POSSESSION

Definition:  A player holds the ball with one or both hands or has one or both hands on the ball while it is on the ground.

During a match the umpires may award possession of the ball to a team or player.   If this is in the goal circle, a Goal Shooter or Goal Attack may either pass or shoot for goal.

5 INSTANCES WHERE POSSESSION ARE CALLED BY THE UMPIRE:

1. No More Toss-Up:

In the case of simultaneous or mutual infringements possession will be awarded to the team who last had possession of the ball immediately prior to that infringement, where the ball was when play stopped.

For example: Two opposing players gain possession of the ball simultaneously with one or both hands.

Umpire calls:  Simultaneous Contact – Possession + Teams Name

2.  Gaining the ball in quick succession:

If two opposing players gain possession of the ball in quick succession during play, the umpire may allow play to continue by calling “possession” and indicating the team and playing position of the player who gained possession of the ball first so they can play the ball. The hands of the opposing player must be quickly removed, or she will be called for contact.

Umpire calls:  Possession – GD + Teams Name

The same player for whom possession was called must carry on with play.

(In the scenarios 1/3/4/5 any player from that team can take the ball.)

3.  Incorrect Team Numbers:

During play, a minimum of five and a maximum of seven players from a team may be on the court at any time, one of whom must play as Centre. If a team has more than seven players on the court at any time, the additional player/s are immediately sent from the court and possession is awarded to the opposing team where the ball was when play stopped.

Umpire calls:  Incorrect team numbers – Possession + Teams Name

 4.  Late Players

Any late player may, after advising the umpire, take the court in the vacant position/s at the next break in play.  If they just run onto court.  The player is sent from the court until the correct time for entry and possession is awarded to the opposing team where the ball was when play stopped.

Umpire calls:  Incorrect Entry – Possession + Teams Name

5.  Ball strikes the Umpire:

If the ball strikes the umpire while on the court during play, or if an umpire interferes with the movements of the on-court players, play does not stop unless one team has been unfairly disadvantaged, in which case possession is awarded to that team where the ball was when play stopped.

              Umpire calls:  Sorry my mistake – Possession + Teams Name