What do the assistant referees at the goal lines do?
Rule- South Africa
- Swimming South Africa
- Water polo
- World Aquatics rules
- All ages
- 2025/26
- Referees
Under the current World Aquatics rules (Part Six, Article 3.9), assistant referees sit at the end of the side line, alongside each goal line, on the same side as the officials' table. They signal:
| Situation | Signal |
|---|---|
| Players correctly positioned on the goal line at the start of a period | One arm raised vertically |
| Goal | Both arms raised and crossed above the head |
| Goal throw or corner throw | One arm horizontal, pointing in the direction the team awarded the throw is attacking |
| False start, or improper entry by an excluded player or substitute | Both arms raised vertically |
They also keep a supply of balls and, when the ball leaves the field, throw a new one in: to the goalkeeper for a goal throw, or to the nearest attacker for a corner.
An assistant referee's signal is advisory: the Referee makes the award, and if they conflict, the Referee's decision prevails.
Updated 22 Oct 2026