Rule 3: Team

Rule 3 covers the requirements for players and team officials. While many aspects rarely need to be enforced, it's important for umpires to be familiar with these details in case issues arise.

Team Checks (Rule 3.12)

Before the match begins, umpires must carry out checks to ensure all players comply with Rule 3.12. These should be visual checks only—umpires should not touch players at any point, as individuals may have different comfort levels with physical contact and it is best to avoid it entirely.

Nails

Nails should be short and smooth. As a general guide, nails should not be visible when the palms are facing upward.

Some flexibility may be given if nails extend slightly but are smooth and pose no risk.

Jewellery

Jewellery such as earrings, nose rings, watches (including under sweatbands), or ankle bracelets must be removed.

Rule 3.12(a) prohibits all body piercings during play. If jewellery cannot be removed (e.g., recent piercings), the player cannot take the court.

Medical Devices

Medical devices may be worn but must be securely taped or padded to minimise risk.

Hair

Hair must be tied back so it does not interfere with play or other players.

At local level, teams are often checked separately to save time. At higher levels, umpires usually conduct checks together, and there may be additional protocols in place.

Be Proactive: Do not hesitate to request that a player cut or file nails further, remove jewellery, or apply additional tape to a device. It's better to resolve issues before the match starts.
Additional Considerations
  • Always ask if any players are missing and ensure they are checked before taking the court later
  • Watch for players joining after checks have been completed
  • This is a good time to confirm the team captain and ensure they have appropriate identification
  • You can ask the captains to conduct the toss as per Rule 3.13(a): the home or first-named team tosses the coin and the other team calls. Although umpires should not conduct the toss themselves, it's useful to carry a coin and assist if needed, particularly at junior or social levels.

Incorrect Team Numbers (Rule 3.2)

Rule 3.2 outlines the procedures to follow when a team has more or fewer than seven players on the court. The terminology is incorrect team numbers.

Fewer than Five Players

If a team has fewer than five players on court and no substitutes are available, the match is stopped and awarded to the opposing team.

It is good practice to notify the league or competition organiser afterwards so they can handle any administration.

More than Seven Players

Extra players must leave the court. Award possession to the opposing team where the ball was when play stopped.

This is not a penalty and no player is required to stand out. If players delay leaving, penalise for delaying play and advance the sanction up to half a third.

Key Point: A team may continue playing with five or six players, as long as one is positioned at Centre.

Late Players (Rule 3.8)

Late players are those not ready at the start of the match or after a stoppage, resulting in the team playing with fewer than seven players.

The term "late player" also applies (as per Rule 4.4) to any player who enters the court during the match without meeting the requirements outlined in the Team Checks—for example, joining at a tactical change while still wearing a watch. In such cases, the player must be sent from the court immediately, and possession is awarded to the opposing team where the ball was when play was stopped. The player must then follow the appropriate procedure (outlined below) before re-entering the match.

Requirements for Late Players

A late player may join at a break in play, but must:

  • Inform the umpire
  • Enter at a vacant position—no positional changes are allowed unless a tactical change has been requested or the game is otherwise stopped

If there is no reserve umpire, the match umpire should briefly hold time and check the player before they take the court.

Incorrect Entry: If a player enters without notifying the umpire, send them from the court and award possession to the opposing team where play was stopped. The terminology is incorrect entry.

Failure to Take the Court

At the start of each quarter or after a stoppage, players must be on court and ready to play by the 10-second whistle/warning.

Procedure When Players Not Ready
1

Blow the whistle to start play

2

Immediately blow again to penalise failure to take the court

Sanction: Advanced Penalty Pass
  • At the start of play: just inside the centre third by the transverse line
  • After a stoppage: advanced up to half a third from where play would have restarted
Team Sanction: This is a team sanction—no player stands out of play.
Important: If a team has fewer than five players, umpires must wait up to 30 seconds for them to reach five. If they do not, the match must be stopped and awarded to the opposing team.
Practical Management Tips
  • Be proactive—use the 10-second whistle to prompt players to return to court
  • Speak to team captains at breaks if delays continue
  • If both teams are late, you may penalise the one that is clearly later

However, if they take the court simultaneously, it's often more practical not to penalise either side but to firmly remind both captains at the next break about the importance of being on court in time.

Team Bench

At higher-level games, rules regarding the team bench should be followed strictly. See Bench Layout – Higher-Level Games for detailed guidance. At local level, some flexibility is needed.

Team Officials

A team may have up to five officials (or six if including a doctor) on the bench.

At local level, this may blur with spectators, especially where no seating is available elsewhere. It's easier to accept this unless it becomes disruptive.

Bench Positioning

Ensure benches are not obstructing umpire movement.

Ideally, benches are set far back or positioned in the left goal third on each sideline (as viewed from the court) so they are away from where the umpires will be moving.

Key Considerations
  • Check league or competition rules—some explicitly prohibit spectators on the team bench which simplify application of the above
  • Don't hesitate to ask teams to move benches or clear bags or other equipment to maintain clear access
  • Confirm the identity of the primary care person, often the coach at local level, so you know who will enter the court for injuries
  • Team officials must remain at the bench—wandering coaches can interfere with play and should be asked to return to the bench area. If necessary, use the Bench Movement/Behaviour rule to manage repeated non-compliance.