Tournament Rules

• All games will consist of four chukkas of seven minutes of actual playing time each.

• All games will have one minute between chukkas, two minutes at half time.

• Games may be shortened or rescheduled if rain or lightning delays play.

1. FINA rules apply.

2. Teams entered will be split into four Pools.

3. Upon completion of the round robin pool matches, the top teams from each pool will advance to the quarter-finals and play for positions 1-8. The 2^nd and 3^rd teams in each pool will play off for the remaining four teams to play in the quarter finals. All the other teams will compete for positions 9-16.

4. All matches will start on time according to the times listed on the fixture list, unless otherwise determined by the Tournament Director.

5. The team mentioned first on the fixture are to start on the left of the table and wear WHITE caps.

6. The duration of the matches will be 4 x 7 min actual playing time chukkas. All games will have one minute between chukkas, two minutes at half time

7. In the round robin pool matches, points will be awarded as follows:

2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss.

8. Positions after group matches will be determined as follows:

Team with the highest points

In the event of a tie, positioning will be determined using the Fina Bylaw BL 9.6.3

9. If any playoff match (including the final) ends in a draw, there will be no extra time. An immediate penalty shoot-out consisting of the best of three shots per team will determine the winner. If both teams are still tied after five shots, sudden death will apply.

10. Coaches, managers and reserves are to be situated on the corners opposite the table. If one of your players is excluded during the match, he or she is to serve her exclusion in your corner opposite the table.

11. A Red Card for Misconduct - the punishment of the exclusion from the remainder of the game shall be deemed sufficient.

12. A Red Card for Brutality - any player excluded for brutality will be suspended for a minimum of one match and will be required to appear before a disciplinary committee immediately if deemed necessary.

13. There will only be one Time out for each team in the two Semi Finals and Final. There will be no Time outs in any other matches.

In the event of scores being level at the end of any play-off matches. If the scores are tied, there will be a penalty shoot-out in order to determine a winner.

BL 9.6.3.1 If two (2) teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:

BL 9.6.3.1.1 The team winning the game between them shall be placed higher.

BL 9.6.3.1.2 If the game between them was tied, then the results against the highest placed team(s) in the group shall be considered.

BL 9.6.3.1.3 The first comparison shall be based on goal difference, and if still tied, then based on goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.1.4 The comparison shall be made first compared to the highest placed team (or teams, if tied) in the group.

BL 9.6.3.1.5 If still tied, the results against the next highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be used in succession until all results have been considered.

BL 9.6.3.1.6 If still tied, the teams shall shoot penalty shots to determine which team shall be placed higher. Each team shall nominate five (5) players and a goalkeeper who will participate in the penalty shoot-out. The team shall shoot five (5) penalty shots at the goal of the other team, alternating shots. If a tie exists after each team has taken five (5) shots, then teams shall take sets of alternate shots until one team scores and the other does not. The procedure shall be conducted following the final game of the round or at the first practical opportunity.

BL 9.6.3.1.7 If there is more than one tie in a group, the highest placed tie shall be determined first.

BL 9.6.3.1.8 If it is the situation where there is more than one tie in a group and it is not possible to determine the highest placed team then all results within the group shall be used to determine the highest placed team.

BL 9.6.3.2 If three (3) or more teams shall have equal points, further classification shall be established as follows:

BL 9.6.3.2.1 The results among the tied teams shall determine which team is placed highest.

BL 9.6.3.2.2 If, at any time during the application of the procedure set out in this BL 9.6.3.2, the number of tied teams is reduced to two (2), then BL 9.6.3.1 shall be used to determine which of the two (2) remaining teams is placed higher.

BL 9.6.3.2.3 The comparison shall be made first, upon the points of the games among the tied teams, second, the goal difference, and third, based upon goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.2.4 If still tied, the games played against the highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be considered.

BL 9.6.3.2.5 The first comparison shall be based on goal difference, and if still tied, then based on goals scored.

BL 9.6.3.2.6 If still tied, the results against the next highest placed team (or teams, if tied) shall be used in succession until all results have been considered.

BL 9.6.3.2.7 If still tied, the teams shall shoot penalty shots to determine which team shall be placed highest. Each team shall nominate five (5) players and a goalkeeper who will participate in the penalty shoot-out. Each team shall shoot five (5) penalty shots at its opponent’s goal in alternate succession. The first team shall take its first penalty shot and then each other team shall take its first penalty shot, etc. If a tie shall exist after that procedure, the teams shall then take sets of alternate shots until one team misses and the other(s) score. The procedure shall be conducted following the final game of the round or at the first practical opportunity.

BL 9.6.3.2.8 If there is more than one tie in a group, the highest placed tie shall be determined first.

BL 9.6.3.3 For the purpose of calculating either goal difference or goals scored, the goals in any penalty shoot-out will not be taken into consideration.