – No foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 22
Suit Grabbing (Women) –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 23
Suit Grabbing (Women) –
Contrafoul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 24
Suit Grabbing (Men) –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 25
Hold (and then Sink) –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 26
Sink Center Forward to Gain
Position – Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 27
Pull Back Taking Center
Forward Out of Position –
Exclusion
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 28
Play at the Center
Forward Position

When the ball is there
No foul situations
 Defensive fouls

• Ordinary fouls
• Exclusion fouls
• Penalty fouls
• When a slougher is present

Offensive fouls
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 29
Bad Pass (Regular
Position) – No Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 30
Bad Pass (Inside
Position) – No Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 31
Hands Up Defense –
No Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 32
Hand on Ball –
No Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 33
Release Too Late –
No Foul
If the player is holding the ball,
there are very few fouls that
should be called.
 Younger players often have “the
grip of death.”
 If the ball is released too late (into
the hands of a slougher or the
goalkeeper), no fouls should be
called.

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 34
Calling Fouls
Hold, sink, pull back
 With sloughers near by
 Overly aggressive fouls
 Inside water calls

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 35
Hold on Pass Into Center
Forward – Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 36
Sink at Center Forward –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 37
Pull Back –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 38
Pull Back Then Hands Up –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 39
Calling Fouls
Hold, sink, pull back
 With sloughers near by
 Overly aggressive fouls
 Inside water calls

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 40
Pass To Wrong Side With
Slougher Close – No Call
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 41
Two Hands Up Defense With
Slougher Coming In – No Call
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 42
Impeding With Sloughers
Coming In – Ordinary Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 43
Pull Back With Sloughers
Coming In – Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 44
Pull Back with No Sloughers
Coming In – Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 45
Calling Fouls
Hold, sink, pull back
 With sloughers near by
 Overly aggressive fouls
 Inside water calls

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 46
Fouls Around Head/Neck –
Exclusion Fouls
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 47
Overly Aggressive Foul
(Striking) – Exclusion
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 48
Elbow to Face (Striking) –
Exclusion Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 49
Calling Fouls
Hold, sink, pull back
 With sloughers near by
 Overly aggressive fouls
 Inside water calls

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 50
Turn –
No Foul Defense
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 51
Inside Water (Advantage)
– No call
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 52
Turn and Goalkeeper Steal
– No foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 53
Inside But Loses Control of
Ball – No Call
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 54
Foul With Inside Water –
Penalty Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 55
Contrafouls (Offensive
Fouls)

Turnovers (Offensive ordinary fouls)
Without the ball
 With the ball


Offensive exclusion fouls
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 56
Getting Out from Under a
Foul – No Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 57
Ball Under –
Ordinary Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 58
Elbowing for Space – Ordinary
Foul (May be Exclusion)
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 59
High Elbow Turn (Holding)
– Offensive Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 60
Push Off (Standard
Position) – Offensive Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 61
Push Off (Inside Position)
– Offensive Foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 62
Head Butts
Are EXTREMELY dangerous
 Are characterized by a rapid
upwards and backwards movement
of the chin and striking with the
head towards the opponent
 Minimum of an ordinary foul, may
be exclusion, violence, or even
brutality.

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 63
Head Butts
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 64
Head Butt Cautions
Be aware that if the chin stays
tucked, then it is not a head butt
(probably pulling back by the
defense).
 Be aware of bad defensive
positioning and contact due to the
natural head motion of the set
player.

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 65
Beware of Fake Head Butts
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 66
Fouls After Change From
Offense to Defense

Once the counterattack to the other
end starts –
Watch what happens
 Many times, this is when brutality and
violent (game exclusion) fouls occurs
 Also watch for other fouls …..

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 67
Gross and Go – Offensive
Foul (may be Exclusion Foul)
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 68
Hold by Former Center Forward
on Counterattack – Exclusion
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 69
Refereeing the Center
Forward Position
Philosophy of the Center Forward
Position
 Positioning at Center Forward
 Play at Center Forward
 Calling Fouls at Center Forward

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 70
Refereeing Center Forward –
Most Difficult Task in Water
Polo
Consistency is constantly put to the
test
 Must evaluate level of advantage
continuously

must be aware of advantage at the set
position
 monitor advantage in rest of the pool
 watch for what the defenders from
perimeter are doing (crashing?)

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 71
Basic Principles
Physical contact between attacking
players and defenders is permitted
 Intervene ONLY to

return possessional advantage
 return positional advantage
 return probable goal advantage


Minimize calling ordinary fouls at
center forward away from the ball
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 72
Job of the Center Forward

The center forward is obligated to
work the ball. The set should
Work to shoot the ball
 Pass the ball

• Pass to driver for a shot
• Pass back out to reset the offense

The center forward may earn fouls
with good play BUT that does not
mean the defender has open
season!!
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 73
Elements Used to Call
Center Forward

Where are the center forward’s and
center back’s hands?
Who initiated the contact?
 Who gained an advantage from the
contact?
 Call the appropriate foul

• ordinary foul (offensive or defensive)
• neutral throw
• exclusion
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 74
Other Elements to Call
Center Forward

What are the center forward and
center back trying to do?
Is the center forward being prevented
from playing offense by impeding,
holding, sinking or pulling back?
 Is the center back prevented from
playing defense by pushing off, holding,
sinking or pulling back?

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 75
Context, Context, Context

How are the actions of the center
forward and center back related to
what else is going on in the pool?
What is happening where the ball is?
 Are there drivers coming through?
 Did a pick open up a player?
 Is there any shooting advantage?

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 76
Context, Context, Context

How are the actions of the center
forward and center back related to
the game in progress?
How much time is there on the game
clock? On the possession clock?
 What period is it?
 What is the score?

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 77
“Striving for Position”

Incidental contact will occur as the
set and set defender strive to gain
position

This incidental contact is to be
ignored
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 78
What is NOT allowed

When a player holds, grabs a player
and moves him/her out of the way

applies to both the set and set defender
• offensive foul (at a minimum)
• exclusion on defender

When defender shoves the hole set
under water: exclusion foul
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 79
Holding Position

The center forward is obligated to
hold position once he/she has it
Defender cannot push, shove, hold, pull
the center forward out of position
 Defender may have incidental contact
with center forward when trying to go
for ball
 Defender may not go through the
shoulder of the center forward to get at
ball (exclusion)

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 80
Turns at Center Forward

Center forward holds ball
defender can hold, sink, pull back to
get at ball (may not kick or strike)
 if center forward ducks his/her head
underwater while holding the ball,
defender can go get at ball
 if defender has hips down and is turned
by center forward: call what you can
see

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 81
Turns at Center Forward

Center forward releases ball after
turning
no foul if defender is holding or sinking
set at the moment when the ball is
released
 defender is given a little time to get off
hole set after ball is release

• does not get off - penalty shot
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 82
Turns at Center Forward

Center forward tries to get the ball again



if defender holds or prevents center forward
from getting ball: penalty foul
if center forward made the turn such that the
goaltender (or other defender) took the ball
away: no call
if center forward lost control of the ball when
he/she released it: no call, ordinary, or
exclusion foul.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 83
When a Crasher/Slougher
is Coming In

Does the center forward know the crasher
or slougher is coming in?



Yes: was he/she prevented to protecting the
ball? Then ordinary foul (usually).
No: then ball often is stolen.
Was the ball passed to the center forward
while crashers were coming in?

Yes: usually a bad pass; ball should be stolen
(usually).
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 84
Two Guiding Principles

The burden of proof is on the
defense. It is the defense that is
obligated to prove that they are not
committing a foul.

Always give the advantage to
the offense. If it is a 50-50 call, the
call should go to the offense.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 85
The Objective ...

The referee should not focus on just
one situation or just one pair of
players
watch what is going on in your primary
area of responsibility
 be aware of all the other pairs of
players
 know where the ball is
 be sensitive to what is happening at the
ball

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 86
REWARD
Good
position
Good technique
It doesn’t matter how much time is
left on the clock … a foul is a foul is a
foul and should be called even if it is
in the last second of the possession.
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 87
The No Call

No calls are calls
requires experience
 looks like the referee “missed”
something
 okay for less experienced referees to
call too many fouls … just as long as
they are consistently applied
 with experience will decrease number
of unnecessary calls
 however, not an excuse to stop
blowing the whistle!!!

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 88
Better Late Than Early

Examples



Before intervening



attacking player hooks defenders arm
hard hit on set that causes ball to pop out
can the center forward can improve
his/her position
can the center forward complete the play?
A late whistle is better than an early
one
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 89
Ordinary Fouls or
Exclusions
Exclusion fouls are more common
at set than ordinary fouls
 Ordinary foul typically is when the
defender has played good defense
and caused the set to move
him/herself out of position –
Should still be called!!
 Exclusion fouls are called for
taking away offensive advantage

© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 90
REWARD GOOD PLAY
DISCOURAGE BAD PLAY
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 91
The End of Part 5
Set and Perimeter
© 2004, FINA
Standard 3.2 - 92