Technical, Flagrant and Disqualifying Fouls

Question 1

When does a technical foul occur?

Answer 1

A technical foul results from an administrative error or a violation of acceptable behavior and decorum. Technical fouls may be committed by a player or by bench personnel.

Question 2

What is the sanction for a technical foul?

Answer 2

The sanction for a technical foul charged to a player is a sixty second penalty served by the player who committed the foul.

The sanction for a technical foul charged to bench personnel, including the coach, team staff, or substitutes, is a sixty second penalty served by a player on the court chosen by the coach.

Question 3

When can a player serving a penalty for a technical foul be released?

Answer 3

A player serving a sixty second penalty for a technical foul that is not a disqualifying foul will be released from the penalty box if the opposing team scores a try, unless a penalty try has been awarded.

Question 4

Give three examples of actions that will result in a technical foul.

(player technical foul)

Answer 4

The following actions will result in a technical foul:
1. Using disrespectful or abusive language towards any person.
2. Placing a hand or hands near the eyes of an opposing player.
3. Delaying the game unnecessarily.
4. Preventing the in-bounder from completely returning to the court after a throw-in.
5. Deliberately falling out of the wheelchair to stop the play.
6. Failing to proceed directly to the penalty box when directed by a Referee.
7. Leaving the penalty box prior to the expiration of a penalty or without being released by the penalty timekeeper or Referee.
8. Changing player number without the approval of a Referee.
9. Fallen player righting their chair without assistance from bench staff.
10. Raising the body off the seat of the wheelchair or using any part of the legs to modify the speed or direction of the wheelchair.
11. Using an unjustifiable excuse to obtain a stoppage in play, for example by:
i. requesting a time-out when a teammate does not have possession of the ball,
ii. requesting a time-out when the other team has possession of the ball, or
iii. making a trivial request for an equipment time out.
12. Contact with a player, who is in an unstable position as a result of primary contact that was legal.

This is not a complete list; the Referees may, at their discretion, charge a player with a technical foul for any violation of acceptable behavior and decorum.

Question 5

Give three examples of actions that will result in a technical foul.

(bench personnel)

Answer 5

The following actions will result in a technical foul:
1. Entering the court without receiving permission from an official to do so.
2. Entering the court as a substitute without reporting to the scoring table and waiting for the
Referee’s permission to enter.
3. Using disrespectful or abusive language towards any person.
4. Leaving the team bench area, unless required to do so by an official or unless leaving the field of play entirely.
5. Excessive Points.

Question 6

A player is found to be using a wheelchair that does not conform to the specifications.

When will a technical foul be charged?

Answer 6

A player may not play with a wheelchair that does not conform to the specifications detailed in these rules. If at any time during the game a player is found to be playing with an illegal wheelchair, he shall be charged with a technical foul.

Question 7

Can a coach request inspection of an opposing player’s chair?

Answer 7

Yes.

A coach may make a request to the Referee for an inspection of an opposing player’s wheelchair during a stoppage in play.

If the Referee finds that the wheelchair is legal, a sixty second time-out and a technical foul shall be charged to the coach who made the request.

If no sixty second time-out remains, then a second technical foul shall be charged to the coach. If two technical fouls are charged to the coach, they are to be served consecutively by the same player.

Question 8

When is an excessive points technical foul charged?

Answer 8

The total point value of the players on the court, including the penalty box, cannot exceed 10. If a team is found to be playing with excessive points on the court, a technical foul shall be charged to the bench.

Question 9

How is an excessive points technical fould served?

Answer 9

The coach will select a player from the lineup on court to serve the technical foul. When the player is identified, a substitution to correct the error can then be made.

Question 10

Can a coach request a point count of the opposing team during a game?

Answer 10

Yes.

A coach may make a request to the scorekeeper for a point count of the other team at any time during the game.

The scorekeeper will note the time of the request and will inform the Referee at the next stoppage in play. If the Referee finds that the team has excessive points on the court, a technical foul will be given. Play will resume at the point when the request was made.

If the Referee determines that the team does not have excessive points on the court, a technical foul shall be charged to the coach who made the request.

Question 11

What is a flagrant foul?

Answer 11

A flagrant foul is committed when it is clear that a player has created an unsporting contact with an opponent that extends beyond a legitimate attempt to legally play the ball or the chair. This includes contact that is reckless or demonstrates the intent to intimidate his opponent.

Question 12

What is the charge for a flagrant foul?

Answer 12

A player who commits a flagrant foul shall be charged with three try release penalties. The penalties are served consecutively.

If the sanction for the initial foul is a loss of possession, or a penalty try is awarded, the player will begin serving the first penalty, followed immediately by the second.

Question 13

Can a player be charged with a second flagrant foul?

Answer 13

If a player is charged with a second flagrant foul in the same game the player shall be disqualified from the game.

The sanction for the disqualification in this situation will be as stated for a flagrant foul. The disqualified player will leave the field of play immediately. The penalties shall be served by a player from the same team selected by the coach. The coach will be allowed to substitute to create a legal line up.

Question 14

What is a disqualifying foul?

Answer 14

A person who commits a foul that is blatantly unsportsmanlike, or that is committed with a clear disregard for safety, shall be disqualified from the game.

Question 15

What actions can result in a disqualifying foul?
Give three examples.

Answer 15

The following actions will result in a disqualifying foul:
1. Dangerous play.
2. Fighting.
3. Continuous abusive and offensive language.
4. Striking or disrespectfully making physical contact with an official.
5. A common foul that displays very poor judgment and results in danger or injury to an opponent.

Question 16

What happens when a player is disqualified?

Answer 16

A person who commits a disqualifying foul shall leave the field of play immediately. He is not permitted to remain in the field of play, the surrounding area, or any other area where he may continue to have an influence on the game.

Question 17

What is the sanction for a disqualifying foul?

Answer 17

The sanction for a disqualifying foul is a sixty second penalty. This penalty is served for the full sixty seconds; the player serving the penalty will not be released from the penalty box if the opposing team scores a try.

If the disqualifying foul was committed by a player, the penalty shall be served by a player from the same team with a classification point value equal to that of the disqualified player.

If there is no such player, the penalty shall be served by a player from the same team with a classification point value closest to that of the disqualified player.

If there are two players with a classification point value closest to that of the disqualified player, the player with the highest classification point value shall serve the penalty. If there is more than one player who may serve the penalty, the coach shall select the player.

If a substitute, a coach, an assistant coach, or other team staff committed the disqualifying foul, a player selected by the coach shall serve the penalty.