playing rules – refusing to start play

Rule 78. Refusing to Start Play

(a) The commencement of the two-minute warning and the reason for such warning shall be announced over the public address system, on the instructions of the Referee.

(b) If a team is withdrawn from the floor or fails to go on the floor, or being on the floor, fails to start play a SECOND TIME within the same game after being ordered to do so by the Referee, the two-minute allowance shall not be granted and the game will be officially suspended. The team officials and/or players of the team which are responsible for any of these actions may be suspended for one year or more from the date of the infraction. The Referee shall report full details of the incident to the President.

Note: Should the offending team be on the floor surface, the order shall be given in person by the Referee. If the offending team is not on the floor, the Timekeeper, on the instruction of the Referee, will convey the order to the offending team. The order may be given to any player or team official of the offending team.

(c) If a team fails to present itself at the time and place appointed to play any game, the game shall be awarded to the opposing team, unless such failure is caused by an unavoidable accident or unforeseen contingency. The team official and/or players responsible for any of these actions shall be reported to the President by the Referee, giving full details of the incident.

(d) A player or team official who refuses to leave the bench or playing area after he has been assessed a Game Misconduct penalty, Game Ejection, Gross Misconduct or Match penalty, TWO MINUTES AFTER BEING ORDERED TO DO SO BY THE REFEREE, the game or series shall be suspended. The team officials and/or players of the teams which are responsible for any of these actions may be suspended for one year or more form the date of the infraction. The referee shall report full details of the incident to the President.

IF THE PLAYER OR TEAM OFFICIAL AFTER BEING ORDERED TO LEAVE, DOES LEAVE THE BENCH OR THE FLOOR DURING THE ALLOTED 2 MINUTES, then a Major penalty and a Game Misconduct shall be assessed to the Coach for Delay of Game. If this infraction occurs in the last two minutes of regular playing time, or anytime in overtime, a Penalty Shot ( in addition to the Major Penalty and a Game Misconduct ) shall be awarded against the offending team’s, as state in Rule 55 e – Delay of Game.