IUF Unicycle Hockey Referee Rules

version from 10 December 2001

1) Members of the board of referees

The board of referees consists of:

First referee (1)
Second referee (2)
Secretary (S)
Timer (T)

The referees

Both referees are responsible for checking all violations of the rules. The first referee has three additional tasks:

He overrules the second referee, if they disagree.
He restarts the game after every interruption by a long blow of the whistle.
He throws the ball in for the bully.

The secretary

The secretary sits at the desk. He takes care that the scoreboard always shows the current score. After a goal he seeks eye contact with the first referee to check if he declares the goal valid or not. After the end of the game he writes the final score into the report.

The timer

The timer checks the time of play with a stopwatch. The watch is started whenever the referee starts the game by blowing the whistle and it is stopped at every interruption. At the end of each half, the timer stops the game by blowing the whistle.

2) General

The game is interrupted by a short and loud blow of the whistle. In case the whistle wasn't heard by all players, it is necessary to blow the whistle again. It is not possible to let the game continue after blowing the whistle.
The referees should set the tone through their positive and calm appearance. Decisions are explained upon request but they are not discussed with the players. In an unclear situation, the referees can ask the players before making a final decision.
The two referees are positioned one on each side. They try to stay close to the ball. They should not ride a unicycle.
Neither the referees nor the timer or secretary may be distracted from the game. Most of all, they must not talk with the spectators during the game.
The clothes of the referees must be of different color than those of the players.

3) Before the game

Before the game, the referees assemble all players on the field (including substitutes). They check the following:

Are the colors of the tricots of the players clearly different?
Did all players take off their watches and jewellery which might injure others?
Are the unicycles and sticks orderly, i.e. without sharp, pointed or protruding parts which might injure others?
They explain to the players how strictly they will interpret the rules.
If necessary, they tell the players how long the game will be and also if there is extended time in case of a draw.

4) Hints for the interpretation of the rules

(some need to be included into the main set of rules)

After a goal, the referee waits until both teams are back in their own halves and ready to continue. Only then, he starts the game by blowing the whistle.
If the teams start to play even though the game had not been started by the referee, it is stopped immediately by two or more quick consecutive blows of the whistle.
For the bully, the ball is dropped but not thrown.
When the referee applies the advantage rule, he shows the hand sign "Advantage". In addition he may shout "Advantage" or "Go ahead!" He does not blow the whistle.
If a player who is not riding a unicycle shoots into his own goal, the advantage rule applies for the attacking team; i.e. the goal is valid.
Raising the opponent's stick is allowed in principle, if not done using exaggerated roughness. If the opponent's stick is raised above the height of his hips, it is always considered exaggerated roughness.
A free shot must be passed to another player. However, this is not necessary when the game is restarted after a goal. It is legal to directly shoot a goal after passing the center line.
A player who takes part in the game must be riding the unicycle freely. For a remounting player this means he must sit on the seat and have both feet on the pedals.
After each interruption of the game the referee briefly explains his decision. In addition he shows the corresponding hand sign.
Since it is not allowed to hold onto the goal at all, it is not sufficient to release the goal only quickly for the time while the goal keeper takes part in the game.
When two or more players fall and it is unclear whether a foul occurred, the referees can interrupt the game and then continue it with a bully. This prevents that even more players are drawn into the situation.

5) Hand signs

"Free shot"

Point with the extended arm in the direction of play.

"Bully"

Hold both thumbs up.

"6.50 m"

Point with the index finger to the 6.50 m point.

"Advantage"

Extend both arms horizontally.

This is the only hand sign that is not used in conjunction with a blow of the whistle. It is also used to indicate that there was no foul in a critical situation.

"Time out"

Form the letter "T" with both hands.

The game is interrupted for example if a player is injured or if the audience disturbs the game.

"Goal"

Point upwards vertically with one arm.

The referees should check here that the goal is noted by the secretary. To control this it may be useful for the referee to write down the score himself.

"No goal"

Move the flat hand horizontally (palm pointing down).

With this hand sign a goal shot is declared invalid. This is for example the case if the ball was last touched by hand or arm, in case of a long shot, if the ball entered the goal through the net from the outside, or if the game had already been stopped before the ball entered goal. The referees should check here that the invalid goal is not inadvertently counted by the secretary.

"High stick"

Hold clenched fists next to each other above the head.

"Penalty box for 2 minutes" and also "Two consecutive plays with the hand"

Spread and raise two fingers.

"Penalty box for 5 minutes"

Spread and raise five fingers.