Use of technology at Germany/Denmark 2019

09 Jan. 2019

Use of technology at Germany/Denmark 2019

Electronic team time-out, countdown, video proof system (VPS)

Electronic team time-out
Following the successful introduction of the electronic team time-out (TTO) at the 2017 IHF Women’s World Championship, this system will also be applied at the 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany/Denmark. 

By using this system, each team can request the team time-out directly through pushing a button on an electronic device.

The button is directly connected to the official scoreboard system and pushing the button will directly lead to a stopping of the time, additionally an audio signal will be initialised to make all involved parties aware of the time-out. 

Please note that the general rules regarding number of time-outs apply and that a team time-out can obviously only be requested as long as ball possession is not changing. 

With the new system being used, the following rules will apply in case of mistake/misuse of the team time-out:

If the opposing team is in ball possession and a team-time out is requested by the other team, the following punishments will apply:

- Yellow Card for the Team Official who requested the TTO
- 7-metre throw for the team which was in ball possession
- Team that caused the faulty Team Time-Out will lose one (1) time-out (total number of team time-outs will be reduced by one)

In case that the interruption occurs during a clear chance of scoring of the opposing team, the following punishments will apply:

- Red and Blue card for the Team Official who requested the TTO by pushing the button (8:10b)
- 7-metre throw for the team which was in ball possession

Team that caused the faulty Team Time-Out will lose one (1) time-out (total number of team time-outs will be reduced by one)A special situation occurs in case the team time-out was requested just in the moment when the own team is losing the ball. If it is clear, that this was a technical mistake from the coach and not on purpose, the IHF Official of the match will decide on the following possible measures:

- Yellow card for Team Official A
- Team that caused the faulty Team Time-Out will lose one (1) time-out (number of total team time-outs will be reduced by one)
- Technical decision according to the situation on the Field of Play (free-throw or 7-metre throw)

A 7-metre throw is obligatory in case all team time-outs have already been used and can therefore not be reduced any further.

In case of technical problems with the device a team official can request the team-time out through approaching the match management table and requesting it orally.

Countdown: passive play

As additional service for the teams, the spectators and all people involved, the countdown of the remaining number of passes after the forewarning signal for passive play has been shown, will be displayed on the scoreboard at the 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship.

However, attention is drawn to the fact that the displayed countdown is not binding, and the final decision is in the responsibility of the referees.

Video Proof System (VPS)

Situations when Video Proof System can be called:

1. Goal or not goal, decision if the ball has crossed completely the goal line.

The new Guidelines 2018 authorise to the Official to disallow a goal after the subsequent throw-off has been taken, extending this limitation until the next change of ball possession.

2. Goal or not goal, if the time has ended before or after the ball has crossed completely the goal line.

3. Serious and unfair actions outside the field of view of the referees and without ball.

4. In case of the referees give a Red Card against a wrong player.

5. In case of confrontation involving two or more players.

6. In case of faulty substitution, no clearly identified at the Table.

7. In case the referees have serious doubts about whether there should be a disqualification under Rule 8:5 or not (only when serious consequences for the injured player).

8. In case the referees have doubts about whether there should be a disqualification under Rules 8:5 or 8:6 (red or blue card).

9. In case of actions in the last 30 seconds under Rules 8:10c or 8:10d when the referees have strong doubts, or the Official calls them.

10. In case of actions in the last 30 seconds when the team in attack is playing without GK and loses the ball (the referees are not sure if a 7m throw must be granted).

- Items 9-10: Not applicable when the score is very clear and no influence in the ranking

General protocol to follow

1. Both the Official and the referees may be able to request the VPS using the headsets. Time-out is mandatory.

2. The referees will order Time-Out and show a public signal as information that the situation is being analysed with the VPS.

3. While a decision is taken, one of the referees (the one who is closer to the situation) will be at the Table, while the other will remain on court and control the players. The referee at the Table must take a decision.

4. In exceptional cases only: If the referee at the Table is not sure, the other referee may review the video proof, after which a joint decision must be taken.

5. After the VPS review the initial decision of the referees can be corrected only if the VPS provides clear and conclusive visual evidence.

6. If the referees are not able to take a decision because the VPS is not conclusive, they must decide according to their observation of the facts.

7. If the VPS has been requested just before or at the end of any period of time, the referees shall keep both teams at the playing court until a decision based on the VPS has been taken.

8. A VPS review shall be carried out as fast as possible. They may extend its duration if technical problems appear with the VPS.

9. If the VPS fails to work and there isn’t any spare equipment available, the VPS cannot be used in the rest of the match.

10. After the VPS review has ended, the final decision shall be clearly communicated by the referees to the Responsible Team Officials of both teams.

11. During the VPS review only the referees and the Official may be at the VPS table, and all non-authorized people must remain away from there.

12. The Official and the referees must check the VPS equipment in advance sufficiently before of the beginning of each match.

13. The Official and the referees must follow the general IHF basic principle to have the least possible interruptions.

TV transmission
TV cameras can offer each situation AFTER the referees have taken a decision, being possible to show it in the big screens of the sport hall.

Electronic communication
The use of any form of electronic communication by team officials is permitted where it directly relates to player welfare or safety or for tactical/coaching reasons but only small, mobile, hand-held equipment (e.g. microphone, headphone, ear-piece, smartwatch, tablet, laptop) may be used. A team official who uses unauthorized equipment or who behaves in an inappropriate manner as a result of the use of electronic or communication equipment will be dismissed from the substitution area. Excluded officials or players are not allowed to contact the team, on the bench.