Balloon Soccer Rules
Rules of Electric Wheelchair Balloon Soccer
As of February 2009
Contents
Section 1 - Designated Playing Area
1.1 Court Size
1.2 Playing Area
1.3 Goal Posts
1.4 Penalty Line
1.5 Penalty Spot
1.6 Penalty Area
Section 2 - Duration of Game
2.1 Duration
2.2 Extra Time During Finals
2.3 Drawn Game
2.4 Break in Play
2.5 Time Out
Section 3 - Teams
3.1 Team Size
3.2 On Court Positions
3.3. Substitutions
Section 4 - Commencing Play
4.1 Toss of Coin
4.2 Informing Team Positions
4.3 Playing Position Prior to Play Commencing
4.4 Centre Hit-Off
Section 5 - Scoring
5.1 Legal Goal
5.2 Sure Goal, Offence
5.3 Re-Commencing Play
Section 6 - Free Hits
6.1 When Awarded
6.2 Disallowed Goal from Free Hit
6.3 Free Hit Within the Penalty Area
6.4 Free Hit Options
Section 7 - Advantage Rules
7.1 Three Metre Advantage
7.2 Beyond the Penalty Line
7.3 After a Goal has been Scored
Section 8 - Balloon Out of Play
8.1 Over Lines of Playing Area
8.2 Re-Commencing Play
8.3 From the Side Line Between the Penalty Line and the Goal Line
8.4 From the Goal Line
8.5 Re-Throw
8.6 Throwing Balloon In
8.7 Throwing Balloon Up
Section 9 - Warning 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 Umpire
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 sized 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 metres 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. A crossbar will be fixed to the goal posts at a height of two metres.
1.4 There will be a penalty line three metres from the goal line at both ends.
1.5 A penalty spot will be marked at the centre of the three metre line.
1.6 At the centre of each end (known as the goal line) a half circle of five metres diameter will be marked on the court, known as the penalty area.
2.0 Duration of Game
2.1 Refer to Governing Rules for duration of game.
3.0 Teams
3.1 Size
4.0 Commencing Play
4.1 The umpire will toss a coin and the team winning the toss has the right to either 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 umpire 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
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 sure 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:
6.3 Free hit within the penalty area
7.0 Advantage Rules
7.1 A three metre advantage free 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 free 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 After a goal has been scored
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 recommence play from the sideline
9.0 Warning and Suspensions
9.1 Refer to Governing Rules
10.0 Equipment
10.1 The following equipment has been authorised for use in Electric Wheelchair Soccer.
10.2 Balloon
11.0 Officials
11.1 There will be one umpire and two linespersons.
11.2 Umpire
11.5 Signals
As of February 2009
Contents
Section 1 - Designated Playing Area
1.1 Court Size
1.2 Playing Area
1.3 Goal Posts
1.4 Penalty Line
1.5 Penalty Spot
1.6 Penalty Area
Section 2 - Duration of Game
2.1 Duration
2.2 Extra Time During Finals
2.3 Drawn Game
2.4 Break in Play
2.5 Time Out
Section 3 - Teams
3.1 Team Size
3.2 On Court Positions
3.3. Substitutions
Section 4 - Commencing Play
4.1 Toss of Coin
4.2 Informing Team Positions
4.3 Playing Position Prior to Play Commencing
4.4 Centre Hit-Off
Section 5 - Scoring
5.1 Legal Goal
5.2 Sure Goal, Offence
5.3 Re-Commencing Play
Section 6 - Free Hits
6.1 When Awarded
6.2 Disallowed Goal from Free Hit
6.3 Free Hit Within the Penalty Area
6.4 Free Hit Options
Section 7 - Advantage Rules
7.1 Three Metre Advantage
7.2 Beyond the Penalty Line
7.3 After a Goal has been Scored
Section 8 - Balloon Out of Play
8.1 Over Lines of Playing Area
8.2 Re-Commencing Play
8.3 From the Side Line Between the Penalty Line and the Goal Line
8.4 From the Goal Line
8.5 Re-Throw
8.6 Throwing Balloon In
8.7 Throwing Balloon Up
Section 9 - Warning 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 Umpire
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 sized 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 metres 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. A crossbar will be fixed to the goal posts at a height of two metres.
1.4 There will be a penalty line three metres from the goal line at both ends.
1.5 A penalty spot will be marked at the centre of the three metre line.
1.6 At the centre of each end (known as the goal line) a half circle of five metres diameter will be marked on the court, known as the penalty area.
2.0 Duration of Game
2.1 Refer to Governing Rules for duration of game.
- 2.1.1 Each half will conclude when the timekeeper signals time. The umpire will immediately end play. If a shot at goal is taken before the siren, but the siren goes before the ball crosses the goal line, then it is no goal. If it seems, according to the referee, that the ball crosses the line simultaneously with the siren, then the goal will be allowed. (Exception see 6.3.5).
- 2.2.1 In a finals game, should scores be level at the completion of two halves of normal playing time, then extra time will be played following a two minute break.
- 2.2.2 Extra time will consist of two five minute halves of playing time, separated by a one minute break, at the completion of the first half.
- 2.3.1 In the event of a finals match being drawn after normal and extra time, the match shall be decided by the taking of penalty shots.
- 2.3.2 During a penalty shoot-out only direct shots at goal are permitted.
- 2.3.3 The coach/captain of each team shall nominate to the referee a goal keeper plus five penalty takers who will each take a single penalty shot on an alternative team basis. A coin toss shall decide which team shoots first. The goal keeper can be a penalty taker.
- 2.3.4 Each penalty taker must have played during the match and not sent off for the duration of the match.
- 2.3.5 Following the ten penalty shots, the team with the highest number of goals will be declared the winner.
- 2.3.6 Should scores remain equal after ten penalty shots, single penalty shots will be taken alternatively by the same penalty takers from each team. One shot from a player of each team is considered a round.
- 2.3.8 The first to win a single round shall be declared the winner.
- A break in play refers to that after a goal; or after the balloon is out of play or has burst or is held for more than five seconds; or a time out.
- 2.5.1 A time out is a stoppage of play of thirty seconds duration, and can only be called at a break of play.
- 2.5.2 The captain or coach may call two time outs in each half of a game other than a final; three time outs in each half of a finals game; and one time out in each half of extra time.
- 2.5.3 The umpire may call an indefinite time out when a player sustains an injury requiring treatment, or for a matter of safety. No substitution of players, other than the injured player, may occur at this time.
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.
- 3.2.1 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.
- 3.2.4 The adjoining six is the only player permitted to change positions during a break in play or only by the team awarded any free hit. All other players may only change positions after a time out has been called.
- 3.2.5 A player may still participate in the play as long as that player’s wheels are inside their designated playing squares.
- 3.3.1 Team substitutions may occur at:
- team time outs
- half time
- the break of play prior to a period of extra time
- half time of extra time.
- 3.3.2 If a substitution occurs outside of the specified periods, the non-offending team will receive a free hit.
4.0 Commencing Play
4.1 The umpire will toss a coin and the team winning the toss has the right to either 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 umpire 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 recommence 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 recommence 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 sure 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 Propels the ball with their elbow.
- 6.1.6 Lifts a wheel off the ground and deliberately interferes with play.
- 6.1.7 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.
- 6.1.8 Behaves in a manner showing poor sporting conduct such as:
- arguing with the umpire or linesperson
- using offensive language
- deliberately wasting time
- deliberately ramming, or pushing court equipment.
- 6.1.9 Is shown a yellow or red card. For penalty card use refer to Governing Rules.
- 6.1.10 Requests a re-throw on more than two occasions for the one incident.
6.3 Free hit within the penalty area
- 6.3.1 Where a defending player commits an offence within this region, a direct penalty will be awarded to the attacking team.
- 6.3.2 When the team attacking that end commits an offence, a penalty line free hit will be awarded to the opposing team, in a direct line from where the offence occurred.
- 6.3.3 In the event of a penalty, the team taking the shot will select any player (not necessarily the 6) to take the shot, and the defending team will select any player as a goal keeper. It will be a one hit situation, and if the shot is saved or misses a goal hit to the defending team will be awarded. After the penalty both players will return to their original positions.
- 6.3.4 The penalty will be taken from the centre of the penalty line.
- 6.3.5 When a penalty is awarded the team is permitted to complete the penalty, irrespective of the siren indicating the end of play in each half of the game.
- 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 free 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 free 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 After a goal has 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 recommence 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 recommence play from the sideline
- 8.2.1 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.
- 8.2.2 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.
- 8.2.3 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.
- 8.3.1 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.
- 8.4.1 When the balloon has passed over the goal line and not between the goal posts.
- 8.4.2 If the balloon was last hit by the opposing team, a corner hit will be awarded to the attacking team from the nearest corner.
- 8.4.3 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.
- 8.5.1 The player awarded a centre hit-off, or any free 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.
- 8.6.1 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.
- 8.7.1 A centre hit-off, or free hit, will take place by the umpire tossing the balloon up in front of a player in position.
- 8.7.2 A side line or corner hit will take place by the linesperson tossing the balloon up in front of a player in position.
9.0 Warning and Suspensions
9.1 Refer to Governing Rules
10.0 Equipment
10.1 The following equipment has been authorised for use in Electric Wheelchair Soccer.
10.2 Balloon
- 10.2.1 A double dipped monster inflated to a 650- 675 mm diameter.
- 10.3.1 Upright posts of prescribed specifications.
11.0 Officials
11.1 There will be one umpire and two linespersons.
11.2 Umpire
- 11.2.1 The umpire 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.
- 11.3.1 The linesperson will be responsible for side line decisions and can seek advice from the umpire before making decisions.
- 11.3.2 The linesperson can inform the umpire of significant offences not sighted by the umpire, offences that bring the game into disrepute or contribute to a significant unfair advantage to a team.
11.5 Signals
- 11.5.1 Ramming = the umpire will thrust a clenched fist into an open hand.
- 11.5.2 Holding = the umpire will hold a wrist with the other hand.
- 11.5.3 Pushing = the umpire will push an open hand away from the body.
- 11.5.4 Dangerous play/poor sporting conduct = the umpire 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 = the umpire will call ‘all clear’ and point to the centre of the court.
- 11.5.6 Commencing each half = the umpire will hold the balloon aloft.
- 11.5.7 Time out = the umpire will blow the whistle, call ‘time out’, and form a T shape with both hands.
- 11.5.8 Balloon out of play = 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 = the umpire will raise both hands vertically above the head.
