Category: Rules
Type: Rule
SUBSTITUTING "ON THE FLY"
Substituting players is an important part of the game. If it is not done properly, your team can be penalized. When done properly, the game is not disrupted and your team avoids unnecessary problems.
The most obvious times to substitute players are extended stoppages in play. These lapses in game competition occur after goals, between periods, and during time outs. Substitutions should be done quickly, and all players should know where they are going, what position they are playing, and what player they are to defend. There are, however, other opportunities for your players to be subbed. The ejection area is used in all of these instances.
The first is during an ejection. If a player receives an ejection, that player must swim to the ejection area, and the game will continue. A substitute player is to meet them there, without interfering with the game, and never entering the field of play. The ejected player must get out of the ejection area before the substitute player can enter the ejection area. Play will not stop, and the substitute may only enter the playing field when the ball is turned over or the ref signals for his entrance. At this point, the substitute player swims back into the game, and the original player is to leave the area quickly and return to the bench.
This same process can be done during standard game play without an ejection being called. For example, let’s look at a situation where a player is too tired to continue play effectively. When the opposing team turns the ball over, the tired player is to swim to his team’s ejection area, and follow the same process as stated above to receive a substitute. In this case, however, the new player does not wait for the referee to wave him in. He is to join the game as soon as possible. The referee will only be concerned with the substitution if the timing is incorrect or a player enters play illegally.
Important Notes
The important thing to remember here is that there is only supposed to be 6 field players in the water at all times. Therefore, the substitute is not to enter the water until the person he is subbing for has left the water. It is also important to enter the field of play correctly. A proper field-entry can come from the ejection area only and cannot involve pushing off of the wall or the bottom of the pool. If a player does use the wall or bottom of the pool, the ball is immediately turned over, and the entering player is ejected. The team goes from even strength offense, to man-down defense because of a fundamental error. It is the referees’ simple goal to keep the game moving, but you will be penalized if you appear to be deliberately attempting to slow play, or if your substitution fundamentals are done incorrectly.
Submitted by: Coach Dave
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