Overview

Rule 8

Play is started at the beginning of each quarter and after every goal with a centre pass. Centre passes are taken alternately by each team’s Centre throughout the game.

The umpires confirm the correct centre pass with each other at the start and end of each period of play. After each goal, the umpires signal the direction of the next centre pass and the controlling umpires calls out the name of the team taking it. If there is any doubt or appeal before the pass is taken, the umpires will check with each other to confirm.

Player Positioning

Before the whistle is blown:

• the Centre taking the pass must have at least one foot wholly within the centre circle

• the opposing Centre must be positioned in the centre third

• all other players must remain in their respective thirds and must not enter the centre third.

All players must be in their correct positions on court.

Sanctions for incorrect positioning or early entry (“breaking”) result in a free pass.

Taking the Centre Pass

When the whistle is blown:

• the Centre may step out of the circle on one foot but must comply with the footwork rule

• the ball must be released within three seconds.

If these conditions are not met, the appropriate sanction (free pass) will apply.

Defending the Centre Pass

A defender cannot obstruct, or make contact with the player taking the centre pass.

Breaking

Before the whistle for a centre pass, only the Centres may be in the centre third — all other players must stay behind the transverse line in their goal thirds.

If a player (other than a Centre) lands in the centre third before the whistle, a free pass is awarded where the infringement occurred (unless advantage applies).

If a player jumps over the transverse line before the whistle but does not land in the centre third until after the whistle is blown, this is not considered breaking.

If two opposing players enter the centre third at the same time and neither touches the ball, play continues.

Untouched centre pass

A centre pass must be touched or caught by a player who:

• • is standing wholly within the centre third, or

  • lands with the first or both feet wholly within the centre third.

A player cannot catch and land with both feet astride the transverse line.

At the end of a quarter

If the umpire blows the whistle to end the quarter while the Centre is still holding the ball, the centre pass is ruled not taken if:

• The ball is still in the Centre’s hands (and their team has not been penalised).

• The ball is knocked out of the Centre’s hands by an opponent.

• An infringement by the opposing team has been penalised but the sanction has not yet been taken - for example if the opposing WD breaks or contacts but the free or penalty pass has not been taken.

Centre pass checks

After a goal is scored both umpires signal the direction of the next centre pass with their arm and the controlling umpire calls the name of the team who is taking the next centre pass.

If the umpires disagree or are unsure they can hold time to check with each other.

An on-court player can appeal to the umpire before the centre pass is taken if they believe that a centre pass is being signalled incorrectly.

In this case the umpires should check with each other.

Once the centre pass has been taken mistakes can't be rectified and the game continues.

Only on-court players can appeal - not the coach or players on the sideline.